Decent DVD players under $100?

[Roypercy]

Hey all:

After three years, my trusty Panasonic S-52K finally died. I picked up a Philips 5140 for $50 but will be bringing it back: the image quality seems grainy to me, audio sucks, and the damn thing has no fast forward or reverse (just skips to the next chapter). I watch DVDs through component video with 2-channel audio hooked up to a newish 27" Sony flat-screen CRT and have no plans for going to 5.1 sound; I listen to music through a separate 2-channel setup in another part of the house. I always liked the video performance of the Panasonic and thought its sound options through the TV's built-in speakers were just fine.

ANy sugestions for good sub-$100 players? I'm considering the Denon DVD1720 (refurb through Ecost), a Sony DVPNS57, or one of the lower-end Pioneer models. Any ideas about these units, or suggestions for something better in my (admittedly small) budget?

Thanks!

[Duane]

I've owned a few players over the past 10 years,3 of them being of the high priced variety( Sony DVP-S9000ES and 999ES and 1 EAD Theatervision P). What I keep coming back to is the Sony DVP-NS700P..it's not much to look at but it keeps plugging along and the picture quality is on par with the upper Sony's and is better than the EAD. It has progressive output (switchable) over component. I own 2 of them and sold off the upper end players.What I like about Sony players is the fast access to the disc menu. I'm certain you can find used,good ones for way less than $100. These don't do SACD.They do play DVD-R/RW +R/RW discs without a hitch.

[Holst]

My older Samsung was getting a bit dodgy, so I picked up a 29 dollar Magnavox DP100MW8 at Walmart last weekend.

I didn't expect much, Chinese built quality on the same level as a Big Mac container.

I was really suprised, very little for features but easy to use, the picture quality is very good, the audio is good, If it dies young, I'm not out much.

[Stoffie]

Not sure if that model is around in the NA market, but a Sony DVP-S725D/735D is a real sleeper. Stunning picture, and really nice for playing cd's as well, has a bunch of ELNA caps inside. They usually go for about 50 bucks on eBay. Just gotta find one with a good laser though (although the laser can be had for about 25 bucks online if you look well enough).

[Stewie]

Don't have experience with the player myself, but Tone Audio (AK Sponser!) gives a very high rating to the Pioneer DV-588A-S. It's a universal player to boot--SACD, DVD-A, etc. See Issue 5 for details. $129, evidently.

[BKville]

My older Samsung was getting a bit dodgy, so I picked up a 29 dollar Magnavox DP100MW8 at Walmart last weekend.

I didn't expect much, Chinese built quality on the same level as a Big Mac container.

I was really suprised, very little for features but easy to use, the picture quality is very good, the audio is good, If it dies young, I'm not out much.

I wondered about that Emerson.. All the Emerson products are made by Funai now.. I have the 32" Emerson LCD HDTV from Walmart, a great TV..

[outshined]

I bought a Sanyo DWM-395. It does DD, DVD-A, DTS, CD, CD-R CD-RW, Kodak Pic Disc, x200 search, PinPoint zoom, Versa-Tilt, has a screen saver and Cinema Progressive Scan. Also, it has "TV Guardian" so the kiddies won't be hearing all those cuss words they'll be using in a few years anyway.

Paid $59.

Works for me.