Philips DVD590MT Progressive-Scan Vertical DVD Player
Small Footprint -- Large Issues
This DVD player is nicely designed and has excellent features. Slot loading, removable base ((two screws on the underside) allows to place horizontal), and the small size (half the size of others) are all pluses.      My reason for purchasing: my 4 year old Sony (still an excellent DVD player) was looking tired and didn't play MP3s. It was time I got a new player -- and seeing that the price (along with other amenities) for the Phillips is less than half of what I paid for the Sony -- it was a done deal.      I've had the player for a few days now and must say I like it overall, but there are issues that can't be ignored:      1. A lot of DVDs skip areas when playing and I'm not sure what causes it. This results in lots of rewind -&amp;gt;play to see what you've missed. Serious bug and horrible experience with rented DVDs (they tend to be in horrible condition due to mishandling). If I can't isolate this issue to the few discs I've tried to play, the unit is going back to Target.      2. Constant bright lights. There is a red standby light reminiscent of HAL from 2001 glowing when the unit is turned off. Just as annoying are the two orange lights that glow when playing. While they are a nice aesthetic touch, they distract the hell out of me while watching a movie -- I keep seeing these bright glowing ambers to the corner of my TV. The Sony receiver I use has a dimmer for the display -- Even the Sony DVD player has only a small red pin light.      I can recommend if you're short on space, but be warned as it is listed last on the product list on Philips site and they no longer display the price -- only the 'where to buy link'.      BTW: The remote shown on Target.com isn't correct -- it comes with an ultra slim touch button remote that is just slightly larger than a stack of credit cards -- a bit on the cheap side, but still refreshing to not get another oversized chunk of black plastic.