Sound & video quality and ease of use.

Remote is not back lit

I was a little apprehensive when purchasing this unit based on some of the reviews posted on this site, however I couldn't pass up a DVD audio/video player at $286.

When switched on for the very first time I pleasently surprised by how attractive the unit is, even my wife commented on the lighting Panasonic choose. Right away I noticed a significant improvement in sound over any other player I had connected to my system. It produces a very large sound stage even at lower volumes. When listening to the DTS soundtrack on Gladiator ( using the players built-in DTS decoder through the 5.1 outputs ) I was amazing by the impact this player provided. The DVD-Audio sound is fantastic. I picked up DVD-Audio discs by KD Lang and Stone Temple Pilots. The 5.1 mixes may take some getting used to for some, I know I struggled at first hearing vocals coming from my rear channels rather than the front. But when I switched to high resolution stereo mode, this player shined. The sound quality is above anything I've heard... unfortunately I have yet to hear SACD to base a similar comparison, but it is levels above standard 16 bit CDs. The player also does an excellent job when playing those standard 16 bit cds, sounding just slightly better than my Marantz CD-player ( Which costs 2 times as much as the AV-7 ).

At first a was a little dissapointed in the video quality. I had it connected to my Toshiba Cinema Series television via component video inputs. The picture quality was nearly identicle to the Toshiba SD-3205, which I found to have a little extra pixelization than I care to see. And the Toshiba seemed to offer a crisper picture overall. Both players outperformed either of Sony models. However, when I swiched my component video cables from Standard Monster Video cable to the Monster Video 3 series, the colors simply leaped from the screen and the pixelization dissapeared. With a little fine tuning the picture quality offered excellent detail without any video noise, and gained an edge over the Toshiba. The player also offers an abundance of internal settings that can match the video preferences for nearly any user, for virtually any setup. I don't believe I can achieve better picture quality without paying 2 or 3 times what I spent on this player, or without stepping up to a progressive scan player and display.

This player is an excellent value! I would easily recommend it for anyone looking into getting a feel for the DVD-audio format and still getting a great value DVD-player to boot.

Equipment used:
Yamaha Natural Sound A/V Receiver
Paradigm Studio 60 front speakers
Paradigm Studio CC center channel
Paradigm Studio ADP surrounds
Toshiba 32" Cinema Series Television
Marantz CC-67 CD changer
Monster video & audio cables

Similar Products Used:

Sony DVP-530D ; Sony DVP-C660 ; Toshiba SD-3205 ; and Toshiba SD-2109

Quality feel, no plastic on this one!

none

This is my second dvd player and I am really impressed with all of the features this player offers. First and most obvious is the dvd audio feature. This is something that I was not searching for when I bought this player. The sound is amazing, even in 2 channel. The sampler disc does not give the player justice. I purchased Stone Temple Piolots new dvd-a and it is excellent. I have also listened to many cd's on this player and the sound is above average I would rate it.

Next the video features. The picture quality is on par with the Toshiba I purchased a few months back. Actually with the component hook up the panasonic has a better picture. Very bright vivid colors on Austin Powers.

It is a fun player with all of the features, there honestly too many of them to fit in this review.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba sd2200

none as of yet, maybe that it is not progressive scan

I also owned the DVP-570d as a previous reviewer had. Even after a firmware upgrade I noticed the same problems. So, I looked to AudioReview.com to help me find a new DVD player. I was most impressed by previous reviews of this player and decided to purchase one. The price I payed for the player cannot be beat. There are virtually no other dvd audio players in this price range. Actually I did see a JVC but it had a plactic front panel and it seemed a little flimsy. Back to what it is important. The sound of this player is very good for movies and dvd audio. I did compare this player to my Marantz cd6000 OSE, and the panasonic does lack the deepness and midrange playing CD's. The dvd audio on the other hand cannot be beat. The sampler disc is not a good source to truely show this players ability. I purchased the Natalie Merchant's TigerLily on dvd audio and compared it to the cd recording using my Marantz. The music jumped out of my Mission speakers. I am truely pleased.

The video performance is excellent. The picture is very clear on my 32 inch Sony XBR television. I would agree with previous reviewers that you do have to manually adjust picture settings to take advantage of the players capabilities. I have watched over 40 movies and only one disc would not play. Erin Brockovich was a rental and it had major scratches on it. Besides that one disc no other problems. With my old Sony I would say more than 10% of the dvds I viewed would have problems.

Overall I am very pleased with this well built machine. I would highly recommed it to others.

Similar Products Used:

Sony DVP-570d

excellent CD playback, DVD-Audio

none so far

I didn't think that a DVD player would make a good CD player until I bought the DVD-A7. Even if DVD-Audio does not become successful, this player is well worth the money in DVD-V and CD playback alone. I have heard 4 DVD-A discs so far on this unit and they sound great. Picture quality is slightly better than the Toshiba, but the Toshiba's sound quality, both as a transport or using it's internal DAC or decoder, was not it's strong point. The DVD-A7 shines as either a transport, or using it's internal DAC for music playback. I have only heard the DD/DTS decoder once and prefer using my receiver for this. If you can still find one of these players for under $400.00 I recommend it. It's build quality is very good, and DVD-A playback is a bonus.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba SD-3109

Look, build quality, features

picture quality

With the price only 280, I was impressed with the build quality of this unit. The bottom line model of Panasonic was 200 (after 50 rebate), why didn't I get this one! So far, I lintened to DVD-Audio from the sample disk only, but I was not blown away. I was a lilte bit unhappy about the picture quality: it's not as sharp as the Sony players, but on the same par as Pionner. With this price, I am happy.

Similar Products Used:

Sony S7000, Sony S330, Panasonic A110, Toshiba 3006, Toshiba 2017, Pioneer 434, Pioneer 626.

Excellent picture, DVD-Audio a bonus

None so far

This unit has performed flawlessly, with a terrific picture and captivating sound both from DD, DTS, and DVD-A sources. CD play sounds good, smooth and even, if a little brittle.

The build quality appears to be high and I think you'll enjoy having DVD-Audio built into a unit and enough cash left over to buy a few DVD movies or DVD-A's.

Very good value and very nice unit!

Excellent sound.

none.

I have owned my A7 for serveral months. It perfect fits
my system. Bass management was taken care of with an
EQ that i added to my amplifier(between the pre-outs of the
front speaker....onkyo txds777 thx select).

Similar Products Used:

none.

Great Built, Sound for the price in the range

S-vadio is not work with my computer's video in. Can not read CD-R

Thanks for X'mas. I saved more the 500.00 to get my 1st AV system. People may wonder the price; however, it's true for the final price. I bought speaker and receriver about X'mas and get the DVD a month later. Therefor I can use the gift credit from MSN. And after two weeks I found the price drop for 200.00 and I get the bredit back.
OK. let's take about thsi DVD player. The uilt quality is really great, and the remote is also very easy to use. I do not try it's build in AC3 and DTS decoder yet since I get a digital peramp. But the sound is very good too for this price.
PS. the price in Curtchfield right now is about 310 shipping included

Similar Products Used:

Non

DVD-AUDIO SOUND QUALITY, PICTURE QUALITY (S/VIDEO) DVD-VIDEO SOUND QUALITY,BUILD, 6 ANALOGUE OUTS, 2 S/VIDEO OUTS, OPTICAL OUT (1),

THIS PARTICULAR ONE MIGHT HAVE BEEN DROPED BECAUSE IT FREEZES UP ON MOVIES WITH DTS,AND DOLBY DIGITAL SOUND TRACKS,LOTS OF FREEZING,PIXELATION GALORE...

THIS IS A GREAT UNIT,,, I GUESS I JUST GOT A DEFECTIVE ONE.

IT HAS A GREAT PICTURE POTENTIAL IF I REPLACE MY $5.00 S/VIDEO CABLE,WITH A MONSTER CABLE OR ULTRA LINK...

THE MOVIES I;VE PLAYED THAT FROZE OFTEN OR OCCASIONALLY( BUT ENOUGH TO PISS ME OFF) WERE :THE PATRIOT,ME MYSELF AND IRENE,CHICKEN RUN, TERMINATOR 2,AND SANTANA (MUSIC) VIDEO IN DTS..******* BY THE WAY D.T.S KILLS DOLBY DIGITAL***


THE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURED MOSTLY WITH DVD'S THAT HAD DTS AND DOLBY DIGITAL SOUND TRACKS...

5TH ELEMENT PLAYED WITH NO PROBLEMS MAYBE BECAUSE IT DOES;NT
HAVE ALOT OF INFORMATION ON THE DVD LIKE THE MOVIES I HAD PROBLEMS WITH ... I THINK THIS UNIT COULDN;T KEEP UP WITH
ALL THE INFORMATION ON THE NEWER MOVIES...

I BOUGHT THIS UNIT FOR $1,100.00 BEFORE THE 15% TAX ... AFTER READING WHAT YOU AMERICANS ARE PAYING FOR THIS UNIT
I FEEL LIKE I GOT RIPPED OFF!!! BUT FUTURE SHOP ALLOWS YOU FULL REFUNDS UP TO 30 DAYS AND I;VE ONLY HAD THIS UNIT FOR
A WEEK... I;M TAKING IT BACK TILL THEY DROP THE PRICE TO
MATCH U.S.A. COMPETITORS...

DVD- AUDIO IS AMAZING!! THE SAMPLE DISK IS CHEEZY BUT THE SOUND QUALITY IS GREAT!! JUST AS GOOD AS THE RECORDING EQUIPMENT QUALITY I GET WHEN I RENT STUDIO EQUIPMENT FOR MY BAND,,,

THE REMOTE FOR THIS UNIT IS ADEQUATE..BUT THE MANUAL HOLY SH*T WHO WROTE IT OR TRANSLATED IT... AN IDIOT FOR SURE...
IF YOU WANT TO BE CONFUSED READ IT... IT DOES'NT DESCRIBE EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL FUNCTION IN DETAIL... IN FACT THEY
DON;T EVEN MENTION SOME FEATURES ON THIS UNIT OR HOW TO USE IT AT ALL... IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL MY SPEAKERS ARE AT ENTRY LEVEL ... AND I REALLY LIKE THE SOUND THAT PANASONIS DVD-A7 PUTS OUT..BUT IF YOUR SPEAKERS ARE BETTER THAN MINE THEN YOU WILL BE DOUBLY THRILLED WITH THE SOUND OF THIS DVD PLAYER.

UNFORTUNATELY I DON;T HAVE COLOR IMPUTS ON MY 36" INCH SUPER TUBE TOSHIBA T.V... BUT IT'S STILL AWESOME ... WITH ONLY AN S/VIDEO....


IN MY OPINION THIS UNIT (TODAY) IS WORTH NO MORE THAN $400.00 U.S. OUT THE DOOR
AND $ 600.00 CANADIAN OUT THE DOOR.


ONE STAR BECAUSE I GOT A BAD UNIT AND 5 STAR RATING FOR THE SOFTWARE THAT PLAYED WITHOUT PROBLEMS.

I;LL KEEP YOU'LL UPDATED .....

Similar Products Used:

YAMAHA DVD PLAYER
YAMAHA DVD PLAYER, YAMAHA AMP, MISSION SPEAKERS,INFINITY SUB,MISSION CENTER SPEAKER,...

Quality consruction, great remote, excellent video and audio.

Audio Midrange besides that nothing

My first player was the Sony DVP-S550. After having so many disc errors and lock ups I decided to upgrade to the DVD-A7 for its DVD Audio section. After taking it out of the box I was most impressed by the quality and feel of this machine. The remote control buttons are perfect size and the joystick is an excellent way of navigating through the menus.

The first disc I auditioned was The Patriot. Of the five video settings I used the fine setting. The picture was beautiful. Colors were well saturated and looked natural. Unlike the previous review I had no problems with this DVD. It had seamless layer changes and no artifacts. The 5.1 DTS sound was amazing through my Rotel 985 receiver and Theil 3.5 speakers. I love all of the features this player has. The VSS feature lets you fine tune the surround mode to either narrow or wide. I also like the center channel mode that lets you fine tune the center channel. I have watched about 20 DVD's and have had no problems with lock ups or artifacts.

The DVD Audio section is excellent. After listening to Don Henley "The End of The Innocence. I found the sound excellent. Like previous reviews I also found it missing the midrange punch that I find in my Marantz CD-17. The more I listen to it the more appreciate DVD-Audio.

Overall I think this is an excellent player for the money. I don't think it is worth the $899 list price but, I paid only $499 and I think it is an excellent non-progressive scan player in this price range. I don't think it is worth the $899 list price.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel 985, Theil 3.5s and Theil center and surrond speakers, Marantz CD-17