This is my follow up report on my unit. I received word from sony that there was no problem with my player. This is just the noise it makes. So there was nothing broken so they simply sent it back. That's it. So be it known, this player makes noise when playing layered dvd's. Nothing you or sony can do about it. And more importantly, nothing sony WILL do about it.

Consider yourself lucky if you own this or but it in the future if you can't hear this noise.

I'm also lowering my score of this unit because there s nothing I can do about this noise. If it's on all the players of this model, it's not worth the money.

Many

CD-R support

This review is solely for the purpose of addressing CD-R support.

As one who has struggled with difficulty and conflicting information about the C660 and it's ability to play "burned" CDs, I want to offer a difinitive answer for others. First, for those who want to become more informed about this player and what kind of support it offers for burned CDs, http://www.vcdhelp.com/ is an excellent source of information. Especially check out the DVD compatibility list and the DVD demystified http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#2.4.3 section.

With that said, after trying and failing with many brands of CD-R, I can definitively state that STI Color Media or STI Digital Media (I found them at Circuit City, about $14 for a 25 disc spindle) will, I repeat *WILL* play in the Sony C660 player. I burned 5 last night, success with all of them. And for those who prefer CD-RW (I don't, because then they won't play in my car) most brands will work, I've had success with both Memorex and Imation.

Hopefully, this will save people a lot of the trouble that I went to, because it really is a good player for the money.

Component Video output, optical and coaxial digital outputs

Confusing to set up

My wife and I were in the market for a new CD changer, and when we realized that you could get a DVD/CD changer for only a little more money, we decided to go that route. This was partly due to the fact that we were also getting a new TV (Sony 27" Wega -- separate review to be written). We decided on this model partly due to a sale taking place at the time and partly to Consumer Reports giving this changer a top rating.

My first comment has to be that if you buy this player or currently own it, for God's sake use those Component Video output jacks!! I have NEVER seen a picture as clear as the one output by this player when displayed on my Wega in the TV's 16:9 Enhanced mode. If your TV doesn't have Component Video inputs, save your $ and buy one that does. Otherwise you've wasted your money buying this DVD player, when you could have had a cheaper one without the Component Video outs.

On a related note, if you have an A/V receiver that you're using for the audio handling, don't route the video through it unless you've got a top-line receiver with Component Video in/outputs. Instead, run the video straight to the TV via the Component Video and deal with the hassle of changing your TV's video input source. It really does make a difference, even over S-Video!

Now, the audio quality. Currently, I listen to both DVD's and CD's through my regular 75W 2-channel receiver to a pair of Allison Acoustics AL115's. The volume levels when sent over the analog RCA jacks are actually louder than my VCR, so I'm not sure where some of the reviewers are coming from saying that the output is weak (maybe low sensitivity speakers? My Allisons have a 90dB sensitivity). CD playback is good, certainly as good as or better than our old 5-disc changer (some no-name brand from the old DAK catalog). DVD playback is also quite good, and I haven't had any problems with making out dialog (given that it's a 2-channel system, that is) or getting overwhelmed by the sound FX.

I just purchased an Onkyo TX-DS595 to replace the current receiver, and will be listening to 5-channel audio from that point on via the coaxial digital output. I'll post an update to this after I've had some time to see how the sound has changed (if at all).

BTW, I'm glad you're given the choice between using coaxial or fiber-optic for your digital output. From all I've heard, coaxial is generally better, but it's something of a subjective rating and it's good in my book to have the option to experiment.

Overall, I think this is a good "budget" buy as long as your TV has Component Video inputs and you're on a reasonably good-quality audio system. Otherwise, look for a lower cost model or one that has a higher rating here on AudioReview.

Similar Products Used:

None -- First DVD Player

seems to play DVDs and CDs well.

hm... see product review

SInce this was my first DVD player I didn't really know what to expect or to look for when searching for a player. I thought that I could kill two birds with one stone and buy a five disc changer and use it as my cd changer and dvd player. It plays cds well, but I prefer the controls of the basic sony five disc changers so much more. The only reason i wanted a five disc is for the shuffle feature for cds. It took me an hour to figure out how to do this, on both the unit itself and through the remote. As I said though it played cds very well. No cdr or cdrw. Some earlier comments say that they can play different brands or different colors. I don't have the patience or the money to experiement with that, so oh well..

Dvds seem to play fine. My eyes is not heavily trrained in the complexitie of picture quality. I do notice some of the older movies I have like top gun get grainy on some scenes. I figured this was due to a digital remaster. Changing analog to digital. But that wasn't any big deal. It actually only happened on that movie. But then the real trouble started. I hear a noise, very high pitched coming from the player when playing dvds. I'm sure it's some kind of noise from the laser or something. I've read that ths is a comon problem with this machine. I just sent it off to sony today. Actually on the day that my warranty runs out. But I have everything documented through sony that I reported the problem before my warranty is up. I'm not sure what they will do. I hope they have figured out the problem and can fix it. I'll be trading my mom this unit for her five disc changer and she'll buy me a single dvd player. That will suit her needs as well as mine. Her ears can't hear the noise, if sony can't fix this, or she can put a glass door on her system, which I'm not able to. Either way I'll be getting rid of this player. That doesn't mean it's a bad player, it just didn't work for me and my system. And a system on a budget needs to feel and operate like you want it to. I can't just go buy more equipment.

Last advice, if any unit is causing any trouble at all, or it just doesn't seem to fit in with yur system. Don't hesitate to take it back. I was too timid and too infatuated with a dvd player to take it back right away.

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first dvd player

Sony brand name... And to echo some previous comments, this is built like a tank. Its big, but thin.

Disc Explorer? Did you forget what 5 discs you put in? ;-)

I have been very happy with this, it is a big step up for me. Now all i need it to upgrade the rest of my system to a Sony DTS receiver.

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Oritron (ugh) DVD player died the night previous and it was kinda of an impulse buy... But Sony says it all...

I tried lot of CDR, like Imation, HP, Fuji. Non of them work with Sony DVPC660. But Color-Media CD-R is working on this model. It is available in Circuit City. Sometimes comes free with mail-in-rebate.

Also Imation CD-RW works on this model. I created Video CD.

Hope this information will help owner of this model and who like to burn Audio CD.

reliable, ease of use, low profile

none to speak of

So far I have found this product to be all that I expected. I haven't experienced any problems. Can't comment on CDrs because I don't record this media. Primary use is for DVD. My 360 has also been reliable for the last 2-1/2 yrs. Had problems with other Sony equipment in the past but haven't quite on the yet. Couldn't beat Sears internet matched pricing.

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Sony DVP360

remote, clean sound, plays defected CDs

Remote does not have load feature

I bought the Sony DVP C660 after comparing it to similar Pioneer and Panasonic multi-changers. I would have bought the Pioneer only because it plays CD-R and CD-RW and was cheaper, but it was out of stock and I wanted a DVD/CD player that day. I am pleased overall with the Sony because I think it plays audio CD and DVDs well. There are some things I would do to improve it.

 First, I would add a load button on the remote. To know what I have in my changer I would have to play the CD/DVD or look in the tray. If I am sitting I do not want to get up to load the discs. Why isn’t there an automatic load with a disable option?

 Second, the unit should be able to accept CD-R and CD-W. Interestingly though, there are some CD-R I am able to play and it seems only certain brands. (The shade of the disc ( I don’t know what you call that side of the disc) seems to determine that – light green/blue is OK but a darker shade is not)

 Third, the remote is limited in functionality with respect to controlling other components

Other than these things I think it is a great value for the money. It does what it supposes to do – play CDs and DVDs. It does not stumble when it encounters scratches like some other players do.

5 Disc Changer, Sturdy, CAN PLAY CD-R's!!!!

None Yet

Had to replace my first generation Mitsubishi DD-2000. After doing a ton of research, found that I was getting the most bang for my buck with this unit. Very easy to use. I have had no problems playing back CD-R's. I have an HP 8230, and I've played back many types of barnded CD-R's.

Similar Products Used:

Mitsubishi DD-2000

Good looks, short, beautiful picture, crystal clear audio through both the digital and analog outputs, and no problems as of yet.

I do not like the on/off button. I hate the fact that you have to either completely turn it off (no standby) or turn it off with the remote.

This is my third DVD player. Moving upward and onward. I like this unit a lot. The last one I bought was an Onkyo DVC601 which popped three days later. This unit has a very clear picture and works flawlessly after you have set it up correctly and there are LOTS of settings. I have not had any problems getting CD-R's to play on it whatsoever. I just burn them as an audio disks and off we go. I talked to one other fellow who was having problems with CD-R's. He was just copying music files (WAV's and MP3's) onto a disk and expecting them to play, no worky. You have to create them as audio disks. One thing that impressed me very much was its ability to play seemingly worthless disks. I have a very old CD that is tore up, it will not play in any other player I own. The Sony played it perfectly. No skips, no hiccups, nothing. I was amazed. The bottom line is.......

If you want a good inexpensive DVD changer, this is they way to go. Just be sure to read the manual cover to cover at least 5 times.

My other components include
32" Sony Wega (er...vega or whatever)
Harmon Kardon AVR500
Polk Audio RM6600
Velodyne CT120 Sub

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Onkyo DVC601