Best progressive scan DVD players

Progressive scan DVD players have the ability to generate a picture in one pass, much like a computer monitor does. Conventional analog TV uses interlaced scanning. Interlaced scanning requires two passes to generate a picture, the odd numbered scan lines are the first pass, the even numbered scan lines are the second pass. The conventional TV does a complete picture refresh at the rate of 30 times per second. Progressive scanning is double that at 60 times per second. A good progressive scan DVD player will offer sharp, detailed images with good color saturation. There are several progressive scan DVD players on the market today to choose from. Here are a some of the best:

1. Philips DivX-Certified Progressive-Scan DVD player, Model: Philips DVP-642;
This DVD player is an excellent value with excellent video quality. This ultra slim DVD player offers great images on high-definition and HD-ready TV's. This player can spin your MP3 and JPEG-encoded recordable CD's and CD's loaded with MPEG-4 and DivX video, which is an ideal way of viewing internet-sourced content in your home theater. This player also has the ability to convert Region 1/All Region PAL-formatted discs, which are the video standard in Europe, for viewing on standard NTSC televisions. This progressive scan DVD player is affordably priced at around $65.00, making it #1on the list.

2. Panasonic S47S progressive scan DVD player, Model: Panasonic DVD S47S;
This progressive scan DVD player has the ability to play a variety of audio and video disc formats, which include DVD-Audio (two-channel), DVD-Video, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, video CD, audio CD, and CD-R/RW. This player is also compatible with MP3 and WMA audio files along with JPEG image files. This Panasonic progressive scan DVD player also features DVD-Audio discs, this is the new standard for high-fidelity sound, providing multiple channel stereo, excellent storage capacity, and bonus materials not available on regular audio CD's. With great picture quality and a price tag of around $85.00, the Panasonic S47S DVD player is at the top of the list.

3. Panasonic S27Kprogressive scan DVD player, Model: Panasonic DVD S27K;
This Panasonic progressive scan DVD player has several features including a feature called Quick Replay. This handy feature lets you jump back seven to ten seconds just in case you missed an important part of the action or dialogue. This player offers vivid sound and picture from all compatible sources usinghigh-resolution 24-bit/192 kHz audio processing and 10-bit/54 Mhz processing. This player can handle almost any optical media format that is currently available, starting with the standard DVD-Video to the DVD-R, DVD-RAM, CD-R and CD-R and CD-RW, MP3 and WMA-encoded audio CD's, and even JPEG picture discs. This tech-savvy player is priced at around $80.00, making this player an excellent value.

4. Sony progressive scan DVP- NS575P/BDVD player, Model: Sony DVP NS575P/B;
This player will play almost any disc that is currently out there, including DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW. It will also spin your digital photos and MP3 files burned to CD-R/CD-RW discs and play discs recorded in the DVD-VR format, which allows more flexible recording and editing options than the standard DVD-RW/+RW or DVD-RAM formats. This Sony progressive scan DVD player is perfect for music and movie lovers everywhere, and it is surprisingly priced at around $45.00.

Keep in mind, if you have a high-definition television (HDTV), you may not even need a progressive scan player. Your HDTV may be able to convert the 480i signal to 480p. But a DVD player with progressive scan used with your HDTV will give you a better resolution image and with prices that are so affordable, how could you go wrong?