[VIDEO DEVICES][DVD
PLAYER]
Skyworth 1050P
Background | What's so "special" about it | Delivery | Pictures
Initial Impressions | RP91 vs Skyworth (mini-shootout)
Where to Buy it | More
Skyworth reading | "Fixes"
BACKGROUND:
If you are serious about DVD playback, more specifically progressive playback, you've
probably read lots of materials on various brands and models by scouring through printed
articles, e-zines, and online forums.
I was in the same boat a few weeks ago. Although I've been happy with my HTPC producing
540p on my Toshiba TW65x81, my family found the procedure to play a DVD way too
complicated and hence intimidating. Admittedly, it is not a turn it on and load the disc
kind of a device. It is short on the user-friendliness department. That caused me to start
looking for an off-the-shelf solution, i.e., a stand alone progressive player.
While doing the research, I of course focused on the familiar offerings from Sony,
Toshiba, Panasonic, JVC, and Pioneer. After a few hours of selective reading, I was set to
buy the Panasonic RP91 when I came across a thread about the Skyworth 1050P. I had seen
the thread at avsforum a few times but never clicked on it. This time I did and the end
result is that I ended up getting one.
UPDATE:
The Skyworth has found a new home. It was adopted by Kevin Anderson of Salt Lake
City, UT.
I sold the Sky because it was literally just sitting in the equipment rack not being
used. Our primary DVD player is the Hivizone HTPC, so the Skyworth was
playing 2nd fiddle figuratively speaking. Realizing it could be a collector's item
in the future, I still didn't hesitate to let go of it. I'd rather see someone else
enjoy it than have it waste away on the shelf.
It's really interesting how popular this player is though. Within minutes of my
posts at a few select HT sites, my email was literally barraged with offers.
Kevin however was the lucky one to snap it up.
Here's his feedback:
"Just a quick note to say thanks for working with me
on the Skyworth and bringing it by the hotel. It was great to meet someone so famous
among video tweakers.
Click to enlarge
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Overall, I am very happy with the Skyworth. I
replaced the power supply capacitor, even though it didn’t appear to have a
problem. I also added a fancy DIY power cable, installed some Bybee Filters on the
power line, and dampened the drive with Microsorb. Compared to my old Toshiba 3109
(connected to an Iscan doubler via an S-video cable), the player gives an improved picture
with noticeably better sharpness and a slightly improvement in color saturation. I
am not sure of all the reasons, but I think the Sage chip and the direct VGA connection
get most of the credit. I am also fairly impressed with the audio performance.
On the downside, the player’s tendency to hesitate
when responding to remote commands (even using the Pronto) can be a little frustrating,
but I’m getting used to it, and it is a minor trade-off for the benefits of the
Skyworth
Hope you don’t mind, but I’ve included a picture
of basement home theater. You can see the silver Skyworth on the equipment
rack. The box at the top of the picture is my homemade hush box that covers the Sony
D50 FPTV. I have M&K speakers all around with DIY Jon Risch speaker cables.
The computer monitor is hooked up to the HDTV receiver so I don’t have to turn
on the projector to see if ABC “threw the switch” (HDTV in Salt Lake is a little
hit and miss at the moment). Saturday afternoon, we will be watching the Olympic
opening ceremonies on HDTV – it should be a great show.
Thanks again.
Kevin Anderson"
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