I received this DVD player as a Christmas present from my wife. She knew that I had been looking at DVD players and it would make a terrific gift. I couldn't wait to hook it up and give it a try.

It was very easy to hook up this DVD player with the cables that were included. In fact, it was easier to install than a VCR because it has such limited features. There are standard audio and video output jacks and a power cord - that's it! Unlike a VCR, you don't have to worry about connecting a video/antenna input or programming the date, time and channels. It couldn't be any easier to install.

Although the standard audio and video output jacks make this DVD player easy to install, they do not provide the absolute highest quality audio and video reproduction. More expensive DVD players typically use digital audio and video outputs for use with S-Video or fiber-optic cables. I was a little disappointed at the audio and video quality of this DVD player because we have a hi-fi VCR with equal or better audio and video quality. I'm not saying the audio and video quality is poor; I'm simply saying that most (more expensive) DVD players have much higher quality audio and video performance.

We experience intermittent video problems while watching rental DVDs from video stores. Just like audio CDs, DVDs are easily scratched and finger-printed when they're not handled carefully. Unfortunately, rental DVDs are oftentimes scratched and dirty. The following is a list of problems that we've experienced with rental DVDs:

1. We've rented DVDs that did not work at all in our DVD player.

2. We've rented other DVDs that "freeze" or "lock-up" in the middle of the movie.

3. We've also rented DVDs that flash large green blocks at seemingly random locations all over the TV screen.

Although it's easy to blame these problems on scratched and dirty rental DVDs, our DVD player is also a part of the problem. Most DVDs that don't work in our DVD player work fine in a (better, more expensive) DVD player at the video store.

Overall, I'm glad to own this DVD player because it was a gift from my wife (and because it works most of the time). If you want an inexpensive DVD player, this is the one for you. They don't get any cheaper! On the other hand, if you're looking for a high-quality DVD player or one with lots of features, don't even look at this one.

Recommended: No

Amount Paid (US$): 89