basscapes

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $145.00 from The Brick (Canada)

Summary:
First of all, this review will state NOTHING about the picture quality of this player. I don't use it for video, but for audio only in a two channel high end audio system. I actually bought this unit based on two things- 1. The fact that It plays DVD-Audio discs in either two channel or multi channel. 2. The price! I used The Brick's pricing policy to beat out a local Vancouver's A/V store and as a result, have a great player at the price I'd pay for it. The primary application of this player is to play DVD-Audio and standard CD in my two channel audio-only system. Extras that make this player a great buy are the remaster feature and HDCD (which allows a CD to hold larger than 16 bit data and still be playable on a standard player). HDCD is becoming rarer on most players since Microsoft bought out Pacific Microsonics a few years back.

Strengths:
HDCD, DVD-A and remaster capability.

Weaknesses:
Long loadup time. Unit will not advance to the next disc without manually being changed (not sure if this is a setup issue or not- too lazy to dig out the manual and check!). Sound can be a little grainy at the extreme top end of the dynamic swing in most music.

Similar Products Used:
Denon DCM-370 HDCD/CD changer (see review here as well). Toshiba 3560(?) older DVD player

JME476

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $80.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
Well, I didn't really see the need to get another DVD player at first. I have a Sony which was fine for me. However, when I ran across this one at almost 40% off (gotta love those Open Box Buys), I had to snatch this one up. The fact that it had the decoder built in, that it could play mp3 CD's, and that it was Panasonic were the other reasons why. I was not let down. It is a little hard to use at first, going through menu after menu is a little tiring, but it was well worth money. It plays discs that my Sony can't or skips on. The loading time is annoyingly long however and the remote is not universal. I did not like how it only had one set of AV output jacks either (Sony had two). However, the picture is clearer than my Sony (which I didn't think was possible) and it can double as a CD changer. The Double-Remaster feature actually makes a difference when listening to mp3's and it sounds great. I also like the fact that it has a sleep timer on it. Really great buy and it was highly rated by Consumer Reports. Another great product by Panasonic.

Strengths:
Built In Dolby Digital and DTS converters, plays a WIDE variety of formats (DVD, DVD-Audio, DVD-R, and most importantly DVD-RAM), relatively easy to set up, and a good price

Weaknesses:
Non-universal remote, only one set of AV outputs, the load time, and some complicated setup menus and play modes. Oh yeah, and the manual leaves a lot to be desired. (Panasonic used to put out good Operating Instructions, what happened?)

Similar Products Used:
Sony DVD single disc Player Panasonic DMRE55S

Price Paid:  $129.00 from Fry's

Summary:
This DVD multi-disc player is great. The picture quality has been great. It is easy to use.

Strengths:
Thin design, simple buttons, ability to play MP's

Weaknesses:
Random play mode must be selected BEFORE you hit play in order to engage this feature.

Price Paid:  $149.00 from Fry's

Summary:
I have been using an older Panasonic DVD changer that was great, except it did not have the capability to play MP3's. My requirements for a new changer were: 5 disc changer, progessive scan, play MP3's, under $175. The F85 plays EVERY format available, has progressive scan and is $149 retail. For all the features check http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?storeId=11251&catalogId=11005&itemId=63378&catGroupId=11059&modelNo=DVD-F85S&surfModel=DVD-F85S&surfCategory=DVD Home Players

Strengths:
Great picture and audio quality, looks nice in the equipment rack (less than 2.5 inches tall!). Menu after menu full of options for audio, picture, display etc. If you like to tweak everything, this is the one for you

Weaknesses:
Haven't found any yet.

Price Paid:  $149.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
I don't like this unit at all. I intend to return it ASAP. Even though I am using the Component Video conections, the picture quality is fair at best.

Strengths:
Tons of features!

Weaknesses:
Picture quality is really bad. I am very displeased with this product.