Zenith DVB318 1080i Progressive-Scan DVD Player

by Zenith

Product Details

Data Sheet [150kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 1.7 x 16.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00023CDL4
• Item model number: DVB318
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,478 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Don't be fooled by its slim, 1.7-inch chassis: Zenith's DVB318 DVD player delivers big-time entertainment. The firmware-upgradeable DVB318 handles most media formats and delivers them to both standard- and high-definition TVs. Play your MP3 and WMA CDs, homemade DVDs, JPEG image CDs, and of course your commercial DVDs--all will look and sound great.

Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the DVB318 is set to deliver the full potential of your DVDs. A special video processing circuit upconverts all DVD signals to high-definition 1080i (more than a thousand lines of horizontal resolution) for use with compatible televisions. And, if you're using a DVI-compliant high-definition set, feed your TV the DVB318's DVI (digital visual interface) output for a direct digital connection between your source and your monitor.

The unit also performs progressive scanning at slightly lower resolution. Referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, progressive scanning creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. Composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television.

A single set of left/right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (1 each coaxial and optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver. The player's onboard 96 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog audio converter ensures optimum decoding of all disc formats.

If you don't have a surround receiver or six-channel speaker setup, you can still make every movie night the ultimate experience: the player simulates surround sound through two speakers (even the stereo speakers on your TV). Other features include CD-ROM-upgradeable firmware (for compatibility with future formats and features), full-motion picture zoom (4x to 16x), random and repeat playback, closed-caption support, and accommodation for interactive story (and multi-story) DVD programs.

What's in the Box
DVD player, DVI cable, S-video cable, stereo analog audio/composite-video interconnect, remote control, battery (AAA x 2), operating guide, registration card, warranty card.

Product Description

Slim (1.7" high) 1080i DVD Player; Multi-Format Disc Playable including DVD Video DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, VCD, Audio CD, CD-R, CD-RW, JPEG, Kodak Picture CD, MP3, WMA

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent for upconversion through component video, January 7, 2005

By 

Marek Materka (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zenith DVB318 1080i Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

Just bought Zenith DVB318 to go with Infocus X1a projector. Here are few observations, that may be helpful to undecided:
1) This is an excellent player for upconversion through component video. There are only handful around and this is probably the best choice. And a good lookin' one
2) For upconversion through DVI I would probably go with Denon 1910 for its better sound.
3) There is noticeable difference in 1080i picture quality over 480p. Don't expect true HD, but you can see sharper and more detailed images (like objects in the background for example).
4) If you already own a good progressive DVD player (Faroudja or better equipped) you should be fine, without throwing extra cash around. Otherwise especially with larger TV sets or projectors - this player is a great value for the money.
5) The latest version (mine is dated October 2004) lacks the component video upscaling. However, downgrading the operating software (older version is freely available on the net) will enable the component video upconversion and multi-system capability. Sweeet!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DVB318 - Performance Exceeded My Expectations, January 31, 2005

By 

Edward Gordon (Houston TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Zenith DVB318 1080i Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

Late in April 2004 I purchased a Zenith HDTV receiver - C27V36, Zenith HD receiver - HDV420 and Zenith DVD player - DVB312, as my initial foray into the HDTV world. In early January 2005, I became aware fo the Zenith DVB318 DVD player which promised a 1080i DVI upconversion of the standard 480p DVD format. At less than $ 200.00 with a Faroudji chip (as was also present in the HDTV receiver) the DVB318 also would allow me to also utilize the DVI connection on the Zenith HDTV receiver. The DVB318 (as connected to the above system) has surpassed my highest expectations for delivering an remarkably enhanced quality to my DVD playback. The DVB318 unit I received has a build date of October 2004. Initially, after connecting the DVB318 to the Zenith HDTV receiver, I was disappointed with the image quality, which seemed no better than the DVB312 which I'd earlier used with the sytem. The "upconversion" button on the front of the case, when depressed did not appear to alter the displayed image, making me wonder if I had received a defective unit. (...). The operations manual did not provide a hint to solve the problem I had encountered. To access the 720p or 1080i modes, one first turns on the HDTV, then turns on the DVB318 - WITHOUT a DVD disk in the player. After the initial welcome and DVD screen is displayed on the HDTV, depress the "upconversion" button - the screen display will show a signal adjustment to the 720p mode. A second depression of the "upconversion" button will bring the screen display into the 1080i mode. For some reason, following the same procedure with a DVD disk in IN the unit will not allow you to make this initial upconversion adjustment. It appears that the upconversion adjustment only needs to be done once, when using the DVI connectors. It does not appear that this process needs to be repeated each time the DVB318 is turned on - so apparently the 1080i selection is held in the system's memory. As for the image quality of standard 480p DVDs played on the DVB318 at the 1080i setting - the quality is Superb in every aspect and far exceeds my initial expectations for the unit.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Component Upconversion is Going Away, September 30, 2004

By 

K. A. Young "youngka" (CO) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zenith DVB318 1080i Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

Well, unfortunately, Dave is the one who is incorrect. Zenith has, in fact, partially discontinued the upconversion across the component video outputs. On the newly build units (build date of July 2004 and later), the firmware has been updated in the instrument. You can still select the upconversion feature, but if the disc has macrovision protection, it won't work correctly. Note, this is for the upconversion over component only -- DVI works fine, regardless of firmware version. There are some very good AV forums out there who have documented this very well. If interested in the details, do some searching.

The December 2003 and March 2004 build dates still have the old firmware that allows unrestricted upconversion via component. I ordered on 9/23/04. The unit shipped 9/27/04. I received a December 2003 build date unit.

So, there are lots of units still out there that have unrestricted upconversion across component, just no new ones being built.

On my Mitsubishi 65" CRT RPTV (WS-65315), the 1080i upconversion output on the Zenith looks the same (PQ) as the 480p output from a new Pana S27 I had.

One big plus is that the Zenith gives you a bunch of good cables. The S-Video cable (if you use that type of video connection) is the best S-Video cable I've ever received with a component -- nice quality. The composite cables are the same old stuff. But, it also comes with a pretty stout DVI cable. DVI cables are very expensive, so to get one with the unit is a big plus.

Good luck.