terrible this unit is awful

bought in march, just started getting the messages and have all kind of jumping etc. Was fortunate to buy service contract from sears. will be taking it to the shop today.
-------I HATE SONY FOR THIS P.O.S

DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT_______EVER

Similar Products Used:

none yet

Great player for the cost at the time. It had all the bells and whistles my more expensive Sony DVD player has. Small footprint, well built, and thoughtful layout.

Lacks zoom, but I've never used it.

For those of you looking to play burned CD's (CDR's music or VCD) I have found the answer to your prayers for Sony machines, or any machine that has a difficult time with CDR's. I won't get into the details but here is your fix:

The answer lies in a company called Princo. They have a CDR that after it's burned will play in any Sony, or difficult player hands down. I too was disappointed in Sony's DVD players once I learned they would not play CDR's but thought I'd have to live with it. After doing some web searching I stumbled into a forum that discussed CDR and compatibility issues with certain players. Princos saved the day for me. Here is the website to order if you're interested. They guarantee compatibility with MOST DVD, CD, Car Players..http://store.yahoo.com/ioprod/cdrmedia1.html

Anyway with that out of the way, I've had this unit for over a year and have not come accross the problems I'm seeing in the later reviews. It looks as though the newer players are suffering from some lack of quality control. My unit has worked flawlessly with the optical out and s-video connection from day one. It is fast through the menus and I like Sony's on screen GUI for DVD setup and screen savers. It might not be a big deal to others but the GUI on Sony's are much nicer looking then say some Pioneers I've looked at. Their GUI looks like a bad dos emulation. The multilayer switching doesn't pause any more then any other players I've watched movies on. About a .5 of a second or so and that's it. I've never had it pause or skip chapters or stop playing as noted. I think the trick here would be for movie makers who compile these movies to apply their layer switching in scene switches or camera angle changes or something so it's not that noticable. This unit has served it's purpose as our bed room DVD player. My main unit was three times as much and I could not tell the difference side by side. If it wasn't for the bad reviews lately I would say I'd buy this unit again. Hopefully Sony can get it's act together and get things straightened out.

This site has always been a great place to start when looking for a end users point of view. I have learned a lot of "insider" things that most sales men would not have a clue about when tinkering with this equipment. It's kept me from making the wrong choice many a time. But I would also like to stress that not everyone's experience with something bad has to be accross the board. Some units true are lemons or just suffer from poor design, but in some cases you might just have to try it out for yourself and you might get lucky.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba, Pioneer

Quality picture,No error message yet.

None so far.

It look that i am an exception if i read all the others reviews on that unit. When i bought it, i was looking for a unit playing only Dvd and CD music, so that unit was ok for my need.
I am using it for more than one year now and never have a problem with it, no message errors of any kind. So i am very surprise to see all the problems you have everybody with it. I will get back on this review if i experience a problem with it. So far so good.
I use it with Sony KV32FV27 tv set. (Wonderful) and RXV800 Yamaha a/v receiver. (Fantastic)

Fine if it WORKED
See the reviewer below who has found a way to fix the defect

An obvious DEFECT which Sony should have RECALLED by now. See other reviews for the dreaded "C13 error"!
An embarassment to Sony's reputation

Oy, same old ripped-off customer tale. C13:00 errors or whatever they're called (see sob stories below). Not worth the price of a repair. Less than a year old when the problem began. SHAME ON SONY for not recalling this unit. C'mon, 400+ audioreview.com reviewers aren't making this up!
The only thing I have to offer as a work-around is my C13 errors seem to be related to how HOT the unit gets and (same idea) whether the unit has been on for more than a couple hours in play mode. Thus, by changing my habits (putting it in SLEEP mode or at least STOP mode instead of PAUSE for extended pauses; isolating it from other components; watching movies immediately after turning it on) I've eliminated 98% of the C-13:00 crashes. But what a pain in the ass -- and I never know when the rare one might hit!
READ DOWN TO A REVIEW FAR BELOW THIS ONE TO FIND OUT HOW TO MESS WITH THE SERVICE SETTINGS...SOMEBODY CLAIMS TO HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX THE ERROR MESSAGE PROBLEM. Good luck.

Similar Products Used:

various DVD players, other Sony audio-video stuff

Makes a great door stop if you place a cinder block on top.

Doesn't make a good door stop without a cinder block on yop.

Step away from this player...quickly.

This DVD player has failed for the second time in the 13 months I've owned it. I paid nearly $100 to have it repaired the first time, and I won't pay to have it repaired again. The laser pick-up was replaced in August of 2001, only 9 months after receiving the player as a Christmas gift. Four months later, the same symptoms are back - skipping, C13 errors, and NO DISC messages. I've already spent nearly half of the original cost of the player on repairs. I also tried calibrating the player using the instructions posted here, but it wouldn't fix my player.
I've called Sony Customer Service 3-4 times and e-mailed them half a dozen times, with no help in sight. One of the Sony CSR's kept asking me repeatedly if I purchased the extended warranty?! During one of the other calls the CSR would just sit for minutes without saying a word! Must have been clipping his toenails or something. One of the other reviewers here had the same experience. I was also informed by Sony that the "Customer Service E-mail response department does not resolve customer service issues" in the e-mail I received from them today. Huh?! So when you go to the Customer Service area on the Sony web site, and you send an e-mail to this address (custserv@info.sel.sony.com), don't expect a resolution. After all, customer service is not the responsibility of Sony Customer Service. You will get better service and greater satisfaction if you simply print your e-mail and flush it down the toilet!
The DVPS360 has a lot of features and connections on it, which is one reason for it's purchase. If it was still working I would give it high marks for it's value. The picture from DVD's seemed very good, when it wasn't skipping around or pixelated. I didn't use the player much for audio CD's but when I did, the sound was as dynamic as a steel trash can lid. Given that it doesn't work at all (it won't even stay powered on now), the unit is simply worthless.
I've just purchased a progressive scan Toshiba in the same price range that seems fine so far. Needless to say, I did purchase the extended warranty this time (which I never do). Hopefully better luck will be had with the Toshiba. And if not they can fix the damn thing until their eyes cross.
Good luck everyone and look me up if a class action suit comes to pass. Meanwhile, my Sony DVPS360 has been put to rest comfortably in it's original packaging and will spend it's final days on a shelf in my basement.
Please everyone, keep pestering Sony about this one. I intend to bug them repeatedly. It's very clear that Sony doesn't want to admit that there is a serious problem with this player. Maybe with constant pressure from hundreds or thousands of owners, they will be convinced.

Thanks Audio Review for this forum.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba

Great picture

faulty equipment broke after 1 year. It seems like this happens to everyone.

Stay away from this dvd player, get a different one.

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.

"OK Sony has been getting a bad rap for not playing or skipping DVDs. Keep in mind you may think this is not true, but you really have to remember DVD players are marked FRAGILE on their packaging. So if you get yours home and the conrner of the box is smashed or dented in, guess what? You will have issues down the road, so go exchange it."

I might agree except problems associated with careless handling would most likely occur immediately after beginning use of the product. People are having troubles approximately 10-12 months later. Your explanation just does not make any sense. Handling damage that has symptoms of it months after ... that does not mesh.

"The warm sound of a Sony product is unparralleled to any other brands. I had a Toshiba, it seemed a tiny bit more reliable and more sturdy than a Sony, but the picture and the sound were not as precise and 'warm' feeling as with the Sony. You do get more performance from a Sony."

You're joking, right? The Sony does have better anamorphic downconversion, despite the chroma upsampling error that Sony DVD players all have (but almost unnoticeable if you don't look in the right place, and hell, I don't even notice it), but warm sound?! My Discman sounded better than this thing. It sounds very harsh with CDs and is unlistenable. I occasionally use it as a CD transport, but all the D/A conversion is done by the DSP in my Technics SA-DA10 receiver. Fantastic receiver for the price. ($800 MSRP, $270 on sale!)

There are good sounding Sony CD players, but the DVP-S360 just isn't one of them.

I hold my DVP-S360 in high regard as it has served me well, and I am happy to hear that some, although not all, people have benefitted from the recalibration instructions, but I won't attribute problems with the player with bad package handling before the player was ever used, nor will I say that it sounds warm. Those points are simply not true. - Reinhart

worked great for about a year

didn't work after about a year

Yep, same old story. Mine worked great for about a year then one day the C13 error happened without warning. There was no skipping or anything prior to that day. Now it's a miracle if I can get it to load any disc, much less play it. I gave up on it months ago.

Add me to the list of anti-Sony consumers for life. I used to buy quite a bit of Sony stuff too but not anymore. I can't believe they won't even acknowledge there's a problem with this unit. I've warned all of my friends and family to avoid Sony also. And for now, I just use my friend's Denon with great results.

It worked right for about a month

C:13 Errors within a month of purchase.

Piece of crap. No more Sony for me..... I Boxed it up, put it in in the closet, and bought a JVC.

Like an idiot, I would work the tray in and out a few times and after a few minutes, it would play my dvd. Just after it was out of warranty, it stopped giving the C:13 errors, instead it said " insert disk" Great, now it dosen't even know there is a dvd in the machine. Of course, Sony was unaware of any problem with that model and promptly refered me to a repair facility that quoted me $215.00 to fix it. Please.............