Panasonic DVD-RV32S DVD Player, Silver
Don't Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth
...The Panasonic unit I chose plays four different formats of disc media, those being: DVD-Video, DVD-R, Video CD, and Audio CDs. If you've read DKozin's review of the RV32S elsewhere on this site, please note that I could not find any mention of XVCD compatibility in the documentation that came with my unit, so you may want to check that fact.<br /><br />There are at least fourteen other disc media formats on the market that are not supported by the DVD-RV32...This particular unit is easy to set up, and can be connected to your television through an Audio/Video cable, or with an S Video cable, which is not included in the box. I'd recommend buying an S Video cable because it separates the chrominance and luminance signals. Which makes for cleaner, clearer, more faithful image reproduction.<br /><br />The remote control that comes with this model is slightly unattractive, a little heavy, cumbersome to hold, and some of the keys on it are unresponsive without repeat thumbing. You think that they could have at least provided silver-cladding, instead of the black plastic.<br /><br />Some of the accessories that are supplied in the box, besides the remote, are the batteries, AC power cord, and Audio/Video cable. Some boxes with a \\"PX\\" designation printed on the outside of the box will also include a power plug adaptor for use in some foreign countries.<br /><br />This player will allow you to change the aspect ratio from 4:3 (regular) to 16:9 (widescreen) in order to see the whole picture. If you are watching a Widescreen DVD, black bars will be at the top and the bottom of the screen. Please note, this is normal. If you don't want to see black bars on your TV screen, either do not buy any Widescreen DVDs, or use the TV ZOOM feature on the Panasonic DVD-RV32 while viewing Widescreen versions. DVDs that fill the screen in the 4:3 ratio are commonly referred to as Pan and Scan. My natural DVD viewing preference is for Widescreen, I like to see DVDs as the Director intended them to be seen.<br /><br />Some of the basic play features that you will probably enjoy are: Quick Replay, Sleep Timer, Frame-By-Frame Viewing, TV Zoom, Program Play, Subtitles & Cinema.<br /><br />When using the CINEMA mode, your picture quality is altered for movie viewing. CINEMA 1 mode will mellow the images and enhance details in dark scenes. CINEMA 2 mode will sharpen images and enhance detail in dark scenes. You can easily see the difference between NORMAL, CINEMA 1, and CINEMA 2 with the naked eye.<br /><br />I figure most people that buy this model are just looking for a hundred dollar DVD player, so I'm going to gloss over the details about the sound a little, but you will be pleased to know that this unit will play your MP3 and WMA files rather adroitly. The player can also render Dolby Digital, but only in two channels. There is not a DTS decoder onboard. You must connect another stereo component with a Dolby Digital or DTS decoder to the Panasonic to fully enjoy surround sound. You may also connect a subwoofer to the DVD-RV32 if you so desire.<br /><br />Panasonic provides toll-free phone support, and web-based support should you need to troubleshoot by voice or email, and they also allow you to register your product online, which I'm going to go do in a minute. Panasonic also offers a customer care plan, which can be purchased through 1-800-637-2007. Based on previous experience with Panasonic, I think I will pass on the extended warranty.<br /><br />...It may be a little on the basic side, but the features are very good for the price range, and I think this model would make for a great Graduation, Housewarming, or Welcome Home gift.<br /><br />So, there it sits, in the bedroom, the accumulation of a year of hard work, (and I do mean hard... LOL) the silver chassis gleaming up at me from underneath the TV table, and winking at me with it's cool and quixotic blue LED.<br /><br />I insert a DVD, and the Panasonic's scrolling LED proudly, silently, pronounces:  WELCOME TO DVD WORLD.<br /><br /> Welcome Indeed.ELCOME TO DVD WORLD.  <BR>  <BR> Welcome Indeed.