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After Countless calls to Hitachi Canada, about this unit and having this unit repaired 3 times since 1999. I was about to replace it with another brand. I have experienced numerous problems with this unit, such as picture and audio problems see previous reviews below, I have experienced most of them if not all. Anyhow to cut a long story short, a good friend was over at my place when the NBA finals were going on and I was telling him of my pain and suffering since picking up this DVD player. You see my friend is in the technical field and knows the big man at Hitachi Canada, "Wow" with-out any delay this unit was disconnected and repaired 80% better than before. 1)Picture distortion fixed 2)Video branching gone New upgrade Version 2.30 but their is still 1 problem still present when ever you pause or change chapters a high poping noise will occur this can cause serious damage to high-end speakers. I also noticed a much cleaner picture. However this info here does not change my view on this product I am still going to buy another player in the near future. I give a two star rating this time form previous one star rating because of the repairs done.

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Sony 570D, Panasonic RV31

Loaded with Features, read DVD,cd,CD-v,CD-r,CD-rw
Menu screen easy to read and use, excellent bang for the buck.

None to report so Far

Had the Matrix problem was solved by the upgrade(I have no problem recieving a upgrade so soon considering the speed of todays technology). Picture and sound is absolutely fantastic. I believe that if you do a comparitive cost review for with the other DVD's you will find that you recieve a excellent deal with this one. I have just purchased a JVC 36"(36d500) and connect it with componet video outputs. the picture is perfect.

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Review toshiba 3109, JVC 701,

Tons of features and nice to look at

when playing a movie

Lately I`ve seen some great reviews coming in on this product now that the firmware disk is out to correct the problems that this player has and now everyone is so happy .Thats because they already bought it people!!!! I`d be happy also if something that I bought that didnt work properly was also getting fixed!!! What I`m saying is that yes it my now not have any problems with the Matrix but I dont think I would want to go buy something that requires some sort of fixing right out of the box when their are so many players out their that work properly from factory.
My last review was short and rushed. And I only mentioned the Matrix as an example. But I also was having a terrible time running this model though s-video to my tv ( The picture would go nuts with any movie that had any flashing lights such as lighting) Now does the firmware also correct that? I dont know. But I do know that I`m not rich(sorry ladies). So when I spend money on something I want it to properly right off the bat!
Also when I spoke to 2 different Hitachi Reps on 2 different occations I never got any answers. Nor was I contacted with any updates ( and yes people I left them with ways to contact me). So whats that say about customer service? dont let companies take your money lightly. You work for it, and so should they!!
How long has that model been on the market? How long did it take for the fix to come out or the very mention of the fix? Well hats of to Hitachi for fixing thier dvd player but no thanks people

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borrowed friends sony dvd players and also rca

Picture/sound quality, good choice of outputs (both video and audio)

No codes for unit in most universal remotes, confusing manual

I was initially hesitant about buying this model from the average rating. But after examination, the bad reviews all seem to be from people who bought a bad unit (bad luck) or had older units with software problems which has now been fixed by Hitachi. After seeing it for sale at the Post Exchange for $329, I bought one.

The set up was pretty easy. For audio connections, you have the choice of RCA jacks, digital coax, or optical. For video, you have composite, S-vhs, or component video out. However, the manual proved a little confusing and took some deciphering to figure out some of the more advanced settings and features.

For video, I used an S-vhs cable. The picture was very sharp and clear, comparable to Sony DVD players I saw on display at the PX. I used a digital coax cable to connect to my Sony STR-DE635 receiver and the sound was fantastic. If you are used to regular dolby pro-logic, 5.1 dolby has to be heard to be believed. The lobby shoot-out scene in "The Matrix" is awesome on DVD.

The only flaws I can note are that most universal remotes do not have codes for this unit on the account of it being so new, and the manual could be confusing for the a/v novice.

Good value, features, build quality

On-screen menu, play quality

I played 4 different movies during a half hour test on the first day, and guess what, the unit skipped and paused every 5 minutes of play. I find that very unreasonable. The JVC 511 I have played all movies including the Matrix with no problems.

Thanks to the dealer who took it back after 3 days and I bought another JVC DVD player which is also trouble free. I originally thought the 250U would be a higher-end machine than the 511 but I was wrong.

For the money ($545 tax in), you can't beat it, but since this is Hitachi's first DVD player, they should go back to the drawing board.

Well, that's my dollar worth of comments. Hope you will have better luck than I did.

The low overall rating is because of its performance or lack of it, but it's a great value.

Similar Products Used:

JVC 511

Clear Picture, Smooth Scan feature,overall good quality

Doesn't play cdr's past song seven, remote doesn't light up

I have found that the Hitachi DVD Player is a great unit, crystal clear picture, additional features are nice like zoom, and smooth scan. It also has played movies like the Matrix, Star Trek-Insurrection, and The Mummy without any problems occuring, but one of the main reasons why I bought the Hitachi is because it plays cdr's...or so I thought...let me explain..it will play any cdr up to track 6 or 7, then it will crap out, and sound like it's skipping or something..not too impressed!...I should find out more info tomorrow, as I have a call setup with a Hitachi Rep at 3pm. Overall, I would have given it a five it the cdr feature worked, but I will settle for a four....

Okay. I bought this the 2nd week it came out. I wanted a DVD player with a dd decoder built-in since I already had a dd ready receiver. At first glance, it was fine. It played my DVDs, CDs, Vcds and even all my CD-Rs. BUT, the problems where not long to follow. When you hit stop while playing a movie, you get an anoying *Tschling* sound and then a constant high pitched (around 11khz) sound until play or power is pressed. I had a bit alot of problems on the Matrix movie (like most players) so you can't really deduce points for that... All in all.. Except for the really anoying sound, it's pretty good for the price. And also, considering it's the first model from Hitatchi.. (just to think, toshiba and sony and panasonic have done around 10 models each... and they still don't have everything right..)I would give it 3 1/2, rounded to 4 :)

I originally purchased a JVC XV-501BK, but that froze up when I tried to access the "Idle Hands" extras menus. I took it back to the store and decided to try the Hitachi.
I have never had a chance to compare DVD players on calibrated TVs, so I am judging its audio/video quality based on my experience with cable TV, VHS, and Look TV (MMDS system, like satellite but broadcast from local towers). The picture clarity is perfect and the colors are awesome. I am still impressed every time I watch a DVD by how vivid the colors are.

I didn't need the built-in Dolby Digital Decoder, because I upgraded from an old Sony Pro-Logic to a new Sony DD/DTS model (STR-DE835). The difference between Dolby Pro-Logic and Dolby Digital is astounding--even with my modest setup (old Sony towers and satellite surrounds, Cerwin center, Paradigm 8" sub). I haven't tried any DTS movies yet because our local video stores don't have any.

It is worth mentioning a few of the Hitachi's features, because it has quite a few. First of all is its ability to pass blacker-than-black video signals, which are used in the PLUGE test pattern to set your TVs brightness properly with Video Essentials (the AVIA set-up DVD doesn't use PLUGE to set brightness, but I haven't tried it yet). You can also select whether to use NTSC black (0 IRE) or true DVD black (0 IRE). You can choose between Toslink or Coax for digital output. The 2x/4x zoom is fun, and implemented better on the Hitachi than the JVC. And DTS signals are output if you watch a DTS DVD and have an appropriate decoder. The front panel display can also be dimmed if you so desire.

Technology wise, this machine is par with most of the current generation of DVD players, sporting a 10-bit video DAC, 24-bit/96KHz audio DAC, and even a dual-laser/dual-pickup system for better CD performance.

This is Hitachi's first DVD player (not including computer DVD-ROM drives), and it has a few areas that can be imroved, like the setup menu, which is really ugly... but who really cares once it is set up. Also the Matrix skipped a bit at those white rabbit scenes... but most players out there are having similar (or worse) problems.

For the price (I paid $599 Cdn. a month ago), I think this DVD player is a great buy. I would give it a 5 rating, but I'm a little disappointed about the Matrix. Maybe I'm being harsh on Hitachi, and maybe its Warner Bros. fault, but until I know, I just wish I was one of the ones with no problems ;(

PS: I've been using the DVD player on my 6 year old Panasonic GAOO 27" TV, so I have not yet experience "true" home theater. When my new Panasonic GAOO Progressive TV (PT-51DX80) arrives soon, I will be truly happy. I will post a review of the TV at that time.)


MikeG

problems.everything

after. 30.deys.no.front-display.work.no.service.nocodes.remot.problems.problems

only.hitachi

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bery.bery.bery.bad.dvd.250.250u.also. the.neuf.dont. buy.hitachi-----star

User friendly,nice looking,componet video.

I had nothing but trouble since I bought it.Hitachi replaced the main board and the very first movie I tried the dam thing skipped and locked up again.

I can`t say anything good about this product because of all the trouble I had with it,however Hitachi is going to replace the unit with a new one.

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