Cheap, DTS, Good dual layer ability

No component out

I had to own a piece of history as fowl as DIVX, and the price was right.

Although it performs better on dual layer discs than my buddies top of the line Sony, the video isn't up to snuff.

I see a lot of artifacting. At times it really *looks* as compressed as it is (but maybe that's the nature of the format). I've had the audio cut out briefly once or twice, and I don't think it was during layer change (I was in the other room both times--maybe it's ghosts...)

I don't have any DTS gear so I can't comment on that...but having it there is nice.

The Onscreen menus are nice and a bit better than Toshiba's.

I really like being able to shut off the front display while playing movies. Congrats on such a simple feature, that goes a long way.

The unit isn't full width which sucks, but oh well. It's RCA. It's DIVX. It' cheap.

Oh, the digital out is optical, not coaxial. =(

It's really cheap, and works, so it's worth four stars. However, I've got to knock a point off for the viz. Sure it's bright and crisp, but it also turns into digital soup on sunsets and oceans. Gradients don't do well on this Mpeg2 decoding beast.

Price, Features, and Visuals.

Lack of coaxial audio out, lame looking remote, low volume on pre-amp output.

Fantastic bargain at $200 at Circuit City. To the previous reviewer, I would guess that the dvd or t.v. you were using has more to do with the lack of visual clarity than this dvd player. With a 32 inch Toshiba t.v. Wild Things, Saving Private Ryan, and even Casablanca in black and white showed no compression and looked fantastic. I have heard no sound glitches (although the pre-amp output has a low volume, be prepared to turn your stereo up) and this dvd handles dual layer far better than my friends 500 dollar panasonic, which often freezes or jumps chapters.
The features on this unit, DTS, well-organized menus, the ability to turn off the front display, and a remote that is intelligently set up (although its color scheme makes it look like a lame piece of junk) really make this the best home audio deal I've ever had. The player is divx, which I'll never use, looks really solid, and looks about ten times better than my vhs player.
Lack of a coaxial digital out really bites, but oh well. Handles even scummy rental dvds well.
If you can find one (which is difficult since they're selling off divx players like crazy) pick one up. Fourth generation for 200 bucks, and audio cds will sound better than your normal cd player!!

Although I haven't owned previous DVD's I think this unit at $199.00 was a great buy. CD's sound very nice as I use the player more for that than movie's. Rented the video essentials DVD and felt it was almost a waste as I didn't see much room for improvement. Using a Quasar (same TV as Panasonic)27" and the only DVD that I've purchased (Super Speedway) looks spectacular. I've rented several other DVD's and they also looked great. The only glitch I've had is after playing a cd the machine doesn't recognize a DVD. Mostly the gold ones. I turn the unit off then on and then it's ok. I wonder if anyone else has had this happen. It really seems feature packed and the digital optical out sounds great on my Dennon AVR 3200. Because of the DVD recognition glitch I can't give an overall five but for value I will.

Excellent picture

I purchased my RCA DVD in October 99. I got it on sale for $199 at Circuit City, which is an EXCELLENT buy.

It has been working to my satisfaction and I'm very happy with my purchase.

DTS, Dolby Digital DIVX?

DIVX?

I've had this a year now and so far it's been great. If you can still get one ignore the DIVX. In fact, DIVX sent a check for $100 to apologize for DIVX biting the dust. Including the check I got the unit for $150 or so. Great deal! The DTS is great, although I can't tell much difference between DTS and Dolby Digital. The only problem is an inability to read CD-R's.

Good video

Everything else

I think that this player is the worst I have ever seen. It SUCKS. It doesn't even play my cd's right. They always play a bit faster than what they should. Also it freezes all the time. I have had this happen to me 5 times today.

Do not buy this player. Spend a little more money and buy anything but the RCA. This is the last RCA product I am ever going to purchase.

Great picture and sound quality

NOne

With the demise of divx this machine is being offered at half its original price. Its an exceptional machine for the money. This is my first dvd player and I'm glad I purchased this one. The picture and sound quality are remarkable. This is a great machine for the money.

Great value. Does not suffer the technical problems like lip sync and duel layer compadability that more expensive models have had. even suports dts

Won't play CDR's but many other brands won't either. Small size does not stack
well with standard size components.

Great value

When I went to my local electronics outlet, this was the lowest priced brand name DVD player. I compared the specs with other players and remained skeptical (why was it priced $30-$100 lower), so I basically asked the salesman to give me one reason -- any reason -- why I should buy one of the more expensive players. He couldn't give me an answer. I bought the unit. One month later, I'm still happy. Pictures and sound are outstanding, but the player most definitely does NOT like dirty disks. Clean those rentals DVDs before you play them or risk serious skippage. One bad point: the universal remote can't change video inputs on my TV. That's annoying. Still, take advantage of the DIVX collapse and grab one while they're still available.

I Just wanted to through in my two bits on this unit. If you can still find one,get it! I've been keeping my eye on DVD players for over a year and I came across this one for $149 plus the 5 free movies and the 13 free rentals.


It plays dual layer disks with no problems and does not seem to have the lip scync problems that many other models have had.

My only gripe with the unit is it's small size not stacking well with other stereo components.





components and the fact that it wont play cd-r's but my carosell does.

I allmost took the unit back for a Samsung until I found this site and read reviews on this site. Thanks guys!

Bill