Panasonic DVD-RV31K DVD Player, Black
excellent player for the money
Panasonic DVD-RV30 (older model w/o MP3 capability) was rated excellent for picture quality in the Consumer Report magazine.I found that is true also for this RV31 (silver) model. Unlike my older JVC dvd player, this player allows me to set different black level (light and darker); it allows users to set contrast, brightness, sharpness, color, and tint--features used to be only available in more expensive players. The picture quality, of course, is outstanding. I could notice more details in the black/dark areas when I set the brightness a little higher than factory preset. Among the 3 dvd players I've owned, I find this RV31 to have the best (user-friendly) on-screen menu. This player, however, lacks a screen saver to prevent phospher burn-in. In addition, it lacks a coaxial digital output. It comes with optical output, and of course also regular (a/v) rca outputs. It has component video output as well. The remote control is fine. I didn't think the keys are too small; however,it is not a universal remote. MP3 player, honestly, works flawlessly. I expected that it wasn't going to work based on other reviews. To my surprise, the player was able to read and play all my tracks on every MP3 cd-r and CD-RWs I have. It could be that I have saved all my music files in bit rate of 128 or higher. It does say in the manual that if the bit rate is 96 or lower, it may have problem reading the files. All in all, I was very happy to have purchased this player. I have played DVDs, MP3s and my Hong Kong VCDs without running into any problems. I also like the silver finish (you can purchase in black, as well.)