I know of a firm that filed a class action for this model contact info is on the website www.gttlawyers.com

Great video/color quality playing anamorphic material on 4:3 TVs, quick disc/chapter access

Lip sync issue found on recent purchase, lightweight chassis

I bought my machine at Best Buy with a serial number in the 888xxx region which is reportedly safe from the lip sync issue. I noticed the lip sync immediately as the audio from the DVD player analog output seemed to be about .5 sec ahead of the video. If I took the optical or coaxial output from the DVD player and connected it to my Denon AVD 2000 DD5.1 processor, the audio exhibited a noticeable delay relative to the DVD player analog out, but matched the video more closely. Given that it seems that even the newer machines are susceptible to the problem, I have brought the player to a Sony Service Center for adjustment. I would encourage everyone who thinks they do not see a lip sync issue on their Sony DVPS550D to double check by comparing the audio output from their DVD player directly vs. being processed through an external DD5.1 decoder/receiver using the player's optical/coaxial output.

My initial impressions of the video quality on the DVPS500D seemed superior to my older DVPS3000 in terms of brightness and color accuracy. The DVPS3000 seemed to have more pronounced "orange/creamy" tint. Detail on the DVPS500D was also better than the DVPS3000 on 4:3 letterbox as well as 4:3 anamorphic. I use a Sony 32XBR Squared 100 for all my viewing using the S video outputs.

Chapter access time was very impressive on the DVPS550. You do not need to wait long after you pop in a DVD to get access, unlike the Toshiba 3109 which seems to function like an older generation player.

Since the player was dropped off to the service center within days of purchase, I did not have a chance to do details comparisons of the DVPS550D with the DVPS3000 or Toshiba 3109. I will want to see how the audio quality is playing CDs through the analog outputs of the different players and will post my opinions later on.

The Sony DVPS550D does cost more than other players in its class (Sony DVPS530D, Toshiba 3109), but has video and audio enhancement features that may justify its price point.

Similar Products Used:

Sony DVPS-3000 (baby reference)

Great video/color quality playing anamorphic material on 4:3 TVs, quick disc/chapter access

Lip sync issue found on recent purchase, lightweight chassis

I bought my machine at Best Buy with a serial number in the 888xxx region which is reportedly safe from the lip sync issue. I noticed the lip sync immediately as the audio from the DVD player analog output seemed to be about .5 sec ahead of the video. If I took the optical or coaxial output from the DVD player and connected it to my Denon AVD 2000 DD5.1 processor, the audio exhibited a noticeable delay relative to the DVD player analog out, but matched the video more closely. Given that it seems that even the newer machines are susceptible to the problem, I have brought the player to a Sony Service Center for adjustment. I would encourage everyone who thinks they do not see a lip sync issue on their Sony DVPS550D to double check by comparing the audio output from their DVD player directly vs. being processed through an external DD5.1 decoder/receiver using the player's optical/coaxial output.

My initial impressions of the video quality on the DVPS500D seemed superior to my older DVPS3000 in terms of brightness and color accuracy. The DVPS3000 seemed to have more pronounced "orange/creamy" tint. Detail on the DVPS500D was also better than the DVPS3000 on 4:3 letterbox as well as 4:3 anamorphic. I use a Sony 32XBR Squared 100 for all my viewing using the S video outputs.

Chapter access time was very impressive on the DVPS550. You do not need to wait long after you pop in a DVD to get access, unlike the Toshiba 3109 which seems to function like an older generation player.

Since the player was dropped off to the service center within days of purchase, I did not have a chance to do details comparisons of the DVPS550D with the DVPS3000 or Toshiba 3109. I will want to see how the audio quality is playing CDs through the analog outputs of the different players and will post my opinions later on.

The Sony DVPS550D does cost more than other players in its class (Sony DVPS530D, Toshiba 3109), but has video and audio enhancement features that may justify its price point.

Similar Products Used:

Sony DVPS-3000 (baby reference)

picture, sound and look

expensive

It is a great dvd player. I got it from costco for a very good price on the display sample. After view a couple of movice I have been stunned by the picture quaility and sound. Another nice thing is, if you have a sony receiver, the remote can also control the volume. After struggle with my rm501 remote, that is a bit relief. I have to mention that many lip-sync problems were NOT caused by the player, especially when you play a rental DVD. When I watch the Thomas Crown Affair, I experience the lip-sync. However, the problem is due to the dirt on the disc. After clean the disc it worked fine. cd and dvd's are read from inside out the finger prints and grease on the disc will sure cause the problems, as well as the disc quaulity. I like the player so far and like to keep it althrough i can return it anytime (floor sample). Enjoy it! I highly recommend the dvps550D.

Nice Remote, Very good picture and sound

Doesn't play CDR's, poor scratched cd reading

I think most of the good points of this player have been descibled below. My player did suffer from the Lip Synch problem but was fixed by sony. Their customer service is terrible and it took over a month to get my player back. They actually sent me a new one after they shipped someone elses player to my house and lost my original. For people that are planning on using this DVD player as a CD player, I would look elsewhere. Even the smallest finger prints or scratches will cause it to skip. It does however have a very good picture and great sound. The remote is excellent as well, it glows at night and is quite easy to use.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic A110, Sony 7700, Toshiba 3109

Gobs of features and configurability

Wish it was cheaper

I am completely thrilled with this unit. Sony did a fantastic job combining excellent sound and video with a ton of features and a reasonable price point. This unit was purchased in January 2000 and shows firmware version 2.3 There have been no (zero) lip sync problems on any of the 20 or so DVD's that I have viewed. Seek time is fast, and the variable speed search seems to work very well.

Some people have said the remote is no good, but I have no no trouble with it yet. The 'enter' buttton is awkward and takes a few minutes to get used to.

All in all, the on screen displays, the remote and front panel are very intuitive. Extremely easy to get used to. I am not sure why people were complaining about the manual... this unit is so easy to figure out I doubt I will ever need to refer to the manual. Even titling CDs and DVDs is a snap right from the remote.

The DD5.1 configuration options, 4:3 and 16:9 options, and virtual soundfield options are numerous and the plethora of outputs makes this a win win win!

Most of all, and the reason I got it... the sound and picture are the cleanest and most exciting I have seen yet. I wish I had bought it sooner! BTW, I bought it locally for $389 from a Sony dealer.

System:
Sony STRDA-777ES Receiver
Sony 550D DVD
Infinity Overture 3 in front
Infinity Overture 2 in rear
Infinity CC3 Center
Infinity HPS1000 Sub

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Toshiba DVD

lot of features,dd decoder,great sound,good looking,great remote (glow in the dark),easy of use $ set up

not found yet

i used this product about ayear and all i can say that this product is the best for amid price/standard dvd.i used 2 pioneers models before and this sony win the test.the sound is clear and warm and very accurate on movie, the picture is great and in the menu you can uses "dnr" function to get the most cleariest picture.on music this dvd is also at is best and it soundd like an high quality cd.this machinr got alot of tricky features like picture strobe ,wall papers etc...i didnt notice any of "alip sync" problem that others rrviewrs mentioned,iplayed over 60 movies on this machine and enjoyed every one of them. if you looking for amid range dvd don't look elsewhere this dvd is great and worth the money,actually it's better than a 1000$ dvd that i listen to.go for it you won't be dissapointed.

Similar Products Used:

toshiba sd 3109,sony dvps 530d

video quality, two audio filters, remote, number of features

audio quality with sharp filter, poor documentation, occasional lip sync problems (even at 2.21)

Generally speaking, I have been quite satisfied with this purchase. I originally was planning on a Toshiba, but I discovered I hated the Toshiba remote but loved this one's remote with the jog dial.
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Video quality is excellent. Video EQ is an especially nice feature. The picture can be as sharp or as soft as you want.
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Audio quality is excellent IF the audio filter is set on the "SLOW" option. The "SHARP" filter is, in my opinion, painful to listen to. It sounded about like the Sony Discman I bought in 1985. Eeek. The "SLOW" filter is much more listenable and produces excellent sound.
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The multiple video and audio outputs are very handy. Having multiple audio outputs lets me use the unit as an audio CD player as well (my video audio is on a separate system from my other audio).
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The documentation appears to have been written by someone who didn't know English well. It is confusing at times and is not well organized. Fortunately the on-screen menus are well organized and easy to use.
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Even though my firmware is at level 2.21, I still have occasional lip synch problems. However, pausing the disc, fast-forwarding a frame or two, and unpausing seems to resolve any cases of "lip flap". So I consider this a minor problem at worst.
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I think this is an excellent product that could use a few minor improvements but generally represents good value for the money.

Picture, sound, remote

None

Great machine. It has most of the bells and whistles you might need. I did experience the lip-sync problem when I first got it, but only on certain discs and randomly. I did report the problem to Sony to cover myself. About a year later they came up with a solution...replace the firmware. I called them, sent it in, and less than a week later received it back with the latest(v. 2.4) installed! Lip-sync gone!
The picture and sound are excellent. The remote is simple. Ergonomics are fine. I really like this machine. If you are having lip-sync problems, please don't hesitate to call Sony...they seem to want to help.

Similar Products Used:

None

Excellent Picture and great sound

Lip-Sync

I bought this product 2 days ago from the internet from Ebyweb.com for 342.00 . I think its a great product. I keeped looking for the lip-sync problem but did'nt see anything untill yesterday. I was watching The Sixth Sense until I say it.I was pissed, I called the sony number someone listed below, and sony said that Ebyweb is not an authorized Sony dealer. That there was nothing that they can do, Does anyone have any ideas what I can do.