As everybody mentioned - picture, sound.

Well, it is a rather old model, so you have to count with it.

I never wrote a review, but for this product I feeel like I have to, because I read a lot of bad reviews. To start with, my purchase was kind of an impulse buy, when I seen the product for the price that I finaly got it for. It was only after that I started to search for information and mistakenly - I searched for Denon DVD 1500 that has got 90% bad reviews.

So when I unpacked the machine, I had a lot of doubt. I just finished watching a movie on my Panasonic HT and since my new speakers did not arrive yet, I simply hooked up the DVD with Panasonic. To put it simply - I was absolutely amazed with the picture and even more with the sound improvement over the Panasonic. I am not going into details, because it is mostly subjective anyway, but there are many great feature that can enhance your viewing pleasure (picture modes, ...).

Many people find the remote toy-like. Well, that's true, but it has the same layout as Panasonic, so it suits me. And it preforms well, so no problem here.

The only problem I encountered so far is, that it refuses to read some of my DVDs, but I had problems with them on my Panasonic as well (that is about 2.5 years old). It is not any particular type (like DVD- or + R). On the other hand some of the DVDs were skipping on my Panasonic, but they are not on Denon.

Conclusion - it is a great unit, but I can't judge, how much would I pay for the unit it self. But Denon DVD 2500 + Denon 1700 (that I wanted at first place) for 250 euro with shipping is incredinbly good deal.

Picture quality (although it predates HDMI)
DVDA
SACD
CD playback
Well made and looks incredible.

Transpot on DVDA makes an audible noise, but over the years I have discovered that many others do as well.
Reviews of the CD player put people off... they are missing out on something wonderful.

I bought the player, not for it's DVD qualities, but for the SACD and DVD Audio reproduction. I was always aware that the CD side was considered poor, but I had a Arcam CD73, so this was not a problem.
Unlike the reviews, I found the CD side superb. Far more lifelike than the 'over posh sounding' Arcam. This was soon sold on Ebay.
Over the years, The 2500 never failed me as a player. It always sounded true.
Now that I have added Sonus Faber Gauneri Homage's to my set up and still using the incredible NVA Integrated Statement amplifier, I thouht it prudent to 'upgrade' my CD player and purchased the highly rated Arcam FMJ.
Not to discredit the Arcam, which sounds great... but still to posh for its own good - the Denon, as a CD player still holds its own.
The DVD-Audio and SACD have always be exceptional; the DVD Video always superb and now I can confirm, regardless of the reviews, the CD player is pretty fab as well.
I have seen it on ebay for £150.00 - for the love of god, this superb piece of kit is only the price of 'modest' interconnects.
Buy it - enjoy what SACD and DVDA's are on the market and while you are doing so, remind yourself that what you are listening to is possibly the best sound you are likely to get from a front end.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam CD73
Arcam FMJ

good audio quality , good picture quality, never any problems when playing DVD's

no support for CD-R's

First of all, I've been kinda surprised to see the average price in dollars that most of you paid for this DVD player. More then two years ago I bought my DVD player at the same time as my Denon AVC-1AD amplifier, B&W speakers... but I paid about 1000 euro's for it ! But compared to the other components it was still rather "less expensive". Nonetheless, I am extremely satisfied with the quality, both image and sound. At one time I had 3 DVD's that weren't accepted by the player so I went back to the store. They sent it back to the factory and after two weeks it was fixed for free. (and my warranty was expired) The DVD player plays all DVD's without any problem, even 'problem' DVD's that other DVD players won't play.

-excellent music/CD playback (clarity)
-incredible movie/DVD performance (sharpness)
-good setup menu

-ergonomically weak remote
-slight artifacts with certain movies
-slighty above $500 mark price

I purchased this unit at the Good Guys (they matched my internet prices!) in September; of course, I bought localy through them because I wanted the extended 3 yr. warranty. I usually protect electronic gear with warranties, but the Denon looks to be very reliable and durable for years to come.

The main attraction to this unit is because it's up front features. It plays CDs and DVDs and has an excellent setup menu. One will not find multiple trivial features that many other manufacturers offer. Just simple playback. Among the useful features are memory markers, auto off, and searching capability. It was delihtful to fast forward and rewind frames at different speeds.
The only negative on the hardware side is it's remote control; while it has useful buttons, they are too small and the remote itself is not very ergonomic.

I have nothing but praise for the 2500's sonic and video capabilities. I wanted a DVD unit that played both DVDs and CDs well. It does just that - plays CD music with clarity and DVD videos with good resolution and color. It does have a slight problem with certain downconversion of widescreen materials. For example, when a camera pans across scenes like empty stadiums (ie, opening scene - Shakespeare In Love), there are jagged artifacts. But I've read a number of reviews that states a artifact/downconversion compromise with players that have good resolution and sharpness. I hear Sony players does not have this problem, but they do tend to soften the picture a bit.

I am quite happy with the DVD-2500 and am looking forward to their next generation of DVD players - no doubt a progressive unit.

Similar Products Used:

-Pioneer (model # unknown - 1st gen. model)

CD music quality, DVD picture quality

Cheesy remote, light weight

Looked and auditioned many DVD (first priority) / CD (second priority) players and found this unit to be the best combination in this price range. DVD picture quality is excellent and CD playback is very good. I have to say that the price is a little higher than comparable units, but I chose it anyway. Not many good deals available either. The remote looks like a toy and I have found myself having to hit buttons repeatedly to get the functions to work. The remote is poor for a unit of this price, but I'm using a Marantz learning remote from my SR-18 so it doesn't matter.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba 2109

GREAT PICTURE, GREAT SOUND , NICE FEATURES (EASE OF OPERATION)

IMAGINE MY RELIEF AFTER READING THE FAVOURABLE REVIEWS ON THIS UNIT. I PURCHASED THE DENON BECAUSE, WELL BECAUSE IT WAS ON SALE FOR FOUR HUNDRED DOLARS AND MY WIFE WAS FINALLY IN THE MODE TO PURCHASE SOME FINE AUDIO GEAR. LIKE THEY SAY, "ONE MUST STRIKE WHEN THE IRON IS HOT."

IT WAS A BIT OF AN IMPULSE PURCHASE, HOWEVER I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THIS UNIT. DENON DOESN'T BUILD JUNK. I TEAMED THIS UNIT UP WITH A DENON AVR 2800 RECEIVER FOR A TRUELY WINNING COMBINATION.

THE DENON PLAYER PROVIDES WONDERFUL DETAIL ON CD'S AND DVDS BOTH LOOK AND SOUND AS THEY SHOULD - CRISP AND CLEAR.

WILL YOU PAY MORE MONEY FOR MORE FEATURES ON OTHER DVD PLAYERS? SURE.

CAN YOU PAY LESS MONEY FOR AN INFERIOR BRAND WITH INFERIOR QUALITY? NO DOUBT.

WOULD I SHELL OUT SEVEN HUNDRED BONES FOR THIS UNIT? PROBABLY NOT. IF YOU CAN PICK THIS UNIT UP ANYWHERE FOR UNDER $450.00, I WOULD NOT HESITATE.

GREAT SOUND , GREAT PICTURE, NICE FEATURES. WHAT ELSE ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

96 kHz/24 bit audio D/A converter, Component Video output, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS output, Dialogue Enhancer (option to boost the center channel output in DD 5.1 movies), good Virtual Surround Sound if playing back sound just through the TV, useful picture quality modes, high quality picture, very nice finish.

Not the most intuative remote layout, no built in DD 5.1 and DTS decoders (not a weakness if you have a receiver/processor with DD 5.1 and dts decoders built in - this is my case, otherwise I'd buy the DVD-3000)

I'm very pleased with the overall build quality, finish, picture quality and sound quality. I've only had one playback problem (The Matrix) but I exchanged the disc and I've had no problems with the 2nd copy.

I purchased mine factory refurbished for $329.00 + $13.00 shipping from UBid. I'd do it again.

I'm using it with a Denon AVR-3300 (nice match up for the DVD-2500), a Toshiba 36 inch TV, KEF Reference speakers all around, and an M&K MX-70B sub. In my fairly small room, it's a fine system. Movies and music sound great, and anything encoded in 5.1 or DTS sounds FANTASTIC!

Similar Products Used:

This is the 1st DVD player I have owned. I have used a Sony and a Toshiba at friends' houses.

Simple to use, features vs. price, sound

Build quality

I bought this unit based on glowing reviews in magazines as well as on the internet. The price was a bit steep for a player without built-in decoding but after a demo in the store, I bought it. I have a Sherwood Newcastle AVP9080 so I didn't need the DVD player to do any decoding anyway.

Picture is great, sound is fantastic and the player is very easy to use and live with. Unfortunately a problem appeared AFTER the 30 day return period: about an hour into any movie played, the video was unable to be read properly and the discs sometime stopped playing. After bringing it back and having the main pickup module replaced, I was the owner of a $700 refurbished unit. I am still not happy with this fact.

Fortunately for the unit, it has performed perfectly since being repaired and I am very happy with it. The sound from CDs is as good if not better than my Adcom GCD-700 and the pictures from DVDs are very crisp and clear with excellent color.

I have given it only 3 stars because of the hefty price and having to repair it soon after purchase. Othewise it is probably worth 4-5 stars....

Similar Products Used:

None

Excellent sound and video

Poorly layed out remote

Been using the Denon for about a month with no problems. Viewed about 25 DVD's and had no problem...Until the 26th (no product is perfect) Watched The Seige last night and the layer change was about 3 seconds (not alot but I have never seen on before. Looking at other boards I have come to the conclusion it was the DVD's problem not the player. Any feed back on layer changes would be appreciated. Email me.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba 2109 Sony 530D

Quality DVD AND CD playback

Remote

An excellent choice in the mid-price range. Does an excellent job in DVD and also performs admirably in CD playback. The remote is marginal, but gets the job done. Internal decoding should not be an issue if you're buying a DVD player of this quality -- no doubt you have this capability in your receiver or separate decoder. A great value.