Picture quality, On Screen Display, Sound (digital output)

Not being able to play CD-R / CD-RW

Well, after fiddling around with the Creative thing, this player is a major upgrade. I have this player connected to a Denon AVR1800 receiver, which has the build in DTS and DD decoder, and it rocks. Almost everything is done via the remote control, and this is the weak thing of this player. However, my receiver remote does a perfect job in controlling the 2500. Also a major advantage of the player is the ability to get the signals out in RGB format on the SCART connector. I own a 100Hz Telefunken which has also this ability to receive the RGB signals. In short...I like this player a lot. (also the looks)

Similar Products Used:

Computer based DVD (CreativeEncore DRX2)

I purchased this unit from Netmarket for $499. My main reasons for purchasing this unit was the review of the 3000 unit indicating excellent management of anamorphic downconversion. I was hoping this unit would be similar in this respect. My first impression was that the unit felt light and kind of cheaply made considering the mid range price. I was very pleased with the sharpness of the picture via S-video out to my 46inch Sony RPTV. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the downconversion. Essentially this unit performs exactly like the Panasonic from which it is derived. Distracting moire and fluttering straight lines were visible and quite obvious. The openining scene from Shakespeare in Love is a new torture test for this downconversion artifact problem. The scene pans down rows of benches in the open amphitheatre and the benches dance and sizzle on this unit.
Other observations were a poorly designed remote with non intuitive placement of buttons. The unit also had a noticable pause on the dual layer switch. Not as bad as my Toshiba,but worse than Pioneer and Sony. The champ in this layer switch has got to be the RCA and Proscan DIVX models,(I've never experienced the non DIVX versions) These units fly through the layer switch imperceptably.
Overall, I would recommend this unit for those interested in superior sound from their DVD and CD's and are not bothered by downconversion artifacts. As for me back she went. Kudos to Netmarket for not giving me a hard time for the return.
I fortunately was able to pickup a Proscan DIVX player for $249 bucks with 5 free movies. The Denon is slightly sharper, but The Proscan outperforms it in Downconversion, remote, and flawless layer change. I would give it 3 1/2 Speakers, but I'll round up because I really am a picky SOB.

incredible picture, great sound from cd's

not cheap

Bought this player after recomendation from salesman,
didn't really know anything about it (it was new at the
time)but i'm sure glad I listend to him. Was told it was
a very good product with upgraded componets inside. The
picture with just the standard connections is awesome,
also plays cd's beautifully. Which was important because
I didn't want to have to buy a new cd player also.

Similar Products Used:

jvc701

Excellent sound through its digital output. More than adequate picture. Good-looking unit.

Rather light in weight.

I recently purchased this unit after reading about it on Denon's web page, particularly because of the stated emphasis on parts for high sound quality. Although it does not have an AC-3 decoder built in, it was the ideal player for me because my preamp/processor (Acurus ACT-3) already has extremely good Dolby Digital and DTS decoding. In terms of picture quality, the Denon is very similar to the Panasonic A310, which is to say quite good in both full and wide screen, and slightly inferior to the Toshiba SD9000. However, I definitely prefer the sound of the Denon over the other two (all played through the same equipment). I did not realize such differences could occur over a coaxial digital output. It was especially pronounced on music. The soundtrack of the "Immortal Beloved" DVD left me in awe.
It was the best I have ever heard my equipment sound.

Before the unit arrived, I was afraid I was paying too much for just another entry level DVD player. But after having had a chance to hear it, I see that having an audiophile brand name behind it (with a reputation to maintain) really makes a difference. I recommend it highly for those, like myself, seeking great sound above all else.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba SD9000, Panasonic A310

I have just purchased Denon DVD 2500 to replace my Panasonic A330. Actually, I found the status display and screen menu are very similar. So, I doubt whether Denon ask Panasonic to produce OEM product for mid range market. However, I tried to use different disc to test the performance and the result is Denon out perform the Panasonic A330 in both audio and video. No matter how is the quality of your DVD disc, Denon can read and play it properly. I have tried other brand such as Pioneer, Toshiba, Sony .... etc. Only Sony and Denon can read all the disc without problem. Although the price is bit higher for Denon and lack of fancy function, I would like to recommend this model given you can accept these shortfall.

Decent functions, easy to use

Lemon laws don't apply to Denon DVD players

It seems to be a moot point to do review this product now that it's no longer manufactured but my experience with this product has been less than stellar and I want to share this with you in case anyone is reading.

I bought this unit in 1999 and exactly 31 days after I bought it, it started to screw up about an hour into almost every DVD played. I bought it back to the Good Guys and wanted a replacement, but since it was a whole day out of their 30 day return policy, they said I had to turn it in for warranty service.

If this ever happens again, I am going to demand a replacement.

This ticked me off enough as it was since I was now the owner of a $650 refurbished unit (they replaced the pick-up assembly).

Here it is, late 2001 and after playing maybe 50 movies if that many, it now won't accept any discs without inserting them over and over and over again until the unit recognizes it. Otherwise it reports that "this type of disc can not be played. Please insert a disc of the correct format...."

So I brought it to the Good Guys for repair. They said the pick-up assembly needs to be replaced for $319!

THREE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN DOLLARS!!! I can buy a much better player than this one ever was for that much now! AND they are replacing the SAME part they replaced before!

So not only am I stuck with a piece of garbage, I have to buy another player.

And all this wouldn't be any better with an extended warranty as they are usually $50-$100 per year and here it is two years later anyway so for about $200 or so of extended warranty, I'd only be saving about $100 so it's not even worth it either way!

So no more Denon products for me. I am definitely writing to the company and speaking my mind about the quality of their "cash and trash" products.

Similar Products Used:

None......YET!

Great sound quality compared to the first generation pioneer CD player that I am accustomed to. Picture looked great on my mitsu 50" HD ready

Extremely suceptable to scratched DVDs would only work for a short periods of time before stopping play all together.

I have been extremely disappointed with this player. The three stars are because it seemed great for the first 2 months and because this isn't entirely the player's fault.

While I understand that more expensive players do exist I did expect this one to play movies completely through. I had problems from the beginning and being my first DVD player I wasn't sure what to expect. I spoke with the dealer (yes they are authorized) 3 times and they refused to believe it was the player. After a year of dealing skipping movies and finally movies that wouldn't play at all I had it looked at. It was repaired for $200 by a supposed to be authorized company (recomended by dealer) and still had problems. Now two years into it and a HUGE struggle with Denon and the shop that I bought it from they are supposed to be sending my a 2800 replacement. I believe this has been a rare case but the customer service has been horrible and I would not purchase another Denon product. I can only hope that the 2800 will live up to Denon's reputation and that my AVR3300 (purchased at the same time) will last longer than it's warantee. Perhaps this is generally a good player, but mine was a bad apple.

Similar Products Used:

none

Everything.

Nothing....yet. Ya never know!

After reading some of the negative reviews from previous owners I was a little hesitant to purchase the unit. But for the amount of money I couldn't pass it up. I actually bought it for a second bedroom system but ended up loving it so much I replaced my main system player.

Never a picture problem yet. No skipping.

I was compelled to write this because the previous reviewer had so many bad things to say. Be careful when purchasing from the Bad eh I mean "Good Guys" I have read countless audio horror stories from people purchasing from them.

Denon makes quality products. As with every type company there are problem components.

Making "overinflated" ratings in this great audio review column screws it up for everybody.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic

i find denon to usually create a superior product, and the dvd-2500 is no exception. i researched mid-price dvd players for a few months, and found that just about every player on the market has one problem or another. i'm still waiting to find a disc that this player can't handle properly. the audio and video D/ACs in this box are superior to just about everything else i've seen under $1000. i believe denon starts out with a panasonic motherboard, but the improved parts used here make a noticable difference. this is a high quality, no frills player for someone willing to pay a few hundred dollars more for a well built product.
ian

i find denon to usually create a superior product, and the dvd-2500 is no exception. i researched mid-price dvd players for a few months, and found that just about every player on the market has one problem or another. i'm still waiting to find a disc that this player can't handle properly. the audio and video D/ACs in this box are superior to just about everything else i've seen under $1000. i believe denon starts out with a panasonic motherboard, but the improved parts used here make a noticable difference. this is a high quality, no frills player for someone willing to pay a few hundred dollars more for a well built product.
ian