More solidly built than others in this price range. Very nice faceplate.

Does NOT play CD-R's, unnecessarily loud when starting to spin discs (sure others do also, but you except a bit more from Onkyo). Remote very poorly layed out, but works.

Also picked this up at bestpriceaudiovideo for $349 (thanks Brett), which brings it into the price range of other lower priced players and boosts the below rating a bit. Good picture quality. Would get higher rating if it was as silent as cheap CD players and if it played CD-R's (which every DVD player should by now). Audiophile quaility audio is a claim that only works for me if my CDs can be played and unfortunately half mine are CD-R's... so another component is still necessary. If you can get it for $350ish do. Otherwise if you end up in the $450ish range, would recommend the Panasonic 120A instead.

Similar Products Used:

Panansonic 120A

I posted a review below already, but i would like to add that this player also reads CD-R disks quite well. originally i had heard that this unit wont play CD-R, but it does!

the right outputs for the right quality

none really

I love this player. I'm running a component video cable to my 32" Toshiba screen and it looks fantastic. Some digital artifacts when watching intense computer animations, but that's because the bit rate is really higher than 10.0. Have only noticed the layer change in Full Metal Jacket; everything else works fine. For the price, you can't beat Onkyo quality. I got mine from onecall for 380.

Picture & Sound Quality

Not many, worst is the remote

The quality of the audio & video out of this player is fantastic. The best I have seen for the price. Highly recommend.

Great picture/Great Sound

Would say remote (but I use my 676 remote), problem with layer-changes (although intermittent)

Overall, I think its a good DVD player for the money. The picture resolution and color is great (on a 32 Toshiba) through monster s-video cable. Haven't tried component, but can imagine its fantastic.

I have experienced some pausing at disc layer changes, and even had a total freeze on one disc. I expected the layer change issue, most do (and this one is only intermittent), and forgave the freeze (I was ff at the time and may have "confused" it).

This unit also serves as my CD player for now. It sounds really good (monster optical cable) even with my lower end speakers. I am pleased and would recommend it. I give it a 5 for value because I think its great for the money. Overall, its a 4 because of the layer-change problem (in theory, aren't dual-focus lasers supposed to eliminate this problem) and if you've ever tried to reach Onkyo support, you know it doesn't exist.

Similar Products Used:

Samsung, Pioneer

Sound thru analogue outputs, value, build quality.

A little slow to load disc - not excessive though.

As you can see from the similar products used, I have owned several DVD players in the past couple of years. You can also see that they are all relatively inexpensive units. (under $500) Of all that I have tried so far, the Onkyo is overall the best. One area where this unit stands out from all of the ones that I have tried is in the area of 2 channel CD playback through the analogue outputs. Better than the DACs in my Yamaha receiver. This was not the case of all the others. If you plan to listen to CDs as well as DVDs, you can't go wrong with this unit. The DACs in this unit are probably better than those in most midpriced receivers out there. The unit is well built with an aluminum faceplate. Crutchfield currently has this model for $349.95 - which is the best price I have seen anywhere on the internet. (list price is $479.95) They were previously selling it for $449.95.
I cannot fault any of the units that I have owned for basic picture quality. You really can't go wrong with most of the current models available as far as overall picture quality.
I really liked the picture quality of the Pioneer - for a budget unit it was teriffic. The Pioneer definely has a somewhat "darker" picture than any of the other units I have owned and I liked it - but this is a matter of personal taste. Overall, however, the Onkyo is the best in terms of picture, sound, and build. The loading mechanism is very quiet. The drawer opens and closes smoothly and silently. The Pioneer on the other hand, was noisy. It sounded like a $50 cd player. You cannot hear the Onkyo spinning the disc unless you put your ear up against the front of the unit and then it is barely noticeable. From what I have experienced so far, this is the best unit out there for under $500.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba 2107, Samsung 709, Pioneer 525, Sony 530.

Simple to use, great sound and picture.Price and performance.

Remote control could be improved.

Did my homework and tried to buy the best Dvd in the below 500.00 price range. Looked hard at the Panasonic A-320 which is also a great unit.I just bought a Onkyo Txds 575 to replace my Yamaha Rx690 so I thought the dvs525 would be a good match. Iwas right. The sound is pure and the picture is sharp,especially with monster cable ,component outs and digital monster coaxial cable to reciever and 36 xbr 250 Wega Sony Tv.Rental Matrix gave me problems and I called Onkyo. As suggested I bought new Matrix for test run.It ran just fine with no layer change problems.All the movies I have watched have been without problems. Bought it from Onecall for 350.00. They are good people who stand behind what they sell. It also helps to be an Authorized Onkyo Dealer.

System: Onkyo Txds 575, Onkyo dsv 525, Sont Wega 36 XBR 250,Sony cd player,Sony Hi8 Player,Mitsibishi Vcr, Boston Accoustics PV 600 Subwoofer, Boston Accoustics Sat 7 Surround and Center Speakers.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer 525 and Yamaha 795

'best buy'in same price range
execllent sound and picture

not so far....
but ugly remote

best buy, cost me US$280 (HK$ 2,200)
good match with Onkyo A/V receiver
easy to set up
can not demand for any more for a DVD player which costs only $280 in HK.

Similar Products Used:

pioneer 525?
sony 345?

Sound, Picture

Remote

Did hunting for a player that can play DVD & CD for a which. Audio quaility is my prime consideration. I did consider Sony 7700 , Marantz DV18, Tosiba 1200, and Pioneer 525. I love Sony & Marantz, but they are too pricey. After auditing pioneer, Toshiba, and Onkyo at the shop, Onkyo catches my attention due to its picture and audio quality. The video quanlity is slightly better than the others, but its audio quanlity beat them noticeably. After I hook it up at home, it definitly sound much better than my old pioneer CD player. Good value, although I pay higher in Singapore.
I am grate that I got this machine instead of Sony & Marantz, because I could get better cable for the money that I have saved. Good cable
make difference.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer 525