I purchased Pioneer DV-410V dvd player to replace a low-end Sony model that I have been using for a year. The Sony DVD player does not have a HDMI port, so I have been relegated to watching my Panasonic LCD TV via component video cable. I narrowed my choice between Pioneer and LG DN898 players. They are the two top rated DVD players according to Consumer Reports. Pioneer, with the score of 86, tops LG player (which gets 82). I saw no reviews for LG DN898 on the Amazon web site; Pioneer (Amazon's second bestselling upconverting DVD player; LG was #7) got 15 mostly positive reviews. So I went for the Pioneer player.

Pioneer DV-410V has a very handsome form factor. There are more controls in the front panel of the player than most other DVD players (even though I probably would not use any of them). Disc tray is very solidly made. The display is easy to read. Pioneer comes with plenty of connection options. Composite A/V, S-video, component video, HDMI, plus coaxial digial... Read more

I have been buying all kinds of DVD players (2 years searching) with no luck for the HDMI to DVI. Until this one. It works!!!
Works in 1920x1080p - 1920x1080i - 1280x720p - 720x480p - 720x480i
Even tried the Pioneer DV-400V-K. Pioneer said that one would work - but it did not. Pioneer also said the only difference was the USB on this is in HD and the DV-400V-K is standard definition.
Pop in a USB key and it lets you scroll through videos and pictures in HD.
The picture is fantastic and the multiple adjustments you can do in the settings for picture and sounds. There are so many settings, you will not believe it.

This is "THE BEST" UP-Convert DVD player.

Update, this is an older model now, I think I paid $100 new last year.

Pros:
Full controls on front panel
Excellent image quality (no blocking)
Slim and quality feeling
USB 2.0 content with HD images

Cons:
No optical audio out
Some graininess to dark scenes

Who should buy this player? Anyone looking for a full featured upconverting DVD player for a reasonable price.

I like the DVD player. The main reasons I bought this model is that it is upconverting for my HD TV and that it has full controls on the front panel. My TV is only 32" so there is only a slight improvement in image quality over standard DVD. Those with larger TVs might notice more improvement. The quality is nowhere near HD or Blu-Ray of course, but still an improvement. The full controls on the front panel are important to me, because any function can be performed without the remote in case it is lost.

Menus are intuitive and easy... Read more