Replacing Panny CV-51

[LilBro]

I currently have a Panny CV-51 running thru a TOSLink cable to a Toshiba 36" CRT.
The Toshiba does not support progressive scan.
As the Panny is getting a bit long in the tooth, I'd like to replace it with a newer unit. I've seen good things about the Oppo OPDV971H, the Panny S97 and S77, and the Philips DVP-642. THe 5-disc try on my Panny is nice but not necessary. And I don't plan on buying an HDTV set until HDTV is the norm and not a $40 a month upcharge. Since the rest of my components are black, I'd prefer to get a black unit, but beggars can't be choosers.
Anyway, which of the above units would be a good interim player. I'd really like to stay below $200 (hey, I've got two kids in college). As this forum is where I decided to get the CV-51, I thought I'd look again. Thanks.

[cpc]

Yep, you came to the right place. The CV-51 is the 5 disc version of the RV31, so it is a great interlaced player. You could try an iScan Pro, Ultra or HD, but the last two are pretty expensive vs the dvd players you mentioned. I like the CV-51 and have been impressed with its problem free performance. I have a bunch of other players now, as I experiment my way towards deciding on a new dvd player.

If your display is not progressive, I honestly cannot really see getting a new dvd player. You say you have a 36" CRT TV so I am not sure what you are looking for a new dvd player for. Maybe I mis-understood and your display is somehow HD but not progressive (not likely), but that doesn't make sense anyhow because you say are NOT getting an HDTV, so you mustn't have one now.

If you are planning on getting an HD display of some kind, like a Plasma, or a rear projection crt or a projector of some kind which does 720p or 1080i, then I would say that either of the Panny S77 or S97 would be good, or the Oppo 971H. You cannot go too wrong with any of these players. Check those threads and see how things are with those players. I am trying to figure things out myself.

The Oppo is DVI output vs the HDMI output of the S77 and S97. I think that means that the Panny dvd players potentially may have better picture. The OPPO is really easy to make all region, while the Panny's are not. The OPPO also has DPL II like the Panny players, but I think the way the OPPO has implemented the Faroudja is better than the S77 and S97. There is more adjustment as far as the "cross-colour suppression" and the other noise reduction features.

One of your concerns should be regarding "macro-blocking". This evident in these Faroudja players. Apparantly the OPPO is not the worst in this regard. Macroblocking is most noticable in CRT displays (I have an LCD so not as big a concern).

I am going to try to find out the difference between these players too. Try to research and see if there are any things that one player has that you MUST HAVE...or if there is anything that one of the players has, or something the player does that you dislike.

good luck in your search and hopefully you will get some more helpful feedback from owners of those players. Still, if you don't have an "HDTV" I think you should stick with your panny CV51.