Denon DVD-557 Progressive Scan DVD Player

• HDMI digital video output
• Progressive scan
• DVD-R/RW playback
• 2 MB buffer memory
• Picture adjustment function

Thinking I could find a better upscaling DVD player than the Oppo 971H to pair with my 1080i CRT display if I spent a few more bucks, I bought the Denon DVD-1930CI. There was a lot to admire about the Oppo, but paired with my three-year-old DVI-compatible display it produced too much edge shimmer in scenes where the camera pans over fine horizontal lines.The 1930CI was better in this regard and outperformed the Oppo in the audio department. I sent the Oppo back, but continued to research the edge shimmer issue to see if their was a machine for less than $500 that would give me the sharpest possible picture without producing this distracting effect. After reading too many A/V forum posts in search of the answer, I took the counter-intuitive approach and bought a machine without the coveted Faroudja DCDi chip, thinking a plain old progressive scan might do the trick. So I bought the DVD-557 (which sells in "higher-end" stores under the 1730 badge) and pitted it against the 1930CI (aka the 757) for the better part of a week. In core audio performance, the two machines were identical. The technical specs confirm this, as did a side-by-side test where I toggled back and forth between the two machines playing the same source material. On the video performance side of the equation, there were differences, but with most DVDs were so subtle, I honestly can't say which I preferred. I must have compared a dozen DVDs side by side looking for the 1930CI to have a clear enough edge to justify its significantly higher price. Only one DVD in my collection, "Office Space", clearly showed the differences between the two machines. The 1930CI produced a much more stable image when the disc's menus were on the screen. During the movie itself, video quality differences were hard to detect, if there at all. I did more such side-by-side tests in search of performance differences as dramatic as the "Office Space" menu test, but could not find any. Im the end, I returned the 1930CI and kept the 575. Neither machine produced a perfect picture, but figured for the $200 difference, I'd be more forgiving -and thus more satisfied -with the 575. That said, there are other issues beyond the machine's core performance that may be a factor for some of you: The 1930CI supports Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio discs; the 575 does not. And while the DCDi chip on board the 1930CI might earn its keep when the machine is paired with, say, a 720P or 1080P display, the chip's virtues were not apparent on my 1080i display. What's most striking about these two machines is how similar they are. On the cosmetic front, the 1930CI has a brushed aluminum face instead of the plastic face plate on the 757. Other than that and one or two buttons, they are twins in every way. Their exterior measurements are identical, they weigh in within a couple ounces of each other, have the same serviceable-but-unimpressive disc tray, and were both built in China. They're also a tad noisy. If you want the refinement, heft and perfomance of a high-end A/V component, you'll have to step up to the Denon DVD-2930. It's built like a tank, or at least a light armored vehicle, and judging from the in-store demonstration I saw, can perform minor miracles -but at a fairly hefty price for a non-HD machine: it costs two-and-a-half times as much as the 1930CI.

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Update:

I been using my PS3 as a dvd player (HDMI also) and the images are a tad sharper on the PS3 via a LCD set. The colors are fairly close, but the edge also goes to the PS3. Denon 557 images produced more blocky outline also. I would have to knock off a star (4 stars now) from my orginal review. This player looks fine on an analog tube set.

Denon entry level DVD is outstanding and extremely is an upgrade over standard DVD players. Denon make great circuit for receiver and the first thing I noticed is the sound reproduction is much purer. I didn't know my old DVDs and CDs that I just played on this Denon system would sound noticeably better.

The image is the best I have seen for a DVD player on an LCD. I will be honest, flat panel HDTV LCD does not produce as good of an image as picture tube HDTV. Progressive scan doesn't really work on flat panel as it does on a tube HDTV. Older and cheaper DVD movies will not show much improvement on this player, since they remain burry on LCD. But the newer DVD movies looked a lots better. There is no miracle, even DVDs displayed at 1080i do not look like true 1080 HD or blue-ray images.

Minor items I notice:

The player disc spin is a little nosier on some DVDs then other players. The remote is not universal, just for Denon with a very comfortable layout. The player façade have more buttons compare to others. Average to better boot time. You can have multiple outputs with HDMI, Component, s-video all at once. The unit built quality is solid with a nice aluminum panel. Yes, it does plays cd pics and smoother then most other DVD players.

Does up-coverting really works, not really, but the HDMI output over Component is the different here. Denon also came out with a pricier 1080p model.

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Excellent upconverting dvd player for the money. I was going to take this back after hooking it up for the first time since the picture was no better, actually worse than my Samsung dvd player. Take the time to really adjust all the parameters including sound, picture size, contrast, color etc before you form an opinion. I spent better than an hour maybe close to two hours setting up and tweeking, and finally got a picture that is superior to my old Samsung, using movies such as "A Night at the Museum", Fantastic 4, and the Incredibles.

Comes pretty darn close but not quite to Blue Ray and HD-DVD picture quality.

For the money, you can't go wrong especially when you can find a new player for just around $110.00.

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Just picked up this player and have been happy so far. It's hooked to a 720p DLP TV via HDMI, with optical out going to a surround sound receiver. I read a review elsewhere complaining that the picture was rather washed out. I noticed the picture was a bit soft and created a profile on my TV that adjusts the contrast, brightness, and color, and the results are fantastic. If your TV does not support multiple profiles, the DVD player itself allows you to adjust all of these settings, so you should be able to get the desired results. Great value for the price.

This unit has been great so far. Plays DVDs and Audio CDs perfectly, all formats. Will NOT play computer files, that is the only draw back. Remote and menus are well designed.