Sony DVP-SR200P/B

March 2009. For those on a limited budget or who do not own an HDTV, it's hard to find a better basic DVD player than Sony's DVP-SR200B. Most reports say that playback is solid. Technology intended to make it possible for the Sony DVP-SR200B/P to play discs in less than perfect condition is effective. While this cheap Sony DVD player can't upscale, it can output video in a progressive format for compatible TVs. Connectivity is relatively limited. Missing connections include an optical digital audio output and an HDMI output, but if you aren't hooking this player up to an HDTV or a home-theater receiver, you wouldn't be using those connections anyway. Most other current and available DVD players in the same price class as the Sony DVP-SR200P/B are widely panned. If you need a DVD player for use with an HDTV, reviewers say the Onkyo DV-SP406 (*est. $115) is a better bet. This is an upconverting DVD player that experts and users say delivers top-shelf video performance.

Professional reviewers rarely cover budget DVD players such as the Sony DVP-SR200P/B, but users do have their say. Amazon.com has the most user reviews of all, and the site is easy to use. BestBuy.com and Walmart.com also provide some feedback. JR.com, the website for New York City electronics giant J&R, has too few user reviews to be useful on its own, but the reports there can be meaningful when considered together with the opinions gathered elsewhere.