REVIEW: Best DVD Players Review and DVD Player Ratings

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Featured below are some of our top picks in DVD Players -- the #1 selections for Budget, Full-feature Progressive Scan, Budget Progressive Scan, Multidisc, and Portable DVD Players. If you're not sure which DVD player works best for your budget and needs, to learn the basics about shopping for DVD Players, check out our DVD Player Buyer's Guide.

Here are some basics about DVD Players, and below this summary, you'll find the DVD Player Reviews, with photos, links to Customer Reviews, and purchase information.

Progressive Scan DVD Players
If you have high-definition TV (HDTV) a DVD player with progressive scan will give you a better resolution image when used with your HDTV set. Progressive Scan technology has become much less expensive lately, and a good progressive-scan DVD player will give you very sharp, detailed images with very good color saturation. In fact, many progressive scan DVD Players are now at the same price level as regular players. Keep an eye out for a feature called 3:2 pulldown.

Video Connections
Most DVD players ship with a composite video cable (usually color coded yellow) that allows you to connect your player to a TV through the composite video jack. This is the most basic video connection. Other players may come with S-Video, which separates the color from the B&W signals. All DVD players come with the yellow S-video connection, which is better than a composite video connection, but not all players come with the cable.

If you have a high-end television, you'll get a better picture using component video signal, which use red, blue, and green 3-cable connectors. This will provide the sharpest image and truest color transmission. Usually these "component" cables are not included with most DVD players.

Audio Connections
All DVD players have an analog stereo output and most have optical and coaxial digital audio outputs. If you are an audiophile, you should get a player that has at least one coaxial and one optical connection for the most flexibility. The coax connection should provide better audio than the optical connectors. "Virtual Surround Sound" emulates the surround sound of a full theater setup with the use of only two stereo speakers, but it won't blow you away like the real thing.

Media Types
These days, quite a few DVD players can take multiple-disc formats, such as CDs, VCDs, CD-Rs with MP3 files, CD-RWs, DVD-R, SACD, and DVD-Audio formats. If you think you'll be using any of these, pay a little extra for increased flexibility. If not, skip these options and save some money.

Rated	Model	Price	Review	Customers
Lowest Price DVD Player	Norcent DP300	$42.95	Full Review	Customer Comments
If your main concern is price, you really can't beat this top-rated budget DVD player, which offers Dolby Digital output through either optical or coaxial digital-audio jack for surround sound (with compatible AV receiver), NTSC/PAL conversion output lets you play region-free U.K. DVDs, manual voltage select (AC 100 to 240 volts, 50 or 60 Hz) so it can be used in several countries, 500 lines horizontal resolution-image digest viewing, A-B repeat, and picture zoom, NTSC/PAL video outputs. Plays DVD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, MP3, and can also play MPG movies your burn yourself. Provides Composite and S-video outputs, one set of left and right analog audio outputs, Playback options include onscreen menu, parental lock, resume/memory play, fast or slow motion, and nine-image digest viewing. There are certainly some flaws for example the remote has very small text and no power on/off, there may be some slight cropping of wide screen movies, and the manual is not intuitive. But set-up is easy, and look at the price. [MORE INFO]
Best Value DVD Player	Panasonic DVD-S55S	~~$129.99~~ $104.99	Full Review	Customer Comments
[View All Top-Rated Progressive Scan DVD Players] Rated #1 for its excellent value and excellent video quality, this Panasonic progressive scan DVD player packs great features and quality into an affordably priced DVD player. The unit's Digital re-mastering enhances CD playback, and it supports DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, CD-R, CD-RW, JPEG, and MP3/WMA CDs. Audio outputs: 1 stereo analog (L/R), 1 set of multichannel analog outputs (left, center, right, left/right surround), 1 optical digital audio. Video outputs: 3 (composite-, component-, and S-video). If you have an HDTV monitor, get a progressive scan DVD player, which will give you much better picture quality. [MORE INFO]
#1 Full-Feature Progressive Scan	Panasonic DVD-RP91K Progressive-Scan	~~$749.95~~ $500	Full Review	Customer Comments
[View All Top-Rated Progressive Scan DVD Players] Though more expensive than the basic Progressive-Scan DVD players, this unit comes with all the options an audio/videophile could want, including support for DVD-Audio (use with a surround-sound receiver with 5.1-channel analog inputs). No matter what home theater system you have, the options on this machine will allow you to get maximum performance. In addition to unsurpassed picture and sound quality, this unit plays the new multichannel DVD-Audio software, and features aspect ratio controls, and an intuitive remote (with joystick). The unit does not play SACDs, and remote is not backlit. Also available in Champagne color. [MORE INFO]
#1 Multidisc DVD Player	JVC XV-FA902SL 7-Disc Player	$249.99	Full Review	Customer Comments
[View All Top-Rated Multidisc DVD Players] By far the top-rated multidisc DVD player, this silver-colored 7-disc digital direct progressive scan output DVD player is compatible with DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, VCD, SVCD, audio CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and JPEG- and MP3. Custom 1-bit P.E.M. D.D. digital-to-analog audio converter with 192k Hz/24-bit resolution ensures premium-quality sound, and the VFP (Video Fine Processor) adjusts seven picture parameters for optimum viewing in different settings. The unit supports Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround; 3D-Phonic virtual surround simulates surround sound through two speakers, 3:2 pulldown, S-video and component video. Warranty is 1 year parts, 90 day labor. [MORE INFO]
#1 Portable DVD Player	Panasonic DVD-LV70 Portable DVD Player	~~$899.99~~ $498.94	Customer Comments
Rated #1 for a great value in a small package, with excellent sound and picture quality, and 3-hours playback on the battery. The DVD-LV70 portable DVD player features a 7" screen, and offers popular home theater features like Cinema Mode and Dialogue Enhancer in an ultra lightweight and compact package. Other features include high-speed smooth-motion scan, auto switching field/frame still, forward and reverse frame advance, and chapter preview. With twin laser pickup, regular-format CDs as well as home-recorded CD-R and CD-RW media with MP3s can be played along with your DVDs. Includes S-video outputs, Dolby Digital and DTS output, standard audio/video outs, and optical digital-audio outputs for convenient connection to a TV and audio system. An easy-to-use joystick-type control is featured on the unit. One drawback is that there's only one headphone jack. Warranty is one year on parts and 90 days on labor. [MORE INFO]

More information
For more about how to buy a DVD Player, see Znews.com's DVD Player Buyer's Guide. Or see our reviews of Top DVD Players by category:

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