On screen menu awesome, easy to navigate. Good picture

Weak audio (especially treble). Crackling in audio too

The Sam 709 I had worked great (awesome audio with my Magnavox home stereo). Almost knocked pictures off wall (and volume on stereo set only on 2 with a max of 20). Returned it due to firmware problem the Samsung 800 number recognizes and refuses to pay shipping costs for. The RCA had very low audio (that's half the enjoyment). Returned unit for that reason only (maybe defective unit).

Similar Products Used:

Samsung 709

DTS Capable.
Price.
Remote.

Somewhat slow menu access time.
DIVX Model.
No Digital Coax output (but has optical)

What an absolute STEAL! This is a good player at any price, let alone for $199! For this quality and feature loaded unit, you will not be able to find any player that compares at that price range. I have not had a single problem with my player, not even with the "hard to play" discs like the Matrix. No lip sync problems here! I rent most of my DVD's and have never had a problem with the player not reading a disc.

If you can still find it, GRAB IT!!

Just an update on my previous review.

I'm adding this because I should have included it in my initial review, not to be a prick ;)

The TV I saw the artifacting on was my Toshiba CN32V71. It was evident on SPR (although not too bad), Hudsucker Proxy, Election, Star Trek VI, etc. It was really bad on the latest release of the Exorcist.

I can describe the effect best as looking at your TV through a cheesecloth. Watch the backgrounds. That's where they save the most memory by updating the picture less frequently. I've seen it on every DVD player out there, just that this model seems to be worse than my buddies Toshiba 2109 (which I've had hooked up to my set for an A/B comparison). If you remember the old days of CD-I, you'll know what to look for.

Who knows. Some people don't see it. A lot of my friends don't. Mind you I'm a television editor, so maybe I'm being overly picky. Regardless, it was a deal when I bought it for $400 Canadian, and it's a steal for $200 American.

I basically bought it to hold me over until DVD-audio/Prog. Scan models come out.

I had to give stars to post, so I gave it five and five so as to not alter the average for the negative. I already had my kick at the cat! ;)

Now that DIVX is dead, we all say amen! Even though the last generation of DIVX players is filtering off the shelves, don't be afraid to buy one of these. The Model RC5231Z is a gem! It is a Panasonic internally. It has 5 FF/FR speeds (sound w/ CDs), nice programmable remote, S-Vid & composite video out, optical digital out, DD & DTS dig out, stereo audio out and a detachable ac cord. As a DVD player, it has a great picture - as good or better than second & third generation players. But the real value is its CD capabilities! A number of audiophiles have already discovered that this inexpensive DVD player($399 retail), produces sound equal to their high end transports. Hearing this rumer, I had to find out for myself. I have written a review on this site on what I consider to be one of the best CD players money can buy, the top of the line Sony ES. Since I own two Sonys, I had a good sample to test it against. I have owned several other DVD players and none of them have come close to my Sony in sound quality. Honestly, I didn't expect the RCA to do as well as my more expensive DVD players! I hooked it up and used it's onboard DAC and stereo out jacks. Wow, was I surprised! I couldn't believe this RCA DVD player could produce a sound that was almost equal to my Sony ES? A subtle bass difference was the only thing I could detect, which I expected from comparing it with a 40 pound Sony CD player.If this is what 4th generation DVD players are going to sound like, digital has just taken a big leap in sound quality! I ran down to my local dealer and bought four more to sell through my business. A true 5 point value!

I purchased this RCA DIVX player earlier this year. I had no previous DVD experience until this one. Yesterday I brought home a $999 Pioneer Elite DV05 to compare. Watchin The Fifth Element and Lost In Space DVDs and using an S-VHS connector for video and digital optical for the audio I could not tell the difference anywhere! So what am I missing by not spending for a Pioneer? Well, I can live without the 96 Mhz audio for now, since there are few titles available (not sure I can tell the difference anyway). I don't have component input jacks on my TV. A BIG benefit is that you can still buy DIVX players at greatly reduced prices from Circuit City. And they're selling the DIVX DVDs for a buck each! Last time I was there I picked up 30 movies that I can watch at my leisure and never go back to the rental store. And I can trade with friends! Go figure....! If you can find one, BUY IT!

I purchased on of these units at the Circuit City Bargain Basement DIVX-B-GONE sale. Now, I never had the philosophical problems with DIVX as did many of my bretheren (except that DIVX was an annoying idea and most movies were pan-and-scan)...so I didn't have major problems with this momento mori purchase.
What's wrong with this player? Absolutely NOTHING! Seems to do an adequate job on all disks. I haven't done an A/B comparison with my other CD players, but the sound is fine.

However, the output level to the preamp is rather low. Anyone have any ideas what I may be overlooking?

I had this player for about two months. It worked fine until I got a new dolby digital receiver and I found that the DVD Opitcal out was not working. RCA doesn't service Canada anymore and I would have to pay $100 US to get it fixed. The remote wasn't bad but wouldn't switch my TVs video inputs.
All in all I enjoyed this player but now I own a Sony 330 and like it a lot better. The only real complaints about the 5231Z aren't about the player but with RCA itself.

I purchased the RCA RC5231Z in Sept. of 99 from my local Circuit City. I was in the market for a DVD player in the $250 price range. When I saw this unit on sale for $199 I couldn't pass it up. One of the models that I was comparing was also from RCA, the RC5220. These two models are virtually identical except for the DIVX feature on the 231Z. With DIVX out of the picture, and seeing CC taking a loss on this player (originally $389 or something like that) I think it was a great buy. So far, I've been completely impressed with the quality and build of the unit. It has a solid contruction and the video and audio playback are very good. Considering that I use it with just a DPL setup and not DD, it still made a big impact on my HT setup. One complaint I did have is the lack of compatibility with CD-R's. Of course, there are few DVD players that are compatable withe CD-R's anyway, only those with dual lasers can play them and that adds a considerable cost. Oh well, I'm happy.

Well, what can I say . . . This is one hell of a DVD/CD player! I have had the player for about 4 months now, I got it right when the divx deal was dying, I got a heck of a deal on it before all said and done, I walked away with the DVD player and Monster Optical cable for under $150.00. Anyway, back to what I was saying, I used the player as a DVD ONLY player for some time being VERY happy with it, then I discovered if I pop a CD into the player, set my reciever to stereo only and hit play on the sucker, it is the clearest, crisp, deep sound I have heard out of ANY CD player. I am not a huge audiophile, but I do love my music and my equipment, I have not heard the $3000-$4000 transports, but I can tell you that I would almost gurantee you are not going to find anything even close to the same price range (even if you paid full price for the player), and get the sound quality that this player has. The withdraw that I have found is that I cannot play my recorded CDs in it, which is a bummer, but I am not complaining. If you luck into one of these units, and you are looking to buy, get it don't hesitate, you will not be sorry! BTW: My audio setup is as follows: Head Unit: Yamaha RXV-793, Sony 200 Disc Changer, RCA DIVX - RC52312, Hitachi Hi-Fi FX-624, Echostar DV3 (Dolby Digital), the DVD player is connected via Optical, along with the Echostar reciever, speakers are as follows: Front: Klipsch KSF 8.5, Center: Klipsch C1 ?? (the higher end model I forget :)), Rear: Klipsch Surround reflecting speakers, sub: Klipsch 12 (400 watt).

I can't say enough about this unit...especially the price/performance value of it. I actually won it at a company gathering and have loved DVD movies ever since. I have to admit, i wasn't to excited that it was RCA brand, but doubts turned to believing when I popped in the movies. Crystal clear pictures, clean, crisp sound. I was blown away by how accurate and clear the picture was...esp. compared to VHS. WOW! Yeah...of course it's not a high end player, but for the price ($199 at Good Guys), you can't beat it!