At current prices, the 2900 is an absolute steal. The 5900 is and has been suffering from something called macroblocking. Since I don't have one and wasn't interested in getting one, I didn't take the time to determine what macroblocking does to the picture. The denizens at AVS Forum are pretty lathered up about it.

Here's a tidbit in non-technical terms as well. The 2900 (as well as the 2200 and 3800) uses the Silicon Image chip which provides a a better picture for film (DVD movies), while almost all other Denon players use the Faroujda chip. I've seen information that says Denon would prefer to use the SI chip but 1) its a bit more expensive and 2) there is a small issue (nit picking, really) relative to MPEG decoding that SI hasn't fixed yet.

For some TVs, the SI chip is an absolute match for denterlacing. The Sony Grand Wega LCD ( I have this TV) is one of them. I decided to get a 2900 when 1) I saw recent traffic on the DVD forum at AVS , most notably from umr, about the 2900, 2) I got a $500 gift certificate as a recognition item at work (limited use, but Crutchfield was one of the places and 3) the price of the 2900 dropped to $700 at Crutchfield.

I had the 1600 and it was excellent; still is in 3rd or 4th place since 2001 in the Secrets DVD Shootout and the 2900 is right below it. The 2900 rating was influenced by the MPEG thing, otherwise it would closer to the top of list. Anyhow, I love the 1600, but the 2900 took me to entirely new level. Sharper, more vibrant colors, 3D like picture AND it has a set of killer audio DACs. Whatever the MPEG issue is is not noticeable to me.

Kris Deering at Secrets and umr both have a 3800 with the SI chip and they explain that it is the best picture they have ever seen. The 2900 uses the same Si chip and it is stunning.

Forum traffic suggests that the 2910 and 3910, while excellent units, may represent a small step backwards in some respects compared to the 2900.

There is quite a bit of info at AVS in the DVD forum, too much to link to here. If you have an interest, that info will give you a great perspective on current Denon DVD players and ubderscore what an outstanding unit the 2900 is. The net of all of this is that the 2900 is an incredible unit on a relative basis, especially with the price reduced as it is. Please don't regard this as a "fanboy" post. I spent an enourmous amount of time researching and auditioning between the 1600, 2910, 3910 and 2900. The 2900 simply stands out.