Excellent sound and picture quality, a "purist" DVD design

Remote control; limited output connections; not as many "gimicks" when compared to other machines

This DVD player offers exemplary sound quality (much better than the acclaimed Nakamichi 10s). It has a wide, open soundstage with deep and tight bass.

The picture quality was also better (just) than the Nakamichi and Sony 735 players.

high-end (expensive) hi-fi and want the best sound quality then this player should be auditioned.

Similar Products Used:

Nakamichi 10s; Marantz (at same price level); Sony 735,

Very good video and audio quality

Does not support 0-zone DVDs. This is the problem for
all RDV-985 sold in US or Canada. If anybody knows how to
reset dvd player RDV-985 to play 0 and 1 zone dvds or know how to find Sevice Manual would you send me a note at ct632@ncf.ca

This is a very good product to buy.
It has good a very good video quality and sound.
However the North American version does not support
0-zone.

Regarding the previous review concerning the similarities between the Rotel 985 and the JVC XV511, I e-mailed Rotel who forwarded my concerns onto my Local Distributor and here is the responce -

"International Dynamics is the Australian distributor of Rotel products. Rotel USA forwarded your email message on to us for direct response.

We have not yet imported any of the Rotel DVD players currently available in the USA. We noted with interest the "review" you sent to Rotel USA about the similarity between the Rotel RDV-985 and a JVC model. It would seem that Rotel had some sort of partnership with JVC in producing the RDV-985, which is very common in the electronics industry.

We do know for certain that Rotel's new models RDV-995 and RDV-1080 are Rotel designs, manufactured by Rotel in their factories. At this stage we cannot confirm when or at what pricing these models will be available in Australia. We can confirm that we have seen and evaluated both new models
for performance, and are pleased to say that both are up to Rotel's high standard of build and performance quality."

N/A

N/A (SEE SUMMARY)

THE MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE JVC XV511 SEEMS TO BE THE SAME UNIT AS THE ROTEL RDV 985 (except for a different face plate)

My son, Josh, recently purchased the Rotel RDV 985 player for my Christmas gift at a "special" price of $600 (list was over $700). It was purchased from a local, hi-end, very reputable, stereo dealer in North Hampton, Mass. He chose the Rotel over all the other “garden variety” brands (Sony, JVC, Onkyo, Panasonic, etc.) because of Rotel's reputation and our own experience with their products. The day after Christmas, we set it up in his house to compare the quality between the new Rotel unit and his inexpensive (about $250.00) JVC player (JVC XV511).

THE UNITS APPEARED TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME.

We immediately noticed that the remote controls for both players were identical (except for the brand names) and that both remotes controlled either unit equally. We then noticed that the two players were physically the same; same dials, buttons, input and output jacks, etc. We then compared the user manuals. They too were fairly identical. Both units listed the exact same specifications. When we played each unit, no one in the room was able to tell any visible difference between them.

We then called the stereo store to find out if they had any information regarding this. They did not but suggested that we bring in both units so that their technicians can “check it out”, which we did. Their technicians, upon opening both units and examining them, found no differences between the two units except for a heat-sink over a part on the power supply board. All of the boards and electronic components were the same. As far as the technicians were concerned, the only difference between the two units was the name and the price. The stereo store graciously took back the unit and refunded our money.

I won't go into the unsettling and disappointing conversation we had with the Rotel representative when we called. Suffice it to say that he never denied that the units were identical. He only offered very unsatisfactory excuses as to why the Rotel was more expensive.

The moral of the story: By the JVC and save about $400.

Similar Products Used:

JVC XV511

Great Picture, very good as a CD player, Region free

Flimsy drawer, no headphone socket, no scarts, no co-ax out

Not cheap in the UK but I'm very impressed with this unit. I use it for both movies and as a CD player and it's excellent with the former and very good with the latter - some have complained that it doesn't sound as good as a dedicated CD player at the same price - well you shouldn't expect it to because you're paying for its video performance as well - I'd say it compares well with CD players around half its price (such as Rotels 951).

The build is pretty good (apart from the flimsy tray) and one of its best features is that it plays all regions without needing modifications.

One of it's most annoying features is that when you press "stop" it does just that whereas other players (such as my old Panasonic) stop but keep a note of where the film was so that you can then start it again from that point. This might not sound important but if you watch half a movie one night and then the other half the next it's a very useful feature and I must admit that I expected the Rotel to have it.

Other than that I can't really fault it.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic A350

build, layout, general DVD performance

audio D/A converter

This is a nice solid player that I look forward to keeping around for a while. I've been very happy with its video and sound performance on DVDs. I like the solid and heavy build and the minimalist, good looking and well laid-out front panel (although they didn't need to put the Virtual Surround switch on the front panel; Rotel will be mostly purchased by serious audio types who would mostly find this processing feature annoying). Also, I'm happy that this piece does not include a built-in DD/DTS decoder, which is a waste of money if you're either getting new A/V receiver which has this decoder or you're running it through stereo equipment.

My only complaint is that I think they skimped on the audio d/a converter. Both their CD players and their a/v receivers have 20 bit d/a converters for each channel. This has a different, 1 bit DAC. Now I know bits aren't everything in the performance of DAC circuitry but this should give you a clue that they might be skimping. This will not be a issue for the majority of users, who will have their own A/V receiver that will do the D/A conversion; for them this "fault" should be ignored. I'm running my DVD through a stereo receiver at the moment, though, and so the DAC is important to me until I switch to an A/V receiver. I have nothing to compare the DVD sound to on my system so I can't tell if this translates into actual sound difference. What I do know is that movies sound GREAT. The CD sound, however, is a bit thin and electronic compared to my Nakamichi CD player (although still pretty good), so I'm keeping the Nak around for CDs.

My main point is: I am fully satisfied with this unit except for my qualms about the audio DAC, and for most users this won't be an issue because they have A/V receivers. If you will be using a stereo receiver you should consider this a potential flaw. Overall this is a great looking, solidly built, and excellently performing DVD player. The Sony 7700 is the only DVD player I still yearn for now that I have this.

Sorry; have to take one star off for the DAC issue.

Similar Products Used:

also looked at Sony, Nakamichi, Pioneer

very good video reproduction, basic design, no bells and whistles. very good cd playback

dvd tray is a little flimsy

Just bought this piece a couple of days ago. I am very impressed with the basic design of this product. very plain front panel, (way to go Rotel). build quality for it's price range is excellent. Rotel did make the unit a little big, must be for the large power supply.
This player has performed very well so far. excellent video reproduction. I haven't noticed any pixelation in the picture or flutter on the edges of the screen.
The audio to my ears is excellent, even on cd's, (compared to my old sony). It also helps to have a good preamp on hand like my Lexicon DC-1 to get the optimal processing
required for good sound.
I am very pleased with this product, I could not make up my mind which dvd player to buy. It was between the Rotel, the Nakamichi, and the Marantz dv 18. I decided the Nakamichi didn't have all the bugs worked out of it's product and the Marantz was to expensive, over a grand.
This Dvd has all the inputs and outputs a true audiophile grade product needs. the remote is responsive and easy to operate, not back lit though.
The instruction manual is very thourogh and easy to understand.
let me say again, I am very impressed with the cd playback
I am still building my system:
Lexicon DC-1
Rotel RB 985 mkII
Pinnacle classic gold towers
and the new dvd

Similar Products Used:

nakamichi dvd 10, marantz dv 18, etc.

buildquality

slightly weak disctray

good machine, in response to the product actually being a JVC machine is true in some respects. Rotel, Marantz, Nakamichi, and even McIntosh all use video hardware that is not from their specific factory. For example; Marantz uses a Philips video drive, Nakamichi uses Panasonic, and McIntosh uses Pioneer. Let us not forget that these companyies were born for the full benefit of audio quality. They have years of experience in the field. They really have no video expertise at this point. This may change in the years to come. Do not forget that the dvd players from these mentioned companies have installed their own audio circuits which will obviously out perform the model that can be bought through the video source. As for a choice between them. For Me it was quality and price that were most important. I chose the Rotel which for me was the glove that fit my hand. I almost chose the Nakamichi, but it was more expensive and there were some problems with the video reliability. The marantz was monitarily out of reach as was the McIntosh.

I truly believe no machine is perfect and there are imperfections with the Rotel. I think the disctray is a little flimsy and opens a closes a little rough with an abrupt stop and start. and of course the remote could be improved. I truly believe the piece to be a long lasting investment.

Similar Products Used:

nakamichi dvd 10
marantz dv 17

sound on cd's,picture, menu system, customer service.

remote(not backlit)

this is my second player as the first on went kaput after a couple of weeks,but excellent from my dealer(target hifi) in london. So far just using the s-video out into my outdated Panasonic GAOO, but the picture is stunning to say the least. I enjoy the cd playback through my Rotel receiver and soon to be upgraded speakers. I WILL be sure to check out Rotels foray into dvd audio when it becomes available(and I hope by then the remote will improve and progressive scan out will be standard)

Similar Products Used:

none, first dvd player

Colourful Picture; Region free; Build quality

Poor CD performance; One optical output; Price

I bought the Rotel DVD player in December last year for £500. I got the Rotel as they have considerable experience in the Hi-Fi world, and I wanted a one box CD/DVD solution.

The Rotel, as far as I can see, is a re-worked JVC player (the XV515 model, I think) which means that the video performance is above average, though nothing great. Build quality is much better than the JVC, and seems to have no problem playing any DVD’s. The one optical output is a bit poor, though.

Comparing it with a friends Pioneer 525, and I thought that the Pioneer had a slightly sharper image in s-video, though the Rotel had a much more vibrant and colourful display. A really good point is that the player is region free from the factory. I assume that the UK model is almost exactly the same as the US version, but with PAL output (which is probably why it has no RGB enabled SCART socket). I don’t know if it is just me but I thought, though DD/DTS sound was spot on, the CD performance was a fair bit worse than the Pioneer. The Rotel sounds dull and plodding, whereas the Pioneer is a fair bit more upfront and involving.

I suppose I have sounded pretty negative about the Rotel, but I don’t think that it is a bad player - just over priced. I opened the lid on the Rotel, to see what changes were made, and I really couldn’t see anything obvious (the video PCB looks unchanged, populated by numerous Panasonic/JVC chips and a "Cube" processor). If anyone knows what Rotel have done I’d really like to know where the extra £200 over the JVC model comes from.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer 525; JVC XV515