Great picture (as far as sharpness goes) but aren't all DVD players supposed to have great pictures? Has options to "tweak" system to your taste and equiptment that my jvc ($150) doesn't have.

After about a year's usage, encountered video problem.

First of all, I don't understand how anyone could say this is a 4 or 5 star machine after they encountered a mass produced bug that results in so called lip-sync problems (which I'm fortunate enough not to have)or any other problems. You shouldn't have to inconvenience yourself with having to shut off and restart a DVD player to "fix" a problem temporarily. I thought watching a movie on DVD was supposed to be some kind of technological miracle for your senses, not an annoying experience. I don't care how great the picture is or how many features the unit has, if I'm watching a movie that appears "dubbed" and Jackie Chan isn't the main star, there's a problem!
Now, on to my problem with this unit. After about a year of normal usage, I noticed that whenever there was a major picture change on the screen, the whole screen would shake really fast for a second. It started happening just when the movie menu would come on, but now it's happening throughout the movie, especially whenever there's an explosion or any other fast action on screen. I called Sony and amazed the tech when I told him I got my unit in December of 1999. He said that was impossible since the DVP-S550D only came out in 2000. I guess he never heard of being able to buy next year's model car in the September of the previous year. I also asked him about the "lip-sync" problem alot of people are having with their units and he said he was unaware of the problem. Shockingly enough, he wasn't able to explain anything about my "shaking picture" problem but he was able to direct me to an authorized Sony repairman in my area who in turn was quick to tell me how much an estimate would cost and that he might have to keep the unit for repair for about 3 weeks.
By the way, my $150 JVC model works great. No "lip-sync" problem, no "shaking picture" problem, and cost about $350 less than the Sony. Amazing how much more you pay for a name. Which I wouldn't mind if the product works!
The bottom line is, some people get lucky and buy things that works for years without breaking and they're very happy with them and would highly recomend them. (Honest, I've had my stereo system for about 15 years and my TV for about 8 years and I've never had a problem with them!) While other people buy the same items and have problems with them and receive little, if any help at all from the manufacturer's techs. You just have to hope you get lucky. Coincidentally, my TV and stereo are not Sony's, and I do have another Sony TV that needed repair after about 3 years. I also have a Sony HandyCam that broke after about a year. Maybe I should try another brand.

User interface, Dolby Digital 5.1, crystal clear picture, yada, yada, yada

Reomte not backlit.

For me, the 550D has been surpurb by far the best value on the market. Purchased from onecall.com for $400.00 inc. shipping. No problems whatsoever with lip sync or audio dropouts. Highly recommended!!! *****

Great picture, audio and remote control

My first DVD player, love this unit. I'm big fan of great remote control and sony didn't disappointed me with this player.

Similar Products Used:

n/a

Feature rich. Easy to use. Great audio and video.

Loud spinning sound during playback.

This was my first DVD player, and I loved it, except that I could hear a high-pitched spinning sound clear across the room all during playback! This defeated my purpose of putting together a nice relaxing entertainment experience. Some people have said that they have their DVD player in a closed cabinet and so the sound doesnt bother them. I didnt have a cabinet, and the sound was just way too annoying and distracting. So I returned the player, and bought a Panasonic RV-30, which is quiet during playback.

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Panasonic RV-30

audio

lip sink

i have had this player foor almost a year now.music is ok.but on some dvds the lip sink is terrible not even close. my pioneer 525 is dead on ever time for the money it s not worth it.

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pioneer 525

Practical design-features-no hangups-reliability

none

I have used this player over one year with no problems.I had tried two Toshiba models as well as Panaonics in the past but the Sonys are just better. No jitter,jump,pixelation etc encountered occassionally with the Toshibas.All current dvd players are good, but some better than others. I never did have lip-sync problems with the Sony but did have a 2.3 upgrade prior to warranty expiration just to be "up to speed",in case.Have always had great customer service with Sony on their products.A great product. You won't go wrong on this top rated model.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba 2109 & 3109

Sony Service, Superb Picture, Great sound, ample and flexible set of
outputs, DD/DTSdecoding

DOES NOT PLAY CD-Rs.
CD A/B looping only on the video menu, not on the remote.

This is a follow-up from my review in 3/2000.

I had encountered the Lip-synch problem and sent the unit
off to service. They upgraded my bios from 1.5000 to
2.4000, replaced the optical unit, and shipped it back
out in 7 days with no hassle. Amazing. I have not seen
the lip-synch problem since (~4 months...though I wouldn't
rule out the chance of it happening again, it's just that the reoccurence rate has ben drastically lowered).

It has been a solid unit and a great performer. I had a
chance to test the Toshiba SD-5109 progressive player and
this unit side by side with my 46" HD Ready Mitsubishi.
Yes, the Toshiba produced a clearer image transitions for
action scenes, but it was not as dramatic a difference as I
expected. The Sony had more valuable features and was
a stronger build (not to mention $250 cheaper).

I'd recommend it to anyone (except those who expect to play
a lot of CD-R's. This thing won't read 'em. Darn!

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba SD-5109

I got my boyfriend this model for Christmas and was happy to find that the lip sync problem did not occur. However, we have found that while watching a film, the color keeps fading in every couple of seconds or so. We tried it with various DVDs and it always happens. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this? Thanks in advance!

Until we figure out what's up with this, its difficult to rate the machines' performance...Please help!

REMOTE-THE ABLITY TO AJUST THE SPEAKER LEVELS

HAD A PROBLEM WITH A LINE RUNNIG ACROSS THE SCREEN BUT I CHANGED MY CABLES AND THE WAY I HAD IT HOOKED UP AND THE PROBLEM WAS ELIMENATED (BYE THE WAY I CHANGED TO MONSTER CABLE)

I DO NOT HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS REALLY I THINK IT IS A SOLID MACHINE AT A VERY GOOD PRICE. A WORD OF ADVICE THOUGH YOU SHOULD SHOP ONLINE I FOUND MINE FOR ABOUT 200.00 LESS. I USED PRICESCAN.COM CHECK IT OUT IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY.

One of the best DVD players I've had.

The original lyp-sync issues - however, SONY has resolved this issue. CD-R's will not work in SONY players.

Let me clarify the lyp-sync issue. Many of the units made before October 1999 had this issue. Sony did confirm that it was a issue on their line of DVD players and wasn't an industry or DVD pressing issue. I was able to send my player in when the problem was first acknowledged and they replaced it with a new one. They are now letting people call and register any players that still have the problem and they will fix it. Call SONY at 1-800-282-2848 and get a real person on line.

Feature for feature, this is one of the best players out there (non-progressive scan). Even badly scratched DVDs are picked up well on this players whereas others didn't. The added convenience of two sets of outputs is very helpful for those that want to connect s-video to both the TV and video switching from a reciever directly.

Find the player on-line in the $350 to $380 range. Checkout MySimon and do a search of vendors to find a good price. Get the player and you will not be disatisfied. I'm thinking of selling it only because I now want to get a player that will hold multiple DVDs.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba 2109, 3109, JVC, Pioneer, Panasonic (the worst).