DVD Players Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best DVD Players. See our ratings criteria

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DVD Players Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	DVD Players Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	DVD Players Editors of Consumer Reports July 2007		While other reviewers have mainly turned to reviewing high-definition players, Consumer Reports has the most comprehensive comparison ratings of standard DVD players. The latest update reports on nine models. Ratings are based on value, along with performance with standard TVs and HDTVs. Discussion is typically brief, but high points, low points and a bottom-line rating are included. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports does not report on image quality at either 1080i or 1080p (where applicable).
2. CNet.com	Editors' Top DVD Players Editors of CNet.com Feb. 8, 2007		While the emphasis at CNet.com has gone to high-definition players, editors still cover some standard-definition DVD players, and the best end up on this list of top-rated models. The OPPO DV-981HD scores very highly as an "an unbeatable bargain for videophiles and enthusiasts," but you'll need a 1080p HDTV to get the most out of it. The OPPO DV-970HD is inexpensive, but provides excellent image quality, great disc compatibility, upconversion and an included HDMI cable. The Denon DVD-2930CI also upconverts to 1080p. It scores just as highly as the OPPO DV-981HD and delivers stunning video quality, but is considerably more expensive. The Philips DVP5960/37 only upscales to 1080i, but the editors say there's not a lot of difference from 1080p upconversion.
3. Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity	2007 DVD Benchmark Editors of Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity As of Aug. 2007		DVD players are put through their paces in sophisticated and sometimes esoteric testing by editors here. The accompanying discussion might be most valuable for technically minded people, but the conclusions clearly separate top-rated players from the also-rans. Among current players, the OPPO DV-981HD is "highly recommended" and called one of the "best DVD player values you can find on the market today." The Philips DVP5960 might not please videophiles, but it's a budget performer that "delivers a solid video experience."

DVD Players Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	DVD Players Ratings Comments on Reviews

4. Home Theater Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Disc Players Editors of Home Theater magazine As of Aug. 2007		On this enthusiast website, editors rate new and notable equipment. While objective ratings are given for most gear, DVD players are rarely compared and the editors never explicitly say which players they consider to be best overall. The Denon DVD-1930CI is a mid-priced DVD player that performs like a more expensive model. It upscales to 1080p and plays back both SACD and DVD-Audio. The Sony DVP-NS9100ES DVD/SACD player is rated as a high-end reference-quality player for SACD aficionados.
5. HDTVMagazine.com	Upconverting DVD Players Editors of HDTV Magazine As of Aug. 2007		There are not a lot of reviews or ratings here, and two are of the same DVD player but by different authors. Still, the available reviews are detailed and critical. The OPPO DV-981HD upconverting DVD player is the subject of a highly technical review by Richard Fisher and another by Ara Derderian and Braden Russell (the self-proclaimed "HT Guys") that deal nicely with things a typical user would want to know. The NeoDigits Helious H4000 comes with an HDMI cable and can output 1080p over component connections. It is also region free. Performance is said to be on a par with other upconverting DVD players.
6. About.com	DVD Player and DVD Recorder Product Reviews and Picks Robert Silva As of Aug. 2007		About.com's Robert Silva reviews several DVD players. Players are subjected to testing that, while not as comprehensive as those by some sources, still covers most important points. We like that Silva details the test setups used and that comparisons are made to other DVD players, though many are not current models. While the discussion is critical and a rating is provided, all players seem to rate uniformly highly, so you can't really tell which DVD player Silva thinks is best. (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com/The New York Times.)
7. Audioholics.com	DVD/HD DVD Players Editors of Audioholics.com As of Aug. 2007		As befitting the name of this website, editors focus more on sound quality and audio-format compatibility than other reviewers. Most of the DVD players reviewed here are high-end universal players. Clint DeBoer writes that the Denon DVD-3930CI is "simply such a stellar performer that it doesn't leave much left to be desired." The OPPO DV-970HD is an excellent value, though editors were disappointed in audio quality through the HDMI output when connected to a home-theater speaker system. Even so, it is highly rated. The Helios X5000 DVD Player is deemed a poor performer and a worse value despite its networking and media streaming abilities.
8. Sound & Vision Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	OPPO DV-981HD Upconverting DVD Player Al Griffin May 2007		Like many videophile publications, Sound & Vision has left standard-definition DVD players behind to focus on HD. However, Al Griffin still finds time to review the OPPO DV-981HD upconverting DVD player. His conclusion is that it's an "excellent option for HDTV owners" wanting to wait until the high-def DVD format war is settled.

DVD Players Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	DVD Players Ratings Comments on Reviews

9. CircuitCity.com	DVD Players and Recorders Contributors to CircuitCity.com As of Aug. 2007		Circuit City has amassed a large number of owner-written reviews for DVD players. Some models have hundreds of comments. Since major reviewers don't spend much time covering inexpensive players, large numbers of owner ratings are a good way to evaluate budget DVD players. Although it can't upconvert to HD resolutions, the Philips DVP3140 is a sub-$40 DVD player that receives high ratings after lots of feedback. The Onkyo DVSP404 and Samsung DVD1080P7 are top choices among upconverting players, with lots of user reviews. The Toshiba SD-5000 gets some good owner reviews, but others complain of freeze-ups and audio problems.
10. Amazon.com	DVD Players Contributors to Amazon.com As of Aug. 2007		Amazon.com is another good place to check for owner-written ratings, especially for budget DVD players, but there aren't nearly as many reviews here as at CircuitCity.com. On the other hand, some of the reviews here are long and well detailed. Although they are among the more expensive choices, the OPPO DV-981HD and DV-970HD have each received over 150 ratings. The more budget-friendly Philips DVP5960 does nearly as well after more than 100 reviews.
11. Consumer Guide.com	DVD Players Reviews and Prices Editors of ConsumerGuide.com As of Aug. 2007		Consumer Guide has improved as a review resource but still has a way to go. Reviews are short and concentrate more on specifications and manufacturer-supplied details than actual hands-on testing. The listing contains a number of discontinued models, though some might still be available on retailers' shelves. Among current DVD players, the Denon DVD-557 and Philips DVP5960 are highly rated.
12. DragonSteelMods.com	Philips DVP3140/37 DVD Player with DivX Playback Kristofer Brozio July 19, 2007		DragonSteelMods.com is a site dedicated to reviews of computer and consumer electronics products, particularly the former. This review of the Philips DVP3140/37 is the only DVD player review on the site. The writeup is on the superficial side, but generally finds that performance is great for a basic DVD player with limited extras. Its ability to play DivX files is noted and appreciated.
13. Ultimate AV Magazine	Buyer's Guides: Disc Players/Recorders Editors of Ultimate AV magazine As of Aug. 2007		If you are a true videophile, Ultimate AV should be your first stop. However, most of the recommended DVD players on this site cost over $1,000. The least expensive current DVD players recommended here are all high-definition models.
14. Epinions	DVD Players Contributors to Epinions As of Aug. 2007		Epinions is pretty much a waste of time for information on DVD players. Navigation is a nuisance and there are more numerous and more recently written reviews at CircuitCity.com and Amazon.com. One positive is that many reviews are long and detailed.