Sony SLV-D500P DVD/VCR: A Worthy Combo Machine?
Written: Dec 24 '03
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Pros: Good value, easy to set up, good picture/sound, good size
Cons: Just single DVD capable, volume is low
The Bottom Line: A great value for the money and a good DVD player.
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| hwz1's Full Review: Sony SLV-D500P DVD Player / VCR Combo |
Are you on the verge of the DVD revolution, but not quite sure you want to take the full plunge and purchase a DVD player? Perhaps you own a bunch of videotapes that you cannot do without and do not want to figure out how to convert to DVD format? Well, now is the time to take the plunge and make the change. Why? Take a look at the walls of Blockbuster. Have you noticed over the past 12 months how the walls have become 75% DVD's? A year ago these same walls consisted of 75% video cassettes.
At any rate, the best way to make the change is to do so gradually. How can you do this when you do not want to have a VCR/DVD/TV and various other components clogging up the room? Well, you can look to the Sony SLV-D500P DVD/VCR. The cool thing about this is that it is a combo VCR/DVD player. In other words, you can play both cassettes and DVD's with the same piece of equipment.
THE PARTICULARS:
* DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW (Video Mode), CD, SVCD, VCD, CD-
R/RW & MP3 Playback
* JPEG Digital Picture Playback (CD-R/RW)
* DVD Progressive Output (480p)
* Multi-Lingual On-Screen Display
* Two Speaker Virtual Surround Sound
* Forward Frame Advance
* Zoom Function
* 10-bit / 54MHz Video DAC
* Parental Lock
* Bookmark Function
* 19 Micron VCR Heads
* Flash Rewind
* Auto Head Cleaner
* Commercial Skip
* Component, Composite & S-Video Outputs
* Coaxial & Optical Digital Output for Optional External
* Front A/V Inputs for Camcorder or Game System
WHAT I LIKE:
1. The ability to play DVD's and cassettes with the same machine. Lets face it, we all have cassettes that we will want to view decades from now and without a VCR we would not be able to do so. This machine removes the worry of not having a machine that will play a cassette. The ability to slowly move into the world of DVD's is also a plus.
2. The size. The entire player is a good bit smaller than the size of my eight year old VCR. It also weighs about half as much as the old VCR. This is not a huge deal, but it is nice to know that you can fit this easily into any entertainment center that you may have.
3. The set up is a breeze. You do not have to do much more than run a few cords from the TV and/or cable box to the system. The remainder of the set up is done through the on screen menu. The menu is about as user friendly as you will find. I would go so far as to say that this about the easiest set up I have encountered when it comes to electronics.
4. The sound and picture. The sound is wonderful and a huge step up from the VCR. The picture is also a large improvement. Are both as good as some of the single function DVD's? No. But if you are taking the baby step of moving from VCR to DVD, the sound (two speaker surround sound system) and picture are such an upgrade that you will think you are at a theatre.
5. The extras. Huh? Yes, the stuff like parental lock that will keep your 11 year old from attempting to view "Girls Gone Wild #27". The bookmark function that remembers where you are with a given program. Commercial skip which allows you to skip (Seriously) commercials. A/V inputs in the front of the machine that permit easy access for video game consoles. All of this stuff is pretty much standard on DVD players, but the nice thing is that this machine does not scrimp on the extras in order to keep the price down.
6. It works. Ok, I know this sounds silly, but I have found a lot of electronic gadgets that have not worked on the first try lately. This one does. It came out of the box and worked right away and everything worked as expected.
7. The combo works as expected. I did not expect to have any problems with the DVD player- other than perhaps a skip or two- but, I was not so sure with the VCR part. Both have been excellent. The VCR plays quietly and well- none of the occasional wobbling picture that I have experienced with two previous VCR's. The DVD player has yet to have a single skip. Both are very easy to use and involve nothing more than a push of a button in order to switch back and forth.
8. The remote is a well thought out. Not a big deal, but I do like a well thought out remote for the simple reason that you often watch movies with the lights dimmed or off. A remote that is not well laid out will leave you trying to figure out what button you are looking for forever. An added benefit is that this remote has a backlight.
10. The price is very affordable and also a good bargain for what you get. You are not buying a top of the line $500 DVD player. You are purchasing a middle of the line DVD player, but you are also getting a very good DVD player for the money.
WHAT I DO NOT LIKE:
1. The machine has the ability to hold just a single DVD at any one time. While this does not so much bother me, I am sure it will bother others. And, I must admit, I like the thought of being able to put a couple of DVD's in and watch them without ever leaving the couch.
2. The system is a little bit low when it comes to volume. I find that when you go to play something it will not produce as loud of a sound as the TV does. In other words, you need to turn the volume up in order to get the same level you have with the TV.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
I am very pleased with this DVD player. Like I mentioned, it is not top of the line, but that was not what I was looking for. I prefer something middle of the pack in order to assure that I can watch both videos and DVD's without having to go out and purchase a DVD in order to replace the video that I purchased years ago. The machine does what it should and does it well- plays both videos and DVD's. If you are looking for a dual purpose machine and not looking to spend a ton of money, you will do well with the Sony SLV-D500P.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 160.00
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hwz1
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Location: Philadelphia, PA
Reviews written: 845
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Just got a big promotion that will move my new wife and I to Atlanta.
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