A nice change for Sony, but comes up short in a few key areas
Written: Jul 29 '02 (Updated Jul 29 '02)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Sound: |
 |
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Picture Quality: |
|
|
| Durability: |
|
|
|
Pros: Ultra low-profile, solid performance and good flexibility and CDR/MP3 compatibility
Cons: Inexplicably, no digital-optical out, different control-layout means more remote dependant
The Bottom Line: The NS315 fits an odd niche. Lack of basic essentials make it a poor choice for most users & I suggest looking higher in the line (715) or elsewhere.
|
|
|
| nick1326's Full Review: Sony DVP-NS315 DVD Player |
Sony has taken a nice new direction with their line of DVD players... In the name of keeping up with the Jones's (or Panasonics, JVC's and others) They've added CDR/CDRW and MP3 playback to a huge portion of their line, which includes far more than just DVD players, but also portable CD discmans (see my favortie ever:
http://www.epinions.com/content_71060655748
The NS315 employs a gorgeous new ultra-slim chassis style, a new direction for Sony and certainly very clean and sleek. However there are a few flaws inherent in this design, and a few missing pieces that would otherwise really complete this puzzle and make this unit a true sibling to the NS715P - which I cannot help but conclude is very much worth the additional money compared to the 315. Nevertheless, the 315 is a great solution if you don't need progressive scan and can deal without a few features that I myself find essential - please read on for more color.
First, the low-profile trick chassis of the NS315, while looking super-hot (in either of the silver or black colors Sony offers) is missing one essential faeture: CONTROLS! The only basic functions you have are play, stop, and scan plus your power key. Since this is a DVD player, I just can't reasonably imagine why Sony couldn't squeeze the menu-navigation keys onto the forward panel! Despite the slimness of the unit, there is still plenty of room to fit a circular 5 button control-surface -- And I'm sure it would not have destroyed the simplicity of the unit's appearance! I didn't particularly care for this lack of controllability- and although (obviously) all of these controls are built into the remote, I prefer to also have it on the units face - this to me was pretty silly of Sony.
As for flexibility, connections MAY leave you wondering yet again, what Sony was thinking... In terms of video signals, there is really no problem - you get 1 of the following, composite, "S" and component out. Naturally I choose component whenever possible since it is the cleanest. However the audio department has me scratching me head yet again: you get 1 pair of RCA outs (no problem) BUT, instead of including BOTH a digital optical AND digital COAX, Sony has included ONLY a digital coaxial connection SO if your receiver only had digital optical (the standard) OR if you are already using your digital coax and need to use a digital optical from the DVD player you are simply out of luck with the NS315... again, a silly choice -- I can't see the addition of this feature as a major addition of cost!! In fact, since nearly every other prior player HAS both types of outputs, it would make me think that the re-tooling cost to eliminate this output probably COST Sony more than it Saved.. what's up with that? Once again, this to me would be a major stumbling block, since I love 5.1 surround -especially DTS! Both the NS315 and 715 have DTS & Dolby 5.1 pass-through - meaning it sends the 5.1 signal on to your receiver in order to decode it...for exactly that reason, why would you eliminate 1 of the only 2 options of getting this signal to your receiver! This inherently limiting facet of the NS315 once again brings me to the point that for a few bucks more, the big-brother NS715P is absolutely more worthy of your buck if you want a player that offers you the flexibility that today's audio-video receiver demand- especially inlight of the complexity that we build into our systems, given all the components (a game system, or sometimes a few, DVD player, VCR etc). Even outside of the Sony realm, there is alot of competition for the NS315 in this price range - specifically from JVC and Panasonic. Although I like the Sony name, if I didn't want to spend the money for the NS715P, I'd certainly look to one of the competitors units as they offer all them issing pieces AND cost nearly the same.
As for performance, the NS315 is a standard DVD player...While it has Sony's somewhat gimmicky "Precision Drive II" system of motor-drive and read, there is nothing exotic or special making it any better than the competition. Picture output is excellent, but what do you expect - it is a DVD player. Added to which, you do not get progressive-scan in this unit... Fine with me - I believe it's certainly wise of Sony to compete with other brands price-wise by offering a non-progressive player for a cheaper price - Sony has certainly done this. But they've done it at the cost of pretty essential features! Why skimp and make the player non-accesible to many users! I can see alot of people going with a competitors non-progressive DVD player OVER the NS315 and INSTEAD of Sony's NS715P because they don't need to waste additional money on a progressive scan player if they don't have AND/OR don't plan on buying an HDTV-ready television any time soon (you need a Progressive scan TV to utilize progressive-scan DVD playback.. this means you need an HDTV ready television set.)
The unit DOES play CDR/CDRW and VCD discs along with the DVDs. MP3 playback is pretty quick (nice feature - sometimes the scan time takes a while especially with Sony's folder-structure encoding on MP3 compatible devices). Like the 715P, the NS315 does not play WMA files, but I could care less- MP3 is the standard. If this is an issue though, again, you should look elsewhere - Panasonic units are compatible with the WMA files, I just cannot fault Sony for not including this however - I'm happy that they've jumped on the MP3 bandwagon!
The NS315's remote is (like almost all other Sony remotes) logically laid out and very functional - again, at the risk of sounding repetitive, it is a shame that the unit absolutely RELIES on this remote heavily due to the absence of essentially basic controls on the units faceplate.
In summary, the NS315 WOULD have been a great sibling to the awesome NS715P if Sony wouldn't have "Cheaped out" and ommitted some very common-sense features on this unit (honestly, I don't even consider these ommisions "features" but instead standard "ingredients" to any current DVD player). If you are adamant on staying with Sony and don't need progressive-scan DVD read, do not need digital-optical out AND could care less about faceplate controls, than the NS315 (/b) just may be your next DVD player - it certainly looks super cool, is very clean and simple, and can fit just about anywhere since it is about 2/3 the height of any standard chassis DVD player. In my honest opinion though, ESPECIALLY with the ever decreasing prices on HDTV-ready TV's and the fact the HDTV broadcasting is CURRENTLY becoming the standard, I cannot see the logic in spending your cash on the 315, considering for only 40-50 dollars more you can go home with a 715P...just my 2 cents, but the bottom line is it is YOUR 130-170 dollars!!!
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 127.99
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
nick1326
|
 - Top 100 |
|
Location: Long Island, NY
Reviews written: 232
Trusted by: 93 members
About Me:
Music, Motorcycles, Drumming, Surfing, the finest cigars and living life to its fullest...
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.