Panasonic DVD A120U DVD Players
Panasonic DVD A120U DVD Players
USER REVIEWS
[Aug 24, 2003]
JamieRI
Casual Listener
I just fixed my "no play" problem. The symptom is that the unit would play silver (single layer) disks but would no longer play any newer disk with the dual layer format (RSDL). I tried the Diskwasher wet laser lens cleaner with no luck. Then I used the isopropanol that came with it to directly clean the laser lens with a q-tip. After blowing off the cotton strands with compressed air, the unit now plays the RSDL disks very nicely. I quickly tried every bad disk with great success. Of course, your results may vary and you should only consider doing this if you have already decided the unit is useless to you! |
[Dec 07, 2002]
Steve
AudioPhile
Bought this from my brother when he upgraded his. This is my first DVD and it has had no problems. As far as reading VCD's, try using Memorex Platinum CD/RW's. |
[Nov 09, 2002]
Jeff
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Great Picture Good Black Levels Reads Every DVD I have thrown at it (Does not play CDR/RW FYI)
Weakness:
NONE I have had this player since it came out, I have over 150 DVDs and it plays them all flawlessly. It has great picture (color saturation and black levels) with no pixelation problems. The only time I have had pixelation problems is if some one got a fingerprint on a DVD. I am glad I have experienced none of the problems many reviewers have had here. I am not sure why somone at Panasonic would say it was not designed to read DSDL discs when it says it can in the manual. The vast majority of my DVDs are dual layer and they all work great. You will not find a new one of these on the market place so dont even think about buying one now. Someone complained about it not reading CDR/RW, well when it came out buddy NO dvd player read CDR/RW. If you wanted that functionality you should have done more research or bought a newer model that supported it. I will definitely consider another Panasonic when this one eventually fails as all products do. I have definitely gotten my value out of this player though and have been extremely happy with it. Similar Products Used: Sony RCA Samsung APEX and many other DVD players and the Panasonic has the best picture and sound. |
[Aug 06, 2002]
McD
AudioPhile
Strength:
Solid performer that responds rapidly to controls.
Weakness:
Limited remote hard to see in dim room. Not too great at reading damaged software. I wonder if the folks having "no disk" problems are smokers who are condensing films on the optics. Mine has been super from day one. Similar Products Used: Sony DAV surround systems. |
[Jul 12, 2002]
Jake Eddy
AudioPhile
Strength:
It work every time.And thats good enough for me
Weakness:
Doesnt play cd-r.Doesnt match my Pioneer Elite receiver. I have been using my player for about two years.And NEVER have I had a problem.People need to stop buying these "B" stock factory refurbished units over the interrnet(BECAUSE THEY ALL ARE,PERIOD),and leaving feedback.You are buyins a lemon right off the bat so expect it.Anyways,like I said I have never had a problem.Great sound and picture.I have never had it freeze(If you want to buy junk buy a PIONEER dvd player). |
[Jan 09, 2000]
Brian Morgan
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Excellent audio and video, full-featured, lots of outputs, audio with forward scan,
Weakness:
Remote sucks, won't play CD-R or CD-RW This is probably the best DVD player you can buy for less than $500. It's got all the features you could want with RCA, SVHS, and composite video outputs and RCA and digital coax and optical outputs. The remote has small buttons and is difficult to navigate, but if you have a good universal or multibrand remote, this is not a problem. Also, you can order the remote from the A320 from Panasonic's web site for about $50. It is a much nicer remote and I have read that it works great with the A120. Also, if you like to burn your own CD's, make sure you have a regular audio CD player or changer, because this DVD player won't play them. One cool feature is the scan modes. There are several speeds both forward and reverse. The slowest fast-forward allows you to hear the audio without changing pitch. All in all a great unit. |
[Jan 11, 2000]
David Stachour
Audiophile
Strength:
Great picture, sound, and features
Weakness:
Potentially will stop working... Be forewarned that previous models (DVD-A310) of this player STOPPED WORKING for numerous people just outside of the warranty period. Do yourself a favor and read reviews for the Panasonic DVD-A310 and decide for yourself if you want to take the risk, and believe me there is SERIOUS potential for problems if you purchase this player. Similar Products Used: Panasonic DVD-A310 |
[Jan 09, 2000]
Jim Wazorick
Casual Listener
Strength:
DD and DTS ready, friendly interface, easy to set up
Weakness:
None that I've found A year ago when I caught the DVD bug from a friend of mine, I looked at DVD players that were within my price range. Since I'm a student, I can't afford to spend large amounts of money on anything, let alone a DVD player. When I saw the A120 and what it had to offer, I immediately made up my mind that this was the player I was going to get. When I purchased it in June (yes, I waited about four months), it was $350, and worth every penny I saved. Its a good player for anyone just getting started in the DVD craze, or for the fanatic who wants good quality. It's played all the movies that I have bought and rented without any problems. Alas, I haven't tried the S-video or component connections, so I can't comment on those features now. And the remote isn't that bad, I got used to it in a day or two. Again, a wonderful buy for anyone. Similar Products Used: First DVD player |
[Jan 09, 2000]
Stephen Jeffcoat
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
component video, price This is a wonderful player. It has EXCELLENT sound in a 5.1 system and the picture quality is amazing...it is crystal clear, colorful and bright. I have had no problems with it whatsoever while watching over a hundred different movies. Excellent player for the price! |
[Jan 18, 2000]
Bob
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Price!; Audio and video quality; Component video and DTS audio outputs; Disks load FAST.
Weakness:
Apparently doesn't play CD-R and RW media; Universal remote would have been nice. I'm just as pleased as can be with this unit so far. Picture quality looks very good to me using composite input (I need a new TV w/ s-video :-( ). I haven't noticed any pixelation or other video problems, even on rental discs. Layer changes are virtually undetectable (with one exception - American Pie froze for almost a second at the layer change. I'm going to investigate further to see if it's just that particular disc). Sound is great - Virtual Surround Sound works much better than I expected on my 2-speaker system. FF and Rewind speeds up to 100x with great slow-mo, frame advance and freeze frame quality. Zoom would have been nice but it's not a deal-breaker for me. Similar Products Used: Toshiba |