The best slow motion and quality of paused screen around.

Nada!!!

Excellent slow motion and very clear pause option. This feature is cool to verify cameo nudity shots like in The World is not enough and Double Jeopardy. With a regular DVD, it is impossible to see the good stuff for those actresses flash too quickly. The remote is a cool toy just like a joystick. It was also great in verifying that it was Arnold doing the stunts in End of Days. What a cheesecake!

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Sony 530

Ease of use, video output options, video quality, and build quality (for a Sony..)

None as of yet. The only complaint that I have is that the chassis is rather small.

-Intro-
To begin, I have never been a fan of Sony; perhaps their Wega TV's are about the only thing they manufacture that is of excellent quality, perhaps their higher end CD players, but I haven't had the chance to listen to one. I was using a Creative Labs DVD-ROM, with a Hollywood Magic decoder card, and a Monster M-1000 S-Video cable. Although this setup was not optimum, the video quality was decent, much better than VHS, UNTIL, I decided to upgrade to a real DVD player. I did some research; mostly trying to read published reviews. I had narrowed my search down to four manufacturers, Toshiba, Sony, and Pioneer, and Panasonic. Since I am an Audiophile, I am big on build quality. The Pioneer had excellent colour saturation, probably the best, but the player weighed about 1Lb, and looked like it could warp from lack of rigidity.
The Toshiba 2200 is a double tray system -which I didn't want- due to possible transport problems / flaws. According to the sales person who attended a Sony convention, Sony was demoing this new DVP570D, and not the 7700 reference player. The 570D is the second from the top-of-the-line Sony. There is a 650-d (which is a multi-DVD carousel type player), and then the reference 7700. For me feature-set was not a big deal. The most important qualities for a DVD player are the video output, and the audio / digital out. This player has built in DTS, and DD decoders, which may not be a big deal to most, if you already have a Home Theatre Receiver, but being an audiophile, I currently have a two-channel system. So for me having the decoders built in was a good thing (at least for the time being - or until I can save the $$ for a decent HT receiver).
The Goods
My video monitor is a JVC D series 35-Inch TV, using ultra-link video component cables from the DVD player. So far I have watched about 8 movies including some difficult ones such as The Matrix, and Lost in Space. One thing you will notice with this Sony is the speed at which it is able to branch off to different parts of the disc. Earlier reviews complain about the noise of the transport, the transport itself is quiet, the motor is slightly louder. This is due to the fact that the Sony motor is spinning at a faster speed than normal during DVD startup. In my room, you can not here the motor spinning from the viewing chair, so this wasn't really a problem for me.

I find the remote very easy to use, and the on-screen menus are intuitive. I didn't even have to open the instruction manual in order to figure out how to setup everything. One thing I can say about the Sony is that it allows you to set up just about everything. Compared to the Panasonic, which is more of a plug-and-play unit. The first time I viewed the Matrix I used the Stereo mix-down outputs, and was quite surprised by how good the music / sound from this DVD player is. I had a chance to compare (musically) CD playback between the DVD player and my tweaked-to-death Anthem CD-1. Well the CD-1 was superior in almost every respect, but I would expect that considering that the CD-1 cost me $2500.00 CAD two years ago. But the audio sound from the DVD player wasn’t bad either. It borders on the laid back side, not too harsh sounding in the mid range, with a decent depth and width. It places instruments properly. The biggest difference was that with the DVD player playing CD’s it sounded more clouded or veiled in comparison to the CD player. BUT, for a $640.00 (CAD) DVD player, it’s audio delivers what you would expect for that price. I had the chance to use the front outputs from the DVD player (non-mix-down) and although I haven’t had a chance to compare the DD decoder to anything, I believe that the built in decoder is excellent. There are no audible signs of compression (a good thing), and the output is very clean. Now on to the video. All I can say is that once you properly calibrate and setup your TV this DVD player is SOLID! I have never seen the Matrix look so film like. I believe that the Pioneer may have slightly better colour saturation, but I never had the chance to compare side-by-side on my TV. I am going by memory. Some say that the Sony presents a slightly softer video, I never got that impression from this player. Compared to the Hollywood Magic (which for a computer decoder is excellent), this player is stunning. For the first time I was able to discern DVD’s that had a good transfer, and a poor transfer. This player will show you the difference. On the Lost in Space disc, the beginning part of the movie is just stunning! This player also has a great ability to play difficult discs without problems. Movies like the Matrix played flawlessly.

Conclusions
Although this DVD player isn’t amongst the cheapest $640 CAD, or $450-$500 US, I believe the extra cost is worth it. If you are like myself and prefer a slightly better built product and cant afford the higher end Sony’s, or Panasonic’s I would highly recommend this player. Personally I really dig the silver brushed aluminum Wega look. My only complaint with this unit is the size, this player is slim -call me old fashioned, but I would prefer a larger unit.
I would rate this player a 5 overall, but I know that there are better players out there, i.e the reference model from Sony, and the new Panasonic progressive scan player. If you are looking at a mid-range player, I would highly recommend this player!

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DVD-ROM Creative Labs with a Hollywood Magic + Decoder card.
While shopping, compared to Pioneer DV-333, Panasonic A320.

Design, usability, video & audio.

None that I am aware of yet

As a new user to the DVD world, all I can say is that the 570 seems to be a rock solid player. It is a winner for its design. Sleek, slim, and seemingly well built. Easy to set up, and intuitive to use. I have it matched up with the 36" Wega XBR, and am extremely pleased with the video output. Audio is going through a Denon 4800 to a JBL S38/S312/PSW112/S-Center setup. Strikingly clear, rich and house shaking. 4 stars only because I am sure I am missing something. If there is something lacking, I sure haven't seen or heard it.

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none.

sleek design.. Silver color is all that.. Matches my Wega TV.. Excellent picture

Remote is to fat.. Joystick is nice.

This is a good unit. I've experienced no problems with this player at all..Just using it primarily for video only.. Highly recommend this unit for consumers looking for just a little bit more than the average.

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None

Great silver look....matches my Sony Wega.

a little bit noisy when playing some DVD's

This player gives great picture and sound...although I noticed that it gives a strange noise when playing the Mummy and Rules of Engagement it is still a great machine. The remote is very easy to use and the silver look is Excellent!!!

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this is my first DVD player

Design and ease of use

Remote cheaply made, doesn't play CDR's

This player is great! I've never had a problem with it what so ever. It has tons of functions you can scroll through and adapt to your liking. Definately a solid player!

Great Picture / Sound Quality, Easy to Use and setup.

None that I've seen as yet....

I am very happy with my purchase, I know it's early but I've played about 10 DVD's in about 4 days and Had no problems, I had no problem at all with the MATRIX, Gladiator, or any other title... I've not experienced any extended or frequent freezing.. I think it's a very well
package player and the Built in DTS and DD decoder was a definate plus for me...My Home Theater system sounds and looks great with my new addition.. I am giving it a value rating of 4 stars because for the the price I think it should play CDR's but that's not a big deal for me because I used my Yamaha CD player to play Audio and CDR Cd's...
I'm very happy and hopefully it stays that way and I don't experience any of the annoying problems reported in these reviews.

Performance and look

dont know any

I have had this machine since Christmas, and I have to say this is the best Christmas gift I have given any body. I have been waiting for a good machine at a good price for 2 years. After wanting the Sony dvps7000 and 7700, I have had pretty high expectations for performance and quality. The dvps570 delivers at less than half the price of these 2 machines. It does not have all the quality of the 7000 or 7700 but for the price it one of the best, if not the best dvd player. The picture and audio quality is better than higher priced machines from other companies and second in the sony line-up. This machine will make you reappreciate the movies that you have bought.

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1st dvd player

great sound, excellent picture quality, perfect stills, quick installation, and remote is packed with features

sluggish loading time, occasionally gets very hot during long movies

We have had this player since early January, and it is still going strong. all those negative reviews so close to each other is no doubt due to a batch of defective players or software, and our player has played over 20 dvds perfectly, including: matrix, independence day, green mile, Terminator 2, gone in 60 seconds, twister, return of the dragon and fantasia 2000, not to mention numerous rentals. no slow ups or glitches of any kind, except for a brief pause as the player switched dvd layers. the player is very beautiful, and it looks great with our other a/v equipment. I highly recommend this player, and its well worth the price!

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none

Beautiful design, comprehensive setup, easy to install, DTS & Dolby digital decoders built-in

Maybe sluggish with older rental DVDs

This is first and foremost a beautiful machine. It looks great, has a front panel that delivers relevant information even from across the room, and is a slim design to fit on your A/V shelf.
The built-in Digital and DTS decoders are key--with analog 5.1 outputs, plus two digital outputs, it will adapt to any receiver. Two S-VHS outputs, component and composite video as well.
The remote control has a "jog dial" which does take getting used to, but the remote itself is very feature-packed.
As for the picture and sound quality themselves, they are excellent. I have seen no artifacting or glitches when doing reverse or forward scanning, pauses, or high-speed scanning. Access time is quick. Also plays my regular CDs as well. Haven't tried with CD-R, though.
This player is also packed with lots of customisation features, good for those who are planning on buying and maintaining a DVD library. These video, sound, and library setup features make it feel like you won't outgrow this player (at least until I can afford a progressive TV!)

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None.