Sony DVP-NC875V/B 5-Disc DVD/CD/SACD Changer, Black
quality player/great price
I bought this recently to replace an older 5 disc Sony model that I spent nearly 200 for just 2 years ago. Some changes I noticed include: they did remove the front panel menu navigation buttons, so make sure you don't break/lose your remote. Also gone is the cool 2 color front panel lights around disc buttons 1-5. One good thing though is that they made it shorter in height, thin is in. Never had a problem w/ my old one, Sony is among the leaders in reliability. I like the dot matrix display a lot- which features a 3 stage dimmer.<br /><br />This model DVP-NC875V(Black) is a great value. I bought the black because it matches the rest of my AV gear, but it's also available in silver. I got mine from a local retailer for 123, new. The on-screen menu is clear and easy to use. The manual is also easy to understand and well written. Set up was painless, I had it out of the box and playing with-in minutes. The remote is sleek/thin, easy to use, tons of buttons, and fits my hand well w/ the bottom finger groove. Some cool buttons are the (2x & 4x) zoom and instant replay. It can be easily programmed to control the volume on your receiver(lacks a mute button) as well as control your TV.<br /><br />It features hi-fi. multichannel SACD - though unfortunately only playable through the analog 5.1 outputs, would be MUCH better if it was playable through the superior digital outs instead.(Running one wire is also a much cleaner install than having to run 6 for audio to the machine's rear) I hope they someday get this right.<br /><br />It features a list of various play modes, including program play, shuffle(random) play, repeat play, A-B repeat play. CD/DVD text compatible(if available). Built-in dolby digital/DTS decoding, great for people who don't already have decoding in a receiver, lacks pro logic II decoding I've seen others have. Of course, selectable progressive scan.<br /><br />It has BOTH optical & coaxial digital outs. Superior 108MHz/12 bit video DAC! 192kHz/24 bit audio DAC! Sony's new precision drive 3 system. 40 disc resume memory- very convenient feature and a lot more than others offer! region 1 or all region/NTSC only. Built-in screen saver(after 15 min.). Energy star! It shuts off after 30 min. of inactivity. Great feature! Power consumption is 14w. S/N 115db. Distortion: .003% Dynamic range: DVD video & SACD =103db/CD=99db.<br /><br />Just a couple cons: lacks(higher end)HDMI output, doesn't play WMA, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM(photo CD format)or DVD-audio discs. However, it is extremely hard to find a player that's compatible w/ every single format out there. What it will play: DVD, CD, SACD, VCD, JPEG, Kodak picture CD, MP3, CD-R/RW, DVD +/- R/RW, CD-ROM(music CD/video CD format).<br /><br />Also, a personal issue, I still wish DVD players had built-in digital clocks like VCRs did. I also wish you had a choice to rotate the open tray either way when exchanging discs. Keep in mind the 5 disc models are quite a bit larger/wider than the single disc models, but they do offer you more flexibility in return.<br /><br />One final piece of advice, please use component video for your video signal (if you can) and invest in quality set of wires, like monster cable. S-Video is the next best thing. Composite aka A/V cables should NEVER be used for a DVD player, even though they are usually thrown in the box for free. Composite: Good for VCRs, Horrible for DVDs.  Anyways, hope my review helps... this is a great product so go get one!n drive 3 system. 40 disc resume memory- very convenient feature and a lot more than others offer! region 1 or all region/NTSC only. Built-in screen saver(after 15 min.). Energy star! It shuts off after 30 min. of inactivity. Great feature! Power consumption is 14w. S/N 115db. Distortion: .003% Dynamic range: DVD video & SACD =103db/CD=99db.    Just a couple cons: lacks(higher end)HDMI output, doesn't play WMA, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM(photo CD format)or DVD-audio discs. However, it is extremely hard to find a player that's compatible w/ every single format out there. What it will play: DVD, CD, SACD, VCD, JPEG, Kodak picture CD, MP3, CD-R/RW, DVD +/- R/RW, CD-ROM(music CD/video CD format).    Also, a personal issue, I still wish DVD players had built-in digital clocks like VCRs did. I also wish you had a choice to rotate the open tray either way when exchanging discs. Keep in mind the 5 disc models are quite a bit larger/wider than the single disc models, but they do offer you more flexibility in return.    One final piece of advice, please use component video for your video signal (if you can) and invest in quality set of wires, like monster cable. S-Video is the next best thing. Composite aka A/V cables should NEVER be used for a DVD player, even though they are usually thrown in the box for free. Composite: Good for VCRs, Horrible for DVDs.  Anyways, hope my review helps... this is a great product so go get one!