Panasonic DVD-CV52 5-Disc DVD Player
Performance, value, but a headache to use
I bought this at a local store based on price and published reviews. I wanted a DVD player which could play both disks of a long movie and to replace my Sony 5-disk platter CD player.  The CV52 does that but I still have my CD player.<br />The CV52 has great video and sound (though I have limited experience with other DVD players), but a marginal user interface. Also, watching the 2-disk Lord of the Rings DVD (new out of box) my player skipped four times. When I backed up and replayed the error was gone (appeared as a frozen screen for ~1 sec with audio gap). <br />The player is seriously deficient in \\"ease of use\\". Once playing you will be pleased, but its a headache to get there.  Sometimes you must press the buttons several times to get the tray to open, to stop play, or change disks. Apparently it ignores input while a disk is loading (automatic when tray closes).  The face has only open/close, exchange disk (nice feature), skip disk, and standard play/pause fwd/rev functions. The incomprehensible remote is required for all other functions. <br />The remote is flimsy and confusing. The buttons all mostly look the same. The various menu buttons are spread around the control making it a bit confusing which button to press.  Large navigational buttons occupy the middle of the control.  But these only work with menus.  The fwd/reverse speed, stop, play, pause, etc are tiny buttons at the top.  Most of the buttons are so small that it takes care to press the right one.  Although the rubber buttons are nice, the small size , lack of meaningful organization, and generally flimsy feel earn the remote an F.<br />I don't play CDs in the unit because its such a pain to operate, compared with my several year old Sony changer. <br />Overall, the price is great for the capabilities. The performance is good. But ease of use is non existent. If you want the capabilities the DVD CV52 offers at a good price, buy it. But the shoddy effort at making this product functional will make me seriously think over another Panasonic purchase. Recommend you try it out at the store first.