[Sa-dono]

I believe the DVD consortium does not want DVD players to scale the dvd to anything higher than 480p. I haven't seen any off-the-shelf non-modded DVD players that scale DVD"s to anything higher than 480p.

I believe there are a couple out there that can indeed do so, without being modded.

[Sa-dono]

However, I will stand by the original statement that for <$250 canadian, brand new, is there a better player - video wise - out there right now?

New, better players are releasing. However, for the original poster's needs (and with the lack of DVI), then yes..your recommendation is one of the best besides maybe the Pany XP players.

[bubba966]

Well if current Sony low end players are no good mechanically in the long run, then don't bother. My only long term experience with an entry level Sony was the old 300 model. That was their first entry level model introduced in 1997 at $500. It's held up fine, though it's easily bested by any current player...

Maybe you should just pick up a Pioneer DV-363-K (US model, $149 US list price)



Or if you don't care to import one, get the Canadian model Pioneer DV-353-K(or-S) $199 list Canadian.