Price Paid:  $159.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I bought this used as an open box/ return at BestBuy. Boy, was *that* a mistake! Within four months, I developed severe pixelation problems, and back it went to the factory (under parts but not labor warranty)...so, it cost me $45 plus shipping to get it fixed...then Panasonic sent it back broken again, so I had to reship to Panasonic. What a pain! Since then (at least a year), it's been fine. In fact, except for having troubles reading moderately scratched disks, the player is flawless and delivers a great picture. In fact, when I A-to-B'ed the RP56 agains the new Denon 2910 with component out, the Panasonic was equally good.

Strengths:
Excellent component output without any annoying video artifacts.
2x scan with sound (a big benefit)
Cinema/dialogue one-button features

Weaknesses:
Clearly, this is a piece of junk in terms of reliability and build quality.
No screen saver.

Similar Products Used:
Denon 2910

Price Paid:  $145.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
Well am posting my first ever review as I come here to shops, bought based on good eary reviews here, well like many others at month 15-16 now and its fried, goes black screen randomly. I must be spoiled, all my other equipment is much older and fine, expected more, so off to research. Have bought 3 other panasonics for friends (diffrent models) hope they last longer! While it worked only annoiance was the delay on switching platters.

Strengths:
When working was fine, ok pic, cheap.

Weaknesses:
Dies at 15 months, DO NOT buy a used one, think alot of peeps dumping em on EBay and such, mine might test fine but after 20 min screen goes black.

Similar Products Used:
Panasonic um 30 something DVD, non progressive scan working fine as Christmas present to parents (Yes I gave my used one to em, I'm cheap)

Price Paid:  $199.00 from frys

Summary:
Sounds like I am luckier than most. Bought this unit almost two years ago with a pana 47 HD rear projection tv. Up until today, I have been raving about the picture quality. I do think it is the best picture I have seen from a dvd player under 400. But today, got the dreaded ho2 error message. Any of you that have been able to fix this on your own, please email glenngarbage@sbcglobal.net Thanks

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I've had my player for about 3 years now and have not experienced any trouble. Picture quality seems good and the features of the player seem to be comprehensive and well thought out.

Strengths:
Good value at the time of purchase. Lots of features and formats supported.

Weaknesses:
Chintzy remote control. Short pause when the player moves from one layer to another on multi-layer disks (not a big deal). Audible vibration when accessing certain parts of the DVD (usually menu items, etc.; not that big of a deal and does not affect picture or sound output).

Similar Products Used:
None.

Price Paid:  $229.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
I'm also a little confused about the mixed reviews. Since I recently bought a Mitsubishi 46" widescreen HDTV I figured I owed it to myself to at least upgrade to a progressive scan player. After seeing a shootout of several palyers in a high end video magazine I decided on this player.

This replaced a Toshiba player that did not have progressive scan. The Toshiba (not sure of what model, but I bought it when DVD players came down to the $500 level) had an exceptional picture quality.

I don't think the picture is as sharp with the Panasonic, that is my only complaint. It meets or exceeds my expectations in every other area, in fact I am now using it as a stand alone transport for CD use teamed with a CI Audio DAC and upgraded powesupply it is giving me good enough sound quality to allow me to sell my $3,000 Cary CD 303/100 player that I was also using as a transport.

Strengths:
Features, overall picture quality, sound reproduction when used with high quality external DAC

Weaknesses:
Picture is not as sharp as other players

Similar Products Used:
Toshiba