[VIDEO DEVICES][DVD PLAYER]

Skyworth 2750

Background | Delivery | Pictures | Initial Impressions

Initial Impressions

Below is how the system is configured for the test:

The player has two progressive outputs:  one is RGB and the other is component.   Each of the progressive output terminals are connected to the Inday video switcher.   The component output from the player directly hooks up to one of the component inputs of the Inday video switcher.  The VGA output of the player however has to be channelled through an Audio Authority transcoder first before connecting to one of the component inputs of the Inday switcher.  The single component out from the switcher is then connected to the Michael TLV pro-calibrated video display.

Using the Inday switcher allows me to check and compare the performance of the player in RGB and YPrPb modes.  With the Skyworth onscreen menu, I was able to easily choose which output format it sends to the TV:  YUV for component and RGB for VGA out. 

Finally, I connected the player coaxial output to the home theater receiver for DTS/DD5.1 output.

Doing exactly the same tests as with the 1050P, I tested the 2750 with the following the DVDs: the Matrix, Fifth Element, Titan AE, Gladiator, MI2, Stargate, and a few others.

Deinterlacer Performance - Works great!  Although this player lacks the sought-after Faroudja/Sage chip, its deinterlacer worked very well. I ran a number of scenes in different DVDs that comb badly, this player worked through them without any problems. I didn't see any combing at all.  The images were solid.

Y/C Delay - Based on the Avia test, the 2750 exhibit no delay in either RGB or Component mode unlike the 1050P which has delay in Component mode. 

The Y/C delay in component with the 1050P caused pervasive smearing/vapor trail effects that is hard to ignore.  The VGA output however did not.  Hence, the overwhelming preference by users for the VGA out.

With the 1050P, I had to use the RGB out. With this player, either is fine.  There may be instances where smear-like effects occur in component mode but it's not often and just faintly noticeable. 

Bottom line is that either output (component or VGA) of the Skyworth 2750 is good, but personally I still prefer the VGA out.

Chroma bug - I didn't see any.

DVD Audio - Audio was very good in both DD and DTS. I didn't detect any skips.

CD Audio and MP3s - I popped in a number of audio CDs and MP3s and they all worked just fine.  The onscreen visual on the TV set was helpful in navigating through discs with multiple folders with different artists.

Build Quality - Skyworth seems to have spent a bit more attention to this unit. It feels a bit more solid and sturdier than the 1050P.

Size - Sporting a superslim design with a little over an inch in height, it helps conserve precious real estate in your home theater cabinet or rack.

Remote - Remote performance for this unit is much improved over the 1050Ps. Compared to the 1050P range of roughly 7 ft even on fresh batteries, the remote and receiver on the 2750 work at distances over 12ft even at off-axis.  This one is actually the "best" remote of all my remotes in terms of responsiveness.   =)

This remote also has a whole host of nice to have functions.  One can mark start and stop points for replay; same button for play and pause; zoom settings from 1/4 to 4x; fast forward and reverse provide smooth pictures even at speeds from -32x to +32x; easy access to all other player settings without stopping the movie, etc.
Another neat feature is its reversing slow motion.  If you press slow motion and continue pressing it until you go past the slowest speed, it will reverse direction.  Continuing to press the button in the reverse directlon will again reverse it to the "normal" direction.  Great feature for those who like examining DVD errors or special effects scenes.

Pictures/Images  - I didn't have any Kodak compatible images so I didn't get to try to view any images.  I however was surprised to be able to view homemade MPEG files from family videos.

Now for some Negatives...

Image Sharpness - Image is not as sharp as I'd like it to be.   Maybe because I'm spoiled by the image I get from the Hivizone HTPC.  The image, however, is still a step better than my interlaced player and on par with most other progressive players.

Remote: A bit small considering the number of buttons it has for all the functions it can do.   Consequently, the buttons are small.  But in short time, I was able to learn the buttons and their placement.

Front panel LEDs - The lights are bright and can be distracting.  Unfortunately, there is no way to dim or turn them off via the remote or the front panel.  I'm sure it can be unplugged from the inside but I've decided not to do it since the player is out of view behind a cabinet.

Aspect Ratio and Picture Adjustments - Although not found in almost all off the shelf players today, it still would be nice to have some ability to control the aspect ratio and/or the picture (e.g., brightness, contrast, etc.) on the DVD player as opposed to making the adjustments on the video display.

Color - Finally and similar to the 1050P, the brushed aluminum finish is nice but it would be better in black to blend in and disappear in a home theater environment.

Summary

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