Great product with all the functionality of higher end units.

unit can be noisy outside an audio rack

Although this product has drawn much criticism against it with the lip-sync problem, I have yet to experience the problem first hand. It is important to check your firmware revision to ensure it is above 2.3. Mine is currently on 2.4 and I do not have any problems to date. Granted, I only viewed a dozen movies or so but nevertheless, it has performed as advertised. There may be a slight pause with some dvd movies switching layers. This is perfectly normal. I do use the component video outputs to the TV and it gives an awesome picture to my Mitsubishi 55' RPTV. All in all a great product!!

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Toshiba sd-3109

Video quality, remote control

nothing obvious that I've seen yet

I bought the S-530D from a local store in mid-December, despite the warnings I've heard about the "lip synch problem". I've watched several movies on it and haven't noticed any problem. I don't know what firmware version my player has though.

I like the features of this player, along with the price. I'm using the digital output to my new Dolby Digital/DTS receiver, and both modes (DD and DTS) work fine. I'm not using the fiber optic port yet, because fiber cable is so expensive ($25 for 3-foot cord) but I'm getting good results on a regular RCA cable. I'm not using the S-video or Component outputs yet, because I haven't yet got a TV that can accept them. My next TV will hopefully have component inputs, and I can put them to the test.

The remote control is excellent, IMHO. Its much better than the remote on my Sony VCR.

I thought about getting the Toshiba 2109, but I didn't like its remote, plus I don't think it had component outputs, or built in Dolby digtial decoder.

I'm really enjoying my DVD player, and hope that I have many years of enjoyment from it.

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none - my first DVD player

Great features compared to products in the same price catagory. Stunning picture, great sound, easy to use, remote shines above most models out there.

Lip sync scare. Jog wheel on remote for this model would have been nice.

I looked high and low for a DVD player that had all the "bells and whistles". The Sony by far has got everything you would look for in a DVD player. It has more than enough connections and features that the casual DVD watcher would need. The player is fast, and quiet. It also looks better then the other players out there that I have looked at. The Toshiba seemed to toyish with it's small remote and less crafted display panel. The Sony just seemd better built and the display is far easier to read than most. I have had no problems with the lip sync, but just the thought of running back to the store was the ONLY thing that kept me from picking one up right away. My revision is 2.24. Bought 1/12/00 from GoodGuys. Looks like the newer models are good to go. Paid $365.00. Not the greatest deal but beats $399.00. I would highly recommend this player to anyone wanting to stay within a $400.00 budget, but does not want to skimp on features. For the price it out shines what is currently out there.

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Toshiba 2109

Wonderfully vibrant picture, easy on-screen interface, great reviews by audio magazines, good remote, lots of connections (2 S-video, component, composite), onboard DD/DTS decoder and great audio output.

Worry about lip-synch problem - though supposedly fixed.

What can I say! I've waited for a few months for Sony to hopefully ship out the newest version of this player so I wouldn't get plagued by the lip-synch problem. Checked serial numbers as posted - thanks all! Went down to Best Buy and they had it for $348. They said they just came in and the salesman would reserve mine if I picked it up the next day. Drove back and it was $298! Yeah, no more 5 DVD package, now it is down to 2 DVDs but who cares! Cheap I say for a player that was ranked #1 by Sound & Vision and other online reviews.

My firmware is version 2.3 so the lip-synch problem is suppose to be fixed on this one. Good serial number and came in a new batch direct to Best Buy.

After watching Austin Powers II and fiddling with the features I found the player to be easy to operate and master without the manual. Great picture, sound and looks.

Even though I don't particularly care for Sony products as they don't use the greatest components (I work in the electronics industry), I bought this player based on good professional reviews as well as those I've read here and on Deja.com.

If you are getting your first player, buy local in case you want to bring it back. Best advice I could give. I considered the Panasonic A120 and Toshiba 3109 and I couldn't justify the price of 5 tray models. The Sony just beat em all in terms of features and quality. And when the price came that far down (new models on there way) how can you go wrong. Go get one now if you don't own a DVD player yet!

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Toshiba 2109

Picture quality is beautiful

Remote is not ergonomic

I've had the 530 six months now ($347 at my local Belmont TV store) and have had very few lip-synch problems. I haven't even bothered to check whether I would benefit from the firmware upgrade, because its happened less than five times. My only complaint is the remote buttons are laid out all wrong. The big circular button where my thumb rests naturally (sort of like a jog wheel but not really) only controls menu functions that are rarely used. The buttons I use all the time -- play, pause, reverse scan -- are too small, too close together, and too close to other buttons rarely used (like frame advance). Most of the time, I only want to play the disc, rewind a little now and then to catch some dialog or action I missed, and resume playing, all by feel, WITHOUT SQUINTING AT THE REMOTE. Is that too much to ask? C'mon, Sony, look at the jog button on your VCR remotes, and lay out your DVD remotes the same way.

Best Picture and sound quality

lip sync scare!!!!!!! Smooth scan 2 speed only, no zoom

Had the Pioneer 525, took it back because it was plague with artifacts on two-sided disks (dual format) but only on the side with the standard format(Twister and Bladerunner) plus the remote and the onscreen menus blew on the 525 (disappointing overall). With the sony, I notice a considerable improvement in the picture quality over the 525 as well as some minor sound improvement. Great menus, remote, basically the whole damn thing is excellent overall, only have one gripe, why didn't sony make the damn 330 with component video out, I had to buy the 530D in order to get the component video outputs (which cost a hundred more because it comes with the onboard decoder, which I'll never use because I've got a receiver with one onboard that got way more setting (Denon AVR2800).

I took the unit in because I was concerned about the lip sync problem, I had read (via this web site) that the Firmware was up to 2.4. I had 2.3, so having the sony service center down the street, I took it in just in case. They told me that the latest version was 2.3 and there was no such version 2.4 available for the 530D. Kind of strange. If anyone has any incite on this email me!! I've only got a coulpe of months on the full warranty.

But the unit is still really really kick ass and the service seem to be pretty good (just wish I knew whos telling the truth!!)

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Toshiba 3109

Excellent audio and video

None that I know of

Just got this last night from HiFi Buys. It was $349.99. Firmware is version 2.4. I must have read 100 reviews before buying this. We are very happy with it so far. The picture and audio is top notch, even when played through only 2 speakers.

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None

Easy to set up, Great features, Great picture and sound quality

just a 5-6 sec lip sych problem on one (out of 30-35) dvd, otherwise nothing

After taking a look at the list of reviews below and for the other DVD's. I decided to pick up this DVD Player. I must say good choice by all. I feel it is basically a great DVD player at a good price.

I have noticed a lip synch problem only once (out of 30-35 DVD's). This was on Mission Impossible and only lasted for a few seconds(5-6sec). However, I didn't have to do anything to remedy the problem. It seemed to have gone away by itself after those few seconds. Plus, I couldn't reproduce it later and I haven't noticed it again. I do have firmwear version #2.3, so maybe this helps most of the problems??

As far as picture and sound quality, I think it is great. I have it hooked up to a Wega tv and it looks fantastic. Very clean and extremely sharp, especially when using component or s-video. The sound is also great with a digital surround sound system hooked up (I care more about the video than audio so my opinion on the audio aspect of the DVD player may be off a bit).

Overall, I feel it is a great piece with tons of of extra features that most would find very useful. It truly makes going back to VHS a tad bit painful though.

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Panasonic

great sound and picture and lot of in and ouputs

lip/syc and freeze problems

I've had this unit for a year now and had to get it fix and now it works great. Sony replaced the chip with the 2.4 version and now its a great unit. It had the same as problem as everyone had but i waited till i could send it to sony before the warrenty was up with this unit, Not had a problem so far but it took 15 working days to get it back.
I would have rated it on a 3 stars but now it a 5 star unit now.

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dvp500d

looks, quality, performance.. so far so good

pricey! doesn't play cd-r's. i bought the earlier version of this model and it was stolen. (oakland stinks! nothing good here) then i bought the same model and i didn't have the same problems like the others..

it's a nice player. (it should be, for $430 bucks!) dts sounds nice, DDigital sounds great, s-video picture looks fantastic! overall? this player will satisfy all your needs. although you may want to look for a cheaper player since this was a bit pricey for its features. you can find all this traits on lots of other cheaper players.

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none