Great value.
Easy Menus.
Excellent picture quality.

Bad lip sync on 1 movie (Glory).

My first foray into DVD was with the Proscan, and this performed well for a week or so. Eventually I was getting small white holes in the picture so I returned this to Circuit City and purchased the Sony for 269 at Costco. I was glad I did. Picture quality was excellent, and whilst I had read about the lipsync problems I have only experienced this once, and even then it was marginal, my wife never noticed it. I like the coaxial and optical digital output as my receiver prefers coaxial on the DVD connector. This player is quiet, produces a great picture, has excellent menus but lacks a component out. Still, an absolute bargain.

Similar Products Used:

Proscan 8680

Good Picture quality and no lip synch problems (for dvd's). Usable remote.

lip synch problems with vcd's. and does not play cdr's

This was more expensive than the pioneer dv525 and had less performance (i was able to play cdr's and the vcd without any problem on the 525. where this machine could not).

Similar Products Used:

pioneer dv-525

nice first impression

the honeymoon is over quick, "lip synch problems"

Turn OFF your DVP-S330. Push "title" on the remote. Push "clear" on the remote. Then push power on. The firmware revision # will be at the bottom of this diagnostic screen. You can also then push 5 for more info.

Do not believe you are safe because you have a high product #. Mine is 800***. I checked; revision 1.80. What a load of poop. I posted an earlier review and gave this sucker a five I think. Believe me, the problems will come. Just wait. I asked the teenage-sounding girl named "Stacy" how I could find the firmware revision #. She said the only way to find out is to ship it to a service center. LIAR.

After returning 3 Sony TVs because they were defective, I promised myself no more Sony. What a dope. I asked for it, and I got it again. I hope my dealer will be in the Christmas spirit because it is past the 30-day return limit.

Also, visit the "techtalk" section on this site. A lot of useful information.

Great remote; Crisp images and sound; sleek profile

No component outputs

No lip sync problems so far, but I think I was so blown away at the picture and sound clarity that if there was a problem I probably didn't notice it! I was leary of purchasing this unit because of the lack of component video, but S-video will do. The optical digital output was one of the main outputs I was looking for. I've got a Mini-Disc player/recorder and I need the optical digital out in order to connect and make recordings. Works well as my music CD player and the recordings sound great! If you are looking for a high-quality player with all the features you need, and don't want to spend a small fortune on home theater equipment, this puppy is the ticket!

Picture quality, resume feature, fast loading, quiet

no zoom capability

I,ve had this player for less than a week and so far am very pleased with the performance. I received this as a gift AFTER reading all the reviews about the dreaded lip sync problem. I was even more concerend when I saw that the serial # was low - 0181260. My first plan of action took me to get The Matrix and Ronin, 2 DVD's that have been reported to be the worst offenders with audio. I played them both all the way through and had absolutley no lip sync problem, on the contrary, the audio and video performance was beyond spectacular. Coupled with my Marantz SR780, the sound was the best I've yet to experience in my HT. I tried in vain to determine the sofware version # including opening the case itself - I read 1 review stating it should be in the upper left hand corner, but nowhere could I find anything remotely looking like an update #. If anyone can help with this I would appreciate it, even Sony claims that there's now way to determine it. Bottom line, fantastic machine for the $. Very pleased.

Unsurpassed picture and sound quality in its price range. Sturdy remote.

I wouldn't call these weaknesses, just some missing bells and whistles. Lack of: component video out, and zoom features. Will not play CD-R's.

This is just a preliminary review, as I just purchased this unit yesterday. I just wanted to let everyone know that I have firmware version 2.400. I believe this is a higher iteration than any previous postings. I will write a more comprehensive review after I have used the unit for about a month.

Similar Products Used:

None - My first DVD player. However, I did research the following brands in the same price range Panasonic, Toshiba, JVC, and Proscan before deciding on the Sony (superior picture (especially anamorphice downconversion)and sound).

Great remote and easy to understand Setup menu.

Lip-sinc problem and shaky screen in full screen mode. Works fine in wide screen.

First purchased the Sony on a fellow employees recommendation. I let him do all the leg work and then took advantage of his findings. On my first DVD (Matrix) I didn't have any lip-sinc problem but I did notice the screen shaking at certain points of the DVD menu. Being overly upset with this, I returned it for the Panasonic A-120. The Panasonic had the same problem, which made me think that it was my DVD. After trying to understand the setup menu on the panasonic and having no luck without the manual handy, I quickly returned it for another Sony. The wife thought a good movie to watch would be Top Gun (Had to check out the new receiver). Still had the same shaking going on in full screen but worked fine in wide screen. Then it happened. The dreaded lip-sinc showed up during the Lost That Loving Feeling bar scene. I just dont know what to do.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic A-120 has a conjusing remote and is not designed to run other units (TV, Receiver). The Setup menu uses small icons and if you do not have the manual handy, forget about understanding it.

Performance, outputs, remote, price

No component video out

I sold my Panasonic DVDa310 to a friend after owning it for a year so I could match up to my new STRDB-930 (by the way this receiver is awesome). Thus I bought the DVP-S330 (version 2.21) and am very happy with it. I love the fact that the remote has volume for the receiver as well as the TV. Haven't found that on any other DVD remote. I like the fact of the generous outputs on the Sony. I had a Toshiba 3109 for 1 day but it had one measely s-video and composite output. Because my tv has 1 s-video in and I am running satellite to it, I had to relegate my DVD to composite video throught my receiver. I know, I know, I could route all my s-video sources to my receiver which swithches s-video but I don't want to have my receiver powered up all day to watch satellite tv. Because the DVP-S330 has extra sets of outputs , I guess (wink wink)a person could send an extra set of cables to a VCR to record DVD's to VHS using an image stabalizer positioned in the video path. I have had no lip sync problems and I find the dual layer transition quite smooth. I bought the 330, as previously mentioned, to match my STRDB930 and it is a great value for the money. I would have bought Panasonic again as I loved the 310 I had before but this years Panasonics are butt ugly. As stated in other reviews, you dont have to void your warranty by taking off the panels in order to see what version of software your 330 has in it. Simply press title, clear, and power on the remote when your unit is powered off.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba 3109, Panasonic DVD-A310

Good picture quality, ease of use

Lip Sync Problem

Will make this short. If you have a lip sync problem, return the unit and get your money back. Called sony 7 days ago and no one has returned my call. It would appear that the Lip Sync problem may go beyond the FIRMWARE ISSUE as mine was 2.21. I should have known better to buy this as my sony camcorder, T/V and VCR have all required service within and after the warranty period. Will definately not buy sony again.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer 525

good universal remote control. Reads cd-RW at least

not the best picture and sound, doesn't read CD-Rs, pixelization is evident.

The sony dvp 330 started conking out on me on the 3rd month of use. It would just shut off by itself in the middle of play and when i try to re-start it (power on) i have to try several times before it would turn the power on. One time, i have my favorite DTS DVD eagles concert trapped in the machine for some time until the thing finally powered on. The picture on this machine is obviously inferior than the earlier sony dvp300 i had. Have to give up the 300 which performed solidly, for the 330 due to my upgrade to DTS. Too bad the 300 did not have DTS out.
I now have the Pioneer 525 and have been testing it with all sorts of dvd, cd, cd-r, cd-rw for the past week and so far so good. No hiccups and glitches so far. The pioneer has been performing solidly so far with better picture clarity and smoothness, sound is very detailed and clear a little on the bright side which could be good depending on your taste and music listening preference.
The 330 is a disappointment in performance and reliability.

Similar Products Used:

sony dvp 300
pioneer 525