Panasonic DVD-RV31K DVD Player, Black
Don't Count on Technical Assistance
I haven't much used it since I received it, so I can't judge this DVD player on its features just yet. My guess is that it will do just fine--so long as you can get it hooked up. That's where my problem with Panasonic arose. I already had a home stereo with surround sound, a big screen TV, a VCR, a cable box, and an amplifier. All of my pre-existing equipment was a bit old, made before DVD was. Given all the intricate connections between all of these things, I had no idea which wires to switch in order to make the DVD player give surround sound through my home stereo, while still keeping the VCR hooked up, and yet still allowing the TV to play through the stereo. The manual gave no clue. So I called the technical hotline. I was told it would be an average 40 minute wait, and I should probably check the on-line help instead. I checked on-line, where I left a detailed e-mail, including product model numbers of all components, so forth. A week later, still no reply to my e-mail. So I called the technical hotline again. This time, I got through in 20 minutes. However, I stumped the techie--should couldn't figure it out. She said she would have someone else call me within 48 hours. I never heard from anyone ever again by phone. However, a week later, I received a reply to my e-mail. They said that it would be best if I just called on the phone--some truly sage advice. I've heard nothing since. I'm fairly technically savvy, so I just used trial & error thereafter. After about 5 hours & 2 trips to Radio Shack, I found a reasonable solution. So . . . unless you absolutely know how to hook a DVD player up to your existing setup, do not order a Panasonic product.