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- Good features
- Solid video performance
- DivX compatibility
- Lack of S-video, optical digital audio outputs
- No resume function
- Surround-sound connection issues
June 2008. The Philips DVP5960/37 is hailed for its affordable price and generous feature lineup. Extras -- such as a USB port, DivX playback, WMA and MP3 support, and upscaling to 1080i via HDMI -- make this one of the most feature-rich DVD players at this price point. Video quality is good, but it's a notch below that of some higher-end options, such as the Oppo DV-980H (*est. $170). A few things are missing, including an S-video output, an optical digital audio output (though a coaxial digital audio output is present) and support for high-resolution audio formats such as SACD or DVD-Audio.
We found excellent standalone reviews of the Philips DVP5960/37 at CNET and Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. ConsumerGuide.com's review of the Philips DVP5960/37 includes ratings, but it centers more on features than the results of any testing. The product has also amassed a large number of owner reviews at Amazon.com.
Our Sources
1. CNET
CNET's Matthew Moskovciak gives the Philips DVP5960/37 a fairly strong rating, although it's not without its drawbacks. Overall, though, he calls it a good option for buyers on a budget, and adds that this player's DivX capability is "a nice bonus."
Review: Philips DVP5960/37, Matthew Moskovciak, May 8, 2006
2. Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
Editors here evaluate DVD players using exhaustive tests. While the accompanying discussion can get extremely technical, the concluding opinions are clear enough to be useful to almost anyone.
Review: Philips DVP5960/37 Benchmark Review, Editors of Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
Reviews here are short and concentrate more on specifications and manufacturer-supplied details than actual hands-on testing. That said, there are clear indications that someone is at least putting the Philips DVP5960/37 through its paces.
Review: Expert Review: Philips DVP5960 DVD Player, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Feb. 14, 2007
4. Amazon.com
Nearly 200 users award the Philips DVP5960/37 an average score of four out of five stars as of our last visit to Amazon.com. Most comment favorably on the player's performance and affordability, though some complain about the lack of an optical digital audio output.
Review: Philips DVP5960 DVD Player with HDMI, Contributors to Amazon.com
