Panasonic DVD-S27K Progressive Scan DVD Player , Black
Great for price; no better picture unless you spend lot more
This is a terrific DVD player for the price. Features include excellent quality progressive scan output, ability to play all writeable DVD formats (DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD-RW VR Mode (random access mode used for some standalone DVD recorders, e.g. Sony) and DVD-RAM (random access mode used for some standalone recorders, e.g. Panasonic), and automatic one-button audio and video adjustments that can be used to \\"optimize\\" the output for a specific type of disc.<br /><br />The picture quality, especially in progressive scan mode (output through the component out connectors) is appreciably better than the picture from \\"el cheapo\\" players in the same mode. The difference is that Panasonic uses a proprietary high quality video decoder chip.<br /><br />Physically, it's a nice looking unit. And it's quite small. It has the standard component width, but it's only about 2\\" high and it is unusually short front to back. That can be either a plus or minus, depending on where you plan to place it. The unit is too shallow to be placed under a modest sized TV, for example. Other nice features include a good sized LCD display (a lot of cheap players these days skimp on the display or omit it altogether) and a decently ergonomic remote.<br /><br />The primary downsides to this player are: 1) it only has a coaxial digital connector on the back, no optical connector; 2) it will not play the new audio/video hybrid formats, such as DVD-A or SACD; and 3) as note above, it's pretty shallow, which means that if it's going to be placed in a stack of components, it will have to be the top component. It can't be used as a pedestal for a TV, either.<br /><br />You could spend more for a DVD player, but unless you need to play DVD-A or SACD, you aren't going to find another player with a better picture unless you spend several times the price of this unit.