Group Test: Upscaling DVD players

Overview Price: £250 More info: Denon Size: 435x75x310mm Weight: 2.6kg Playback formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-Audio, CD, CD-R/-RW, SACD, VCD, SVCD, MP3, WMA, JPEG, DivX/XviD Video connections: HDMI out (to 1080i/p), RGB Scart, composite, S-Video and component video out (phonos) Progressive scan: Yes Audio connections: 5.1 multichannel and stereo out (phonos), optical and coaxial digital out Denon DVD-1930 The DVD-1930 is a bargain compared to the Arcam but still costs more than twice as much as the sub-£100 entry level models from other brands. So what does this mid-range machine offer? For starters it's a universal audio player that accepts DVD-Audio and SACD, using its built-in decoders, 24bit/192kHz audio DACs and 5.1 multichannel output to make multichannel music come alive. It also adds a living, breathing dimension to spectacular blockbusters - awash with surround detail and clarity across the range - and it'll give a thunderingly good rendition of your CD collection, too. Its video credentials are equally high, with 216MHz/11bit DACs and upscaling to 1080i or 1080p, so it's well set up for the newest HDTVs. It has a suitably clean, fresh picture and naturalistic colour that's bright enough without every seeming garish. The upscaling holds up well, with virtually no grain or artefacts from the processing to moan about and a less 'ringed' outline to edges compared to previous Denon players around this price. Via HDMI you can see extremely fine detail, right down to stray hairs, while the analogue component option is almost as superb. It boasts a pretty smooth tonal range, with delicate grey shades and gradations rendered well, all adding up to a very polished performance. Building on Denon's already solid efforts, the DVD-1930 is proof that you don't really need to buy expensive HD disc formats for the time being.

Verdict Plus points Plenty of connections; easy to set up; excellent sound and picture quality Minus points Pricier than entry level models; remote is rather big and ugly

Overview Price: £75 More info: LG Electronics Size: 430x35x240mm Weight: 1.8kg Playback formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-Audio (2-channel only), CD, CD-R/-RW, SACD, VCD, SVCD, MP3, WMA, JPEG, DivX/XviD Video connections: HDMI out (to 720p/1080i), RGB Scart, composite and component video out (phonos), multi-format memory card slot Progressive scan: Yes Audio connections: stereo out (phono), optical and coaxial digital out LG DNX190MH LG's well specified budget player even includes a couple of card slots that work with most popular digital-camera memory formats, so you can pop the card straight from the camera and view photos on TV. The player and its remote control are not great looking, but the handset is about the right size and the main control keys are well laid out (better than the £1250 Arcam in fact!). The machine will surprisingly play DVD-Audio but as only analogue stereo or basic digital output available, it won't reach maximum quality. Likewise, the upscaling won't extend to the 1080p resolution of the Denon and Arcam but it's fine for most HD-ready TVs (its smudgy analogue component output is best avoided, though). The picture itself has decent contrast but some detail is lost in darker shades and colour looks accurate but isn't truly vivid. Motion is handled well and finer details show no blurring or break-up during movement, however, the overall image is a little grainy and lacks the pristine clarity of the other players (even the Pioneer, which only costs a bit more). DivX/XviD playback was mixed, with the machine regularly getting stuck during playback and, finally, the sound is often harsh and less full blooded than the others in this group. A good budget HDMI/upscaling player but it lacks the polish and verve of other players near or above its price range.

Verdict Plus points Decent remote control design; easy to use; good value player Minus points DVD-A support but only at basic quality; not a great audio performance; image rather dull and pasty at times

Overview Price: £95 More info: Pioneer Size: 420x50x214mm Weight: 1.7kg Playback formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/RW, CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3, WMA, JPEG, DivX/XviD Video connections: HDMI out (to 720p/1080i), RGB Scart, composite and component video out (phonos) Progressive scan: Yes Audio connections: stereo out (phonos), coaxial digital out Pioneer DV-490V-S Pioneer's player costs slightly more than the LG model tested here, so there are some slightly better electronics on hand. The exterior looks are plain - or even fussy given the number of buttons on the front - and the choice of connections is as minimal as the LG. The remote control and accompanying menus are simple and clear, though, and as most people will use the HDMI AV port, the hardware fulfils a good basic spec. JPEG picture viewing is provided but only from CD-R/RW rather than any card slots. If you stick to pure DVD film viewing, the DV-490VS is excellent. The upscaled picture has bold contrast, natural colour, smooth motion and well contained sharp images. Thanks in part to its 108MHz/12-bit video DAC, there's virtually no graininess or smearing and outlines are neither over-sharpened or blocky. Likewise, the audio performance is warm and engaging. The one significant flaw we found was in how it plays some video-originated material on DVD when watching via HDMI, with unsightly deinterlacing side effects showing up, especially in fast moving shots. This won't affect DVD movies or even many 'TV' titles on DVD, which are originated on celluloid or film-like HD, but camcorder-shot extras might prove troublesome. Pioneer provides a solid entry with its DV490VS which plays movies almost to perfection but proves less adaptable than the more expensive offerings.

Verdict Plus points Straightforward user menus; simple remote control; excellent quality movie playback Minus points Exterior looks rather plain; basic audio-visual connections only; poor playback of video-originated material

Final verdict There are more upscaling players appearing each month. Even the cheapest in our test, LG's circa-£75 DNX190MH, is up to the task and can produce a better picture than basic non-HDMI equipped players. The Pioneer DV-490VS is generally better, providing noticeably better movie playback for a few pounds more. If you step up to the £250 Denon DVD-1930, however, you'll get a better all-round performance as well as more connections, SACD/DVD-A support and an upscaled output as high as 1080p. Despite the higher price this offers the best value in the group. At the high end, Arcam's £1,250 DV137 might seem expensive but its almost flawless performance and close-to-real-HD upscaling quality makes it worth considering if you are using a large screen projector or plasma TV more than 50in wide.

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