EXPENSIVE LOOK FOR AN WONDERFUL INEXPENSIVE PLAYER

Author's Rating:

Pros: NO FREEZING UP. Sharp looks, very nice picture and sound quality.

Cons: Need some on screen descriptions. A universal DVD remote to operate minimal TV functions.

The Bottom Line: 
Stressing my most important criticism of my review, I most strongly emphasize Philips implement a universal DVD remote control.

Author's Review
I tell ya, as I am writing this, I just purchased this wonderful DVD player yesterday at Wal-Mart for a bargain after price matching with another dealer for under $100. It is absolutely wonderful unit! I can't say it more. Let me say that I purchased two other brands and I have had problems with both of them in terms of not being tolerant to mild scratches on CDs and DVDs. The last unit was the worst in what I am about to explain. It has a reputation in the business as being one of the top few that is very reliable and flexible in playing CD/DVD with scratches. It totally surprised me that it was just the opposite in terms of effortlessly reading CDs and DVDs. Well, after putting in a very lightly scratched DVD into it that I had rented from my free local library (where free DVDs are constantly borrowed and are "wildly" used), it didn't work at all and constantly froze up. I was dismayed by this. My fever for DVD players was disillusioned. I was gong to give up on the DVD all together. I decided to give it one more try. SO I purchased this one, trying another manufacture all together (an American so-called brand instead) -- Philips. I used the same lightly scratched DVD in it and it ran effortlessly with any snags and artifacts anywhere! I was excited and knew I would definitely keep this darling! I also put in a severely scratched DVD from the same source I picked up the other DVD to play as well just to see how it would take it... ...it played that fairly well with one hang up. I didn't expect it to play at all due to the many deep digs in it. I was flabbergasted! Philips has designed its laser and pick up to be very lenient to marks on these formats.

The unit is very beautiful looking with that silver look and the mirror prism appearance on front. It has a very classy look that compliments my other audio/video components. The manual is very detailed and explains well beyond the basic norm of operation. It looks solid and has a strong dominant appearance complimenting my older yet fairly expensive VCR on the shelf next to it. The picture quality is just as good as my other two famed DVD players I returned and the sound is excellent.

The like the menu that it was everything explained in English instead of those confusing to deceiver symbols on the last two units I owned. The problem is the terms they use need to be further explained in a few instances. Abbreviations in a few of the menus got me slightly confused and I will need to consult a manual when I forget again in the future to what they mean. Most of the menus are logical and I go about it easily. The remote is little and cute. It feels fairly comfortable in my hand. I think it needs a few more functions on it. I wish it had a volume control and a power on/off button on it to run any brand television. I wish it had the upscale TV universal remote capability that the last two units I returned had in the same price category. It makes it easier to adjust volume and TV ones set on with only having to use the one DVD remote. Yet, I have a 5 function universal remote that I bought that I can program for EVERYTHING! Not a total problem. There are two audio output RCA-jack sets on the back to connect to more than one audio receivers or other audio equipment. This is nice thing to have. Most DVD players offer only one. Also, I wish the front LCD display had the title and chapter listing. It only displayed the time in one of four choices. One can brighten up or dim the front LCD display to suit his or her needs, but lacks this vital information unless you touch a specific key to display this data on screen at the top of your monitor. Understand, with all my minor negs I list above, they are tolerable.

Overall, I love this unit! This one will be a keeper!