Philips DVD825 DVD Players
Philips DVD825 DVD Players
USER REVIEWS
[Nov 18, 2003]
James Dorgan
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Easily usable as a blunt object in the event of a break in, perfect white elephant gift, doesn't urinate on the floor.
Weakness:
For starters, you'd think the company that pioneered the DVD format would make a player that could read it, wouldn't you? Philips/Magnavox: You are the weakest link. I bought this DVD player because I happened to be an employee of Blockbuster at the time and it was cheap to begin with AND I got a discount. From the get go, this thing would only seem to play the discs that IT deemed worthy to play. I bought a 2 disc set recently of The Tick live action and the first disc plays fine, but then it refuses to acknowledge that the second one exists. I have better luck getting home made VCDs to play than I do with high quality DVDs. Hopefully I'll be able to replace this POS soon. Do NOT buy this DVD player. It is a waste of money unless you like expensive paper weights. Similar Products Used: I wouldn't compare anything else I own or have used to this horrible blight on technology except for maybe the XBox |
[Nov 04, 2002]
skspence
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Great picture Great sound Durable On-screen controls very helpful Remote does everything
Weakness:
Needs to be cleaned often I have had this DVD player for almost 3 years and have loved it. Only once did I have a problem with it not reading DVDs, but I got a lens cleaner, and have not had any problems since as long as I clean it regularly. This is the only suggestion I have to those who have had skipping or reading problems. Clarity of picture is great, and sound is extremely clear since this system has an optical out for digital sound. Similar Products Used: KLH center and surround speakers (free from Best Buy) KLH BBII Powered Subwoofer AIWA AV-D58 Receiver |
[Oct 13, 2002]
chuck saindon
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
good pic quality on toshiba monitor, and sound output is great.
Weakness:
noisy, it sometimes seems like it's confused and cant decide what to do. very small and hard to use controller.the units booklet says it has updatable features, but i've yet to find any. worked fine at first, but then started with the skips, and jumping from track to track.thought at first it was from rental dvd's but purchased ones are also getting skips. Similar Products Used: have an inexpensive memorex unit that is by far superior. |
[Jun 30, 2002]
d w
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
none found yet
Weakness:
Warranty and service departments that are expert on fobbing you off till the warranty expires. Philips the experts on making shoddy products that die 2 weeks out of warranty. Similar Products Used: Nothing made by Philips that is for sure. |
[Jun 01, 2002]
frostfire15
AudioPhile
Strength:
great picture. great sound. plays many formats. yes, I even got used to the small remote.
Weakness:
It's like a time bomb. From the other reviews, it's obvious that it can stop functioning suddenly anytime between six months to two years after purchase... I am so conflicted about this DVD player. It has functioned perfectly for the last year or two. Every feature has worked fine. The sound is superb. The picture is clear, crisp, and perfect. It even plays VCDs quite well-- it still does. The problem is that it has suddenly decided to stop playing certain DVDs. It seems to only play about half of them now. The last 3 DVDs fron Netflix have been spat out like bad seeds. It churns and churns for a few seconds, then out they come-- not even an error message. I guess I am conflicted because it worked so well at first. It went from being very high quality to simply unreliable. Sigh Similar Products Used: PC DVD players |
[May 10, 2002]
Rob
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Picture quality
Weakness:
Ability to read less than perfect discs, layer change, Remote ergomomics, need remote to operate player Bought this a couple of years ago and have run 50 or so different DVDs through it. Picture quality and sound for DVDs is good, very clean and crisp. (I do not have HDTV, but a Panasonic with 800 lines resolution and a S-video input) I use the coaxial digital audio output and it produces good sound through my surround sound receiver. Now the negatives: 1) It has trouble with some less than optimal (rental) disks. Skips, freezes, etc. 2) Mine seems to be a little heat sensitive. I have it in a rack with my other stero equipment and if its warm inside and I have the doors on the entertainment center closed, I can get almost any disk to skip. (whole chapters at times) 3) Layer changes are definitely visible (1 - 2 seconds) 4) The remote is tiny, and you MUST have it to effectively operate the player It also has kind of a quirky interface. Not a horrible player for my first, but I wouldn''t recommend it to anyone starting out now. Old technology, much better budget players available. Check this site out for well rated budget players. For example, the Pioneer 440 seems to be a quality player that can be found for around $200 on the net. If you''re not a Pioneer fan, check out the Toshibas. They''ve got some well rated budget players too |
[Mar 04, 2000]
Cyrus Behroozi
Casual Listener
Strength:
Pretty blue light
Weakness:
Noisy transport I'm taking the Philips back to Best Buy, mainly because the transport is so noisy. When playing a CD it ticks about once a second and whirs loudly enough to be really distracting if the volume is low. The Apex AD-600A's transport is inaudible. Similar Products Used: Apex AD-600A |
[Mar 09, 2000]
mike owen
Casual Listener
Strength:
value
Weakness:
quality For a first time DVD owner, it is an OK unit. I will move up the next time. It may or may not be a Philips. One note to all of you looking for the DVD 825 firmware upgrade disc. The disc is only available at certain ASC's and Factory Service Centers, it is not available to the general public. I have a very good friend that works at the East Texas call center. He has checked with the higher ups on more than a half dozen occasions and the answer has been the same each time. Not available at this time except thru the service centers. If you know where you can lay your hands on an upgrade disc, he would like to know, so he can pass it on to other customers. Call 1-800-835-3506 and speak with one of the agents. Similar Products Used: none |
[Jan 13, 2000]
rbw
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
- Price
Weakness:
- Skipping and freezing problems I bought this player for $199 because of the price. I had heard of some problems but thought I would give it a try. It played a couple of movies fine. Then I had it freeze up several times (for Similar Products Used: Pioneer 525 |
[Dec 10, 1999]
Jeremy
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Low price, OK looks
Weakness:
Freeze up's Just bought mine today for $119. I figured it was too good a price to let it go. It froze up about an hour into the matrix. I ejected the disc and restarted it, it played fine then. I like the way the player looks. Hopefully no more freeze ups. If not them i will keep it. |