Panasonic DVD-RV31K DVD Player, Black
Constantly freezes
I researched DVD players for weeks before deciding to purchase Panasonic's DVD-RV31K about a year ago. This model had all the features I wanted at a reasonable price. It does indeed play CD-R and CD-RW discs, and even decodes mp3 files burned to those discs. Unfortunately, when it comes to the product's primary purpose--playing commercial DVD movies--it fails horribly.<br />The problem is that playback of DVDs constantly freezes. This happens regardless of the disc, and it happens with discs that play just fine on several other DVD players. The playback might freeze as often as every few minutes, up to maybe 20 times per average film. The only solution to a freeze-up is to physically tap or jostle the player. Perhaps the drive motor does not work properly, or perhaps the DVD discs become unbalanced very easily in this machine. Whatever the cause, the effect is nothing short of infuriating. DVD movies are flat-out unwatchable on this machine. I cannot afford to replace it, so I am stuck with jumping up to slap the machine whenever it freezes. I will never purchase another Panasonic product again.