Price Paid:  $200.00 from Yawa Audio Online

Summary:
This was my 1st DVD player. I was looking for a player that could play multiple formats, DVD/CD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3 and at that time, this was one of the few that offered the feature with reasonable price. The unit did a fine job playing wide variety of discs though it did have some minor problems w/ certain movies -- freezing up, skipping scenes -- but that was only a small percentage and we were fine with that. Until yesterday, it decided to die w/ the ho2 code. I did a quick search on the ho2 code and it turned out that several other panasonic models died w/ the same code. The Panasonic website did not offer any explanation for the code. Most people encountered this code ended up tossing the DVD player since it was not very economical to fix it. Now I have another electronic doorstop for my house. Though I liked how it performed, I had to give this one a low rating due to its reliability.

Strengths:
- Supported wide variety of music format - Played most DVDs fine

Weaknesses:
- Reliability - ho2 code

Price Paid:  $200.00 from dealer

Summary:
My first DVD player, I have waited for sometime before acquiring a player in anticipation of some bugs of the first batch of commercial models out in the market. I incountered several brands that have different hardware and software problems that need to be rectified in their next modified models as additional feature,so you will be force to upgrade, coz your currnet unit doesn't have this fuction (GOOD BUSINESS). Mine is about 3rd or 4th generation of their models.The previous models are not multi-zone,DVD-R,VCD, CD-R/W, WMA and MP-3 format capable and some have chroma problems. This model atleast have fomatted to read all those types of DVD/CD/Media formats and has OSD of MP3 tracks. More advance features in audio/video reproductions, great sound and picture. You can access menu while the movie is playing and comes back to the last frame. It displays the CD format, tracks, chapter in movie and time.I have it connected to my Denon AVR2802 via dig.-optical for DD/DTS decoding and it works flawlessly with every disc I throw at it. Associated Equipments: Denon Avr2802 (A/V-Pre/pro/Amp) - 90W X 6 B&K AVP3000 (Music Preamp) B&K ST-1400 (Power Amp) - 125w X 2 R&D VP300X (Power Amp) - 100w X 2 (bridgable) Technics ---- (Tuner) Panasonic RV32S (DVD/CD/MP3 player) Pioneer CTW503R (TapeDeck) refurbished JVC Hifi VCR JVC Interiart TV Paradigm Reference Studio 60 v.2 (Front) Bose 301 - II (Surround) - cone edge replaced JVC "mini sp" (Surround Back-Atom 1st choice) Optimus (Center-soon 2b replaced w/ cc-170) Monster Cable & Homegrown interconnects Cat-5e Homegrown Bi-wire speaker cables Accoustic Research & Proel SP Connectors Tripplite Power Adapter/Line Conditioner Stavol Power Stabilizer

Strengths:
More features for the price,MP3 list OSD, music quality,multi-zone and all format.removable power cord (I replace with heavy gauge wire which opened up sound), highly recommended for value conscoius user.

Weaknesses:
emote is a little awkward,i always hold it upsidedown, not ergonomically designed.lightweight, chassis/cover is made of thin sheet of metal. Disc reading time is very slow compared to other producst of same category.Despite all features/enhancement built-in, why no "DIGITAL-COAXIAL" output? Only one set of audio/video out. Made in China.

Similar Products Used:
My first DVD player but considering other products for future upgrade with Dig. Coaxial output for better punch in music reproduction.