Excellent picture quality, comprehensive outputs, nice remote.

The lip-sync fiasco is something I could have done without.

I purchased a 550D with a serial number that's in the "safe" range (as determined by reading reviews here and elsewhere) and I have not experienced any problems with audio/video sync. The picture quality is excellent, and the 550D has all the outputs I'm likely to need for several years. The only thing keeping me from giving this player 5 stars is fear of the lip-sync problem resurfacing some time down the road. The three star value rating takes into account the sub-$200 players I see advertised these days.

Great combination w/ component video out to Sony Vega KV-36FV15. I also invested in higher end Monster Cable connects which enhanced quality of the audio and video signal.

My unit required service to repair a lip sync problem.

I'm very satisfied with my purchase. Aside from the technical problems, my family and I have experienced many hours of enjoyment watching movies and concerts from this player.

For the record, Sony replaced the following parts at no charge: The IC MR27V1602D-91MAZ and the Optical KHM2 Device, 02-45-A. The unit was in my local service center for one week and has performed without problems for the last 60 days.

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This is my first DVD player.

Jog-shuttle, dts, optical digital audio, component video

Lip-sync, freeze, skip, drop-out, will not load disk, etc., etc.

I have the Sony DVP-S550D. I loved the picture and audio quality (digital optical audio to Sony STR-DA333ES, component video out to Toshiba TN55V71) although the picture is soft and not as sharp as I thought it should be.

I had used this unit for 11 months without any problem, then I began having the lip-sync problem. I contacted Sony and arranged to have the firmware upgraded which was done at no charge.

When I got the unit back (three weeks in the shop)it just shut itself off in the middle of a movie and would not come back on. After a couple days of unplugging and trying to reset the unit it just wouldn't stay on. I took it to the shop and they said (after 2 weeks of having the unit)they could not reproduce the problem. They said that they cleaned the laser and charged me $27.00 (It was now out of warranty).

I got it home and it did come on, but now it takes a long time for it to load a disk when you put one into the unit, if it recognizes it at all. It also skips sections of the movie or freezes at times. It drops-out the audio at times (this all happens on DVDs which I have watched in the past with no problem, I own my own and am careful to keep them clean and unscratched).

I have read hundreds of other postings here to find a suitable replacement and now have a Panasonic RV30 on order (close race with the Pioneer DV-333).

If not for the 11 months of trouble free use I would have rated this as low as possible, but because it did work fine, at first.

If you are planning to buy anything Sony, I recommend that you read carefully reviews from other users before you drop your hard earned money on it!!!!

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Toshiba 3109, Sony DVP-S7000, Sony DVP-S530

Won't play CD-Rs. Confusing front panel controls

If you want to play CD-Rs that you have recorded this machine is worthless. Sony says that they didn't code the machine to play CD-Rs even though every other CD player they make will play CD-Rs

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Many

Picture and sound, ease of use, multiple outlet options, great features for the price.

Required repair for lip-sync.

I've had this machine (my first DVD player) since March 2000, and have enjoyed it thoroughly. Picture and audio quality are excellent, it's whisper quiet, and it has operated with near-flawless precision.

I say "near-flawless" because it had the lip-sync problem. I called Sony, and their tech acknowledged the problem right off, wrote up a trouble ticket, and gave me the address of a local service center. I dropped it off on Saturday, and it was fixed by Monday afternoon. No charge, no fuss, no muss. I'm told this is more the exception than the rule for Sony, but I'll take it.

I can't quite give it five stars for overall rating because a new machine shouldn't require immediate service for a known problem, but overall, I'm very happy with this player.

Plays any DVD perfectly, transfers to second layer well, wide range of hook-up options

OCCASIONALLY have noticed temporary lip-synch problem

With the JVC XV-525BK, I noticed picture several random picture freezes, difficulty processing opening menus (ex. Matrix), and the inability to process some scenes (ex. The Mummy--when the mummy changed from a pillar of sand into his human form the picture would freeze every time). The Sony DVP-S550D could do everything the JVC could not. No picture freezes, no difficulties processing opening menus, and it could play The Mummy scene mentioned earlier flawlessly. It is nice to have a DVD player that continuously gives you a perfect picture and has no problems playing any DVD. I have noticed 3 times out of playing over a 130 DVD's, a slight lip-synch problem which was instantly corrected itself the minute I skipped back to hear it again. Overall it is a great player without going to the ultra-expensive models.

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JVC XV-525BK