Crisp Picture, good forward & reverse scan. Excellent CD audio through optical output.

Remote control buttons not legible in dim lighting, and are same size.

This DVD player delivers everything you need for the HT experience. Onkyo finally makes a DVD player that's affordable! Film-like images with component video. The remote is clumsy to use. Buttons are placed close together and all are the same size. A good price at $380.00 from Onecall.com. 5 stars for value and performance.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba 2109

strong build, simple, great performance.

remote fairly cheap, doesn't load as fast as Sony DVD units.
no CD-R compatibility.

This unit is a grood DVD player for the price ($359 at bestpriceaudiovideo.com), it delivers great sound and picture (as all DVD players do). Ive compared this model to the Panasonic A120, Philips/Magnavox DVD815, Marantz DV-4000, Sony 530, Toshiba 2109, Pioneer. To be honest, with DVD players today you really cant go wrong with any brand as far as picture and sound quality. But the Onkyo DV-S525 had great build quality over most of the models I looked at above. The only one that was better was the Marantz Dv4000 with its HDAM process but I could not justify spending $400 on a DVD player that doesnt even have Component video output. The Sony, pioneer, and toshiba were fairly cheaply built and had most of the same functions and same performance characteristics of the Onkyo. I chose the onkyo due to its smart layout, simple menu, and build quality. Im not giving it a full 5 stars because this DVD player has not conquered the "layer change" issue on most DVDs. Its not as bad as older players, but still shutters a little when the movie makes a layer change.

Picture quality; sound; build quality; simplicity

Absolutely HIDEOUS remote

With the exception of what is quite possibly the ugliest remote control I have ever seen (unlit little buttons with white, yellow and blue background - what were they thinking?!), this unit is flawless. I actually like the picture quality much better than the Toshiba 5109 progressive scan model! Once again, Onkyo has delivered a well-built, great performing piece of equipment without all the ridiculous, unnecessary bells and whistles other companies go for. 1 star off for the remote (even though I use my Onkyo 676 remote to control the dvd player), otherwise this unit is simply fantastic!

Similar Products Used:

Sony S530D, Tohsiba 3109 and 5109

Excellent audio and video quality. Component video outputs. It integrates with my 575 receiver.

None yet.

I purchased it for $425 along with my Devinitive Tech sub. What did anyone else pay? I heard that bestpriceaudiovideo.com is selling it for 350. I guess it's too late now. Anyway it's my first and only DVD player. It replaced my Sony laserdisc of 7 years old now. That thing would give me trouble all the time. I hated turning the discs over and switching them several times for one long movie. Oh well I guess that's technology. I have only used it for less than 1 week so I don't have any gripes yet. Excellent so far.

Similar Products Used:

NA

Excellent picture quality
Excellent sound, also from audio CD's

Only 1 scart connector
Does not play CD-R/CD-RW, Video-CD

So far I like this machine very much. I'm using with an Onkyo 919 THX receiver (prologic), but hope to get my Onkyo 777 (without hiss...) very soon.
I hooked the DVD-player to my widescreen 100Hz Philips TV using the RGB signal. The picture quality is absolutely perfect! Connection to the 'analogue' receiver is via an optical cable. Surround effects and sound quality are ofcourse much better then from a vcr. I can't wait to hear this DVD via the 777.
Though the unit should read video-CD's, mine says 'check disk' when I insert one. Is somebody out there able to test with a video (mpeg1) cd?

Similar Products Used:

None

Great audio and video. Goes great with Onkyo 676 using optical audio and s-video

Remote

Got mine at bestpriceaudiovideo for $349 and the onkyo 676 for $579. What can i say , a great combination. Only used for a month or so but has played every movie with no problems. My only question (rather than gripe) is when i set to 4:3 ratio it doesnt fill the whole TV screen. Not a problem for me cause i watch in letterbox anyway on a 46 sony big screen. I was just wondering if this was normal? If anyone has an idea on the subject please post and let me know.

CD player/DVD player combo
great sound

slightly audible cd "spinning"
at close range

Very satisfied overall with the DV-S525.
I got it mainly to replace aging Onkyo CD
player, and it doubles as a DVD player.
Two for the price of one, I figured.

It never skips when playing CD's and sounds
beautiful through my Yamaha receiver and Snell
E-5 speakers. The video (DVD) always gives
a sharp picture and I have only occasionally
found a picture fault, usually it was the
DVD itself that was dirty or scratched.

I highly reccomend this unit and ONKYO
products in general. They usually give the
best performance available, at the right
price. It gives a wide variety of output
connections for any type of audio/video
equipment.

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onkyo cd player (1990's)
hitachi cd player- 1st generation (1980's)

Solid construction; great audio, picture; no lip synch problems.

poor remote

Looks great, solid construction. Plays all disks without any lip synch problems. Handled scratched rental disk well. Great sound from CD play.

Included remote is a bit plain but unit easily controlled from Onkyo 777b receiver remote. Great combination.

Would recommend this unit to anyone but especially to someone using a receiver from Onkyo's current line.

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low-end Sony's

Great picture and sound. Nice scan. A/B repeat very quick. Nice looking solid feeling machine.

Remote control. I've gotten used to it and can hit the right buttons in the dark, but it would be nice to have a backlight. Noticeable pause on layer changes.

I've owned a few DVD players and can honestly say this is the nicest unit I've used. It does what it's supposed to do and does it extremely well. The picture on my Sony Wega 36" is outstanding. The sound in DD, DTS or 2 Channel stereo is excellent. If they were still available, I'd buy a second unit for music only use in my den. For the money spent, it can't be beat. When Onkyo comes out with a progressive scan player, I'll be first in line to grab one.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Toshiba, Pioneer

There has been complaints about other brands having sync problems, which I have experienced NONE with this unit. I like the design of the OSD, which is easy to use.

People have complained about the remote, but I'm happy with it. It's simple and easy to use, without having some fancy, hard-to-use interface getting in the way (like that one expensive, silver Kenwood receiver (forgot the model#)). I use my receiver's remote to control the DVD and it does everything I need it to, so I don't even go back to the DVD remote. The tray seems a bit slow to open and close, but I've heard that's just a sign of it being an expensive unit! :] As you can see, I don't see any MAJOR weaknesses.

This is my first DVD player and I've had no problems so far. Everything works great! I'm running it with an Onkyo 777b receiver and using the receiver's remote. I've watched about 50 or so movies so far. I am still piecing together my home theater, so I can't comment on sound quality, but video quality is suppurb.