Price Paid:  $1150.00 from Sony Store

Summary:
I bought this unit when sony first issued it, I have now owned it for over four years, and while it has a mind numbing array of features, I have still felt let down. In its newer price range its not a bad deal... but at the price I spent, I can't be happy.

Strengths:
Carousel, DTS capability, Huge list of tweaks and features.

Weaknesses:
Can barely play scratched or smudged DVD's, Hangs on every other DVD as a future scene loads, Motor for rotating DVD burnt out after only four years of use, remote should be backlit for price I paid.

Price Paid:  $0.00 from $225

Summary:
The unit is very good. Good design and look. The 5 disc changer works like a charm. I have read many complaints about not being able to play CDR/Ws. I have never tried CDRW. Howeve, I have had success with CDRs...strangely enough, this unit does not work with the most brand name CDRs. I have tried Imation, Memorex and even the Sony brand CDR with no success. Only CDR that I have had success was the generic brand with no label on it...Silver top with blue bottom. (I got them from Fry's electronics - bundle of 50 w/o jewel cases) I realize that this unit is a DVD player and not a VHS or CD player, but it would be nice to have the ability to use all range of CDR/Ws.

Strengths:
Plays DVD, CD and VCD.
Nice look and the many many options.
Saving a freeze frame for your background is a plus!!

Weaknesses:
No SVCD or MP3 Playback :(
I got a great price on eBay, but the retail cost is NOT cheap...not too expensive either for a 5 disc changer with all the options.

Similar Products Used:
I have used APEX players that cost lot less, with lot less feature (of course) with more playback options.

Price Paid:  $125.00 from Ebay

Summary:
I must start by saying that Sony's approach to quality isnt what it used to be and to my surprise I this unit has been able to live up to the Sony reputation. My old 530d had given up on me so I purchased this unit for rather cheap price($125.00) on ebay to hold me off until I had saved enough to buy one with SACD capabilities. So far I have been impressed by this units picture clarity and sound reproduction when playing a DVD. Unfortunatly the CD quality isnt as great. The video has never given me a lip-sync or even froze, however once it did have a small pause at the end of the scene as it went into the other. This unit is also packed with options which is always a good thing. Sony has always made very good remotes but in this case the large jog wheel can be confussing when trying to fast forward or use the slow motion. Final analysis, there are more positives than negatives which is why it gets four stars.

My Home Theater:
36" Sony Wega
Sony STR-DE675 / Dolby Digital Receiver
Sony DVP-650D / DVD
Sony SLV-779HF / VCR
Sony CDP-CE415 / CD player
Sony Playstation 2
JBL L3 / Main- Front
JBL SC-305 / Center
JBL DPS-10 / Powered Sub-woofer
Yamaha NS-1W/ Rear
Monster Surge and wiring

Strengths:
High quality picture
Durability
Great sound when using 5.1 Dolby / DTS

Weaknesses:
Remote
No CD-RW playback
No MP3 playback

Similar Products Used:
Sony DVP-530D
Sony DVP-S360

Price Paid:  $450.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I've just not had the problems that have been mentioned here
at this site. I feel this is a very good DVD/CD player/changer. The CD quality cannot compare to a stand-alone CD player, but it plays well enough with my Marantz SR8000 receiver. In addition, the DTS sound on this Sony is exceptional I have found. The unit does tend to heat up somewhat, but it has rarely skipped and never had a lip-sync issue (knock on wood!!!). I've had this Sony DVD changer for about two years now and never had a problem and feel its overall a very good model.

Strengths:
Very good DVD picture and sound, features.

Weaknesses:
Cannot play CD-R, a bit pricey.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer C503

Price Paid:  $375.00 from Sony Store

Summary:
The thing someone mentioned about jamming, then switching to another scene... well, it did it once (and has never jammed or skipped on any other disc). It did it on a filthy rental movie (no, not XXX, just full of scratches and fingerprints). I assumed it was the disc, not the player. I have bought many Sony players because the stabilizer method they use works. Other players have skipped and jammed far worse.

Mine was not made in Japan; it was made in Malaysia.

The SACD (one free with the unit) through 6 ANALOG PORTS!!! Please... could they not send the decoded signal through the coax port? I will not route 6 RCAs (very pricey in high quality) to get a sound that is very much like a regular CD with Pro Logic II (and SACD disks cost more). I am very happy with DVD audio discs (not DVD-A, just DVD stuff like Hell Freezes Over), digitally recorded and DTS (I'm a DTS junkie; DTS rain is WET).

I will definitely return it, either for the Sony 600, which I like very much, or the Harman-Kardon D 50 (despite all the mixed reviews; if it acts up, it'll go back in the 30-day return period. Period.

Value becuase I got a $160. CAD discount. Otherwise, too expensive for analog SACD output. Sony needs to rethink this idea!

Very good product rating because it is a good product. It's just not the right one for me.

Strengths:
Plays all discs (only one has ever skipped). Pretty lights. Exchange... best of all. Instant Replay (backs up 10 seconds instantly).

Weaknesses:
Those damn 6 cables for SACD output.

Similar Products Used:
Sony DVP-NC600B, Panasonic RV21 (garbage)