Sony DVP-NC875V/S 5-Disc DVD/CD/SACD Changer, Silver
Excellent player--correction of misinformation
This is an excellent DVD player, the best of the five set-tops I've owned so far. <br /> <br />Several of the reviewers present incorrect information about the player's capabilities.  First, it DOES support MP3 tags, my MP3 disks--and I make a lot of them--show the names of the tracks.  One could wish for MORE of the text to be displayed, but if one enters the data properly, the track can info can easily be read.  In any event, this is normally only an issue with classical tracks, where, e.g., one might have a track title such as \\"Concerti for Two Mandolins, Strings, Orchestra, RV231, Allegro.\\"  With rock, pop, jazz tracks this isn't really an issue. The player, unlike ever other one I've owned, allows tracks to be scanned which aren't being played.   <br /> <br />Second, the player's front panel display easily read from a distance of of 8 to 10 feet.  <br /> <br />The picture quality is stunning with the latest generation DVDs.  The first seasons of HBO's \\"Deadwood\\" looks absolutely stunning.  Since I make legal archive copies of all my DVDs (for obviously reasons!) I can positively affirm that it supports all available formats (except Panasonic's proprietary RAM naturally).  It handles over half a dozen different brands of DVD R & RW with no problem.  I can also confirm that it has little trouble with scratched and damaged disks (provided my five year hasn't done a number on them!).  While not 5-year old proof--and even PC burners have trouble with that!--it does deliver from moderately degraded disks. <br /> <br />We can dismiss the old nonsense about LPs sounding \\"better\\" than LPs right here and now.  This was never true.  I've listened to LPs in pristine conditions on $1,000+ record players and even the lowest end CD-player is far superior to any LP/record player combination.  Asserting the opposite is indulging in nostalgia to the point of brain damage.  I'll trade the clarity and lack of analogue fuzz and distortion over the fictional \\"warmth\\" of LPs. <br /><br />Red-Book CD playback is excellent.  But where it really shines is with MP3s, especially with 320 kpbs (the highest quality MP3 possible).  It also handles CBR and VBR MP3s. The sound is absolutely stunning, far superior to Red-Book cds, let alone the century-old, cranky, crackly, popping archaic LPs.  This player with also display album covers if they're in jpeg form.  And MPS shuffle absolute IS possible with this player.  Again, READING the directions will save one grief AND embarassment. <br /> <br />Although the Amazon technical description claims this player is not \\"THX certified\\"--I'm watching \\"Return of the Jedi\\" as I write this--it plays the THX is brilliant clarity. <br /> <br />This player has so many functions that I have yet to play with all of them.  The \\"Quick Set-up\\" allows one to get going almost immediately.  But it will take you a good while to explore all its capabilities. <br /> <br />It also has one outstanding function I've not seen on any other set-top.  Even though my surround sound receiver doesn't have a DTS decoder, this player allows me to hear DTS tracks any way.  An excellent and completely unexpected bonus. <br /> <br />I have yet to try the SACD capability, largely because there is very little music in which I'm interested that has been ported to this format. <br /> <br />Bottom line: a great player, with great features at an excellent price point.  Ignore the ridiculous complaints from some reviewers and definitely consider this set-top.