Panasonic DVD-RP56 Progressive-Scan DVD Player
RP56 stunning but little flaws
With the Farouja decoder chip, the RP56 displays the best picture in this price category. It's just smooth and film-like, however the remote buttons are not lighted, small, and mushy so a stiff push is needed. Ergonomics is Panasonic's downfall - the eject button is just above the play button and all are small. You cannot change between progressive and interlace modes from the remote - need to hit button on the player.<br />If your 16x9 HDTV locks in FULL mode with a progressive output, the RP56 cannot zoom or change aspect ratios and a 4x3 or non-anamorphic (not enhanced for 16x9) picture will look squashed. You turn progressive output off to view it properly but you lose the progressive quality.<br />The useless jog dial is only on the player - FF and review require several button pushes. Also my 4 year old Sony S3000 would pick up playing from the same spot if you hit STOP. With this unit, you hit a button on the remote and then you need to power it off. When you turn on later, it will resume.<br />Picture is gourgeous, price is right, design of the remote is absolutely terrible.  I tested some MP3s and they play really well. Despite my complaints, I've kept mine. It has not skipped or  missed a beat with everything thrown at it.