Great picture and sound.

Insensitive unit buttons. Doesn't play cdr's.

This is my first DVD player and I bought it due to the fact that I have had no problem with my Sony VCR player. I also love Sony trinitron TV's.

So far I have no major complaints with this unit is far as video and audio are concerned. The picture quality is excellent; although, I have noticed that the picture will freeze up for about a second and then resume. I am not sure if this is a problem with the unit or the DVD, since the problem occurs at the same location on the DVD's. Other reviewers seem to think that it is the player. I have not noticed the lip syncing issue that others have noticed.

My only major complaints are that the buttons on the unit are very insensitive and I have to usually push them a couple of times to work, such as, the eject, play, and stop buttons. When I use the remote it works fine. Also, the player does not play cdr's which is a pain, since I don't have my Onkyo cd player hooked up due to limited space.

The player is pretty good for the money I paid, but I will definately do my homework next time I buy a DVD player.

Similar Products Used:

Sony SLV-640HF,

Great picture, easy to use and set up.

No Component Video Out...but I didn't care when I bought it.

This is my first DVD Player and it got me hooked on DVD's! I bought it after reading the reviews here and have not been disappointed. I originally hooked it up to a Sony 32" TV and now have it on a Toshiba 40h80 and it looks great on both! I will be upgrading soon to the Toshiba SD4700 only because it had progressive scan component out. The Sony DVP-S330 will go into the bedroom.

It was worth it at the time I bought it but I can now get a progressive scan highly rated Toshiba DVD player for less. The 4 star value was when I bought it... it would be lower if it were available today.

It's everything I expected in a low-cost DVD Player.

It's a little noisy.

I have been using this piece for a little over 2 years. I am more than happy with it's performance. I have never had a problem with it. I watch alot of movies, usually 3-5 per week. The only negative comment is that the motor is a little noisy.


System:
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V793
DVD Player: Sony DVP-S330
CD Player: Sony CDP-CE505
VCR #1: Mitsubishi HS-U430 VCR
VCR #2: Panasonic PV-8402 VCR
TV: Mitsubishi WS-46807
Front Speakers: B&W 601 S2
Center Speaker: B&W CC6 S2
Rear Speakers: B&W 601 S2

Audioquest Interconnects and Speaker Cable used throughout system.

Similar Products Used:

None. My first DVD Player.

Won't power up. Shuts down during playback. Won't eject or accept DVD's.

I was very happy with this unit up until 3 weeks ago when it suddenly started shutting down during playback. Then it refused to eject or accept DVD's. Finally, it just stopped powering up. I am thoroughly disgusted at this point with the poor quality of this product. I noticed that several of Sony's other DVD player models are plagued with similar problems. What a disgrace for a company that I had a lot of respect for prior to this experience. From what I gather, it is not cost effective to try and get this repaired. So Sony, since you care so little about your consumers, I'll be replacing this piece-o-crap with one of your competitor products. I assure you that I will NEVER purchase another Sony product again and will discourage anyone I know from purchasing Sony. I'm amazed at the high ratings that have been given by individuals who also state they have experienced significant problems with this product. Buyer beware...this is a DOG!!!

I have a Sony 560 but this works for 330,360,530,550,560,570

I posted the following earlier for sony 560:
============================================
Like others, I started having problems with playing DVDs 6 months ago when it switches from layer 0 to layer 1 (usually happens at the later part of the movie -- picture freezes up and then it jumps to the next chapter or it just dies). You then have to start playing the DVD again from the beginning, depending on your luck, you may be able to get pass the problems and finish up the movie. This problem has been getting worst and nothing I could do to fix the problem. Last week, I used a DVD lens cleaner disc -- the one with the brush -- to clean the SONY 560 and guess what...... it stopped playing music CD and gave me "NO DISC" error every time I put a music CD in it. I was disappointed and I was SO ready to throw this thing out of the window. Then I thought to myself "It was playing music CD ok until I cleaned it with the cleaner disc. Maybe the brush pushed the lens too much while it was cleaning the lens and caused the laser coupler out of focus. The reason why the player gives out "NO DISC" or "C13:00" errors is because it couldn't identify what's being played -- meaning it couldn't "SEE" -- just like a person with vision problems trying to read without proper glasses". I went on the internet (where else ) to search for articles related to Sony lens adjustment, and sure enough I found a web page which teaches you how to get to the secret "Diagnostic Mode" and how to perform an "Auto Adjustment". I did it and guess what...... IT IS WORKING AGAIN!!!!!!!!!. Now the SONY 560 plays music CD and DVD like the way it was. You could try this if you have the same problem with you Sony 560.....I bet the Sony Authorized Service Dealer out there won't like this message very much because they no longer can charge people $100++ for something that this 5 mins to perform. Enjoy...

The Sony 330, 360, 530, 550, 560 and 570 players have the ability to automatically calibrate the playback functions of DVDs and CDs.
If you are willing to accept any risks involved in the execution of this procedure, the instructions follow.
Before you start, have ready at least two dual layer DVDs (RSDL) and two single layer DVDs.
The reason that I recommend having two of each type disc is that the player might produce an error message on one of the discs due to some imperfection and you will have another to fall back on the second disc.
You can also run the audio CD calibration if you want.
The calibration procedure for a SACD disc will be skipped. The apparent ability of Sony DVD players to play Super Audio Compact Discs is an undocumented feature and I have not heard of anyone reporting on this feature. If you desire this procedure please see the service manual.
For complete details, you need a service manual, available from the manufacture.


PLEASE NOTE:
SERVICE MODE WARNING: Without proper documentation and training, you can probably do quite a good job of messing up your equipment, perhaps even damaging it. Don't mess around with the service mode adjustments unless you know what you're doing and have the service manual to guide you. Your results with these procedures may vary and can NOT be guaranteed to work on your particular model or set. USE THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK.

ORDERING THE SERVICE MANUAL:
Sony Electronics Inc.
World Repair Parts Center
8281 N.W. 107th
Terrace Kansas City, MO 64153 USA
(800) 488-7669 (USA Only) -or- (800) 345-7669
(816) 891-7550
(816) 891-2580 (Fax)
44-1-71-911-8700 (UK)

HOW TO PERFORM THE CALIBRATION
Make sure that the DVD player is turned OFF and in the stand-by mode with the little red LED glowing above the on/off button.
To enter the service mode/test mode, press Title, Clear, and Power on the remote.
This will produce the following menu:
Test Mode Menu
0. Syscon Diagnosis
1. Drive Auto Adjustment
2. Drive Manual Operation
3. Mecha Aging
4. Emergency History
5. Version Information
6. Video Level Adjustment

Exit: POWER Key
What each item does;
Syscon Diagnosis = Leave this for service technicians.
Drive Auto Adjustment = Automatically calibrates DVDs and CDs.
Drive Manual Operation = Manually calibrates DVDs and CDs with prompts for permission to skip, execute and/or proceed after each adjustment is made or skipped. Offers a fascinating look at all of the many adjustments made, but this method is time consuming.
Mecha Aging = Allows auto repeat mode for testing purposes.
Emergency History = Shows the number of hours on your machine.
Version Information = Shows firmware version.
Video Level Adjustment = Test pattern.
Press #1 (Drive Auto Adjustment) on the remote and the following menu will appear:
Drive Auto Adjustment
0. All
1. DVD-SL
2. CD
3. DVD-DL
4. SACD

Exit: RETURN
Press #1 (DVD-SL) on the remote and insert a Single Layer DVD when the drawer opens.
Even though you may be interested in calibrating only a dual-layer DVD, do not skip the single-layer calibration procedure. For some reason, the player prefers to first calibrate a single-layer DVD before proceeding to a dual-layer disc. Error messages may result if the single-layer calibration procedure is not performed first.
Press the enter key and the machine will begin to calibrate all of the playback features. When calibration is completed, follow the onscreen instructions to return to the above menu.
When the Drive Auto Adjustment menu returns, press #3 (DVD-DL) on the remote and insert a Dual Layer DVD when the drawer opens. Follow the instructions as noted above.
When calibration is completed, follow the onscreen instructions to exit from the Test Mode Menu. Now you can turn the player back on and try your dual layer discs to see if the layer change has improved.
If you have any concerns about trying this service mode calibration, leave it for an authorized service facility.

good when it works

doesn't work

This machine turned out to be a piece of crap. In the beginning it worked fine and we were really happy with the quality. But, it didn't take long before the audio synch problem showed up. Unfortunately, at the time, no one had heard of another machine doing this, so we thought it was just ours. We had that problem fixed while our player was still under warranty. But, just recently we had to go out and buy an entirely new DVD player. We came home one day to discover that the power button didn't work. And we still have a DVD stuck in our machine!
After using this site we realized that this machine was a bad purchase. And, as a result of their poor craftsmanship and customer service, we will not be purchasing any further SONY products.

I think this is a very good basic DVD player. I have owned it for two years and have had no problems with it. It plays movies fine.

None.

I believe this unit is discontinued. I am a little alarmed to hear so many other Sony owners having problems with this DVD player along with other Sony products. I have been a loyal Sony owner for 10 years and have never had any major problems.

Easily store many CDs and can even program names of tracks or read them from some newer CDs

Stopped being able to read the CDs in less than 6 months

As the other reviewers have commented, the unit has great features, but breaks down in around 6 months. The new hasn't even worn off the unit and it can't play a single CD.

Easily store many CDs and can even program names of tracks or read them from some newer CDs

Stopped being able to read the CDs in less than 6 months

As the other reviewers have commented, the unit has great features, but breaks down in around 6 months. The new hasn't even worn off the unit and it can't play a single CD.

Reliable, good viewing, listening,

Not able to play CD-R or VCD-R

Except for the in ablity to play recorded discs, it was a very good buy. It did not even occur to me that this was not possible.