Wow, I got it for US$220 delivered from onecall, so definitely don't pay more than US$230 for this unit. This DVD player could play CDR which is really awesome! Love it! (cheesy remote though, agree with others' comments)definitely get it for US$220 and stop paying more!
(especially for those who are bidding on onsale.com, stop raising the price, just call one call..)

Just keep argue with them and they will send you this unit for US$220 shipped, at least that's how I got it...(what a hassell but, well.. your choice)..

This DVD player rocks! I was considering the Elite models (DV-05 and DV-09), but I just couldn't see spending the extra bucks when this player has everything I need. It plays CD-Rs (which is unusual for a DVD player), it supports DD and DTS (of course), has 10-bit video processing, plays the Matrix with no problems (excellent DVD!), and it also passes the full 24-bit 96 KHz digital signal from its digital outputs (this is *extremely rare* on a DVD player, and this is the only one in this price class that does this). Of course, the actual amount of 24/96 software is still pretty small, but I like the idea that I can pass the digital signal unadulterated to my preamp which does have a 24/96 DAC.
You can access the full set-up menu with a disc spinning (another fairly rare feature). Oh yeah, and in addition to standard composite and S-video, it has component (RGB) video outputs!! The only thing I might have liked was a headphone jack, but this is not essential since my preamp and TV both have headphone outputs. The much maligned remote is actually OK. I had no trouble figuring out in the dark where the scan and FF buttons were. It's not a great remote, but I have a Marantz RM-2000 so I don't need a great remote. Once I program it into the mother remote, it will sit on a shelf with the other 12 remote controls I don't use any more.

Pioneer has a real winner with this baby. Overall, based on its really low price and exceptional feature package, it definitely earns a 5 star rating. FYI, I paid $300 including tax from Uncle Stereo in New York. I know I could have got it for a bit less at auction on Onsale.com but I didn't feel like waiting - Uncle is right in Manhattan so I just picked it up there.

Anyone who is looking for a great DVD player without breaking the bank should seriously check out this player!

Happy listening and watching!

Later,

Chris

plays all formats and cdr's. Multiple features DTS
pioneer SR link compatable

noiser than expected when operating
not progressive scanning
vague manual

I've owned it about a year and a half. never had any problems with it at all. The noise it emits when operating is a little surprising at first. I almost returned it initally but it has never become a problem or increased in volume. It appears to be normal for this model. I originally
had it connected to an older pioneer a/v reciever (pro-logic only) and was immediatly impressed with the picture and clarity of the sound. (run through the s-cable and rca's) I upgraded my reciever to the pioneer D509S digital reciever and was blown away by the dolby digital and especially DTS surround modes. If your reciever doesn't have digital inputs then upgrade it, you don't know what your missing.
This dvd does everything I have ever wanted and was reasonably priced at the time

Similar Products Used:

none first dvd owned

Remote hard to ues at first, can sometimes hear noise when playing CD-R CD-RW

I've had this DVD player for more than a year and I've had no problems so far. The noise in the CD-R playback is not that loud and gets drowned out by the audio so it's not really a big deal. The remote kinda stinks but I don't use it anyways. I've played tons of DVDs in this player and no problems at all. If you're looking for a good quality player and are like me and CD-R playback is a must this is definatly a great player to buy.

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panasonic DVD player, Proscan DVD player

This is a follow up to the review I submitted in May 2000. I've had this player for almost a year and it's performance has been flawless. I can't say enough about this unit. I've recently upgraded to a Denon AVR-3300 and can now take advantage of DTS. Works great. Sorry to hear that some reviewers have had problems with the 525. Based on my experience, I would still recommend the 525, if you can still find one.

Excellent audio & video playback

noisy
horrible remote

This is a follow up to my review back in 3/2000 when I first got the unit.

I am still very happy with this player. It really does everything you ask of it. Picture quality and sound quality are outstanding. So far it's been pretty reliable, but the picture has frozen once or twice.

On the negative side, it emits a high pitched whirring during playback. To me it is really annoying but if I had glass doors on my entertainment unit it wouldn't be an issue. I don't care about the tray noise and I don't know why anyone would.
The remote is kind of ridiculous. Too small and not backlit.
Lastly, the foward and reverse scan leaves a lot to be desired.

Overall, it is an excellent product for the money and I would recommend it, especially to first-time buyers who are simply looking for qulality audio and visual playback.

Similar Products Used:

none

Supreme picture/audio quality

Noise, remote, crappy build

Picture quality is absolutely top notch.

Kind of cheap cabinet. REALLY noisy when opening/closing tray. Makes an annoying high pitch sound when spinning discs. Remote is non-navigational in low-light environments.

Hence: if you want rigid build quality, go for something more expensive. If you just want output quality, this is the player for you.

Picture and sound

Tray noise (no surprise)

I have had this product for over a year now and couldn't be happier. The picture and sound are both great. I must have played well over 100 DVD's and have not had one problem. It handles everything you throw at it. Sure, the tray noise is audible at very low levels, but who listens to DVD's at this level anyhow? At the time of purchase I looked at other models from Panasonice and Sony, but considering price, features, and reviews on this site and elsewhere, I decided on the 525.

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Panasonic

PLAYS EVERY THING THATYOU CAN PUT IN IT!!!

Noisy transport (c'mon is this really a weakness)

I am no audiophile but I can tell a lemon from a gem. I am not going to try to wax adnauseum about a lot of audio-babble like wow and flutter and stuff only the a-v guys in high school would care about. If you are looking for a solid and affordable dvd player that will play ALL your dvds ALL your cd's even cd-r's than look no further, this is the rig for you. Yes some of the past reviewers of this rig claim that the transport is noisy and that it is ugly, but remember these guys ARE the highschool a-v guys and ugly is in the eyes of the beholder. My buddy poo-pooed my lowly pioneer and spent an extra c-note on a sony and it don't play cd-r's at all, not one!!! So then he got a toshiba also inferior (picture and sound, However the sony and the toshiba were better looking) to the 525, No pauses at layer change and no lip-sync. I have yet to find a disc that mine wont play and play well, Even if it's a little noisy. Picture quality is great, sound quality is great too. Fivestars for quality value and versaility...Cheers

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Panasonic,Toshiba

Excellent picture, no noticeable "noise" from tray

Picture modes

I love this dvd player, the picture is just wonderful, and how can you beat DTS and component outputs, along with reading CD recordable media. I have one question for everyone who owns one....Is anyone having problems with the "Pan & Scan" feature in the video mode? The player allows you to choose between three different viewing modes. The manual says that if you put the video mode in "Pan & Scan" it will crop the sides of a DVD, and zoom in so that the picture fills the screen out. I've tried both pan and scan, and letterbox modes on a variety of different DVDs, with different picture modes. They both produce the same picture on my DVD player. There are black bars at both the top and bottom in both pan and scan and letterbox mode. The only way I can get it to fill my 4:3 TV out is to put it in widescreen mode, which squeezes the picture. Has anyone else messed aroudn with the picture modes? Do all DV-525s crop and zoom in to fill out the screen on a standard 4:3 direct view TV, without having a squeezed picture in widescreen? I was wondering if maybe I had a "bum" unit. Please email with suggestions. Thanks.