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I have been using a Panasonic DMR-E85H. It's a DVD recorder with a hard drive. I don't use the hard drive all that much. As a DVD video playback device, it renders a great, film-like image on my 32" HD CRT (Dynamic range on this TV is terrific!).
Recently, the Panasonic stopped working. While I was contemplating what would be a worthy replacement, my wife, who is good with electronics, took it apart and discovered a few blown capacitors. We got the unit working.
In the interim, we replaced it with a Toshiba combo DVD/VHS player which we had with the bedroom TV. The Toshiba was not close to the video quality (nor the sound quality) of the Panasonic.
We had been leaning toward the Oppo bdp-103 as a replacement prior to fixing the Panasonic.
The Toshiba was such a comedown from the Panasonic. I'm really quite happy with the Panasonic. But I have no idea how much of an improvement with the Oppo, if there is one. The TV is only capable of 1080i/720P, and it is "only" a 32" 4:3 high-def tube. Clearly there is a good video (and a pretty good analog) processor in the Panasonic (Philips chip, I think), and we are using component video in/out. The Panasonic was rather pricey when we purchased it new (over $600).
My question is how much better would the Oppo be, if at all, over the performance of the Panasonic in terms of DVD video playback in my system? I would not be using the Oppo for audio playback (as I have a Rega Saturn CD player). BluRay wouldn't be taken fully advantage of given that my screen is on the smaller side and doesn't do 1080p. Clearly there's not as much resolution with DVDs, but color, dynamics and nuance are rendered really well with the Panasonic. On the other hand, I certainly like the option of adding a Roku, but it would be a large stretch financially to get the Oppo. Furthermore, since the 103 is an almost 2-year old model, I wonder when the next model will come along. The latest 103 model with the Darblet built-in is not to everyone's taste and I'm not sure if it would be to mine.
Follow Ups:
Note that all current Blu-ray players, due to content-protection regulations, pass high-definition signals via HDMI only. To view HD material via component-video connections you will need to find a discontinued Blu-ray player that has component-video outputs.
Note also that most BD player manufacturers no longer provide analog audio outputs either, sending the audio exclusively via the HDMI output.
That's not an issue. Because of the HDMI inputs on the Oppo, I can use the one HDMI input in the TV coming from the BDP-103. Currently I have to run the HD cable into the TV. I need to use component outs into the TV.
So the cable would go into the Oppo, and everything would run into the TV from the Oppo. The Oppo still has analog audio outs, so that proceeds as normal.
That is, component outs from the DVD recorder. Again, the BDP-103 would free up the one HDMI input in the TV to come from the Oppo.
By not mentioning your TV has an HDMI input, your original post led me to think you had only component video for HD sources.
Your scenario would likely work fine. Oppo's generous return policy would make an in-home trial easy.
Looking at your situation from my perspective, I would opt for a leftover or refurbished Sony or Panasonic Blu-ray player from the 2012-13 model year. They all originally sold for about $130 or less. The Panasonic DMP-BD220 and 320 and Sony BDP-S390 and 590 models (we own all of these) all have HDMI outputs (of course) and analog stereo outputs. The picture quality is excellent from all four units (using current model Panasonic 50" and 65" plasma TVs).
Sony still offers their best BD player, the BDPS790 ($248 at Amazon), which also has analog stereo outputs.
Good luck!
In my post above I forget to mention the use of an HDMI switchbox, which would allow you to feed several HDMI sources to your TV's single HDMI input. This assumes you are using a preamp or receiver that has available analog audio inputs.
In my wife's home-office system she uses a Bluejeans HDMI switchbox ($27 at Amazon) that auto-switches to any powered-up source. According to a Bluejeans rep I spoke to it passes HDMI video transparently. I haven't tested it on our large screens, but Blu-rays and DirecTV HD look perfect via her Vizio 29" HDTV.
Here is a link to the switchbox:
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