Panasonic DVD-RP56 Progressive-Scan DVD Player
Good player, great picture!
PROS: Awesome picture, great value<BR>CONS: Interface quirks<br />For a Progressive Scan DVD Player, the Panasonic RP56 is a great value. It plays a host of different formats such as CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and VCDs. The picture quality is unbelievably clear and crisp on a good television and the sound is also crystal clear and well separated when piped through a stereo amp and decent speakers. The player also seems relatively sturdy and well made. I haven't had any severe read errors or any other problems with playing or reading DVDs. All of my DVDs including the dirty and scratched Netflix DVDs that I've played have worked fine. So, in those respects, I can't complain at all.<br />The only problems are some interface quirks that can be annoying. The player doesn't remember where you left off on the DVD when you turn the player off or go back to the menu, which to me is weird. I'm sure there's a setting somewhere that solves that problem, but it really should be automatic. And pressing open to insert a DVD when you turn the unit on takes a little while b/c it has to show you an annoying \\"Welcome to DVD World\\" message, which is truly superfluous.<br />Other than that, I really can't complain about this player's overall performance... it works and performs great where it counts.