Sony DVP-CX985V 400-Disc Progressive DVD/SACD Changer
Written: Oct 14 '03
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Pros: Good value, holds 400 discs, excellent performance, features and connectivity, MP3
Cons: Remote has little undistinguishable buttons
The Bottom Line: The Sony DVP-CX985V is an excellent value. At less than $400 it holds 400 discs, plays multitude of formats and produces very ...
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| dkozin's Full Review: Sony DVP-CX985V Multi-disc DVD Player |
The Sony CX985V is a 400-discs DVD/SACD changer with progressive scan. It can play DVD video (including DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R and DVD+RW), CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, Video CD as well as multi-channel Super Audio CD.
Front Panel
The changer’s front panel features a keyboard connector, a headphone jack, a relatively large display, a menu control joystick, a knob for scan functions and a bunch of buttons. The changer does not take much space for a 400-disc unit.
Connectivity
The changer has both coaxial and optical digital audio outs as well as a 5.1 analog audio out, an A/V out, a component video out (can be used for progressive scan) and an S-Video out.
Performance
The changer produces very good image quality in both standard (“interlaced”) and progressive scan mode. The colors are vivid and the image is sharp and well-detailed without being harsh.
The MP3 sounds good, provided the bit rate is high enough. You can access the folder list and the file lists by pressing the “Menu” button. The CDs that contain CD Text (and some SACDs) let you avoid having to enter the song titles (which you can do by connecting a PC keyboard to the changer’s front panel).
The changer lets you organize your loaded discs (and with its 400-disc capacity, you, most likely, can load all your discs at once) in several folders. The permanent folders are “All” (all loaded discs), “DVD” (DVD discs) and “CD” (includes SACD). There are also four additional folders, which are initially named “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”, but can be renamed (but only with three-letter labels).
To access the folders (“Disc Explorer”), you push the “Folder” button on the front panel or the remote. Be advised that all information appears on the TV screen (except for the basic elapsed time and selected function information, which is shown on the front panel display).
The sound quality of CDs and DVD depends on the receiver and speakers you use, provided you employ the changer’s optical or coaxial digital audio connection. If you use the analog 5.1 out (which you have to do for SACD), the sound is excellent (if your receiver and speakers are good enough). The changer even provides bass management for all formats it plays, including SACD!
There is, however, no distance compensation for SACD. Also, the distance for surround speakers in other formats cannot be set higher than the front left/right speakers.
The changer can decode DTS and Dolby Digital in addition to SACD, but I normally prefer doing so using the receiver. This also allows me to use the receiver’s Dolby Pro Logic II decoding for stereo sources (DPL2 Music for stereo music like CD and MP3. MPL2 Movie for Dolby Pro Logic encoded movies).
Still, it is a viable option, especially taking into account that it will eliminate the need for a digital optical or coaxial connection. After all, if you intend on listening to some SACD, you have to use the 5.1 connection, so you might as well employ it for DTS and Dolby Digital as well.
Remote Control
The supplied remote control is packed with similarly-sized buttons and is not backlit (but some buttons glow in the dark), which makes it not-so easy to use. The menu-controlling buttons are well placed as are the play, pause and stop buttons. Other buttons are the same size.
The remote lets you control some TV functions, including the volume, which is a plus. But I don’t even remember when I used the TV speakers, so if you have a receiver that handles the sound coming from DVD (and you should if you are getting this changer), the volume control buttons on the remote are unusable.
Bottom Line
The Sony DVP-CX985V is an excellent value. At less than $400 it holds 400 discs, plays multitude of formats and produces very good picture and sound quality.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 399
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dkozin
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Location: California
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I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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