This is one excellent machine. Purchased Multi-region version from Techtronics in England. Plays region 1 + 2 dvd's both Dolby Digital and DTS with ease. No lip synch problems.
However, have experienced a glitch when switching between layers of a dual layer disk, even after multiple calibrations using the maintenance menu. Varies from a couple of frames of freeze to about a second and a half, depending on which DVD is being played.
Anyone else experienced this?
Other than this, the player is a joy to use and is otherwise faultless. A worthy 5 star machine and well deserved!

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer 717

I finally gave in and bought the unit today from the www.thedigitaldog.com for $589.00 (no taxes and no shipping and handling). This replaces my clunky old toshiba sd-3108.
Based on the great reviews here, I expect the unit to perform beyond my expectations. I'll post a follow-up review shortly.

Nice Build Quality, Sound, Remote

Picture,

This is probably the best built player for DVD interlaced
players. So I would think that the picture would be superior to toshiba and panasonic's interlaced component outputs from a progressive DVD player. Not the case, if this is the reference standard, Sony better check up on the competition. If you are to proclaim yourself as reference standard you should be undeniably superior. The toshiba and panasonic were leagues ahead of the sony play via interlaced component output. The motion was far superior as was the sharpness. This is quite dissappointing, and to make sure, I calibrated all players with Video Essentials, and Sony came in last in performance by a wide margin. Sony, some advice, before you put reference on anything, make sure that it is, DUHHHH. This is just another marketing ploy to sucker poor uneducated electronic fans into buying crap. Sony, last but not least, remember that the TRUTH will set you free.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba SD 9100 and Panasonic H1000

As mentioned in other reviews

None I'm aware of...

This isn't a review, only a few queries I have about this player.

Out of the box is this player multi-region 1-6 or does it require modification?

I spoke to a guy in a Sony centre and he said the S7700 and S7000 were now discontinued?!?!

Thanks,

Serberus

Excellent picture, incredible CD sound (through analog outs), Build quality, Beautiful looks, cool sliding panel

shuttle control a little awkward to use, time counter counts only chapter time at default setting

what a sweet unit!! especially at the prices it's available for now. I had a heck of a time with the Denon DVD-1000 (see my review) This unit has phenominal sound quality through the analog outs. I was looking for a unit that would have great sound quality for cd's, this is it! It also does play cdr's. Which is important to me. fast and slow scans are excellent. The jog shuttle is a bit awkward to use, but not horrendous. Drawer is nice and solid. haven't had any lip-synch problems or glitches of any sort. This is a fabulous machine and will remain with me for some time. picture quality is beautiful....the best Ive seen (except progressive scan) Also this unit has extremely fast tracking...the fastest I've seen yet. Another bonus with this machine is the direct chapter access. I haven't seen this on any other brands.

Similar Products Used:

Proscan P8680z, Denon DVD-1000, Panasonic DVD RV-30

Excellent video and audio

Soft picture on some DVD's

With DVD audio and SACD on the horizion I decided to purchase an inexpensive DVD player that would be replaced be a universal DVD player in the near future.
My first purchase was the Toshiba SD-1200. Not bad for a budget player, but it did not deliver the performance I craved. Way too many artifacts. I hate artifacts. If you watch Heat, there is a scene of the city that drops down to the reserve that the crew breaks into, the city lights bounce and flicker. I don't even get those kind of artifacts from VHS. If there is a scene with someone wearing stripes or plaid, you'd think you were on acid watching the paterns dance. In the audio dept. the Toshiba was OK. Anyways I ended up returning the unit.
My next purchase was the Pioneer DV-333. This unit is a real sleeper in the video dept. In terms of video I felt it matched the performance of the Sony 7700. It actually surpassed the 7700 in some areas. On anamorphic DVD's the DV-333 picture is sharper. In the artifact dept. the Pioneer is the equal of the 7700. The only are where the DV-333 falls short is the audio dept. The sound is a bit bright and a bit forward. Detail is good, the unit gets most out of the soundtrack. For Home Theater the Pioneer is an excellent unit. As a transport for two channel playback the Pioneer is a bit weak.
The Sony DVP-S560D was next on my list. On video the 560D and 7700 are similar. I notice very few artifacts if any. The picture is sharp with the exception of certain DVD's. In terms of audio, the 560D is better than the Pioneer. Especially as a transport, the 560D bettered the Pioneer. Detail and transparency was better as was the bass. My beef with this unit was how loud the machine was when spinning discs. I could hear it from mu sofa 12 feet away. I tried another unit thinking the unit I had might be defected, but the other unit I tried was the same.
Now on to the DVP-S7700. If your looking for a DVD player that will be used as a CD player and DVD player this is the unit for you. Video through the 7700 is superb. As mentioned my only complaint is that on certain DVD's the picture can sometimes look soft, but I'd rather have that than a sharp picture with visible artifacts. Besides it is more cinema like that way. When the unit is used as a CD transport it delivers clean, powerfull, transparent sound. The sound equals that of some high end CD playback only machines. On soundtracks the sund was awesome. I don't have a subwoofer in my theater, that's going to be my next purchase, the 7700 brought out the low end oomf that was missing. I couldn't believe how changing the source unit could have made such an improvement in sound. I was looking for a cheap DVD to fill the hole in my home theater until I replaced it with a universal DVD player and I end up buying the DVP-S7700. It was the only unit that could deliver the performance that I was looking for. So much for my budget. I'll have to hold a little while longer for a sub, but with the 7700 that won't be unbearable.

If your looking for a DVD player to serve as a DVD and CD player the Sony DVP-S7700 is the only way to go.

I did not have the opportunity to test the Pioneer DV-05. This unit is discontinued. Judging by the performance of the DV-333 I expect the DV-05 would equal the Sony.

My viewing was done through my Panasonic 31" GAOO television using an S-video cable.

Equipment used:

Marantz SR-18 Reciever
PSB Stratus Silvers - Main Speakers
PSB Stratus C6 - Center Channel
PSB Ambient 2 Dipole - Rear Speakers

Similar Products Used:

Pionner DV-333, Sony DVP-S560D, Toshiba SD-1200

Well after reading EVERY REVIEW on the planet in regards to the decision of which DVD playet to purchase, I have just bought the 7700. My choice was between the Denon 5000, the Elite DV-09 and the 7700. From what I have read, the DV-09 has the best picture, the 5000 the best sound and the 7700 was to be a good combination of both sight and sound while not being tops in either category except its ability to downconvert enchanced 16:9. I have waited since late '97 to make my purchase (mostly waiting for DTS capability) and the bugs to get worked out of DVD. I have seen numerous demos on all three machines and have driven myself crazy. Review on remotes, on this, on that. I am not a millionaire by any means but I consider myself fortunate in that I have not let cost ever influence my decision on what to purchase. If it is the best I will buy it...unless it is an outrageous waste of money. For the first time I have made a decision based on price! After getting the 7700 home and in my system and firing up my first look (The Mask) I must say the picture presented to me by this machine is unmatched! Although I have not brought home the other two players into my system, I did demo them at the store! The picture from this 7700 looks better than both the 5000 and DV-09 that I saw in the demo systems! The smooth scan ability of the 7700 smokes the other two players and I love the remote (glow in the dark), the menus, and the sound. Thank g-- I didn't spend the extra $1000-$1500 for either of the other players. I bought a 1 month old 7700 on ebay and it is in mint condition. The damn thing IS brand new and I was told it has played 3 movies in that month which I don't doubt! I paid $860 for it including shipping! The Elite was $1799 and the 5000 was $2099. Do not waste the extra money for these units. You will not get a better presentation than that offered by the 7700. At the price of this unit it is a 10 star. I am extremely pleased and glad I finally made my decison amongst these 3 players. The audio CD sound is not quite up to my stand alone CD player but I doubt it would be as my Elite PD-65 stand alone player I am very pleased with. System consists of EAD Ovation, Carver ALIII+ ribbons in front AND in back, Von Schweikert LCR-31 center channel, Velodyne F1800-RII sub, (3)Carver A-760x amps and (1) Carver A-753x amp, RCA DSS DRD515RB, Elite PD-65 CD Player and Elite 50" Pro-96 RPTV and now my new fave the 7700! Go for it!

Audio, Video,Build

None

I have owned this unit for almost three years and it gives me pleasure every time I listen to a cd or watch a movie,I tried several other players and the 7700 is in a better league than other players that cost about the same.I have had several es cd players and the audio from this unit ranks up there with some of them,mind you this is not a $3000 machine but do a blind test and see what the results are.The rest of my system as follows.Klipsch Kornerhorn's in the front,Klipsch La Scala's in the rear,Klipsch KV 4 center channel,3 Denon Mono Block POA 6600 amps for front,Denon POA 2800 for the rear,Denon AVP 8000 Processor,7700 Sony DVD , Sony 77es cd player,SONY Dolby Digital Satellite Receiver,Monster speaker cables and interconnects.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba,Denon,Yamaha

None

Too many to mentions.

No different than a $200 unit. Overprice and unreliable piece of junk. Broke down in less than a year.

Great Build

Picture quality is horrible.

I have 2 of the Sony DVP-s7700's, a Panasonic A310, and a Panasonic A320. Out of the four, the s7700 produces the worst picture quality. Surprisingly, the picture of the s7700 contains unexceptable noise and slight pixelization(pixelization barely noticable), especially in dark scenes as opposed to the Panasonic's which produce very little if any noise. And as for a steady and sharp picture..., that does not exist on this unit. The reason for this? Both of the players I have, produce diagonal lines(not actual lines but ripples that are really thin and appear all at once)across the entire TV screen during scenes where the camera is panning.

Believe the other reviewers when they notice a drop in picture sharpness in comparison to other units. When compared to the Panasonics that I have, the sharpness is not present. For expample on the panasonics, the sharpness and clarity of the picture makes everything(faces, people, buildings...) look like they were digitally outlined or placed. On the s7700, the picture doesn't have this digital outline or placement appearance. Everything blends into the background with no sharpness; the picture appears soft, not sharp. For the price that I paid, I am not satisfied at all by this unit.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic DVD-H1000, Sony s7000, Panasonic A320, Panasonic A310