Picture, sound, price

Remote

This unit is the best buy in DVD or CD players today! The price has dropped to $180 and it is a steal! This unit plays every kind of audio or video disk thrown at it including all my CD-R and CD-RW and VCD with NO problem.
Compared to NAD T550 or Sony the video performance is awesome!
If anyone wants a GREAt DVD player at the absolute bottom price and highest quality picture and sound BUY THE DV-525

My system is a Denon 5700 with Energy C-8 speakers all around and it sounds fantastic.

Similar Products Used:

Sony CDLP

Picture, sound, price

Remote

This unit is the best buy in DVD or CD players today! The price has dropped to $180 and it is a steal! This unit plays every kind of audio or video disk thrown at it including all my CD-R and CD-RW and VCD with NO problem.
Compared to NAD T550 or Sony the video performance is awesome!
If anyone wants a GREAt DVD player at the absolute bottom price and highest quality picture and sound BUY THE DV-525

My system is a Denon 5700 with Energy C-8 speakers all around and it sounds fantastic.

Similar Products Used:

Sony CDLP

low cost, decent features (component out)

somewhat noisy tray, playback

As my first DVD player, I love my pioneer 525. I don't understand some of the tray noise complaints but I guess thats because Im used to noisy cd-rom trays and computer fans. So it makes noise when the tray opens, big deal =). The unit is a bit noisy on playback but since I usually have the sound up rather loud I dont hear it and since I put it inside the tv cabinet I can't hear it at all. The remote is ok but it would be nice if the main controls were bigger buttons and more distinct for easier operation. Overall, I've had no problems with any discs so far and for the price (300 at crutchfield, seen it at costco now for $230) its a good deal.

Similar Products Used:

only demo'd other dvd players

Good price, and so many features

Nosy disk spin

In it's price range the DV-525 is without a doubt about it the best DVD around!

Similar Products Used:

1st DVD Player

Great picture and sound. Even better price.

Remote not so great.

I got mine for $200 at altavista.com using a $50 coupon they advertised to first time shoppers. After reading the other reviews here, I knew that this was the one for me. Some of the reviewers were kind enough to say where they bought theirs and how much they paid. Very helpful to a bargain shopper like me.

I haven't had the problem with the whine or the spinning noise coming from the tray. Mine is very quiet. The picture and the sound are amazing. No problems so far and for the money I spent, I couldn't be happier.

I definitely recommend this one to anyone whether you are on a budget or not!

Similar Products Used:

none

Plays cd-rs/rw,plays all formats,plays all dvds without any problem,and reliable

Remote,weight size

One of the best dvd players.Bought six months ago from Visions electronics.Like the feature that it plays all formats even cd-rs/rws without any problem.Very reliable.Will last me years.The most feature i like is the twin wave laser pickup which uses two lasers instead of one.One for cd,and vcd 780nm,and 650nm for dvd.Also because it doesn't cause to much pressure on the lasers.

Similar Products Used:

Rca 5220p dvd player

Affordable, lots of digital outputs, quiet, clear.

Bad remote, ugly onscreen menus, fairly unattractive design, ugly amber LCD display, annoying (10-sec intervals) seek.

I listed all the weaknesses above FYI, but really, this is still an awesome unit, especially for the price!

It's completely quiet in all regards, and who cares if the tray is loud anyway (it's not)?

Picture is awesome.

Sound is awesome (features Dolby Digital AND DTS).

Great 1-year warranty COVERS PARTS AND LABOR! (try to find that elsewhere, usually 30 days/labor!)

Plays audio CD-Rs and CD-RWs more reliably than any other DVD player, even more expensive units.

So, since we're all using universal remotes, who cares if the remote is not so great? And since we're looking at the TV, who cares if this unit doesn't look really stylish?

Definitely a great deal, I've researched a lot, and this is the best in the price range hands down.

Similar Products Used:

Rental DVD players...(crap)

great picture and sound. The digital audio and s-video ports are a plus.

A whirring noise that is not noticable when watching movie or playing cd's

I think that this is a great DVD player for the price. The component out, s-video, and digital ports allow for a DVD player that will no be obsolete in the next couple years. A strong buy.

Similar Products Used:

many other dvd players

Value, Digital Outputs

Remote

I shared the same insights as Gary (see review 1/2/00). This is my first DVD player, so I can't compare to others. Furthermore, I won't laud the excellent picture (all DVD players should have excellent pictures, compared to VHS machines). So I'll have to limit my comments:

1) Sound is excellent, given that I paid $250 net. But my Cal Audio Icon II is better (same thoughts as Gary) -- more depth, smoother.
2) I noticed a very minor lip synch problem in 'Dead Man Walking' DVD, but none in Ronin or almost 10 other DVDs (did not test Matrix yet).
3) Did not have tray noise at all until playing Austin Powers SWSM. Will check with other DVDs to determine if it is disc-sensitive, or if this problem suddenly developed for all discs. Although to be fair, IF I had the player in an enclosed rack, I would not hear the noise. But if (as another reviewer pointed out) you are planning to play quiet classical music with this unit, it may bother you.
4) Remote is OK. Not as cheap or flimsy as others have indicated, but the buttons are easily confused when you are trying to use it. Also, the rewind function is a bit hard to control (as mentioned by another reviewer, as well).
5) If I were trying to minimize the number of components in my system, I would use an outboard D/A processor (for music), and the coaxial digital output would be the connection of choice. Nice to have it.

It was a toss-up between the Panasonic and the Pioneer, and I'm glad I chose the Pioneer. Better looking, too.

Key components:
Denon AVR-3300
Cal Audio Icon Mk II
Thiel 1.2

Similar Products Used:

None

Excellent picture
Sound is very good

The Remote is difficult to use but I'll get used to it. It's only been a week and a half.

Happiness right out of the box! Chroma and fine detail was excellent. I specifically looked for some of the weaknesses described here by others.

The tray is slightly noisy when it operates but who gives a %#4%! Noise while it's running is barely perceptible and that's where it counts. I detected no lip synch problems on any of the DVDs we watched.

I did have a problem with "US Marshals" but I wiped a smudge off of the DVD itself and no more problem!! Watched "The Matrix" with no problems either.

My system is a modest one.
Panasonic 27" no-frills TV but with one set of A/V inputs only.
No exotic cables.
Luxman R-117 160W/ch Receiver
Thiel CS 2.3 Speakers
Outboard DAC to come.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Laserdisc player