Plays CD-R and CD-RW and very good audio quality (I was looking particular for that), plus very simple to upgrade to a zone free player. Took 5 minutes in the shop, one CD erased the old software and another one put in the new. Voila!

After upgrade the player does not remember that I used "RGB ON" so I have to choose "RGB ON" from the remote control every time I’m watching a movie.

My model is the DV-P250 (silver) Very good picture quality, I’m using the scart RGB outlet with a goldplatet monster cable to my Panasonic 29" 100 Hz TV.(I also tried the super VHS outlet) The quality is nearly unreal! I’m also using a Technics 930 receiver with 5 Kirksaether loudspeakers that give a very good sound. I´m very happy for the good Audio sound, the depth and dynamic range is excellent, I prefer classical music, and some popular music. (I also make some of my own, so a player that accepted CD-R was a must). My old CD player was almost 15yrs old so the sound improvement is huge!
I have been watching Runaway bride (zone 1), Matrix (2), and Disney Bug’s (1) Das boot (2), Stuart Little (1) and some other DVD. All performed flawless except 3 or 4 times a millisecond freeze on the Matrix movie, but nothing that I would call a concern. Other players also seem to have this problem.
But a very nice thing is that when I play movies from different Zones it just plays the film, as there was no zone at all. I do not have to change zone or do anything, as no zone existed. All this was done by a software upgrade.
If some one need a good combined player that plays nearly everything you put in this seems for me a good choice!

Similar Products Used:

None, but my choice was between this player and Pioneer 717 (nearly twice the price), I did a thorough research (six month) before I bought this product, and I’m very satisfied.

Everything - Look, Quality, Features and Price

NONE!!!!!

I believe mine is the 250U as it is both Pal and NTSC capable. I was also tolds that the vendor's stock had just been upgraded with the CD to fix all known problems.

This product does it all. I have watched several movies (including flawless MATRIX (including the white rabbits)) and the quality is simply flawless.

I am now thinking of upgrading my 10 year old Sony 26 inch XBR to a HDTV ready Toshiba 16x9 (either Rear Projection or classic tube)and my 7 year old top of the line JVC Dolby Surround receiver to a Yamaha, Marantz etc very soon

I was most astounded with the great improvement in rendition of the many audio CDs that I own. The range seems to have become greatly expanded - particularly in the sub 100 hz area. My Bach no longer sounds boomy but now I feel as if I'm in a cathedral listening to the pipes.

The fact that it also plays CDRs and CDRWs flawlessly (including Kodaks) is an added bonus.

Finally @ $470 plus taxes at Stereo +, I feel it's a steal!! and in summary a 5+++ and 5+++ on all counts

Extensive features,vividly detailed picture

none

I watch every movie intently, the picture detail is unreal!
The images seem to come alive, I am re-watching the movies
I have and I am seeing new things with this player. I have
a 50" RP and the picture improvement from the previous
best (Toshiba 2107) is remarkable.

When I read the list of features and saw the player in
action, I knew I had found the next addition to my 'home
theater',it does everything well. The comments about the
remote don't bother me as I have RC2000 II and have taught
it all of the commands.

With the dual pick-up and built in Dolby Digital decoder
I haven't seen a better machine. As soon as I get the
firmware upgrade there will be no contenders!

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba 2107, RCA 5220, Toshiba/Hollywood Plus PC-DVD

Overall quality, picture, able to play CD-R and CD-RW, design...

Unable to play RCE discs!!!! (With the latest multiregion firmware 1.115)

Great overall perfomance playing DVD:s and audio-CD:s.
But then there's the RCE problem....
Otherwise I would rate it as a clear 5 star, but now...only 3 stars. This problem can be solved by Hitachi, because one of the (greatest) features is the ability to switch firmware by simply loading a disc with the latest firmware!
(That's what some people do when they "modify" this player and charge £30-£100!)

Do it yourself, if you dare!
Check out: http://www.theironduke.plus.com/HitachiSyndicate/Files/files.html

cdr-rw playback, dolby 5.1 just about everything

size - it's huge!!

It's a good player all round it's just its the size of the unit.
it would be better if it was multi region!
but well worth it
-i've had no problems with it-

None, really. This model sucks.

Usually unable to view any DVD to the end...

I have had this unit for more than a year and have never been able to make it work properly. I have stopped watching DVDs altogether for months now because almost every time, about two-thirds of the movie having been viewed, the picture and the sound track starts jumping and collapsing, then the god damned unit freezes and I can't finish viewing the film. This problem is more common with rental DVDs, but also accurs with my own DVDs.

I brought this unit to the shop twice; the first time some processor was replaced and the software updated (there had been a recall by Hitachi), and the second time they replaced some more parts. But the problem always recurred.

Dual Discrete optical pick-up, Dolby Digital 5.1 output,

Basic Remote, no level control for 5.1 output.

Wow,

Excellent value!!!
sony had the right idea using dual discrete optical pick-up in all models last year. This year like everyone else, sony switched to the cheaper single optical pick-up. dvd's and cd's are different. most dvd's sound like crap for music cd's. it's nice to hitachi using a better pick-up at a lower price. the are offering more for the money than all of the competition.

Gold plated component video, s-video, composite output,dolby digital 5.1 output, and coaxial output.
the smooth scan is great, so is the navigation menu.
One sweet feature is the remote's audio selection button, one touch and you switch pcm/dolby dig/dts output.
The front jog is great but they could have put it on the remote too.
Musically this unit is superior to all of the others i have tested.Most dvd's are crappy for regular cd's, but this one was exceptional.

definetly audition this piece, for any system. you won't be dissapointed.

No flaws found either.

still looking......

Similar Products Used:

sony dvps330 530 550, pioneer dv525,

How about everything!!! From smooth transition audio switches, to dual-laser pick-up.
If your wondering what that means, the DVD player uses one laser to pick up sound while the other laser tackles video.
Zoom feature 2x & 4x... AWESOME!
Best of all it really does play CD-Rs, whether it be music or bootleg mpeg cds, unlike other brands (sony) that don't even though it is in its specs.

My most favorite movie in a long time, yes the Matrix has the usual skips mentioned by others owning the 250-U Hitachi DVD player.

I have seen between twenty and thirty DVD's since I bought the Hitachi and I, quite frankly, am impressed every time I watch a DVD on this machine. I own 6 DVDs (Goldeneye, Existenz, Thin Red Line, Saving Private Ryan, Cruel Intentions,Matrix) and they all work optimally.The only problem like I said before is the cursed Matrix problem. If anyone knows how this maybe fixed, or if you know about whether Hitachi plans to fix the problem, please e-mail me. For those who maybe discouraged by the Matrix problem, don't forget its just one movie, and it is a title that is having problems with other DVD units as well. So if your wondering if the Matrix problem discourages me, it does but its not enough to deter me from giving it a five on all counts.

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There is only one other high end DVD player with dual-laser pickup and that is by Sony.

Excellent picture quality,disc navigation.Looks great!And excellent sound quality.Plays Matrix,one slight pause(millisecond)around 51 minutes into film(fight scene)but no other problems.Plays my cdr's and cd's.

no jog shuttle on remote

Overall a brilliant product,I bought the multi-region model for £299,great value.

Similar Products Used:

philips dvd/hollywood mpeg decoder

Good looking (i own the silver version) with loads of great features like zoom and double lens and speed. Great image quality and sound is amazing with loads of connections for connecting to a stereo.

Plays the matrix with 3 skips where the image repeats itself briefly.

I own the DV-P250 E in metalic finish. I got the de zoned version for £280, great value for a DVD player with these features. I am a bit dissapointed by the fact that it has problems with the Matrix, although they are very slight and i havent had any problems with any other movies. The features available are similar to those of the higher price band DVD'd so i was very pleased with this buy. I would recommend this player to anyone who wants a good DVD player without paying a fortune.