5 comments about Panasonic DMR-EZ17S DVD Recorder with ATSC Tuner Silver.

1. I bought this unit for the digital tuner. It replaces my similar Panasonic DMR ES15. Basically except for the tuner, setup, operation and remote are the same, so for me it was easy and works beautifully. I use only DVD-RAM and had no problems, although I haven't tried to format it and play it on other players. The reason I'm only giving it 3 stars is I can't help comparing it to the less expensive ES15 and even to an older Panasonic VCR. The S15 is idiot proof. No need to remember to turn the power off so it'll record, it just records. If you're watching something on the disc, it warns you and starts recording. When setting up future programs to record, the unit indicates by blinking that there is a time conflict if you overlap 2 programs. Even my VCR did this! When searching forwards and backwards the unit displays where you are minute/sec. wise. None of these things are true on the EZ17. If you forget to turn the power off, are watching something else or overlap programs, you're screwed. The unit won't record. Trying to search for something? Forget the convienience of a time indicater. It just shows a + or - 1. My advice is if you don't need the digital tuner go for the DMR ES15.



2. I received this unit from Panasonic after another Panasonic DVD recorder broke down after six months. I have had it for three weeks and now the eject button does not work. Panasonic wants me to send it in for repairs. My advice, after many years as a loyal Panasonic customer, is to at least avoid their DVD recorders. Their customer service department is as unreliable as their products. Perhaps Panasonic is slipping in quality overall.



3. Got off to a good start with this unit, mainly got it to replace my old Panasonic DVD player that had stopped working after 5+ years, figured I might as well get a recorder. I hooked it up, and it easily tuned in all my cable TV channels, was able to get the remote to also control my TV. But then I was watching a regular, commercial DVD this morning, and midway through the show, it inexplicably froze.
   
   I ejected the disc, power-cycled, and even unplugged it, and I even tried the "freeze" reset suggested in the manual. After all these resets, it would still not play ANY disc I put in it. I get a "No Read" error. I never even got a chance to try out all the recording features. And this happened on the first day. Seems to me like it has a lot of nice features, but is way too delicate and easy to break. I guess you get what you pay for, cheaply-made electronics that are neither durable nor reliable. I'm returning this and replacing with something else.



4. I bought this unit as a replacement for my previous Panasonic recorder that had stopped recording. I was very happy to see that the learning curve was almost non-existant as many of the controls were similiar or exactly the same. I was also happy to have something that worked so easily without problems. I like the slimness of this model too. It has to fit on top of my old VCR and TV and it does perfectly.



5. Was hoping someone could help me out... I live in the Philippines and would like to purchase this to record some educational shows from the Discovery Channel and National Geo that my children miss while they are at school. I'm not knowledgeable with regards this matter. Would this electronic work just the same in the Philippines?

1 comments about Sony DVP-NC800H/S HDMI/SACD/CD Progressive Scan 5-Disc DVD Changer Silver.

1. Hopefully this review will help clear up some confusing things which first-time HDTV owners may face.
   
   I am a first-time HDTV buyer who recently purchased my first medium-level, 32" HDTV (720p, but can receive 1080i). When I first got the unit I planned on seeing exceptional visuals for television and for my movies. I knew that an HD signal would be needed to truly see an HD quality picture, however, I quickly got frustrated to see that both standard DVDs and regular reception from my basic cable looked pretty pathetic even compared to a standard T.V. This HDTV I purchased looked great in the store, so I knew there was something going on I didn't understand, so here's a quick sample of what I learned and how it relates to this DVD upconverter.
   
   All of my DVDs are standard (not Blu-Ray or HD DVD). Using a standard Sony DVD player on my HDTV the picture from my DVDs was not good. Color was excellent, but the clarity was not good and the resolution looked poor and had a very 'blocky' look (jaggies). At this point the DVDs actually looked better on a standard TV. Also, cable reception looked equally bad on the HDTV. The fact is, HDTV is only as good as the signal coming into it. Another issue is that when watching a widescreen movie on a 16x9 TV the image will be bigger since the aspect ratio on the 16x9 TV can handle more of the widescreen image. So, on top of the standard DVD having less resolution than a HDTV reproduces, that low-res picture is also being enlarged to fill a 16x9 screen, and as like what happens with the cable, because the HDTV can reproduce an excellent image, all the imperfections of a non-HD signal (for both cable and standard DVDs) are in a way being magnified and look worse than on a standard unit.
   
   So, after learning this I realized that as far as cable goes, the picture will not look very good unless you have HD through your cable provider (and you are watching an HD broadcast of course). Obviously if you have an HD DVD or a Blu-Ray player you are also not going to have an issue playing those make of discs.
   
   Even though I planned on getting HD with my cable and I knew that would look great, I almost took back the HDTV because I have a lot of regular DVDs and wasn't planning to upgrade to Blu-Ray anytime soon. Watching my DVDs the way they were looking from my standard DVD player was not good enough. That's when I looked into an upconverting DVD player (specifically this one).
   
   Now, I have read a lot of articles and reviews with people saying that upconverters don't work and others saying it will look just as good as HD or Blu-Ray and both are wrong. After hooking up the upconverter to the HDTV (which was very simple with a HDMI cable and running the 'quick setup') I was watching my DVDs again and was more than pleased and was more than thrilled with the results. For the $120 for a Sony upconverter, it exceeded my expectations (which are pretty high).
   
   With the upconverter, my DVDs looked great on the new HDTV. I personally felt that they looked better at 1080i (which my TV will accept) than 720p which is my TV's native resolution. But this may be a matter of taste/preference. I would say with the upconverter the standard DVDs looked much better than they looked on standard TV, and of course the size of the 16x9 screen makes them come alive even more.
   
   Is the picture with the upconverter as good as a HD DVD or Blu-Ray disc? No. Is it much better than watching a standard DVD on a standard TV? Absolutely. It really is a perfect in-between if you have quite a library of DVDs and don't plan on doing the Blu-Ray thing for a while, and you will still get a better picture from the DVDs than watching them on a standard TV.
   
   In conclusion, while I can only vouch for the specific unit I am writing this review on, I would highly recommend an upconverter without reservation if you find yourself in a similar situation where you have quite a few standard DVDs and are thinking about getting or have already bought a HDTV and are upset by standard DVDs not looking good from a regular DVD player.
   
   Hope this helps anyone who is a little confused as I was on their first HDTV experience.

No comments about RCA Drc6355n VCR DVD Player.

5 comments about Sony DVP-NC85H/S HDMI/CD Progressive Scan 5-Disc DVD Changer Silver.

1. The product arrived promptly, well packed, and in perfect condition. So far it seems to be woring fine. Thank you.



2. This product was bought at an excellent price and in my opinion the best. Fast shipping. Excellent value. What a deal!!



3. There is a button on the clicker -- no need to get up to change the disc that is playing.



4. I bought this because my home theater (Denon) came with a single play CD/DVD player, and I like to "rack 'em" while we're in the pool listening to CD's - so you don't have to come in every 50 minutes to change music. Also because of the silver finish, which complemented my current system. Very slow disc start up, no multi-disc shuffle as far as I can tell, and very average in every way. Great price, you can beat it - however if you are serious about movies and music, I would buy something more expensive.



5. I don't understand why we can't recieve DVD Players over seas but we can order DVD's from the same site...

1 comments about Samsung DVD-V9800 DVD/VCR Combo.

1. A friend recommended the Samsung, as he has had very good luck with them, so I started looking at reviews over the past month on both DVD/VCR Players and Recorders. I had wanted to convert all my VHS Tapes to DVD, and had initially wanted a DVD Recorder, but since you cannot copy Copyrighted Material, I decided to go for the Player Combo.
   
   Pros: The HDMI Interface is a must with my new Bravia T.V., and the Up-Conversion works great at 1080P. I also have a Sony Blu-Ray, but did not want to wear it out from watching just good old DVD's, besides it's a bit finicky at times and takes a long time to boot and load.
   
   Cons: The VCR only works with the Video Out (Composite), so you still have to run those old Red/White and Yellow wires to support the VCR. I had hoped I could use a single output, but the only commonality across the DVD and the VHS would be the Composite Output and I would have then lost the HDMI Capability and the Up-Conversion.
   
   Over-all, it allows me to have a single unit, and still watch my VHS Tapes, and also supports higher clarity with regular DVD's, providing better quality than my Older Progressive Scan DVD on my older Sony 57 Inch, as it only supports the lower 480p.

5 comments about Panasonic DMR-ES15S DVD Recorder with DV Input.

1. Panasonic DMR-ES15S DVD. I bought this DVD Recorder to replace my Phillips DVD recorder which gave me enless problems.I bought this product based on the good review customers gave it. The set up was easy and the recording is excellent. This product is much, much better than the Phillips I discarded. Tyrone.



2. My first Panasonic DVD recorder was the DMR-30. I was able to record over 2000 DVDs before it died. The editing feature was also good. My second DVD recorder was this model. It unfortunately did not last half as long before breaking. It also had an editing feature. When I tried to buy another Panasonic DVD recorder I found that all of the current models had no editing mode which makes it worthless if you want to eliminate commercials from a recording. So I bought another recorder that was the same model as my old one at a greatly reduced price. I only gave it 4 stars because it does not have what it needs to record programs when that February 2009 eliminates analog broadcasts. I am hoping that it will work with my cable which is digital. I also gave it 4 stars because I don't know how long it will last. Using the features may seem daunting but once you figure out how to do it, it is really easy. This comes from a very technically challenged female.



3. I bought this hunk a junk 1yr and 13 days ago. When I first bought it I thought I would really put it to use. Turns out that I barely used it at all. I bought a PS3 about the same time and watch HD movies more than anything. I used the panasonic to burn some shows on a RAM disc about 12 to 15 times. I rarely used it to watch movies. All together It maybe burned 20 shows and movies from tv and played about 10 movies. 13 DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IT STOPPED READING THE DISCS!!! Now I know electronics fail now and then, thats not my problem. My problem is that Panaonic wont budge an inch on he 13 days over the warranty. I have DVD players that are 5 yrs. old and are still going strong. This thing was mildy used and took a dump. VERY DISAPPOINTED! I DO NOT RECOMMEND!



4. After transferring 600 VCR tapes to DVDs this machine can't wait for more work. The copies it produces are fantastic, 4 and 6 hour speeds will surprise you in a very good way. The ease of use is very friendly,and it doesn't matter what format you are playing back on this unit, it embraces them all happily.I bought another ES15S so as to have in reserve and to double up on copies of years of family made VHS tapes to share. It remains cool, a bit slow to open it's dvd drawer, but I will gladly wait another 10 seconds for what this machine does for my collection and playing bought or rented new DVD movies. Using component connections to my HD tv inproves the clarity and resolution at least 40% more, so playback is in the same league as recording. I have VCRs that are 24 years old made by Panasonic, with years of proper care and cleaning, they are feeding in HiFi to the ES15s which is proving again,Pansonics are made like tanks and the technology which goes into their products like the ES15s are in the same class and innovative progression as any high end elctronic manufacturers. Buy this machine,buy 2, it is a winner. Mike Kasten, Los Lunas New Mexico.



5. Panasonic DMR-ES15 has great features. But if the unit stops working
   after just a few months of use, then what good is that ? And I bought
   this unit brand new.
   
   If you're thinking of buying a Panasonic DVD recorder, do yourself a favor and search the internet for this "U61" error on Panasonic
   DVD recorders so you can get an idea of just how many people have
   experienced this problem. It appears it's only a matter of WHEN the
   DVD recorder will fail, not IF.
   
   I researched this unit, but having owned other Panasonic products
   in the past, I foolishly focused on it's features.

5 comments about Coby DVD-514 Super Slim 5.1 Channel Progressive Scan DVD Player.

1. I bought this player in January,
   I read all the reviews, and thought I'd go for it.
   There was allot of NEG reviews on this player. but for the
   price *and free shipping, It was worth the chance.
   
   Well It's been 4 months now, The player see's about 4 movies
   a week on it. No odd sounds, no broken up video, no misreading
   of the dvds as DVR's or anything else. The Unit is running great!
   With no hang up's at all.
   
   The only odd thing about this players I found was,
   The remote shown is not the remote you get.
   The one you get is very small, and it takes a bit to get use to.
   But other than that it works fine..
   I'll update, as the months pass..



2. Small Compact Componet DVD Player....Performs great. Setup easy and fast. Plays all formats. Clear bright picture. The blue back ground display displays a pink kinda numerical-graphic display, back counter and graphic notation of the disc turning. I had no problems installing and placing 514 in with other componets. The only problem was linking the 514 to my tv monitor. Extra length jumpers here. All and all a great dvd player. For the budgeted a great purchass. The 514 is now being used in completing a display with video. Most nice. Runs almost six hours, five days a week.
   
   TELEMETRY DATA SYSTEMS La Jolla California



3. The DVD player works fine and arrived on time. The only downside to this item is the color seems over saturated even after making adjustments on my television and the player. The second complaint is that the door where the dvd is inserted seems to get stuck a bit. Lastly, you definitely need to use the remote control to operate the player. It has buttons for on/off, play, etc. but, they don't actually work for me. Overall, I believe it is great for the money.



4. The flexbility of formats made this seem like a great gift for my mother overseas. However it is cheaply constructed and stopped reading disks after 3 or 4 successful uses. A friend who's a digital video expert looked over the unit and told us it's not worth repairing. Due to the delay from purchase to use, the warranty was already void, so my mother opted to buy a different device locally instead.



5. Its 11:30 pm. I just watched about half of CASINO ROYAL. When I'll get to watch the rest... who knows. The player stuttered, then froze. I took the DVD out and cleaned it. Replaced it, and after trying to load for a bit it gave me a "wrong disc" message. Tried again. No good, hmmmm. Tried another disc and got the same thing. Welcome to reality. I've had it over a year and watched a good 100 or so movies on it, with only a few disc related problems. How can I complain after paying only $25 for it at the grovery store (first clue). I can't comment much on other formats although Its played a few home recored CDs okay. After reading the other reviews on here, I think I've fared better than most. Diagnosis: ITS TOAST

5 comments about Sony DVP-NC85H/B HDMI/CD Progressive Scan 5-Disc DVD Changer Black.

1. Ok up converting dvd player. Its attached via HDMI video but i think my xbox 360 does a better job! Also tray sticks. Needs an additional pull 1 time in 5 to come all the way out for loading and unloading. Sony has really fallen off as far as build quality goes.



2. This is a good product, but being that i am a old school Sony product user the one feature that i really miss on their new dvd/cd players is RANDOM PLAY MODE come on, would it have cost Sony a whole lot of money to include this feature on this latest dvd/cd players 5 dics models instead i had to buy the 300 Mega Storage model to get this feature, but what about those of us who still like the 5 disc carousel model with random play? have we been kicked to the curb.? I mean come on a player without random play is like Popcorn without the butter something is missing badly missing. So if you guys at Sony read this please put this back in your players O'RANDOM PLAY WHERE FORTH ART THOU?
   
   Ted



3. I bought this as part of a home theater system. I'm not an audiophile and don't watch TV, just a movie or two each week. I like the 5 disc carousel because it allows me to play about a week's worth of Christmas music from MP3s burned to discs. My old CD carousel won't do MP3s.
   
   The remote didn't work out of the box. Many functions are only available on the remote, so this isn't exactly a minor problem. I sent it back immediately.
   
   In return for my brand new DVD player, Sony sent me a "factory refurbished" unit...no other options. Now I first got a "factory refurbished" something back in the 1970s. That one was obviously broken before it was packaged for resale. I have NEVER had a "factory refurbished" unit that worked properly, and this DVD player was no exception.
   
   The used one they sent me worked about as badly as the new one. My ancient Panasonic was working fine, so I just hooked up the Sony to play said MP3s at Christmas. I eventually learned that the Panasonic does not like DVD-Rs very well, so I sent the Sony back for repair a second time. It came in two weeks ago. Absolutely no difference.
   
   I called Sony and they said they would send me a shipping label (it had cost me over $40 so far to ship a unit that is retailing today for $110). A week later I called Sony and the guy said he would e-mail the shipping label "right now." I called back the next day, was put on hold, and then disconnected. When I finally got through, I would not let the guy off the phone until the label hit my e-mail inbox.
   
   I will wait for the unit to be returned (Sony's turnaround is quite good) and see if it works. I won't bother with it any more if it doesn't -- just not worth it. But I will certainly never buy another Sony product.
   
   Oh, by the way: the "universal remote" that came with the home theater system? It's defective, too. Operates the tuner/amp but cannot be programmed to operate anything else.



4. I bought this player to replace my old 5 cd carousel changer. For me it was a bonus feature to have DVD playback. Sony's priority is the DVD playback, not CDs. My favorite function on my old component was the "all disc shuffle" function, which was also a button on the component (no TV needed for the display). This one can only shuffle within one disc, but I don't see the point in that. I also don't like where the remote sensor is because I have to leave the door open to my entertainment center to use the remote. This defeats the purpose of a closed door that keeps little hands away from the equipment and media.



5. I bought this player for two reasons. If you enjoy music, having to constantly feed a CD tray becomes a little irritating. Don't overlook the convenience of a multi-disk player. Just load it up and it plays for hours. I also wanted a player that would upsample standard DVDs to my 1080p television. This feature works flawlessly. On most movies from 8-10 feet away it is hard to tell the difference from the output of my Sony Blu-Ray player I bought afterwards (I hate to admit this, but it's true). I've had no malfunctions with this player. The only thing that bothers me is the build of the CD tray itself. It seems a little flimsy, but the general build of the player is solid and the case is actually metal. I am very satisfied with this product.

No comments about Sony DVP-NC800H/B HDMI/SACD/CD Progressive Scan 5-Disc DVD Changer Black.

5 comments about Sony DVPCX995V 400-Disc DVD Mega Changer/Player.

1. It took a while to inventory, assemble, the DVDs that I wished to Sony DVPCX995V 400-Disc DVD Mega Changer/Playerload into the machine. When the job was completed, and the Excel listing printed, I still had DVDs left over. I have not as yet tried all of the bells and whistles.



2. I now own three of these units.When you own as many movies as I do, space becomes a problem. With the storage unit along with Sony quality, this is a must for collectors.Convenience and quality should go hand in hand.I call it "my dvd juke box".



3. Overall good product with good Video and audio quality. However updating the movie list is slow and cumbersome. There is no extermal connection (USB or Ethernet) to download the movie list, etc...



4. I've owned both the DVP-cx995v and the silver DVP-cx777ES. The only reason I sold my 777es is that this unit has HDMI, Same features and same capacity. Sony has a good product. Could always be better but for anyone with a over average collect, 270+, this is a must have. I'll have three total prior to the end of 2008.



5. This is my second DVPCX995V machine due to the fact that the first one is almost full. Although the interface on these machines can be a bit quirky and somewhat counterintuitive it is really the best choice if you want your movies at your fingertips and have no intention of rifling through hundreds of DVDs in a bookcase or a box to find the one you want to see. The truly huge plus of this machine is minimizing the handling of delicate and scratch prone DVDs, load them once and forget it. It is also easy to find a movie either by title or genre with the disc explorer feature. The 1080p unconverting is truly excellent. The picture that is sent to my new 58" Plasma is mindboggling. Until they make a bluray jukebox player that can hold as many discs this is your machine.