It is based off the marantz 5200 player. It is considered very good in audio, including hdcd which I don't think the NAD has.
In that price range, I would consider the H&K DVD 50 and the Yamaha DCDI caurosel (though I am not sure on its price).
My DVD player is the denon 1600 and I think its very good.
Also it seems a bunch of companies, onkyo & integra, teac, and yamaha are coming out with new universal players for sub 1000.
Rich