Support for AC3 and DTS. That was a kewl feature when I got it.

C13 and No disk problems. And they are getting worse and worse.

Well, I was one of the first people to buy one of these things. I didn't know much about DVD's at the time. I've ALWAYS had the C13 problem, but now it's causing me to consider non-Sony products now that I leared it's a design flaw. Did not have very many dvd's when I first got it while it was under warrenty, so I did not know any better.

There is no way someone should buy this product for any reason.

Great video color stream via component, picture is sharp. Nice remote, easy menu set, lots of inputs.

none so far, & I bought brand new in 1999.

I have to say that my 530d has been very good to me over the almost 2yrs i've had it. I have read every review on this player & i'm sorry some people has problems w/ their units. All I can say is Sony upgraded the firm ware by the time I pick mine up at the store. I was a little worried, but once I put the code in to acess the firm ware stats I was ok. I also called Sony to make sure mine was part of the new batch that was sent out. My Sony plays fine, it even handles all of the hard to play disc like Matrix, ID-4,T2 utimate edtion & Dinosaur (disney). Well all I can say is I was just lucky, & Sony did a great job on my machine. Enjoy movies & music later!_

Similar Products Used:

toshiba, panasonic,pioneer

Dolby Digital Decoder inside. good outputs (component, etc.) allows for multiple configs. good RC unit. great setup options (all onscreen)

Lip sync problems out the box. 2yrs later (refuses to play most DVDs). Muted CD playback out the box. Picture pause at layer transfer out the box.

I'm surprised to see so many positive reviews as of this year. I check the model twice to make sure this was the same player I bought almost two years ago.
This player is not as great as some have written; don't be fooled. This is an old model with some of the inherent problems of the earlier second generation DVD players: (1)problematic layer transfer, (2) lip synch problems, (3) some CDs must be loaded multiple times to play, doesn't seem able to play the newer DVDs. And I must emphasize that problems (1), (2) and (3) were experienced right out of the box two years ago, not just appearing today with age.

Still, my review may be unfair as I have not tried to contact Sony with these problems. I've heard there's "software" they can download to fix the lip synching. I've also heard that it may cost me as much as $150 to fix these problems (kind of unfair as I paid ~$450 for this machine to start with).

In addition, I haven't heard too many good stories with respect to Sony service.
I say 2 for value as it is expensive for a 2nd gen DVD player and for all the problems. . .
I say 3 for overall. When it runs it's great and an onboard Decoder may be a good deal if you don't have a receiver with one already.

Ease of use, Built in AC-3 decoder, Picture quality

Will not play CD-R's, typical skipping between layers and lip-synch issues

I am very satisified with the player until the layer skip occurs and the lip-synch problem starts, very irritating. I have determined that my unit is part of the batch with known problems and contacted Sony at 1-800-222-7669 and had no luck getting the issue resolved. They recommend sending it in for service and letting them determine what the problem is and who pays for it, not what I had hoped for.

I would welcome any suggestions from others who have had this problem fixed and encourage others with the same problem to call Sony, 1-800-222-7669.

System:
Denon AVR-2400
Infinity CC-3 center channel
Infinity RS-3 Fronts
Infinity BU-1 sub
Mirage OMR-2 surrounds
Toshiba 55HX70 HDTV ready projection set
Sony S-530D DVD player
Yamaha CD player
Monster cables

Similar Products Used:

none

PICTURE & AUDIO QUALITY; COMPONENT OUTPUT; MENUS

PICTUR FREEZES WITH SOME RENTAL DVD'S

I have owned this player for 2 years. So far the only problem has been with some rentals from Blockbuster and Hollywood Video where the picture freezes or goes back to a previous scene. I don't have this problem with the movies I own.
The famous lyp sinc problem happens every once in a while, and I just stop the movie and play it again, and it resumes without a problem.
I read some reviews, and apparently "The Matrix" is a problematic movie(?). I have not had a problem with it.
I am a big fan of Sony products, and when the time comes to replace my dvd, it will be another Sony.

Similar Products Used:

NONE

None that could be observed, since only 19 mins. playing, the fatal C-13 error message occured resulting in the unit to be froze.

Everything about this product.

The first day bought and brought home, while only 19 mins. into the first DVD played, the unit froze and the C-13 error (Disk Dirty) flashed. I figured no problem and I cleaned the DVD and proceeded to start it again. The player remained froze, still flasing the error message. I then attempted to play another, and it to would not play. By the time I got back from video store exchanging what I thought were damaged DVD's it was to late to call Circuit City, or to call Sony. Today, when my husband was at Circuit City, the salesman recommended this unit to buy. It is now clear, thanks to forums like this one and a couple of others, that this is a problem dating back to 1999, and it is not limited to just one model. I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Affairs, holding Sony as well as any store selling this product, knowing that it is defected. Every review I read stated that because of this problem, they had to send the unit back to have the firmware replaced with an updated version. This has seemed to fix the problem. However,depending on when a unit starts malfunctioning, the issue of the mere 90 day warranty is challenged and Sony is not fast to cop to knowing that there is a chronic problem, in other words, they do not want to pay for the repairs. They will also try to get out of paying the labor fees. The rare 90 day warranty for a new purchase, in itself, should be questioned, when normal warranty's are at least 1 year. Circuit City also needs to be investigated, because they have been notified several times regarding this product. They also got my husband to agree to their store extended warranty that cost $49.50. Sony, I thought was one of few company's left, manufactured quality, reliable products that are backed by a name that can be trusted. This product should be recalled and a class action suit filed on all contributing company's.

It works.

I had to go out of my way to make it work.

Update to a prior review...
It wouldn't work and was past it's warranty, so sony wanted $180 to fix it, I said no and took a gamble at a local shop for twenty bucks to look at it. He couldn't figure out why it wouldn't power up fully except when he pressed down on a piece of metal holding the board down, then it hit me, the metal was a heatsink that wasn't making contact with the board. I took it home, applied some $1.99 thermal grease I had handy between the chips and the board, works better now then it did before...

Hope this saves some people a few bucks.

It worked great

Now it just doesn't work

It was a five until last weekend when I hit the power button and it just wouldn't power up. Sony want $159 to fix it... I've seen several others whohave said they have this problem so I think if your player is still under warrenty and are noticing it shut off after initially pressing the power you mightwant to take it in. Sounds like this model should be recalled for a fix.

I got my 530 two weeks ago from Supreme Video for $329. So far, in 15 DVDs, I have not seen any synch problem. I am using the S-Vid hookup and a Sony 825 DD receiver. The picture and sound are abosolutely astounding, much better than a friend's Pioneer 414. For the price/performance ratio I have not seen anything better!

nice player