Price Paid:  $140.00 from eBay (Harman Direct)

Summary:
Wow! I was just looking for a suitable replacement for my aging Sony 560D (great product). Perhaps something that supports MP3s, recorded CDs and DVDs. I looked at the high-end Pioneer 47i and Sony SVP-999ES at length and even borrowed them from the store to test at home. This HK player blew me away with its looks, the quality of the images and the simplicity it offers the user. Setup Harman Kardon AVR7200 receiver Sony 34XBR800 TV B&W 602s, LCR 60 and ASW 600 surround InFocus Screenplay LS110 projector

Strengths:
Clean image, excellent progresive output, easy user interface, multitude of formats supported.

Weaknesses:
chasis a bit light (added Dynamat sheets to the inside to dampen vibrations and make it heavier).

Similar Products Used:
Sony SVP999ES, Pioneer 47i, Sony 560D, Sony SVP900

Price Paid:  $290.00 from Cobra Son Paris

Summary:
Just bought this player last september after having gone through all possible reviews (including this website), reports in magazines, ...and strong headaches when taking the final decision (I hesitated between SONY DVP-NS930 and this player) . My goal was to find a good dvd player with nice acoustic performances when playing cd's through its analogic outputs ... and of course without having to spend thousands of euros on it, as I had to buy a dvd player and to replace my old cd player at once . I have now a strong feeling I found this rare pearl with this HK DVD25 . Picture is really nice ... of course I am an absolute beginner with dvd's . This player is easy to configure and to use . Moreover it is silent and the fact its panel lights turn off automatically after some secunds if you don't use the remote control is really a great idea . Design is great in black, just underlined by the silver tray (I saw recently the same HK player in silver, it seems to me so poshy, almost kitsch) . All plugs seem good enough . Moreover, for a player produced in China, it looks real quality and hopefully should prove to be reliable . Then sound is fantastic for the music lover I am . No matter if it is classical music, jazz, ethno or whatever you listen on this player, sound is great, with a high-medium well present, rich with details . So, for me, one of the best possible and reasonable (in terms of pricing) combinations dvd/cd player . Congratulations to Harman Kardon for this great achievement . And as you can see, we, French, are able to do not boycott American products ... if they are good !!

Strengths:
Picture really nice Player easy to configure, to use . Silent. Nice and elegant design. Looks real quality . Analogic sound is fantastic.

Weaknesses:
Just to mention that bass could be a little bit more consistant and spatialization a bit better defined . Otherwise, no significant weaknesses .

Similar Products Used:
None .

Price Paid:  $195.00 from eBay

Summary:
Best all around player. This thing plays EVERYTHING (except DVD-audio). I am so impressed. SETUP H/K DVD-25 DENON 1801 Reciever PSB Alpha Front Wharfedale Surr, Sub, Center Toshiba 36" flat tube Even with just S-Video, the player is night and day better than my 3-yr old samsung piece of crap.

Strengths:
Multiple Formats Video Options On-screen CD/MP3 Picture Quality

Weaknesses:
It's too good for my $1000 TV.

Similar Products Used:
None. It in a catagory of its own.

Price Paid:  $225.00 from etronics.com

Summary:
Great picture and sound for the money. I was looking for a replacement for my aging Sony DVP-S550 with support for MP3, DVD+R and DVD+RW. I was convinced that I had found it, that is until I loaded up my Tomorrow Never Dies SE DVD. Nothing like a giant camera icon poping up on my TV screen each and every time another angle is available on the disc. All of the newest Bond films including Die Another Day and my U2 Elevation Tour muti-angle concert are two examples that show this poor design decision. I wish HK would release a firmware upgrade to kill the angle icon. Looks like the Sony will still be used on multi-angle discs.

Strengths:
Picture and Sound Quality

Weaknesses:
GIANT multi-angle icon pops-up on my TV screen.

Price Paid:  $249.00 from Vanns.com

Summary:
I would consider myself pretty picky when it comes to PQ. This is mainly a forced pickiness due to my upgrade to a 42” plasma. A bad player will look really good on a regular set, but on a large plasma looks horrible. I am proud to say the Harman Kardon delivers about a perfect “10” as I have seen so far, at a great price. I will also attest to the other reviewers here. I emailed all of them and they ALL still stand by their player! The audio is excellent, AND it excels in the video department. I have tried many players including the mid range Denon 1600 (with the “famous” Faroudja DCDi) and with NONE had I been truly happy with what I saw. The H&K has a very REAL look to the image – movies are clear, sharp, with no harsh edges or “processed looks” Like looking through a window!! Colors are vivid yet real, blacks deep yet detailed. As a bonus, the player looks amazing – not cheap like MOST players in the same or less price range. Having the display go COMPLETELY dark after 20 seconds of play AUTOMATICALLY is awesome. No lighted display to distract me! I am simply and finally in love with a DVD player! Why this player does not get more airtime in the US is beyond me. A hidden GEM! PLEASE email me if you have any questions!

Strengths:
Everything. GREAT looks, killer build quality. Awesome picture. Amazing sound, AWESOME to set the display to turn off automatically - really enhances the "movie expereince!" Remote is very nice compared to most if you plan on using it. Excellent GUI for setup Exudes quality wether the unit is on or off

Weaknesses:
Absolutely none that I can think of!

Similar Products Used:
Toshibas (SD3750 and various other earlier models) Denon 1600 JVC 600 Panasonic