Price Paid:  $600.00 from Technikdirekt

Summary:
After reading the reviews I was very reluctant to continue purchasing the Sony CX860 - however, I really didn't have much choice. With well over 200 DVD's in my collection, and growing by the week, it was becoming a headache switching and changing, especially when deciding that the movie isn't what I wanted to see. I searched the internet, prepared to pay $2-3000 for a large capacity machine. I didn't know the Sony player existed. I was shocked to find it so reasonably inexpensive. So I decided to buy it, even after reading the awful reviews. When it arrived I really didn't want to switch it on. I was convinced that it would go up in smoke, or such like. I tried it and it worked. One by one, I loaded DVD's. Five at first, then ten, right up to 210. It worked perfectly, no jamming or hiccups. Sound and picture are excellent. I can't fail the machine in any way. It's been running now for two weeks, solidly, (it's semi-commercial), and it has not had a single problem. Anyone thinking of buying one should take the chance. After all, it's not that expensive.

Strengths:
Fantastic value for money, solid construction, easy operation, expandable, great documentation, file and sort options for cataloging, browser feature, great remote (illuminated), plus loads more.

Weaknesses:
One minor glitch - as reported by others reviewing the machine - it loads the last disc you were watching when you switch it on. This can be stopped though, as soon as it loads, by pressing DVD Browser button on the remote. This halts the reading of the DVD, even during the FBI/Copyright warning and goes straight into Browser mode. Apart from this one minor design flaw, I cannot fault the machine.

Similar Products Used:
Panasonic Dvd / Phillips Dvd

Price Paid:  $449.00 from Best Buy (Open Box P

Summary:
I have looked at the reviews of this product and am utterly shocked. This is not a criticsm of anyone's reviews. But, I am a very happy owner of this product. So much so that I am selling it. I absolutely have to upgrade to the two 875s, but this is driven by my system's configuration and the added MP3 option of the newer unit. Now to speak toward the problems I have read. He who has a TSU2000 remote, is a master of this product. He who does not, is mad. I have experienced the endless spinning of the carousel, but not to a point where it pissed me off. It eventually subsided. I never hard power off the unit as my Pronto takes care of the power/standby for me. This review isn't about the remote, but if you don't have one, get one. www.pcmall.com (great price). Anyway, I'm up to 277 discs, all dvd, and could not be any happier with it's performance. Again speaking to which, there is a way around the fbi warning complaint, just go to the next disc and while it's loading make your accurate selection.

Strengths:
I originally intended the purchase this unit as a supplemental CD changer with the added bonus of dvd. It never panned out that way, by the number of my dvd collection. This unit TURNED us into DVD-philes, literally. Nothing, at the time, came close to this unit's smaller footprint, and my Kenwood 3280 200 disc CD changer made conventional audio cabinets impossible. Contrary to other reviews, ease of use is my opinion. Complement to my system is my other advantage. The unit's console unlike other dvd players is adequate and for those like me who can often misplace the remote, sometimes that just comes in handy. I guess the little things get overlooked, I love the background screen capture, I use it frequently.

Weaknesses:
The random relocation of DVDs to vacant slots. Sometimes spend much time searching. The DVD Explorer is in fact a comedy of errors. But I use an Excel spreadsheet to catalogue my movies, so I haven't seen the explorer screen in months.

Similar Products Used:
JVC X555 BK (so glad to be rid of that thing)

Price Paid:  $18900.00 from BEST BUY

Summary:
WHEN I FIRST WANTED TO BUY THIS MACHINE IT COST 499.00. I WAITED FOR THE PRICE TO DROP AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW I CATCH A CLOSEOUT FOR 189.00 AT BEST BUY. WHEN I GOT THE UNIT HOME I TRIED TO USE IT WITHOUT THE MANUAL (BIG MISTAKE). IT WAS INADVERTANTILY LEFT BEHIND AT THE STORE.I FIGURED WHAT THE HECK IF THIS THING IS A SONY WHO WOULD NEED TO USE THE MANUAL TO GET IT TO WORK? I TRIED AND I TRIED FOR TWO WHOLE HOURS OUT OF MY VERY BUSY SCHEDULE, THAT WAS JUST HOW PUMPED UP I WAS ABOUT THIS PRODUCT. EVERY PIECE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IN MY HOME IS A SONY. THEY ARE ALL PRETTY EASY TO USE AND SETUP EVEN WITHOUT THE MANUAL. THIS THING IS A DIFFERENT STORY. I WAS READY TO THROW IT OUT OF THE WINDOW THE MINUTE I TURNED IT ON. THE DVD BAD BOYS WOULD ONLY PLAY FOR THE FIRST COUPLE MINUTES, THEN IT WOULD STOP AND I WOULD GET THE MESSAGE C: 13:00 I ASSUMED THAT MEANT TO SET THE CLOCK, I GUESS UNTIL I PICK UP THE MANUAL I WILL NEVER KNOW. I READ ALOT OF REVIEWS AFTER GETTING FRUSTRATED AND I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF DISSATISFIED CONSUMERS THERE WERE ABOUT THIS PRODUCT. BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN LOYAL TO SONY PRODUCTS FOR SO MANY YEARS AND SONY PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN LOYAL TO ME THAT I WILL NOT THROW THE UNIT OUT THE WINDOW JUST YET. HOWEVER, I WILL TURN IT OFF AND STOP TRYING TO USE IT WITHOUT THE MANUAL AND GIVE IT A CHANCE UNTIL I FIND OUT OTHERWISE I WILL HOLD ON TO IT. HOWEVER, IF I SHOULD FIND THAT IT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY EVEN THOUGH I SAVED ABOUT 300.00 I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO RETURN IT BACK TO BEST BUY. IT WOULD THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER RETURNED A SONY PRODUCT AND CONSIDERED BUYING ANOTHER BRAND.

Price Paid:  $325.00 from BestBuys

Summary:
The last two review were right on track! As soon as I got 100 discs loaded and tried to scan them, the d***thing started trying to replace the discs into the wrong slot (where another disc was at)! That required removing and replacing the affected discs and then starting the scan process from disc #1 all over again. I could never get past about the 30th disc so it went back two days after purchase.

Strengths:
Held all my cd's and played real well. watched a DVD and that worked well.

Weaknesses:
Wouldn't pick up and replace discs properly no way to pick up scanning where problem occurred (start all over each time)

Price Paid:  $499.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
Used the DVP-CX860 for a few Months with 10 DVD/CD in the unit. Played one at a time. I loaded all 300 CDs and tried shuffle play...I was constantly fixing jammed CDs. Useless. I drove to Bristol, PA (service center) to "hand carry" the unit in and speak to a tech. They claim they have never had units back for jammed CDs. Quick service - the unit was shipped back to my door in one week. They (claim to have) replaced parts...I re-loaded 300 CDs and started to inititiate the "load" function. I''m at 105 and it jammed 8 times. This really stinks - I''m going to demand a replacement.

Strengths:
none

Weaknesses:
autoplay on slot 1 hardly a feature. Needs a "panic button" for jammed CDs