Easy to use
Good picture

Others have mentioned numerous problems, but I've only had 1 problem with mine so far.
Can't read CDRs

I received this DVD player as a birthday present about a year and a half ago. I've only had 1 major problem with it, the disc tray was stuck and wouldn't eject. However that was fixed under warranty. Other than that, it's played every single DVD I've had perfectly.

I have it hooked up to a Denon AVR1600 receiver and an Energy Take5 speaker system. The sound is awesome. The picture is gorgeous on my 27" Sony Trinitron monitor after a Video Essentials calibration session.

Honestly, I think I could've gotten by with a cheaper DVD player with less frills, but as a present I can't complain :)

Similar Products Used:

First DVD player

Build quality, set-up features, picture & sound

Slight hiss while playing, remote neither intuitive nor illuminated

I bought this player about six months ago after reading the many positive reviews. (thanks) I have had zero problems with the aforementioned lip sync glitch, I must have gotten the newer version. The remote is clumsy and impossible to read with the lights out, but overall not a big deal, that's what a good universal is for. Just as the below reviewers warned, there is a slight hiss during playback and a 1 second pause while switching layers. A casual listner probably would never notice, but being forewarned insures you now will. Again, minor quibles. I just went through the speaker set up once again and did some fine tuning. U571 absolutely explodes in my living room. This is a fine player. When purchased, I received a coupon to mail away for five free but lame DVD's. They arrived in about a month and I promptly sold them at a used DVD store for $40. Thus the net price was $260. Recently this model was phased out by a slimmer model and the new unit's price is down to $250 most everywhere. No regrets buying this one rather than waiting. My advice is not to try and save $50 by downgrading to an off-brand. Spend the extra money and get the Sony. FYI, I have had excellent luck purchasing audio products recommended by this sight. Conversely, when I go solo (Jensen sub) I usually regret it!

Similar Products Used:

First DVD player

Set up:
Yamaha V493 receiver :(
Klipsch SC1 center :)
Klipsch KSB 2.1 mains :)
Klipsch KSB 1.1 surround :)
Jensen 150 watt sub :(

Lip-sync issues, C-13 errors, no CD-R support, disk read errors.

Purchased the unit in May 99 for $400 from Circuit City, and experienced the lip-sync problem right out of the box. Contacted Circuit City and they were unaware of any problems. The lip-sync issue was annoying but I tried to tolerate it. About 9 monthes later the unit began having problems loading the Matrix, and problems with rental DVD's.
At times the unit would completely "lock" (C-13 error) and would have to be unplugged to restore operation. By January 2000 the unit would barely load or play any DVD's, even brand new ones. I was about to send the unit off to Sony when I ran across this site. It seemed many were having the exact problems, and Sony is aware of these problems. I contacted Sony and was told there was no known problems with my unit, and it was out of warranty. I told the Sony rep I knew my unit was in the range of the bad batch (Serial 10001 thru 119840 and 80001 thru 953000), and my Firmware was old (1.5). I asked to speak with his supervisor. He put me on hold and returned with a Sony charge number to have the Lip-sync issue fixed for free. I mailed the unit to Sony service in Atlanta. The unit returned about 10 days later. The Firmware had been upgraded from 1.5 to 2.6, several resistors and parts were replaced, and the unit was cleaned and calibrated. Sony didn't charge me at all. I have watched 2 movies with no problems.

If anyone is having similar problems, call Sony and don't take no for an answer. If you get the right person, you can get your unit fixed. All in all, I would recommend the unit when working properly.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Toshiba

very good picture, easy to navigate through, multiple RCA & S-Video Jacks; for easy stero hookup.

Price point; Not for sure if a this model was ever recalled, but mine just went dead all the sudden. The Repair center said it was hit by lightning and would cost $160 to repair. I had my TV, Stero, VCR, & Satilite Reciever plugged into a $200 surge suppressor. Then Sony said it was a hardware failier. Everyone that i have chated with said there's also had some flaws also. And Right now there is one on E-Bay for sale broke.

I fell i was cheated on this product just around 1 year old and never got a stright answer from Sony after i told them i had it plugged into a surge suppressor from the time it came out of the box... It just up and died on me.

very good picture, easy to navigate through, multiple RCA & S-Video Jacks; for easy stero hookup.

Price point; Not for sure if a this model was ever recalled, but mine just went dead all the sudden. The Repair center said it was hit by lightning and would cost $160 to repair. I had my TV, Stero, VCR, & Satilite Reciever plugged into a $200 surge suppressor. Then Sony said it was a hardware failier. Everyone that i have chated with said there's also had some flaws also. And Right now there is one on E-Bay for sale broke.

I fell i was cheated on this product just around 1 year old and never got a stright answer from Sony after i told them i had it plugged into a surge suppressor from the time it came out of the box... It just up and died on me.

Incredible Picture/Sound. Rarely has problems. Nice features.

Small Rare LipSync problem but fixes if you change the tracks, doesn't play CDRs.

Large amount of features. Crystal clear sound and picture as compared to other companies' products. Rarely have problems and the uncommon LipSync problem is easily fixed. Never noticed any loud noise coming from drive as stated in others reviews. I give it a 5 out of 5!

Similar Products Used:

None

Purchased the Sony DVP-S530D, from Best Buy last week. I knew about the lip sync problem on the player. However, I though buy now Sony would have fixed the problem on their new batch of S530D's. I viewed "Heat" no problems, "Titanic" no problems. Unfortunately " Unforgiven" did exhibit this problem. The problem could only be corrected if you hit stop and play again. I contacted Sony and they are aware of the problem. However, there is no fix to the problem as of yet. I returned my player for a full refund. The player is the best in the price range without a doubt. However, the lip sync problem is to distracting for me to keep this player. I will be looking for the DVD player from Onkyo which is being released in October. Hopefully that player will not exhibit that dreaded lip sync problem.

I need to downgrade my prior review from 5 to 3 speakers as I now have the lipsync problem on an occasional basis. After viewing about 30 movies (beautifully) I had my first lipsync episode during "A Simple Plan" and then again for "celebrity". I have watched about ten movies since with no problems but I know it will happen again (and when it does... it is totally unacceptable). Stop and starting seems to help (but not always). Additionally, I am very pissed to hear in this review area that Sony has no plans to rectify this (I hope this is an untrue rumor).
When it works, it's is a phenomenal value though.

Sound - easy to manipulate

No zoom capabilities

Purchased my player at Best Buy for $299 + tax. Great deal. On top of that I received 6 free DVD movies through the mail. Thanks to all of you for your great advise. My firmware is 2.4. So far I have nothing negative to say. I am very satisfied with the unit. The Digital Surround sound is excellent. I have it hooked up with a SONY STR-DA555ES receiver via MonsterCable optical connection, and BOSE AM15 theather speaker system. It rocks the house. I am very happy. Wish the DVd had zoom capabilities.

Excellent Fast Forward, Slow motion and intuitive remote control. Very acurate picture.

Slight lip sync problem on some dvd's, you can hear a "spining" sound when playing. Not very good CD sound.

Overall this is the best DVD player I've ever owned, but this doesn't say much. I've owned first and second geration dvd players. I would not consider this a great player for a number of reasons. Unlike other players I've owned you have to set it up to properly recognize DTS dvd's. Although once configured properly, you shouldn't need to reconfigure.

I have found it reliable at playing all dvd's and it did not over-heat like other units I've owned. I almost returned it initially because of the spinning sound you hear when playing, but learned to ignore it over time. It also doesn't do a good job with CD's, you'll need a separate player for quality sound.

The pictue is very clear and deep in detail, better then some others. My next DVD player will be of quality, not a disposible under $500 unit. DVD's tend to play very hot and require open ventilation. I will look for units with a fan built in (like all computers are made!).

Similar Products Used:

Panisonic and Pioneer DV-606D