-Smooth operation

-Poor remote design
-Unit face poorly designed

I have been clammering for this unit for months, and perhaps I have gotten my expectations too high. I like the unit, but I am not impressed. Frankly I could easily have seen myself buying the Sony 200 DVD Changer instead (but I haven't looked at that very close yet either).

The things that struck me were simple:
1. The remote is so cheap that I thought I had been given a third-party universal remote, instead of an Onkyo brand remote. The Jog wheel scrapes when I turn it. Simple things are made complicated:
2. To see a list of the available movies you press "Sub Setup". Who could have thought that THAT is intuitive?
3. To directly access a disc that is sitting in any numbered slot you would expect to press a number, using the numeric keypad. NOPE! On the remote, first you press "Search" then when you have right "Search Mode", you can key a disk number. However, on the player's Front Panel you cannot even do THAT. If anyone knows a way to key a disk number directly on the front panel - I'd love to know.
4. The Front Panel has no control for navigating the DVD main Menus (i.e. Joystick). All you get is "Play", and "Stop". I've looked through the manual a couple of times, but I could have missed it.
5. Oh and lastly, the Onkyo support number(800.229.1687) claims to be open M-F 9-5 EST, and S-Su 1-4 EST. They never seem to answer the phone on weekends, and their telephone announcement lists hours that differ from those printed on the card in the box.


The most unimpressive item with this unit is the special notice that came in the box on a slip of paper saying: "For Onkyo Reciever Users: The DVD button on the remote controller supplied with your Onkyo reciever WILL NOT work with this changer...."

...What?!?! So...Onkyo clearly did this intentionally. Why?

Fine, I was already planning on buying a universal/programmable remote (Home Theater Master MX-1000), but this defect is really startling.

I'll keep the unit, but I'm hoping that Onkyo or Integra builds a better one in a couple of years.

Neal

Similar Products Used:

This is the only product I have looked at in depth. I bought it for its compatibility with my other Onkyo products.

Just thought I would post to let everyone who is interested in purchasing this unit, that it is basically a rebadged Pioneer DV-F727/Pioneer Elite DV-F07.

I am looking at purchasing this unit and was very surprised when I first read this in a professional review. I then checked the pics for these 3 machines, and guess what - triplets. There are a few cosmetic changes but otherwise they are identical, button for button.

Just thought some of you might like to know, as you might be able to save a few bucks on the pioneers over the Onkyo.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer DV-F727, Pioneer Elite DV-F07

Warm, rich, detailed sound on CD's, great picture on DVD's, super overall feature mix, many customizing options, tremendous value.

The software that sets up custom files is quirky, and the manual doesn't lay things out as clearly as it should. If you turn the player completely off after setting up a custom file, for example, the file disappears. You've got to put the player on standby first to save the data. I've also had some problems with data entry via keyboard, and the cursor control on the remote just stinks--either that or I have a defective remote.

I'd begin by saying that this player can currently be had for about $500 plus shipping at UBid (not one of my favorite places to shop, but a deal is a deal). For the money, as noted in an earlier review, you get a CD/DVD player that lists for $1000+ in either its Onkyo manifestation or its Pioneer incarnations. You get a player that has dual laser pickups, one for CD and one for DVD. Among other things, that means that this unit will play CD/R's, whereas most DVD players won't. I can't emphasize too much how good the sound is on CD's, and DVD's couldn't be any better either. The slight "slip" in DVD's when they change layers is noticeable with this unit, but it's not as pronounced as it was with my high-end Toshiba player. Customization options are excellent, though the player has no zoom feature for DVD's and no specific black-level control. I never used them on my previous player, so I don't miss them, but some people might. I've not had any problems with the player losing the information on the 250+ CD's that are stored in the unit, but as mentioned above, the software for custom catalogues is quirky, and I don't like the cursor control of the remote at all. Nevertheless, the superb sound quality and the equally superb video output make the Onkyo a tremendous value even without the juke box. Add in general Onkyo quality to the unit as a whole, and it's hard to beat the machine. If it had progressive scan for DVD's, it would be perfect. As it is, it's still by far the best deal on the market right now.

Similar Products Used:

None

Clear picture, very good sound, plays cdrs, can input titles using keyboard

none

This is a very good DVD/CD changer. The picture is very clear and the sound is outstanding. When using the cd text and you move a disc to another location just push update button and it will make any changes. Plays cdrs while a lot of DVD players do not. Would recommend it to anyone especially now that you can find it even cheaper than what I paid. I am using it with the following:

Onkyo TX-DS 777
Wharfedale MFM7
Wharfedale MFM5
Wharfedale Modus Music Center
Dx-RD511 CD player/Recorder
JBL PSW-D112 Subwoofer
RCAF32715 Home Theater Premiere TV

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo DV-C600

Clear picture, very good sound, plays cdrs, can input titles using keyboard

none

This is a very good DVD/CD changer. The picture is very clear and the sound is outstanding. When using the cd text and you move a disc to another location just push update button and it will make any changes. Plays cdrs while a lot of DVD players do not. Would recommend it to anyone especially now that you can find it even cheaper than what I paid. I am using it with the following:

Onkyo TX-DS 777
Wharfedale MFM7
Wharfedale MFM5
Wharfedale Modus Music Center
Dx-RD511 CD player/Recorder
JBL PSW-D112 Subwoofer
RCAF32715 Home Theater Premeir TV

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo DV-C600