Excellent picture quality

The remote design reflect the price of the DVD player. "Cheap"

This piece of equipment performs at an exceptable level. It offers several connection options when it comes to connecting the audio and video. Unfortunately, my processor is pro-logic which has prevented me from using the digital aspect of the DVD. I use the Svideo connection for the video which renders an impressive picture. The unit also has a component video out.

Whether you have a 16:9 or 5:4 aspect ratio television or a pro-logic or digital processor, this unit offers some flexibility when purchasing other components. This DVD player may not packed the "bells" and "whistles" of a $1000 unit, but if you use this unit in conjunction with decent supporting gear (separate pre-amp, amp, processor, interconnect cables, speakers and cables) it will definitely enhance the audio and video signal resulting in a superb home theater experience.

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none

sound, cd text

kind of soft picture, but if u have a good tv it really doesnt matter

I bought it so cheap because Sears will match any stores price even on the internet! ( I took the advice from someone on audioreview.com)But you cant get a price from an auction. I went to Yahoo.com and went under shopping, searched for it printed out how much it costed and went to Sears and they matched it.

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Toshiba

Two sets of s-video and rca outs are a definite plus. It's particularly useful when you don't want to necesarily turn on the "system" just so your kids can watch Barney on TV. Having two sets of out's makes this product very versatile.

It won't play cdr, cdrw or mp3 like some of the other players including APEX, but I guess that's just one of those Sony quirks. I don't happen to use that particular feature that often, and my cd player does just fine, so I can live without that function.

I originally bought this unit to serve as a dvd for my bedroom. But I just thought the scan and forward functions were a bit easier to use than the pioneer I was using for my main home theater system, so I swapped them. I currently connect them to my preamp via a digital coaxial connection so my pre-amp is doing most of the work, but, I could be imagining things, but I think the pioneer dvd sounded better on CD's.
I recommended this player to my neighbor who doesn't have any sort of home theater system, and she was delighted with the clarity and ease of use.
This player is a bargain for people looking for a quality, inexpensive player under $400 bucks.

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Pioneer dv-414

Fast pickup, smooth scan, responsive remote control, does everything well (except picture quality)

Soft picture, washed-out color, confusing on-screen menu, not much else

I totally agree with the reviews below that talk about the "soft picture" and "washed out color" of the picture quality of this DVD player. I've used this product for a couple of days and right from the start I was disppointed, considering this is a Sony player and it does everything else really well. I originally bought the JVC model I mentioned above, but it doesn't pass along Closed Caption signal to my TV, so I returned it and got this Sony. I like everything about this Sony - sleak, slim design, fast pickup speed when playing discs, responsive multi-function remote control - except its picture quality. When I first popped the first DVD into this player (The Matrix), I immediately noticed the washed out color and softness of the picture (granted, I'm hooking up the player to my TV via composite video, but I was doing the same with the JVC but the picture quality was unquestionably better), compared to the JVC. I'm very disappointed in this player, because it does everything else so well but when it comes to the most important thing of investing into DVD - picture quality - I'm not impressed. You can't say just because it's a $250 player so you can't expect too much, but when other players that are at around the same price and have better picture quality, it's a disappointment.

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JVC XV-523GD

I usually wait for a new technology to mature before I make an initial purchase. I'm glad I waited to buy the S360. This is my first DVD player, but I did some homework before making it my final purchase. I'm partial to Sony products because of the good to great experience that I've had in the past. I haven't had any problems with my unit at all. The picture is detailed and film-like, I'm truly amazed at some of the presentations that I've seen. Try the "Sleepy Hollow" DVD for some truly exciting video and sound. The audio (AC-3 & Digital Dolby Pro-logic) has been very clear and precise. The 96Khz/24bit audio is great for music. I even tried the Sony Virtual Cinema sound options using just the front stereo speakers and through the Monitor/TV only speakers and they actually sound pretty impressive. I was really convinced that I was using more speakers and experienced convincing surround envelopment. They (Virtual Cinema features) would be great if you don't have a full surround system or you're in-between systems for a limited time. The menus and video options are well thought out and cover most set-up situations. I haven't had the player "noise" or soft picture problems that others have mentioned. However I've made sure to use good connectors/cables (Monster/AR) for the best picture presentation. Set-up was pretty easy if you take the time to RTFM. I have the unit set up via S-Video connections (Toshiba 35" Monitor) and Optical digital input into my Sony (STR-DB940) receiver and out to the Monitor. Both units work flawlessly together. I love the remote, it's so easy to use and allows you to access great picture control without any hassle. I haven't seen anything that has a better picture, and I've visited some "high end" video stores in the area and made some lengthy comparisons. There are all of the connection options that are available (Composite, S-Video, Component). The unit is also very slim and won't take up unnecessary space in your rack. This was very important for me. The unit has a reasonalbly solid build feel (weight) and compares to other units in it's price range.

None Really, but just a few minor quibbles. The non-defeatable "auto start" function really annoys me. The unit tends to want to start the DVD once you load it in the tray without having pressed PLAY. You have to hit stop repeatedly to get the thing stopped until you can sit down and get comfortable. This is a minor, but annoying feature that you can't unselect. You also can't dim the level of the unit's display. It can sometimes be a little distracting if it catches your eye, but great to see where you are on the disc.

This is a great unit! I can't see how you won't be more than satisfied. I don't know that you can go wrong with the S360, especially if you have outboard AC-3 processing and with the discounted prices that I've seen. So far this unit has been a ROCK, flawless. W. Harrison.

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None, but I auditioned a number of units (Pioneer, Denon, Onkyo, Philips, Toshiba, HK) with equipment that was suppposedly "better" than mine and didn't see a difference worthy of expending more money. You can spend more and buy more features and better build, but I'm not sure that you're going to get better basics (appreciably better video or sound)for the expenditure.

Awesome picture, massively sweeet audio, good remote, loads very quickly, small footprint, tons of features

NONE!!!

Well, to start off, I don't own this DVD player, it's my friend's, but I was over at his house tonight and saw "007:The World Is Not Enough" and I felt that I needed to ass my input! This thing was AWESOME! He had it hooked up to I think about a 23" Panasonic T.V. (not hd or anything spectacular), monster cables, a JVC receiver... I forgot the model #, and Cambridge Soundworks ensemble speakers w/8" sub's. Let me tell you, the picture on this thing was amazing, I mean it was crystal-clear and it played the DVD sooooo well. The only bad thing was a little micro second pause between layers, I didn't even notice until after he said something that it paused... so unless you're a scumbag that likes to try to find anything that can possibly go wrong even for a micro .000000000001 second, then this thing is a must-have! This DVD that we saw was a rental and it wasn't too messed up or anything... so I don't know what to say about discs with scratches or finger prints(which if you own a DVD player and you rent you HAVE TO HAVE a disc cleaner) I'm sick of these reviews that say the discs don't play on some DVD's, well if you bought a disc cleaner then it would work fine, wouldn't it!? So don't pay attention to bad reviews that complain about messed up discs and bad remote... stuff like that isn't the DVD player's fault, also if you have a bad picture or sound you might want to get some Monster's... they do make a difference!!!!!!!!!!!!! And even with a t.v. that wasn't huge or HD the picture was SWEEEEEEET!! And the audio, WHOA! The audio sounded soooooo good!!! You could hear stuff that you definitly wouldn't hear unless you had DVD! Well I hope this review helped some of you out there! And take my word for it, this thing is good!

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none

Great picture, supports DD and DTS via optical and coax output. Very quiet transport.

None

Decided to replace my 2109 with a player that supports DTS - found the 360 for a good price a decided to give it a try. The picture is a little softer with the anamorphic titles but that's better the the jaggies I had on the 2109. Don't know why there are so many complaints about the transport. Even with the sound off on my system I can't hear a peep out of my player. Extremely easy to setup via the graphical menus that sony included. Great player over all.

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Toshiba 2109

Slim & Sexy, great remote, excellent system menu system

no cd-r capabilities

Since I already had a player, I was in no hurry to purchase a new one. This was a good thing because it gave me plenty of time to research what was out there. The Pioneer 525 probably gave the S360 a run for it's money, but the fact that my first Sony was still holding up strong, and the $200 cost of this new model, were both factors in my deciding. Also,I felt better about remaining loyal to the company that had introduced me to the new format.

I view about three movies per week and the S360 hasn't let me down so far. The component video resolution is impressive and the remote is a pleasant surprise for it's price range. Older and scratched audio cd's seem to have come back to life also.

If you already own a cd player or cd-r's aren't your thing, then I feel comfortable reccomending this DVD player. If cd-r capability is in your future, then the Pioneer 525 is a better selection. My rommate recently purchased the Pioneer and it's a great performer as well.

I have been enjoying the thrills of home theater for about eight years now. Yes, there are plenty of high end products out there for all tastes and price ranges, but trust me on this one. To the average at home electronics consumer, most of the second and third generation products on the market today are great and more importantly: affordable. Unless you're going to haul all your stuff into a measuring lab, you and I will never distinguish the specification difference at home.

From one HT consumer to the next,

Daniel

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Sony DVD (first generation)

Low Profile, Best combination of features for money, all that you need if you have good receiver, additional audio/video outs for flexibility.

A little noise when skipping tracks, no CDR

Since most people prefer to have the digital decoders in their receivers anyway, all you need is a basic good quality DVD player with digital outs. This really fits the bill without having to spend several hundred extra bucks (spend it on DVD's instead!) The noise from the player is nonexistent when playing, except when using the menu to change tracks/play other features. The low profile also prevented me from tearing up my entertainment center. There are a few cheaper units out there, but at the cost of reliability. The playback has had only had one half-second pause while changing tracks so far. I'm using a high quality S Video cable to my sony TV and the picture quality is great. The remote is well laid out but it has no backlight-I use my receiver's remote anyway(Denon AVR-2800).
I use a Kenwood 5CD changer that will play CDR's - again just digital out-so even DTS CD's will work with it.

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First DVD

Remote, number of outputs, sound quality.

Noisy transport, soft picture.

Picked up the Sony to replace the Panasonic (Needed a second player for the upstairs). In comparing the two noticed right away the NOISY transport on the Sony. Almost reminded me of listening to a LD player spinning a platter! Also noticed the "Soft" picture. Sound quality, the Sony sounded better than the Panasonic. However it was not good enough to knock the Panasonic out of the basement hometheater, such the Sony will be upstairs on the second system.

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Panasonic A310