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For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
While other reviewers have mainly turned to reviewing Blu-ray players, Consumer Reports has the most comprehensive comparison ratings of standard DVD players. Currently, 11 different standard-definition… models are covered, though some are discontinued or hard to find in stores. Discussion is brief, but high points, low points and a bottom-line rating are included for each of the DVD players evaluated.
by Matthew Moskovciak
CNET reviews standard-definition DVD players on occasion, and the best end up on this list of top-rated models. Testing is competent, but it's not as extensive as that conducted by some other reviewers.… Oppo DVD players do well here. The Oppo DV-980H is expensive compared with some rivals, but it provides excellent image quality and features. The site's most recent review is of the Toshiba XD-E500; it's called a solid upscaling DVD player that doesn't live up to its hype.
by Danny Phillips and Riyad Emeran
Britain's TrustedReviews.com tests DVD players in fairly comprehensive single-product reports. Many players are also available in the U.S.; though some technical details might vary, performance should be… similar. An overall rating is given, along with subratings for feature, performance, value and design, making it easy to compare players with one another. Top products get a Recommended award, and the Oppo DV-980H and Onkyo DV-SP406 are among the U.S.-available players that qualify. Both are described as good performers and great values.
by Editors of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision
This British site also reviews lots of DVD players. Ratings are given, and these vary enough that it is easy to see which players are winners and which are not. The write-ups aren't terribly long, but… they're fun to read. Among players available in the U.S., the Onkyo DV-SP-406 gets a top score and is named a Best Buy. The Pioneer DV-410 does poorly; the editors say you can do much better for the money.
by Editors of Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
DVD players are put through their paces in sophisticated and sometimes esoteric testing by editors here. Aside from an $8,500 reference-quality player, the Toshiba XD-E500 is the only current DVD player… covered. It is a strong performer over HDMI, receiving a perfect Secrets benchmark score from the site. However, things go considerably south when using the component video connection. It still is recommended, however.
by Robert Silva
About.com's Robert Silva chooses several DVD players as his top picks. Some players are subjected to testing that, while not as comprehensive as evaluations from some sources, still cover most important… points. We like that Silva details the test setups used and makes comparisons with other DVD players, though many are not current models. The listing is also marred by the inclusion of some discontinued models and some shorter reports that appear to be based on manufacturers' literature rather than testing. The Oppo DV-980H and Toshiba XD-E500 are rated here, with the Oppo scoring notably higher. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Amazon.com is a good place to check for owner-written ratings, especially for budget DVD players. While there are some discontinued players still listed, the site is otherwise very easy to use. The… budget-priced Coby DVD-224 gets the most feedback here, with hundreds of user-written reviews -- but it doesn't score very highly. The Sony DVP-SR200P, another budget player, draws far fewer comments but lots more satisfaction.
by Contributors to Best Buy.com
Best Buy.com is another good place to read user reviews of lots of DVD players. It's not as busy as Amazon.com, which means most DVD players get fewer reviews, but Best Buy.com has some nice touches of its… own. We especially like that reviewers are asked to say whether or not they would recommend their DVD player to a friend, and that the answers to that are neatly summarized. Ratings here are generally lower than at Amazon.com, and few current and available players with enough feedback to be meaningful do well. The house-brand Insignia NS-DVD1 scores the most feedback but a poor overall score.
by David Vaughn
by Contributors to AVSForum.com
by Contributors to Crutchfield.com
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Epinions.com is another user-review site. Although it is not affiliated with a retailer, it lags both Amazon.com and Best Buy.com in terms of usability and usefulness. Lots of DVD players are listed, but… many are discontinued (though available at retail in most cases). Additionally, most DVD players receive only a small number of ratings, and newer models often have none at all. On the plus side, reviews are sometimes long and detailed.
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This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.
Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
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Onkyo DV-SP406B Single Disc DVD Player (Black)
 from Amazon.com New: $159.00 In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  |
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OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
from Amazon.com New: $169.99
Average Customer Review:  |
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Sony DVP-NC800H/B HDMI/CD Progressive Scan 5-Disc DVD Changer Black
from Amazon.com New: $129.99 In Stock.
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