The high-definition formats are all well and good, but everyone still has a massive DVD collection and in the age of the budget DVD player, it's possible to have a brilliant quality deck in every room. Players fro Kiss, Sharp, Denon and Samsung have all got something in common, they've all been nominated...
The Winner
Denon DVD-1930
£250 (approx)
01234 741 200
Reviewed: HCC #138
Putting a strong case for affordable DVD players, Denon’s do-it-all 1930 supports DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD and 1080p upscaling. At the other end of the quality scale, it will also play MP3, WMA, DivX and JPG files.
Lightweight but immaculately assembled, the 1030 has a smart aluminium front panel, well-equipped rear panel (the HDMI port can deliver 1080p video and multichannel audio) and a slick remote control.
An immediately impressive picture is complemented by clean deinterlacing, and excellent handling of music.
If you’re still dithering over new HD formats, this Denon will squeeze fresh enjoyment out of your existing DVD collection. A brilliant buy from Denon.
Mike O'Mahoney, Managing Director of Denon UK, accepts the award
Also nominated
Samsung DVD-HD860
£100 (approx)
020 8391 0168
Reviewed: HCC #134
Slim and lightweight, this Samsung looks good and performs better. The stylish black-and-silver case and bright blue LED illumination gives it an air of class. More to the point, it has a wide range of features including HDMI, Scart, S-video, component, composite, phono stereo audio and optical and coaxial audio outputs; as well as upscaling, DivX compatibility, a variable picture-size function, and JPG playback. Video replay is sound, with decent colour fidelity and strong detail, and audio scores well too.
KiSS DP-600
£300 (approx)
07779 134886
Reviewed: HCC #134
An ambitious networking player, the DP-600 will play hi-def content downloaded from the internet – though not, of course, HD-DVD or Blu-ray discs. Files streamed to the DP-600 via a PC by wi-fi or fixed Ethernet connection are output at up to 1080i via the player’s HDMI output; also featured are RGB Scart, S-video, optical and coaxial digital audio, stereo analogue audio and 5.1 audio outputs. A USB socket allows you to connect a portable hard drive. MP3, DivX, XviD, WAV and WMA are all supported. Setup is straightforward and the remote control is simple and helpful.
DVD and DivX playback are both excellent, as are HD files, and most of the bugs of earlier KiSS players seem to have been worked out. A sophisticated, feature-packed machine.
Sharp DV-S97H
£80 (approx)
0800 138 5051
Reviewed: HCC #135
As DVD player prices tumble headlong to the point where they are practically being given away with bags of potatoes, it must be a challenge to manufacturers to come up with any feature which justifies a price point at which they can make any profit. HDMI is the current candidate, and the Sharp DV-S97H does well to include it for £80. Minimal in design, this Sharp’s blue display and silvery finish make for a handsome package; around the back, HDMI, component video, stereo audio, RGB Scart, and optical and digital audio outputs add to the appeal.
Upscaling to 720p and 1080i brings superb results. Who would have thought a year ago that you would be able to buy an upscaling DVD player with digital video output for £80?
