Coby DVD-224 Compact DVD Player (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I wanted to be able to watch DVDs from the UK that weren't available in NTSC. So far the Coby has handled everything I've put in it with no trouble. It impressed a friend so much he got one too.
I'm not expecting it to last forever - it is a mega-cheapie after all - but at this price, I can buy a new one every year, and consider it worth it. I haven't found any other box that does multi-region with on-the-fly PAL/NTSC conversion at any price.
UPDATE - I've had my Coby for two years now, and it is still working fine. I have found some commercial DVDs don't play well in it, but it is a fault of the DVD manufacturer, not the player (I work in the industry). Basically, Technicolor don't test for compatability with the software codec used in this box, and frequently the only way to play DVDs duplicated by Technicolor is to go to the Select Scene menu and pick the first scene. It plays fine from there. This affects many cheaper DVD players, who all use the same software codec.

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Forget thinking outside the box--now you can stop worrying about the box altogether. Coby's DVD-224 is about the size of a hardcover book, so whether you're ferrying the player between the kitchen and the bedroom or hooking it up for periodic use by the kids, the DVD-224's small size permits enjoyment of DVD programs and music CDs in just about any room you want. While not portable in the traditional sense--the unit has no screen and requires AC power--the DVD-224 is much easier to move around, set-up, and use than a traditional component DVD player.It handles not only your DVD-Videos (both NTSC- and PAL-formatted discs, depending on your TV), but it plays your music, too--everything from standard CDs to home-burned CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and MP3-encoded CDs. Further, you can load a disc brimming with digital photos for custom slide shows in the comfort of your home theater.An onscreen display simplifies setup and operation, and the unit comes with a compact, full-function remote control. Other features include parental controls (with PIN lock), frame-by-frame slow motion, picture zoom (2x, 4x), and multiple-angle viewing (with applicable discs).Like to travel? The DVD-224 won't hog space in your bag, and an auto-switching universal power supply handles inputs from AC 110 to 220 volts (50/60 Hz) for use in most countries. Accordingly, the unit's onscreen display offers a choice of 5 setup languages: English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian.A composite-video output ensures compatibility with nearly any television and many newer computer monitors. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (choose from either optical or coaxial) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver. A set of standard left/right RCA analog outputs simplifies hookup with traditional integrated amplifiers and most televisions.What's in the Box DVD player, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, and a stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable.

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PIONEER DV-220V-K 1080p HDMI UPSCALING REGION FREE DVD PLAYER w/ USB Input Review

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(More customer reviews)I will only buy region free DVD players. This is super easy to use, weighs next to nothing, and doesn't take up much space in my cabinet. I plays DVD's from Germany, the U.S. and just ordered a DVD from Amazon UK. I have a few DVD's that are slightly scratched and haven't had any skipping with this player like I did with my older player. If you ever think you might be purchasing a DVD outside of the U.S. this is the economical player for you.

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Sony DVP-NS700P Progressive-Scan DVD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)The magazine reviews rightfully claim this to be the best progressive scan DVD player under $1,000. You can use it as a regular DVD player at 480i or click a setting and see a true progressive scan 480p. The difference is breathtaking. Then you can tailor other settings to extend the range digitally, to your own liking.
After seeing the competitors from JVC, Philips, and others near this price point, I felt bad for the rest. It's not just the picture. Many of the features that used to be buried in menus are now buttons on the remote such as Subtitle languages, Audio Options, camera angle, Noise Reduction, etc. The instant replay option is great fun. The Surround sound options are also an easy to find button and include all the current options (Dolby 5.1, PCM, DTS, etc.) The DTS sound was amazingly better than our previous DVD player.
As one reveiwer pointed out, don't buy this DVD unless you have or expect to have HiScan or HDTV which will have the composit video inputs that progressive scan DVD players need. You also get a variety of outputs for 5.1, RCA, SVideo, digital fiber optic, and digital coax so you should no trouble outputting the sound to your receiver. If you have a choice, use digital coax, if not digital optical to really hear the DTS come alive.

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Equipped with both progressive scan (with 3-2 pulldown) and digital video equalization, the Sony DVP-S700P DVD player makes your favorite movies come alive. Progressive scan output delivers a higher scan rate (480p) than traditional DVD players--which interlace the frames rather than scan each separately--making film images appear more intensely lifelike when seen on a HD-compatible TV. Digital video equalization optimizes the picture quality of these images, allowing the user to seek the best video option between factory preset and custom settings. Other options include a digital video enhancer, which improves the contrast and picture detail, and block noise reduction, which minimizes the data noise that often interferes with DVD images. The unit also includes a 12-bit/54 MHz video digital-to-analog converter for 480p output, and a 10-bit/27 MHz video DAC for 480i output.
The DVP-S700P also delivers enhanced performance from an audio standpoint. The player's Dolby Digital and DTS outputs provide 5.1-channel surround sound when connected to a compatible receiver. In addition, the Digital Cinema Sound feature simulates the acoustic performance of Hollywood's greatest sound stages, while the TV virtual surround lets users simulate surround sound in a two-speaker setup, or even through the TV's built-in speakers.
Functionally, the player includes SmoothScan fast forward and reverse and SmoothSlow slow motion for crisp, clear scene searching, along with bookmarking, picture memory, and strobe playback. Parents will rest easy with the included parental lock feature, while everyone will appreciate the convenience of CD and DVD Text, which display artists, titles, and even jacket covers on the front panel and TV. The unit is compatible with CD, DVD, CD-R/RW, and Video CD formats.
What's in the Box DVD player, AV cord, component video cord, remote control, two AA batteries, user's manual.

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Philips DVP642 DivX-Certified Progressive-Scan DVD Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First of all, let me say that this unit is very well worth the money. As "just a dvd player" I give it FIVE over FIVE points (or ten/ten if you wish).
The unit comes locked for Region 1 DVDs, but can be easily unlocked (just google for the asnwer) to make it region-free. I have tested my unit purchased on amazon.com and unlocked with Region 1, region 2 dvds purchased from Britain, and region 4 DVDs purchased in South America. It just works.
The unit's COMPONENT-VIDEO output is superb, even if you use an CRT TV. I recommend you get a quality component video cable and use that instead of the "composite video" output.
When playing MPG and AVI files, the component video output shows pixelation and artifacts on low-quality or low-resolution avi/divx/mpg files, but when playing back the same files and switching the tv to component video, these problems go away!.
Component video, it should be noted, is superior to "s-video" (which just separates color information from luminance), as each basic color (Red-Green-Blue) travels on a separate shielded cable.
Now, the "extras" besides basic DVD playback
1. DIVX and XVID are supported. But some .avi files will play back with NO SOUND if the original file was encoded with a "codec" (compression algorithm) that is not supported by this unit. Just because a file plays back ok on your PC with "Windows Media Player" it doesn't mean it will playback in this unit.
2. DVD-R media *IS* supported. You might need, however, to update the firmware (it's available for download from the philips.com web site. You have to download a .iso image, burn the data to a cd-r, press a key combination on the remote and then insert the cd-r disc).
Now the problems:
1. Even while DivX is supported, mpeg4/divx files compressed with the Divx Pro software using the "QPEL" (advanced motion optimization and prediction) will NOT PLAY on the unit. The unit will display an ugly "QPEL CODEC NOT SUPPORTED" message and stop there. There's no way to play back QPEL encoded files on this unit (it would require a much faster processor inside).
2. ZOOM LEVELS ARE INCONSISTENT. On DVD movies, zoom levels featured are 1.5x, 2x, 3x, 4x. However when you are playing back ".avi" (mpeg4/divx) files, you will find that often the only zoom levels available are "normal" (no zoom) and "2x", and that's it!. There is no 1.5x zoom level when paying back mpg and divx files! So forget about watching that wide-screen (4:3 format) movie in full screen by switching to 1.5x zoom mode. If it's a DVD movie you can. But if it's a DivX/MPEG4 movie you can't!.
3. A-B loop doesn't work most of the time on DivX/AVI files. Sometimes, when it does work, after you selct an a-b loop, you turn the feature off by pressing the a-b key once again, and when you want to create another a-b loop, the feature no longer works! (unless you press STOP and PLAY the file once again). VERY annoying.
4. PHILIPS doesn't seem very interested in updating the firmware. The last update is dated May 2004, and there has been no update since then, even while the number of bugs is high (see above).
However, even after all this, I think that for ~$70 dollars or less including Amazon.com's free ground shipping, you can't go wrong with this unit, as DVD playback is superb, and the ability to play most (but not all!) .mpg / .avi (DivX/MPEG4/Xvid) video files is just a nice extra to have in there as a "bonus".
Burning .avi and mpg files to DVD recordable media also works.

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Tap into multimedia fun with Philips' broad-format, high-style, and ultra-slim DVP642 DVD player. The DVP642 is not only a high-end progressive-scan DVD player equipped to offer scintillating images on high-definition and HD-ready TVs, it's a tech-savvy player that spins your MP3- and JPEG-encoded recordable CDs (as well as Kodak's and Fuji's variants of the same) and CDs loaded with MPEG-4 and DivX video (3.11, 4.x, and 5.x files), perfect for viewing Internet-sourced content in your home theater. Want more? The player also converts Region 1/All Region PAL-formatted discs (the video standard in Europe) for viewing on standard NTSC televisions (and vice-versa, if only for video CDs). The player will play JPEG images one by one automatically, letting you zoom in, rotate, or flip the picture vertically or horizontally. For MP3 playback, the player offers track time display, album and track selection, and repeat (disc/album/track). The DivX media format is MPEG-4 based video compression that lets you save large files like films, movie trailers, and music videos on recordable media.
Philips' 4x video upsampling offers smoother images even when viewing interlaced (nonprogressive) signals through the player's component-video, S-video, or standard composite-video outputs. SmartPicture provides optimum picture settings for color, brightness, saturation, contrast, sharpness, etc., to enhance your overall viewing experience at all times.
The player will play JPEG images one by one automatically, letting you zoom in, rotate, or flip the picture vertically or horizontally. For MP3 playback, the player offers track time display, album and track selection, and repeat (disc/album/track). The DivX media format is MPEG-4 based video compression that lets you save large files like films, movie trailers, and music videos on recordable media.

A set of left/right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver.


What's in the Box DVD-Video player, remote control with batteries, a user's manual, and an analog audio/composite-video interconnect.

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Panasonic DVD-RV30 DVD Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This Panasonic DVD player is made in Japan, and comes with a plethora of useful features; cinema video setting, dialogue enhancer, "resume" function (will resume movie from where it was left off even after powering off the unit), DTS and DD output (you still need a receiver with the decoder) and excellent image quality.
It plays all of the major DVD titles including problem discs such as "the Matrix with outstanding picture quality and sound. I liked that this unit did not display the annoying layer change delay common in other models. It was seamless
On the down side, there was no Chapter access from the remote. What I mean is that I was unable to access the Chapters directly via the numeric pad. I think the only way to access the Chapter directly (say from Chapter 1 to Chapter 18) is by pressing the display button first, then pressing the fast forward button once to C, and then enter the Chapter number via the numeric pad. This is very cumbersome.
The remote could also be larger and backlit.
Overall, the image and soud quality are excellent and the player performs well with any DVD. It dous not earn five stars because of the faulty chapter access feature and the remote - but these may be flaws many users will not mind at all.
Hope this helps.

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It's a digital world. A world where sound surrounds you and pictures dazzled the imagination. It's a world where the excitement of the movies is captured and brought to life on a simple five-inch disc - the size of a CD. Welcome to the incredible world of DVD. As a leader in digital technology, Panasonic made possible and forever changed the face of home theater. Panasonic has packed big-screen excitement into the world's smallest and lightest DVD player. Come and experience the ultimate in home theatre entertainment.The DVD-RV30 comes with advanced features to offer you a full cinema experience. It features advanced virtual surround sound (AVSS), letting you enjoy the thrilling sounds of the cinema without an elaborate home theater system. In addition to the usual left and right channel audio jacks, the DVD-RV30 comes equipped with an exclusive subwoofer output. Through an on-screen menu icon, you can choose to send bass tones to the subwoofer output for reproduction. Cinema mode lessens glare, giving you colors that are more cinema-like and improves the visibility of details in dark scenes by automatically adjusting picture contrast. Discrete Component Video Out allows for high quality transmission of digital video to compatible video equipment. 10-bit Video D/A Converter gives amazing picture quality. Still Picture Display (I/P/B) freezes an image to allow for precise picture quality adjustments. Dialogue Enhancer makes the dialog channel clearly audible over the other sound channels.

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New Pioneer DV 420K - All Region Free Multi System / Multi Region 1080p DVD Player with HDMI Upconverting & USB Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When we moved to the USA, we had a shock. In the UK, multi-region DVD players are common, with cheap models retailing for the equivalent of $50 or less in every supermarket. Add to that the fact that 90% of TVs will play NTSC signals, as used in the USA and Asia, and playing discs from other countries is as easy as can be. Over here, most TVs will only display NTSC, and not the PAL signals used in Europe. Also, the vendors have severely locked down DVD players by region, so American consumers can't play foreign DVDs.
Well, I brought with me a collection of 150 DVDs from the UK, Europe, Hong Kong, China and Japan. I refuse to buy them again, since in many cases I picked the best version available. Even if I did plan to re-purchase them, many are simply not available in an American, Region 1 disc.
Although players are available on the cheap in the UK, I spent a little extra on a Pioneer player in 2003, which is still in use by a family member now. It had a great picture quality on our widescreen CRT TV, and played any disc I threw at it - even a badly authored disc which many other machines refused to touch. This made a Pioneer player the obvious choice now we needed a new unit.
But some things had changed: We needed a player suitable for a 42" 1080p HDTV, rather than a 28" widescreen CRT. The size and the nature of the display is much less forgiving when it comes to picture quality. It also needed to convert PAL colours to NTSC whilst upscaling the image (and not downscaling it first). This meant there was an element of the unknown when it came to picking our player.
I am happy to report that this player works perfectly. It is built as well as you would expect a $90 player to be built, so don't expect a 20lb chunk of metal. The remote is the same layout as my 7-year old player in the UK, and it has one of the most logical button layouts I've used. Even the on screen menus and displays match that old player. They may not look fancy, but they tell you everything you need to know.
The player is a Japanese version, designed for tourists. It will output PAL or NTSC, and it works on American and European voltages. Change the power cable and you can use this in the UK without a step converter. It's truly an international DVD player.
Using HDMI, Pioneer's Kuro link is available. European users will remember this from the SCART days -- when you power on the player it switches your TV input automatically to the just-activated unit. The manual claims it only works with Pioneer TVs, but my Philips TV has a similar function (as used by the Philips Blu-Ray player attached to it), and it works just the same on my TV. There are other connections on the back of the player, but I see no reason to use them over HDMI. One downside is that there's no HDMI cable included.
So... picture quality. I'm comparing this to the upscaling performed by my Philips Blu Ray player. Obviously I could only test US, Region 1, NTSC DVDs on that player, so the comparison is by no means complete. Regardless, upscaling from 480i to 1080p is of a very high quality, even if detail levels pale in comparison to HD. My Japanese version of Kill Bill Vol. 1 looks great, with the bright colours blaring out at us. Switching to The New World - Director's Cut shows that the upscaling features of this unit outstrip the $100 Philips Blu ray. That player exhibited quite a bit of Haloing and edge enhancement without adding details. Those effects are still present, but much less obvious.
The player will, however, show up low quality discs. My HK R3 edition of House Of Flying Daggers looks atrocious. Pretty much unwatchable. It's a low quality transfer of a visually difficult film, so this should come as no surprise.
On to PAL discs. Out of the box, the player outputs to 480p. Taking a DVD with a vertical resolution of 576 lines and downscaling it as such, the picture quality is nasty to say the least. If you are stuck with a SD NTSC TV, at least they will play. The good news is that with the HDMI set to output at 1080p, the player does not downscale to 480 before upscaling to 1080 - it takes the 576i signal and directly converts it to 1080p! This means that PAL discs look incredibly sharp. With 20% more vertical detail to work with, the upscaler can produce incredibly good images for your HDTV.
I tested the UK DVD of The Incredibles, which has as perfect a transfer as DVD is capable of, and it looked stunning. The chase sequence through the jungle looked as good as I have ever seen it. Compared to NTSC DVDs, this was a revelation. Following this, I tried an old edition of Father Ted on DVD. Produced for TV in a 4:3 ratio, I expected to see numerous interlacing/combing effects, but the show looked as good as one could expect of a 15-year-old TV show filmed on video tape, and no real problems were apparent. We followed this with an episode of Spaced and an episode of The IT Crowd, both produced in 16:9, and in the case of the latter, very recent. They looked great.
In fact, the only thing giving away the conversion process was a slight judder to the end credits of all three TV shows. While watching fast motion, this was not evident. Raiders Of The Lost Ark looked good, regardless of the action on screen.
One note regarding colours -- my TV is already set up to display Blu Ray and HDTV with pretty accurate, natural colours. This unit was rather dark out of the box. We set the HDMI colour to Component and made minor Brightness/Contrast adjustements using a THX Optimizer, but things still appeared a little dark on PAL discs. The solution? We adjusted the Gamma setting to -3 and it solved all our problems.
There is more to this player. It will record your CDs to a USB drive plugged in to the front of the unit. I haven't tried that one yet. Also, it will play DivX and AVI movies from USB, CD or DVD. AVI rips of some UK TV shows and the Berlin premier of the restored Metropolis both looked better that on a computer monitor, thanks to the upscaler's help. The playable formats are very limited, but it's a nice extra feature.
So, in conclusion: if you have many foreign DVDs, buy this player. Even if you don't, it's worth it as a dedicated DVD player, since it has better upscaling that the average supermarket Blu-Ray player. Well worth every penny, and it could only be improved by including an HDMI cable in the box.

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CyberHome CH-DVD 300S Progressive-Scan DVD Player , Silver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Don't be frightened by the small-name brand and tiny size. This player works just fine. Good picture and good performance. I bought mine primarily because it can be programmed to play discs from other regions than Region 1 (North America's DVD region, for those who do not pay attention to such things.) It does this to perfection! I have had no problem with color shifts or distortion with PAL discs on my NTSC television, but be sure that you use the manual when you go through the "Setup" menu - you will need to make sure your player is set to NTSC, not PAL, if you live in North America and want PAL discs to play properly on your NTSC set.

Not familiar with the PAL/NTSC thing? It's like this - if an American buys a DVD from England, for example, he or she will find that it will not play in the average North American Region 1, NTSC DVD player because in England, DVDs and players are Region 2 and PAL TV format (North America has NTSC format TV broadcasts). They are incompatible and will not play. This player will play both PAL and NTSC DVDs, and will play them from any region!

There is one minor caveat - there are no instructions as to how to change regions included with the player (but can be found with an internet search).

Not to worry, though - this is how you do it:
1. With no disc in the tray, push "Menu" "1" "9" (ignoring the "No" symbol that appears on the upper left-hand corner of the screen).
2. A menu will appear that shows in highlight the region it is set to (almost certainly Region 1). Push the "Enter" button and the region number will change. You can set it to any region (1 through 6) or to Region 0, which means it will play PAL or NTSC DVDs from all 6 DVD regions!
3. Push the "Open/Close" button to close the menu, and you're done!

Enjoy!

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Offering a downright amazing feature set for such an affordable price, Cyber Home's compact CH-DVD 300S makes a rich and promising starter player. You get everything from top-of-the-line progressive-scan component-video outputs to built-in MP3 decoding, JPEG image viewing, and 3:2 pulldown for viewing movies in their native frame rates. Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the CH-DVD 300S stands ready to deliver the full potential of DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, providing higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. Composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television. With 3:2 pulldown support, the player corrects for a common distortion in DVDs when 24 frames-per-second movies make the leap to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown removes the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture. A set of multichannel analog-audio outputs routes decoded Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround signals to your audio/video receiver. Dolby Digital and DTS signals can also be channeled through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and optical) for direct connection to a surround-featured AV receiver. The player has left/right analog audio outputs, too. The CH-DVD 300S is compatible with DVD-R/-RW and DVD+R/+RW media, handling just about any recordable disc you give it. It can even play both PAL- and NTSC-formatted discs, handy when viewing non-region-specific European discs. Other features include motion zoom, screen saver, last-disc resume, and repeat play. What's in the Box DVD player, AC power cord, multi-function remote control, remote batteries, and a composite-video/stereo analog-audio interconnect.

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Toshiba SD-3109 DVD Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this player 4 months ago when it was first released from Japan while on a trip to Asia. I did extensive researches prior to buying this player and I bought it for its value for money, performance, picture/sound quality and ease of use.
Now, I'm not a serious audiophille or do I intend to spend huge amount of dollars to get those top of the range DVD player (ie. Onkyo, Yamaha, etc). I want something practical, which I believe most of you do as well. And guess what? Surprise, surprise -- I've got so much more than what I bargained for.
The picture is superb, sharp and crisp on my 30 inch Loewe TV. Colour is bright and does not "bleed". Sound is excellent when connected to my Yamaha 795a and no audio-sync problems. In addition, the zoom function, built-in DD5.1, DTS(sounds better than DD!) and HDCD(remarkable audio quality) encoders, component-colourstream and S-video output, dual disc trays and virtual N2-2 surround sound for those with a 2 speaker setup system made this unit complete with features. Mine has got two additional mic inputs for Karaoke and it's gold in colour but are of the same parts and build. It's easy to setup and use as well. Having said this, find me a DVD player that is close in comparison in regards to price, performance and function.
About compability issues -- ZIPPO! Now, do bear in mind that my DVD is Region 5, and although it has been multi-zoned, it played Saving Private Ryan (DTS -- Region 1), Haunting, US Marshalls, Deep Blue Sea (all DD -- Reg 1),Matrix, Mummy, Fifth Element, Tomorrow Never Dies(DD -- Reg 4), T2, True Lies (DD -- Reg 5) flawlessly without any lock-ups, freezes, pauses (except for changing layers for dual-layered discs) or audio-sync problems.
I guess it is unfortunate that some reviewers have problems with this player. Maybe you should examine your connections properly and call up Toshiba for assistance before jumping the gun about this unit? I have 2 other relatives who bought this unit from here (Reg 4) upon my recommedation and they too did not have any problems with it.
Maybe I do agree with some reviewers that the remote is chunky but it serves its purpose very well. Besides, who buys a unit (VCR, amp, tv for that matter) for it's remote anyway? Get a Universal remote and that should solve the problem.
In conclusion, I would say this is an awesome purchase. It's definitely worth every dollar spent on it. Have a read in those DVD magazines and you'll find the SD-3109 unit get very good ratings and reviews from professional audiophilles. I would suggest you visit your local electrical outlet to see it for yourself. Get it, you won't regret it!
Hope my contribution helps.

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Toshiba DVD features Dual Disc Twin Trays.Plays DVD, Audio CD, and Video CD formats.Included Dolby Digital Surround Sound Processor.4X picture zoom.Remote Control.

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Sony DVP-FX700 7-Inch Portable DVD Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this unit 3 weeks ago from Best Buy. I had previously purchased a Mintek 1710 (7 inch screen) from Best Buy in August 2002. The Mintek had a sharp picture but its build quality and its battery were exceedingly poor. I had two Mintek's go bad on me until Best Buy simply asked me to apply my initial investment towards any new DVD player.
Next, I acquired a Toshiba SD-P2500 with an 8.9 inch sceen. This unit has fine build quality and the sound is superb. However, after 2 days of fiddling with its controls, I could never get a good picture in lowlight scenes. The blacks were too milky. I watched the DVD of TWISTER and was really disappointed with the experience. Finally, I took it back to Best Buy and got the Sony.
The Sony is a beautiful unit with a 7 inch screen. It lacks the progressive scan feature (no use on the built-in screen) of the Toshiba and the component video outputs - it does have an S video out. The sound from the tiny speakers is nearly as good as the Toshiba. However, this unit has the finest build quality (quite unlike the Mintek which would get dented with the slightest bump) of all the portable DVD players that I have seen. It is made in Korea and not China (not sure if that has anything to do with it).
The picture quality is simply superb with deep blacks. It has two buttons right on the LCD that allow you to adjust the brightness and contrast - very convenient. I also love the tiny blue LCD display that gives you information on the track number etc. So far the battery appears to perform well. It has only one headphone out unlike the Toshiba (which had two) but this can be rectified with a $5 split cord from Radio Shack if you need it. I have had no problems with DVD's slipping in my car over road bumps. The manual is well written as you might expect from Sony.
I must confess that I miss the 8.9 inch screen of the Toshiba and also the ability of the Mintek to play PAL DVD's. (Neither the Toshiba or the Sony will play PAL DVD's).
Finally, I would highly recommend that one get a product replacement plan with these players. Although, I am so far very happy with the Sony, I just have a feeling that portable DVD players are still not quite robust enough for the use that our children subject them to in the course of travel.

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Put those travel hours on planes, trains, and even automobiles to good use with this convenient and attractive portable DVD player. Sony's stylish, slender DVP-FX700 offers a seven-inch widescreen TFT liquid-crystal display whose 16:9 aspect ratio matches that of your favorite feature films. Built-in stereo speakers offer virtual surround for a more spacious effect, and the unit plays CDs, too--leave the screen down, plug headphones in, and crank it up (but not too loud). A handy remote control affords ready access to the device from up to several feet away, and its brushed-aluminum finish lends an air of refined elegance. The DVP-FX700's three-hour lithium-ion battery ensures uninterrupted viewing of all but the longest movies, and an included AC power adapter lets you watch from the hotel room--you can even plug it into a TV on the road or at home through the unit's minijack S-video and composite-video outputs. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio output (through a .125-inch minijack-to-Toslink optical cable, not supplied) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver. The outputs are switchable as AV inputs, too, in case you want to use the screen as a monitor for a camcorder or video-game device. The model measures a mere 7.4 inches in length and 5.9 inches wide and a mere inch thick (without the battery). Headphones are not included. What's in the Box DVD player, remote control (RM-D163A), two AA batteries, one 7.4V lithium-ion battery, an RCA-to-minijack analog audio/composite-video interconnect, an AC adapter, and a user's manual.

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Sony DVP-S530D DVD Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm a SONY freak. From my XBR projection set to my pro-DV cameras at work, it's all SONY. I love the company but they, like anyone else, can drop the ball once in a while. The lip-sync problem gets worse as time goes on because newer DVD releases employ the latest MPEG-2 codes which these players were not properly set-up to decode. So SONY will now pick-up via FED-EX any 530-550 player still under warranty and install a new processor chip and firmware and deliver it back home within 2-3 weeks free of charge. (Not Bad, right!) However, a buddy of mine had this done and it still has the lip-sync problem! Oh Nooooo! ..as Mr.Bill would say.
Not sure what I'm going to do. My player is 3 months old. One other thing, this player will not play CD-R and CD-RW discs, the new PIONEER 626D's will. You may want to look into this one. I wish I did. Good luck out there!

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DVD Player with built-in dolby digital decoder and 5.1 channel output. Plays DVD's, Audio CD's, and Video CD's.

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