Price Paid:  $80.00 from Blockbuster Video

Summary:
I bought this DVD player because I happened to be an employee of Blockbuster at the time and it was cheap to begin with AND I got a discount. From the get go, this thing would only seem to play the discs that IT deemed worthy to play. I bought a 2 disc set recently of The Tick live action and the first disc plays fine, but then it refuses to acknowledge that the second one exists. I have better luck getting home made VCDs to play than I do with high quality DVDs. Hopefully I'll be able to replace this POS soon. Do NOT buy this DVD player. It is a waste of money unless you like expensive paper weights.

Strengths:
Easily usable as a blunt object in the event of a break in, perfect white elephant gift, doesn't urinate on the floor.

Weaknesses:
For starters, you'd think the company that pioneered the DVD format would make a player that could read it, wouldn't you? Philips/Magnavox: You are the weakest link.

Similar Products Used:
I wouldn't compare anything else I own or have used to this horrible blight on technology except for maybe the XBox

Price Paid:  $225.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I have had this DVD player for almost 3 years and have loved it. Only once did I have a problem with it not reading DVDs, but I got a lens cleaner, and have not had any problems since as long as I clean it regularly. This is the only suggestion I have to those who have had skipping or reading problems.

Clarity of picture is great, and sound is extremely clear since this system has an optical out for digital sound.

Strengths:
Great picture
Great sound
Durable
On-screen controls very helpful
Remote does everything

Weaknesses:
Needs to be cleaned often

Similar Products Used:
KLH center and surround speakers (free from Best Buy)
KLH BBII Powered Subwoofer
AIWA AV-D58 Receiver

Price Paid:  $299.00 from sears

Summary:
worked fine at first, but then started with the skips, and jumping from track to track.thought at first it was from rental dvd's but purchased ones are also getting skips.

Strengths:
good pic quality on toshiba monitor, and sound output is great.

Weaknesses:
noisy, it sometimes seems like it's confused and cant decide what to do. very small and hard to use controller.the units booklet says it has updatable features, but i've yet to find any.

Similar Products Used:
have an inexpensive memorex unit that is by far superior.

Price Paid:  $200.00 from currys

Summary:
Philips the experts on making shoddy products that die 2 weeks out of warranty.

Strengths:
none found yet

Weaknesses:
Warranty and service departments that are expert on fobbing you off till the warranty expires.

Similar Products Used:
Nothing made by Philips that is for sure.

Price Paid:  $200.00 from The Wiz

Summary:
I am so conflicted about this DVD player. It has functioned perfectly for the last year or two. Every feature has worked fine. The sound is superb. The picture is clear, crisp, and perfect. It even plays VCDs quite well-- it still does.

The problem is that it has suddenly decided to stop playing certain DVDs. It seems to only play about half of them now. The last 3 DVDs fron Netflix have been spat out like bad seeds. It churns and churns for a few seconds, then out they come-- not even an error message.

I guess I am conflicted because it worked so well at first. It went from being very high quality to simply unreliable. Sigh

Strengths:
great picture. great sound. plays many formats. yes, I even got used to the small remote.

Weaknesses:
It's like a time bomb. From the other reviews, it's obvious that it can stop functioning suddenly anytime between six months to two years after purchase...

Similar Products Used:
PC DVD players