Denon DVD-2200 DVD Player

Pros: Fantastic picture, astonishing sound! Ample controls.
Cons: Complexity...but that may be unavoidable.

After buying an HDTV, it didn't take long to be lured into upgrading our (non-progressive) Onkyo DVD player. After reading reviews, I had decided on a lower-priced Denon model, but the ability to play SACD (Super Audio CD) disks made me go for this model ...

Pros: Superb video, superfast layer change, remote, menus.
Cons: Not built like a tank compared to 2900.

To better understand my opinions and perspectives on this review, let me first list my other components: Sony 32" HDTV KV-32HS500 Onkyo TX-NR801 AVR B&W DM602 S3 font speakers JBL center and Pioneer surrounds Like many others out there, I myself ...

Pros: Plays just about every CD format. Great sound and picture.
Cons: Alternating Progressive Flag problem.

I purchased the dvd-2200 and dvd-2900 this past Saturday (11/15/03) to see how they compared. Here's what you don't get with the dvd-2200: RS-232C, 16X9 Squeeze(for making 16x9 fit on standard tv), a specially coated drive for vibration resistance, ...

Pros: Plays everything as stated by the manual/website so far. Seems sturdy and very well-made.
Cons: Remote and menus are complex, however default settings out-of-the-box produce a good picture.

My dealer replaced my Pioneer DV-45A with the Denon DV-2200 because the DV-45A (and an in-store demo unit) would not reliably play DVD-R/RW discs burned using NeroBurn 6 and my SONY DRU-500AX DVD writer (despite claims made in the manual, on the Pioneer website and on phone by Pioneer reps). That's too bad because the Pioneer produced great video. Overall, Pioneer technical assistance was very unsupportive and would not confirm to me that their DV-45A had these problems. The dealer got firmware upgrades from Pioneer for the DV-45A after a ten-week waitr but they did not correct the problem. So far my Denon DV-2200 plays not only commercial DVDs but all of my home-made DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW discs. CD-R/RW MP3 and JPEG files play flawlessly. Dark areas/scenes in the picture are a little dense but the on-board gamma control let me lighten up dark areas preferentially. Very nice.

Pros: Great handling of SACD and DVD's. Smooth sound and video.
Cons: If only one could have DVi at this price point.

I went back and forth deciding between the 2200 and the 1600 but decided I definitely wanted SACD capability. I don't think I'll be buying many regular CD's after experiencing SACD quality. My CD collection sounds great too, so there's nothing lost there. I run this through Rotel and Paradigm 40's and the clarity is impressive.
This player also has standout picture quality. I've not moved to HD so I can't comment on Progressive but the interlaced mode is very beautiful. Every DVD I've watched has been crisper and better detailed then was rendered on my older Toshiba player.
All in all, I have really enjoy everything that outputs from this machine, from DVD's, 128 bit mp3's, DVD-A, and of course SACD.
I suppose if I had a complaint is would be that I wish I could have DVi output so I don't have to get another machine in the future when I go HD but then, the component is so nice I may not need to go all digital right away.
Highly recommended.

Pros: Great sound and picture.
Cons: The disc tray stay open ...

Nice picture with brillant and accurate color + a lot of details. The sound reproduction for SACD, DVD-A and standard DVD, is warm and well defined. Great performer.
The only complain, is about the disc tray. When you shut down the player,the disc tray stay open.