Pioneer DV-343 DVD Player
Great player - DVDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs no problem
After extensive research on Pioneer DV525, DV535, DV333 and DV343, and giving a thought to a multiregion models of the above mentioned, I decided to go with the region 1 DV343.  <br />First, let me get the model sequence straight : 343 replaces 333, 333 replaces 525.  535 is the European equivalent of 333.  <br />I went with the 343 because 1) I am not interested in a progressive scan model (DV434) - I still love my two-year-old Sony TV 2) I am not interested in a multi-disk model 3) all of 343's predecessors had great reviews and 4) 343 was the newest model of the bunch.<br />Now the player review.  Setup was a breeze.  It supports all kinds of hookup combinations available today.  Unfortunately for me, my seven-year-old receiver only allows the basic hookup that can be done with the cable that comes with the 343.  The picture and audio are great nonetheless.  I tried another combination (optical, composite, etc.) with my friend's receiver.  The picture and audio are even greater.<br />The player is not picky at all.  I backup my DVDs on SVCDs just in case.  343 plays my backup VCDs and SVCDs burned on CD-Rs and CD-RW with no problem, not to mention DVDs.  :)  <br />The unit was manufactured in Malaysia.  The light weight can be a shock, but then again my made-in-China Sony VCR weighs about the same.  Has no built-in decoder, but supports Dolby Digital and DTS if the receiver has the capabilities.  The only bummer is the remote - buttons are small, layout is not quite intuitive, but don't we all use on universal remote anyway these days. <br />Overall, a great versatile player for the price tag.  I have no complaints.