Review for the non-videophile
Written: Jan 16 '00 (Updated Dec 20 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: inexpensive; easy to use; well engineered
Cons: lousy remote
The Bottom Line: Inexpensive, but nearly unusable remote.
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| esm's Full Review: Philips DVD825AT Player |
BACKGROUND: This review is not intended for the True Video Maven. I'm a regular-joe movie buff: cheap TV (component video inputs, though), sound through a cheap boombox. In this review, I focus on the usability features of the 825AT, not on the video or audio quality; nor do I waste your time repeating specs available in brochures or at any net.merchant.
NOTE TO OTHER CHEAPOS: DVD players have no coaxial ("antenna") output, so if you have an old TV, you'll have to hook up through your VCR's A/V inputs. This produces a pretty crappy picture (still better than VHS, though, and audio is definitely superior). Count on having to buy a new TV if you want the picture in its full glory.
The good news: the Philips 825AT is an excellent value. For most first-time DVD buyers, this will be an ideal purchase. Setup is easy, learning it takes 5 minutes. The price (~ $200, as of Jan 2000) is hard to beat.
Useful features (that you won't find in the literature)
* 4-DVD memory: the player remembers the last four DVDs played, and can continue playing at the point where you left off (by pressing the play button; this isn't obvious, but is mentioned in the manual).
* Total track time display: Shows the total track ("movie") duration on-screen, right next to elapsed time. Lets you know how much longer you have to go. Silly me, I thought all players would have this... but the Panasonic A310 does not. I consider this an indispensable feature.
* Well-designed remote control functionality: Even though the layout of the buttons is abysmal, the remote control functions are easy to understand and use. For instance, to iterate over audio tracks or subtitles, you just keep pressing the appropriate "audio" or "subtitle" button. On the Panasonic A310, you first have to press the "audio"/"subtitle" button, then navigate using the arrow keys, then press yet another button to confirm. Ugh.
And now for the unpleasant bits:
* Buttons on the remote control were designed by disgruntled user-interface experts trying to get everything wrong. The buttons are indistinguishable by feel. Not only do you have to squint at the labels for the first week (or until you memorize the layout), you forevermore have to at least look to see where your finger is. This is easily fixed with a spot of glue, or a rasp, or something else that changes the texture of your most-frequently-used buttons.
* Poorly designed fast-forward and rewind. You need to keep the buttons pressed for a second or so, otherwise the button operates as "skip to the next chapter". That's a terrible double-mapping of functions, with disastrous consequences if your finger slips. Also, there is no sound when fast-forwarding.
* No goto-by-time. Certainly not a critical feature, though.
In summary: this is a great player. If you're willing to FCO your remote control, or if you have a "universal", this player deserves your attention.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
esm
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Member: Eduardo Santiago
Location: Los Alamos, NM
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 6 members
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