Sharp DV-S2U/RCA DRC480N

[jl1252]

Does anybody have any thoughts on these players? Both have the DCDi chipset. I was looking at Sharp's website and it said that it only puts out 420P...HUH? look here http://www.sharp-usa.com/products/ModelLanding/0,1058,830,00.html That has got to be a typo. But looking at their other model, DV-S25U, with the DCDi chip in it says the same thing. I have always been leary of sharp products because of their build quality, but my local CC has an open box for $99.

I was also looking at the RCA DRC480N with the DCDi chip. CC has it for $179. beautiful looking unit with brushed aluminum and mirrored surfaces. I have tried to get info/reveiws on it but cant find any.

Lastly I found a Panny CP67 for $175 minus a $30 rebate ($145) at Filco. This is just a changer version of the RP62, right? Does the guideline about the "b" in the serial number apply to the CP67 as it does to the RP62 in regards to whether or not it has the Faroujda chip in it?

Any info would be appreciated
jl1252

[StreetPreacher]

There's reviews on similar models here

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDnameid=1198&Search=Search&#comments

You can take these reviews with a grain of salt, but it looks like a lot of people are reporting reliability issues with Sharp units...

-Sp

[TenShoes]

jl1252,

I cant speak to the Sharp, but the RCA was reviewed by Consumer Reports in their last "home theater issue" (March 03 I think?). They ranked it #2 of the models they tested. I tried it out (found it at Radio Shack for $99) and it gives a decent picture, but did not outperform my older non-PS Toshiba 2200, so I returned it. I am finding (with a little help from our friends here at HDTVoice) that with the cheaper PS players, my Hitachi 51swx20b produces a better upconverted interlaced picture than I can get from the PS DVD.

You may have checked out the thread I started ("worth the price to upgrade") in this forum. Several other people have made recommendations to me. The Panny S35 is also about $99 and I thought it worked slightly better than the RCA, but in the same class. I am going to try and get my hands on an xp-30 and see how that does. Kevinw recommended the RP-62 so you might ask him about the model "b" question in the CP model.

Good luck.

TenShoes