Price Paid:  $180.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
As a first-time DVD player owner of this Panasonic Model DVD-RP62, I had been very satisfied until it quit working. The picture quality seemed excellent, controls were a bit complicated, but manageable, and an aspect-ratio optional zoom feature allowed full-screen TV format. My disappointment came when 1 month before the 12-month warranty expired, the spindle mechanism went out. The non-warranted labor on the repair would cost $85. Perhaps this problem was a fluke, but it made me question the mechanical integrity of this product.

Strengths:
Good picture quality Zoom feature

Weaknesses:
Questionable mechanical integrity - my unit failed in 11 months of moderate use.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $179.00 from HH Gregg

Summary:
This is actually a 2002 model(mfg'd MAY 2002). Bought this to replace my (old) Toshiba SD4709X, which was a software compatibility nightmare from day 1. PANASONIC has hit the mark with this low cost progressive scan model. As for the progressive scan mode, I was already running color stream video from my 4109x to my Toshiba HD TV so the difference wasn't that apparent but it did exist (noticible tone/color improvement). A larger difference can be noticed if swithing from S-video to progressive. An added plus is the menu system (nice) and the MP3 support. I have not seen a player of this cost that handles MP3 as well. The player is MS Windows compatible (for file structure and naming). What does this mean to you? Well if your like me and have PC disks w/ over 200 MP3's, you retain the directory structure and FULL file name (up to and over 100 characters long. I have not yet seen a player that displays full MP3 filenames (for under $600). I've read many reviews on systems where users had playability problems with MP3's downloaded from the WEB. All of mine (1000++) are 128K to CD quality web downloads, and I have not found one that will not play. I was about to buy the RP56 at Best Buy ($219) when I stumbled across this player. This is the RP56 w/ many better features and a cleaner look. This is a the new 2002 model which to date does not appear on Panasonics web site(still promote the 56). Add to the list that this player is $40 cheaper and you can't go wrong. I own about 35 DVD's (half of which exhibited software issues on my Toshiba). Tested all, and all passed. Suprisingly, the quality of CD-Audio appears to reproduce with more range than from my SONY CD CHANGER. Player also supports VCD, CD-R/RW, and DVD-R(only guaranteed if recorded on PANASONIC DVD writer). For those who may require it the player also has a built in DOLBY DIGITAL decoder. Despite what preliminary WEB adds say, THERE IS NO DTS decoder. As my receiver does all decoding, I have not tested this feature or outputs other than Component Video and Optical digital.

Strengths:
Excellent Picture and Sound, WINDOWS compatible (long filenames/directory retention)for MP3 burned discs. BEST MP3 support I've seen yet. Step up from the highly rated RP56 for LESS $$$$

Weaknesses:
The REMOTE is crap!!! Panasonic (or Technics) have yet to design an ergonomically friendly remote. Layout is bad and many critical buttons are too small and too close to one another.

Similar Products Used:
Toshiba SD-4109X (1999 model- CRAP)