Sony DVP-NS415 DVD/CD Player With MP3 Playback and VCR Pass-Through
Written: Aug 01 '02 (Updated Jan 09 '03)
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Pros: Looks, VCR pass-through, remote controls TV and receiver, performance, features, MP3
Cons: Price could be lower, Panasonic offers more speeds, controls and WMA playback
The Bottom Line: Although the NS415 is a good player by itself, I feel that offerings from Panasonic (RV32 or RP62) are better values.
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| dkozin's Full Review: Sony DVP-NS415 DVD Player |
The unusual feature of the Sony DVP-NS415 is the fact that it allows you run your VCR signal through it. Previously you would have to [try to] connect the DVD player to your TV through a VCR and risk being unable to see anything because of the Macrovision copy protection.
Copy Protection
The Macrovision copy protection relies on several tricks to fool the VCR’s Automatic Gain Control circuitry (AGC) into thinking that the brightness of the protected video material changes rapidly. Because of this, the picture starts to cycle between very dark and normal. Other unpleasant things can also happen.
This happens with VCRs, but TVs (except for perhaps very small number) don’t have AGC and don’t have problems with protected material.
The implementation of AGC in VCRs is different. I, for example, was able to run the DVD (copy-protected) signal through several VCRs and have no problems, until the “Record” button on the VCR was pressed (by accident, of course), which caused the picture to become unwatchable immediately.
However, there are VCRs, in which the AGC runs all the time, even when the recording mode is not engaged. In which case you would be unable to route the DVD video signal through your VCR.
If you don’t have a receiver that can switch video signals or a TV with several A/V inputs, one of the simple solutions would be to buy an A/V switch. However, the NS415 allows you avoid this and route the VCR signal through the DVD player, eliminating copy protection problems.
Connectivity
Since we started with VCR pass-through, let’s take a look at connectivity options the NS415 offers.
Audio: the player has both digital coaxial audio out and digital optical audio out (Dolby Digital and DTS compatible). It also has analog stereo input and out.
Video: the NS415 has composite video input and out, an S-Video out and a composite video out.
By the way, the rear panel has a sticker that reads “Made In Malaysia”.
Front Panel
The player’s front panel looks clean and has buttons for only basic functions. The round “Play” button is tall and can be rotated to switch to skip to the previous (or next) track/chapter. There is no shuttle control and no way to control fast/slow scan from the front panel.
The player is slim and has display on the right of the disc tray.
Picture Quality
The NS415 produces excellent picture quality with sharp edges of the objects and smooth images. There is no visible video noise and the detail level is high even in the dark areas.
Features
The player can play Mp3 files and has a well-designed MP3 playback interface. It also plays CD-R and CD-RW discs, DVD-R, DVD-RW (Video Mode) and DVD RW discs, VCD and XVCD discs. There are 3 fast scan speeds in both directions and 3 slow scan speeds. It is worth mentioning that Panasonic DVD players have 5 fast and 5 slow speeds in either direction plus frame advance.
“Instant Replay” feature replays last several seconds of the program you are watching if you missed something. The player has all basic DVD features such as parental control, angle, subtitle and soundtrack select... The player’s “Resume” function allows the player start playback from the point where you stopped it even if the power is turned off, but, unlike Panasonic RV32, which remembers the position for up to 5 discs, the position on the NS415 is lost if the disc is ejected.
The NS415 also has shuffle play, programmed playback and A-B repeat. There are several modes of virtual surround sound and dynamic range control.
Remote Control
The player’s remote control can control TV’s basic functions like power and TV/Video switching and has buttons that are laid out logically and have somewhat different size. There is no backlight.
What’s Included
The player comes with the aforementioned remote control and batteries, owner’s manual and warranty and an A/V (composite video and analog stereo audio) cord. The power cord is permanently attached to the player.
Value
Although the NS415 is a good player by itself, I feel that offerings from Panasonic (RV32 or RP62) are better values.
The NS415 has more connectivity options (if you need them) and better remote, but Panasonic DVD players have better performance (more speeds, more buttons on the front panel, shuttle control, WMA playback).
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 169
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Epinions.com ID:
dkozin
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 in Electronics |
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Location: California
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About Me:
I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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