DVD5 still up-to-date?

Posted by: Adrian F. on 01 December 2006

Hi there

I d'like to replace my aging Sony DVP-NS900V (Scart RGB interlaced) with something better. It was alright with the CRT TV, but now I have a Full-HD LCD with digital input to go along. The short test with only a small Denon DVD-1920 from a friend showed a clearly better picture with progressive HDMI. But the sound and the cheap feeling of the casework and buttons made me shudder.

The consequent step would be the DVD5 to complete my naim h.c. setup (details are in my profile). I'm not doubting the built quality or the sonic abilities. But I don't want to pay a big extra only for the comfort of the family looks in the rack, the combo-remote and the AV2 onscreen menus...
Since the DVD5 came out, the deinterlacing and scaling technologies have made big steps, and there are more "feature loaded" alternatives. (Don't mention the war - or the longtime "vaporware" scaler-card.)

I guess something like the new Denon DVD-3930 or a Pioneer DV-989AVi-S could be better on image quality - but the musical side is still naim area? Am I right??
I know, comparing big series consumer electronics, with small series highend products is a bit like apples and oranges... Unfortunately, it is hard to get those players side by side to compare. Has someone had a chance to do so?

Help me with your experience to make myself the right x-mas present

Adrian

Posted on: 04 December 2006 by Adrian F.

No one checked the DVD5 against a current Denon, Pioneer or something similar?

Manuel! - ¿Qué?

Thank you for your findings.
Adrian

Posted on: 04 December 2006 by Manu

I've no need to compare, i'm perfectly happy with my DVD5 picture quality, thanks

Posted on: 04 December 2006 by Adrian F.

Salut Manu

Thank you for your feedback.

AFAIK, you are using Runco projectors with it. Do you have some separate image processors in between, to do the scaling (and probably the interlacing too)?

Last month, I saw a big 3-chip DLP Runco beamer with special cinemascope lens in front at a show here in switzerland. The source was a Kaleidescape server with a mix of DVD and HD material, and an acoustic transparent Screen Research screen, with the speakers hidden behind. Very impressive picture, although not near the size of my wallet... But then again, I don't need such a huge machine for my livingroom only.

I'll try to organise a DVD5 for a home-test. But it will take some time to get one, because the closest dealers don't have 'em on stock.
You would buy one again today as you say? But you have compared it to the competition, before you bought one back then, I guess?

Posted on: 04 December 2006 by Manu

Hi Adrian,
Not very helpfull for your initial question...
Sure i would buy one today. The reactions of my dealers confort me to believe it is the best DVDP available today (except exotics or ultra expensive machines i don't know anyway).
As for the projector, i have a VX1000, so it only works with an external video processor, upscaling to 720P. My screen is a 110' Firehawk Stewart Filmscreen.
I'll have soon the oportunity to try the DVD5 on a new 1080P tripanel monster. If i can sell the 3 projectors collecting dust at home, i'll see for the VX1000 replacement (1080p, single panel for my wallet) and the DVD5 will be even more enjoyable...
The lens you have seen, increase the pixel count on an anamorphic material, all pixels are used to display, the lens compress the image vertically only to bring back the ratio. So you have more and smaller lines and a better contrast as the pixel pitch is also smaller. but it cost 3000$ for the cheappest implementation on a lens.

Posted on: 05 December 2006 by Adrian F.

Salut Manu

Of course, you don't need internal scaling in the DVD5, when you have the external runco processor. So this "shortcoming" does not concern you. All the best for your further upgrade plans. I'm keen to get my fingers on a DVD5 now...

BTW the "Don't mention the war" & "Manuel! - ¿Qué?" was referred to the Fawlty Towers series from John Cleese. Your english is much too good for a waiter from Barcelona

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/f/fawltytowers_7772600.shtml

Posted on: 06 December 2006 by Stuart M

quote:
the new Denon DVD-3930 or a Pioneer DV-989AVi-S

I don't know what the Denon-3930 is like BUT I have the Denon 3910 and that gives great picture quality and the internal DACs are better than my Yamaha DSP-E800 so I use 6Ch pass through.

On CD well the CD5 is better but I can play SCAD and DVD-Audio via the Denon and for the few disks I have it's worthwhile.

I've only an infocus 5700 so no HD capability but I can do native DVD resolution - which works best.

One rant of mine is that we are (In the worst case) paying for DVD's with scalers, AV Amps/Processors wit scalers, TV/Projectors with scalers so to convert from say DVD to 1080p you may end up paying for 3 scalars and either you use 1 (waste of money for the other 2) or use all 3 and loose quality because the repeated scaling damages the image.

Part of it is I think feature=profit but also part is that there is no standard as to where scaling should happen. In the high end I think it should be everything accepts it's native input and before the output device you have a dedicated scalar box.

However at my level, it seems I have paid for farouda (Sp) processing 3 times when I should only need it once.

Posted on: 08 December 2006 by Adrian F.

Thank you Stuart.

The biggest difference in the successor from your model is the HQV Realta video processor from the top of the line Denon player. It had some great reviews...

Since my old Sony was SA-CD capable, I would loose this feature with the DVD5. But most of these disks are hybrids, and I usually have played the CD-layer on my CDS3. But a SA-CD / DVD-Audio combi-player with a first-class video output for much less money is tempting. Though I'm still not convinced about his musical side.

I agree with you about a central video processor would be the best way to go. Obviously this was the way naim had planned to go first. At the back of the AV2 you have a RJ45 connector named VS1 (Video Switch 1).
That's where you plug the DVD5 now for the onscreen menus, switch on/of together, ect. I don't know why they changed their minds, and do "only" a scaler card for the DVD5/n-Vi. But I would have liked that consequent approach of 1 separate box for sound and 1 separate box for video very much!!