Very nice when working.

Too many mechanical and electronic failures.

I have had this unit for just over 2 years now. I imagine anyone who is reading this is in a similar boat, and is simply commiserating with other people with Sony nightmare stories. So here goes:
First, all was wonderful. But as soon as I read about the lip synch problem, I noticed mine had it too. Luckily, the problem was just becoming common enough that Sony didn't balk at the repair, which took place just before the 1 year anniversary.
Now, after two years, it has developed this lovely habit of skipping, which seems to happen most often at the point where the layer switches. It never did this smoothly, and it now seems to throw it into a fit (as well as its owner.) I blamed the rotten rental discs, and even sent some nasty e-mails to NetFlix, but it is happening on pristine discs as well. Sorry NetFlix. Like some others have mentioned, the problem discs play just fine on my DVD-ROM drive.
I am not a Sony basher. All of my major components are Sony. Two mega disc changers, a VCR, receiver, and the DVD player. ALL have been in the shop under warranty. By the time I bought my TV, I had had enough, and switched loyalties. The DVD will be replaced by another brand, and as the rest go...
To be fair, I have friends who have many of the same Sony components that I have, treat them like crap and never had a problem. My dealings with the repair center have also been smooth and pleasant; there have simply been too many of them.
I expect more than two years of service for my $400. Since it seems that I am but one of many victims, Sony executives should be filled with much shame.

Similar Products Used:

Various Sony products (see review.)

Great price. Bought for $289 on internet from J$R w/ free shipping and no tax. Crisp, clear, and clean video.

No jog on remote.

For a starter DVD it is great. Haven't had any problems with sync problems. Have it hooked up to budget mini stero and it sounds great in my apartment. Looking forward to hooking up a strdb935 receiver and a pair of AR3 floorstanders. It will be great and it is affordable

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First DVD.

Excellent picture quality and sound

Loud drive mechanism when reading discs

I purchased the Sony player recently and have been very happy with it. I have played about 10 DVDs in it and have yet to see the Lip Sync problem that I have read about elsewhere. However, my serial number does not fall within the ones posted here as being the "problem" numbers. I also considered the Toshiba-3109, but I was able to pick this player up for only $240, a full $140 cheaper than the 3109 (prices are from the store I was shopping at, obviously). Great performance for the money.

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Toshiba DVD players

Excellent video quality, DD decoder

Weak FF Rev features, no jog shutt on remote

I loved my player...until it stopped working 6 months after I purchased it. I don't put my player through much use, and treat all of my electronics extremely well, so was rather upset when I pushed POWER one day and nothing happened. I took it to a local repair shop (I know someone who gives me estimates for free) and they said it would cost more to repair than to buy a new unit!!!! So, I shipped it to Sony under the warranty a few days ago. I'm getting the firmware upgraded as well, as I did notice some synch problems on "Happiness" and "Ronin"
Overall, I've been really pleased with the performance, however.

Similar Products Used:

DVPS330D

component video output - optical and digital coax outputs for audio

not enough fast forward or review functions, not that I ever use them that often but it would be nice to have them.

I have been using the dvd player for approximately 2 months and absolutely love this machine. I am running the component video into my 36" sony xbr vega. The picture quality is outstanding. I am using the fiber optic output for the audio with a sony receiver, (db930) and the definitive technology pro-cinema 100 series. It sounds awesome. I haven't had any problems yet with the dvd and don't anticipate any either. It is a very quality product and I think a good buy for the price.

Similar Products Used:

none

Excellent picture, Good value, $350 @ Costco.

Small remote buttons for forward and reverse scan

No lip sync, serial # over 975000 It played "Ronin" with no problems. Already have a 3 Sony televisions and 2 Sony VCRs, all have worked flawlessly.

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Shopped the Panasonic 120 and Toshiba 3109

Well the price was right.. And I wanted the Sony DVD player to match my nice Sony Receiver... I knew about the LIP Sync problems but I figured it's gotta be fixed by now.. If I know about it Sony knows about it mine will be fine.. Wrong!!! I've seen maybe 10 movies on it and noticed it 2 or 3 times.. no one else noticed it, but it wasn't acceptable for me.. it's gone back to CC.I'd give it a BIG ASS 0!

I've had my DVP-S530D for about a week and have already watched 8 movies on it,of which only 1 was a rental. I would have to say that it performed flawless,
I never noticed the lip sync problem that everyone is talking about. I do wish
you could acess the setup menu while the dvd is playing, and I wish the chassis
was a bit heavier then the 6 lbs it is. I haven't bought the component video
cables just yet, but the s-video gives an excellent picture, it is hard for me
to think that the component out would give me a better picture on my 36" wega xbr, but one of these days I will get those cables and try it out. As for the
audio quality, I cannot comment on this yet, I have a sony receiver on order which I should receive in about a week, but I predict it will sound amazing with the 24 bit 96k audio output. As for DVD's, they are very promising, I don't think another medium for movies will be out anytime soon except for HDTV DVDs. My only worry is that I hope that do not make the current DVD players go out of style. I think it will be atleast 5 more years before HDTV will be a common thing. I also think purchasing DVD's is a better investment then renting them. I have found a used DVD store that sells ALL movies for $13.99. Renting costs 3 dollars, but if you actually compare how much more you are paying (13.99 - 3 - 5) = 6 dollars for a DVD to keep and watch whenever you want for years. That 5 dollars was for the actual worth price for the DVD that you can always sell back to any used dvd store, even if it is 10 years from now.

Great picture, Remote, 5.1 decoder built in

None

I love this DVD playr. No lip sync problems at all. I have Played the Matrix about 50 times and no problems. I love the built in 5.1 decoder. I use my current receiver (Sony STRDE435) and it sounds great. I have rented several movies from Blocbuster with severe scratches and they all played great.

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None

Component video output, multiple S-Video / Composite video output, multiple audio output (Toslink, Coax, Analog)

Fast Forward, Reverse and slow-motion playback sucks. Also, why put a 5.1 decoder in a DVD player anymore?

I bought this player because I've had problems playing a few discs on my Panasonic 110. I also wanted to upgrade to a player with component video out (new Hitachi TV). The FIRST thing I did with the new player is play the discs that gave me trouble on the Panasonic. The Sony 530 had no problems with these discs. After that relief I really tested the two players side by side. I can see a difference with the quality of in-player letter-boxing. The Sony does a much better job with almost no artifacts on the discs I tested - Twister, Dangerous Beauty, Fifth Element, others. Here's the problem - the Fast foward, reverse and slow motion are all terrible. The Panasonic offers more options for each (5 different speeds in every direction) and the playback on the Panasonic is much smoother during fast forward and slow motion. Sony advertises 'Smooth Scan' on FF and Slow, but I don't see it. It looks really jerky to me. Also, I'm irritated by the fact that they included the DD decoder - who the heck needs this? Do many people paying 350 - 400 for a DVD player NOT have a DD receiver? I'm thinking about getting another Panasonic player, but I'm worried about compatibility problems...

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic DVD A110