This is actually a review for the DVD-701. Excellent sound quality with Cds and DVDs. Picture quality is very good. plays CD-R and CD-RW discs. Remote control is relatively easy to use.

None so far. No component video outputs (just S-Video and composite), but the DVD-711 has component outputs for a few bucks more.

This is actually a review of the DVD-701. If this product gets posted seperately, which I have requested, I'll enter a new review. Anyway, the sound of this unit is top-notch. Picture quality is very good, and I'm using the composite video output right now. It'll be interesting to see what happens when I use S-Video, which will happen when I get a new TV. The remote is easy to use. Build quality seems good.

Similar Products Used:

Checked out Toshiba, Panasonic, Sony, Apex, and Samsung DVD players.

Price, region free kit available

Appearance differs from other Philips home cinema products (i.e. receivers)

I got 50% off the retail price using 'Air Miles'. Air Miles is a Dutch savings system, where you get Air Miles credits when you buy things at specified retailers and can trade those credits for products or use them to get a discount. At the time the Philips 710 was the only DVD player they were selling at their shops.

Installation is easy. I plugged the supplied SCART cable in the player and into my Philips wide screen TV and I was set to watch movies.

About half a year ago I found a region free solution for this player at http://www.dvdkits.com. No soldering required, so I can easy remove it if the player has to be serviced.

Similar Products Used:

None

Great machine with all the features you would expect.

If I had to be anal, I'd say it takes too long to load/eject a disc.

This is actually a review for the 711, which as far as Philips.co.uk are concerned, doesnt exist (on their web site, anyway)
As my model is the European spec, I was mildly surprised to find that instead of composite out-puts, it has 2 scart sockets, and a CVBS out-put on the back of the unit. One of which is for a decoder/VCR input?? (I've tried every possible method to run the VCR through it to save me pulling the DVD scart out of the TV and putting in the VCR Scart- even though my TV has Dual Scart inputs, but I dont get picture from the VCR as long as the DVD scart is connected, on the second input!)
This model has all the specs from what I have seen on the 710, and in addition PAL/NTSC dual format (I get 625 lines on PAL instead of 500 :)
Perfect Still Picture and Zoom X1.3, X2 and X4
S-Video connector, and also
Optical Out
But dont expect to be amazed at craftsman-ship. Okay, it is finished well, but the back panel is a little flimsy so be careful when connecting plugs to it- its also a tad on the light-side. (8 pounds!)
I have heard that this model is also firmware upgradeable, which was one of the deciding factors on buying this unit over everything else in its price range. A CD with new software will be available from Philips when necessary, so anything like the Matrix glitch will be a thing of the past! (The other deciding factor being that I only have to press 4 buttons to unlock the regional coding on it. (and this is a factory standard unit I'm talking about!)
I've had this player now for a little over 2 weeks. The first DVD I used on it was The Matrix, which it played without a hitch.
I'd say that, for a first time buyer, I was more than happy with this purchase. I might not have a good idea of DVD Players overall, but I do know a good picture and reasonable sound quality when I hear it. I am running the sound through an Aiwa NSX-V707 with 4 speakers, and a Sub.
Okay, so this unit doesnt have True 5.1, but the SRS does a hell of a job giving 'Virtual 5.1' as described in the manual. (afterall, you cant expect everything for the £170 I paid for this lovely unit)
A lot of people have critisised the remote control in reviews of this unit, but I found the layout fairly user friendly. Its got to be the smallest remote I've had for any kind of appliance. (I keep mistaking it for my mobile phone)
All in all, for the money you pay for this DVD Player, Philips has gained a mark of respect in my eyes. On value for money, I have to give this Player 5 stars. It delivered more than I was expecting, and in hindsight, looking at everything else on the market at around the same price, I'm still very happy with the decision I made. I have to give it a 4 star overall, because I dont think I have ever given anything 5 stars.
If youre on a tight budget, and dont want to upgrade your entire Audio set-up this is the player for you.
(Oh- The other thing to watch put for, is its width. I had to buy a new Home Entertainment cabinet to put it in- At 17 Inches wide, you couldnt mistake this for a CD Deck!

Similar Products Used:

considered the Samsung 709, Wharfedale