Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This review is for the new DVPNS715P, available in the US as of 7/02. I bought it (like an IDIOT), to replace the defective DVP360-the worst reviewed product I have ever seen on this site. The 360 lasted until it was just out of its' short warranty period, and then failed. Sony wants close to the cost of a new unit to repair it, so I, like nearly 500 other Sony customers who posted reviews, were left with the bitter reality that we might as well have set our cash on fire! After I contacted Sony via planetfeedback.com, they informed me that they did not consider the failure rate of this product as "signficant", and that other manufacterers had also recieved poor reviews (as if that somehow excuses their refusal to admit the obviously defective design of the unit). He offered to double the warranty if I paid for a brand new Sony player. Some deal, huh? Pay for two and get one that might work with a longer warranty.I told the guy that I had allready foolishly purchased a new 715, which had failed after playing approximately 6 movies over a couple of weeks. You see, I had told myself that Sony surely had worked the bugs out, and that it was probable that I would get good service out of a unit with such good specs-WRONG! It ran very hot, just like its' predecessor (I'm no tech, but this problem was sited by some techs who reviewed the 360). I have finally wised up, and am replacing the sorry Sonys with a new Toshiba 4800 (preceded by the well reputed 4700). I am also considering the purchase of a new widescreen HDTV in the $2-3000. range, which like anything else I will ever buy will not be a Sony. If you are considering a Sony purchase, you may consider just setting your money on fire to save yourself some aggravation. Companies like Sony should realize that with consumers ability to share product info on venues such as this comes the end of the policy of burying their heads in the sand, denying that a problem exists and quietly sweeping it under the rug. Until they get it, they had better get used to losing customers to their competition.

Strengths:
Failed within retailers "defective return" period.

Weaknesses:
It's a Sony!

Similar Products Used:
Sony DVPS360, JVC XV60

Price Paid:  $300.00 from local depatmental store

Summary:
Main reason I purchased unit was that it looked like it would last,not fall apart like so many others and that it was a Sony product.So far I have been right as I have had it for over a year now and no bugs.Sure its a early dvd
unit but so far it has proved to have been a good buy.

Strengths:
Build quality solid not plastic front good remote twin laser
pick up very good audio deep bass picture good no bugs.

Weaknesses:
lack of any tuning of picture no D.T.S. output bare bones dvd but build quality makes up for much of above.

Similar Products Used:
none

Summary:
i bought this player for half the price, so it's a steal for me !
the build of this machine is enormous, it has all the outputs you can dream of, and it looks beautifull.
i use it with a sony da50es, which uses all of it's qualities and brings out the best in this baby.
very good, but it loses a star for the missing decoder.

Strengths:
built solid as a rock, never let's you down

Weaknesses:
no internal decoder,only region 2, that's all though

Similar Products Used:
none

Summary:
I've used and tried more then just these two players but in my eyes these products were able to make some comparison to the sony.
The sony will not disapoint you but if you look around and take your time to buy one,i say WAIT!
i just said it's a good product just like the new 725 but it's price is to high for the quality you get,if i take a look to the panasonic,okay its newer,i get more for the money :same picture quality even a better sound quality and compatible to dvd-audio whith its new 24bit dac.
this one get 5 STARS for value and overall.

Similar Products Used:
panasonic A160
philips dvd710

Summary:
Picked up a DVP-715S for $NZ650 two weeks ago with 1 year warrenty . DVP-S725D replaces it with additional features like onboard AC3 decoder and DTS out etc.. at $NZ1400 down here. 715S cost as much as my Marantz CD67 but the audio in 715S is very good almost as good as my CD67.( I was playing Tina Turners Wildest Dream Amsterdam 1997 concert DVD ). Very quick and quite transport, with fast access to chapters and scenes on DVD with jog . Very solid built and good crisp pictures expecially via s-video. I finally got into DVD arena and starting to collect a few of them. I use a pair of Polk RT7 Bookshelf for front main, a velodyne SUB with JBL center/rear speakers .
If you are looking for a solid DVD to start on the DVD scene with very good CD, get this one.715S however only plays region 4 downhere but from NOV 99 I hear most lables are trying release at the same time on all regions . Yet to be seen? You can get mods done to play all regions but who knows how many regions will there be after 2000?

I compared it with Toshiba 2108 ($NZ1400), Panasonic A160 ($NZ1100)and Philips 860 $NZ999.00)and Denon 3000 ( $NZ1800 )
My Summary

Top Picture
------------
Toshiba 2108
Sony DP 715S
Denon 3000
Philips 860
Panasonic A160

Top audio
-----------
Sony DVP 715S
Philips 860
Denon 3000
Panasonic A160
Toshiba 2180

SONY DVP715S gets 5 stars overall