Pioneer DV525 DVD Player
Purchase delayed due to research, well worth the wait!
After about two months of reading reviews and asking questions, I had it narrowed down to the DV525 and Toshiba's SD1200. Both were on sale last weekend. The latest issue of Home Theater magazine  has a good article on  the Pioneer, but was still worried about the dark picture I was reading  about, also the artifacts on the Toshiba display. I wrote to the author of  the review; he was kind enough to respond and reiterate his thoughts on the  Pioneer being a worthy DVD player. He then pointed me to the technical  editor of the magazine who had more hands on time with both players. The  T.E. also responded (same day!)with what finally swayed me; Both are  excellent players, but if it were him purchasing, would take the Pioneer  for a 4:3 display, and the Toshiba on a 16:9 display. Sold to the man with  the 4:3 set. Took about 10 minutes to connect and setup. 30 minutes to  calibrate picture (I'm picky and want a clear, sharp display). Started the  first movie (Godzilla 98) and could not stop grinning. Excellent picture,  great sound even from Pro-Logic receiver.  Heard no transport noise at  &quot;low theater&quot; volume. No problems with The Matrix. Why only four  stars? Nothing is perfect, but I haven't found anything wrong. Excellent  player!