Panasonic DVD-RV32K: Just Say Yes.

If you are still waiting to buy your first DVD player, or are looking for a newer player with more features at a reasonable price, Panasonic is a good bet. This player replaces their DVD-RV31 model, which received very positive reviews and sold a LOT of units.

Appearance

The DVD-RV32K looks much like any other DVD player, with only a couple of exceptions. Like most entry level models these days, it has a relatively thin height. Some people think this looks cool, I could care less. The width is still normal component width, so it won't look too funny if you stack it on another component. The depth, again like many newer models, is about half of what you would expect. It kind of looks like they cut the DVD player in half.

Outputs

AUDIO

For a digital output, the DVD-RV32K has an optical output, also known as fiber optic or Toslink. You will have to use the digital output to a digital receiver to get Dolby Digital or DTS surround. Analog outputs consist of a stereo plus subwoofer arrangement, with left and right channel RCA outputs plus an output for a powered subwoofer, if you desire. If you are sending a digital signal to a receiver for Dolby Digital or DTS, use the receiver's subwoofer output instead.

VIDEO

I will list these in order of highest quality to lowest.

Component Video. Use this if your TV has the inputs for it. It consists of three RCA outputs, one red, one green, one blue. You will have to buy component video cables, they are not provided.

S-Video. Second best video signal. Use if you don't have component video. Will provide a high quality video signal. An S-Video cable is not provided, so you will have to buy one to use this.

Composite Video. This is a single, yellow RCA jack. Use only if you can't use component video or s-video. Still provides a good image. The resolution will not be as good as the other two video outputs. A component video cable is provided. I would not recommend using this very long. The cables provided are kind of like a donut spare tire for your car: use it only until you can get a better one.

Features

This player can play almost everything. Supported formats include: DVD Video, DVD-R, Audio CD, Video CD, MP3, and WMA. I have not tried DVD-R, Video CD, or WMA. Everything else works fine.

Sound

The sound is very good in both Dolby Digital and DTS. If the movie has a choice, I would recommend DTS, as it is slightly more detailed. Since I have a good surround system, I only use Dolby Digital or DTS. The difference between digital surround and older Dolby surround is huge. Digital surround is far superior, and the better your system, the more difference it makes. The sound for CD playback is adequate. It certainly compares with most common consumer CD players. MP3 playback doesn't really sound very good, but that is most likely because of the poor quality of MP3 compared to CD, even if you record you MP3 at 192 kbps or higher. Maybe you can't tell the difference if you have a Aiwa MP3 player, but when played through higher quality electronics (such as an Onkyo Integra receiver and Paradigm speakers), the difference is obvious.

Video

Panasonic is really a clear leader in video in the lower price ranges. The picture is quite clear and detailed. I have mine hooked up via S-Video. I am very pleased with the video output, and just wish that I had a TV with component video inputs.

Remote

The remote is fairly small, plain, and utilitarian. It will perform most of the functions that you will ever need to use. It is not extremely easy to use. It also features a lot of small buttons positioned close to one another. Obviously, this is going to be annoying to those with very large fingers.

Reliability

Panasonic has a very good reputation in this price range. I have had my DVD-RV32K (yes, I actually own what I review!), for about four months now. I have had no problems. While I would not go as far as to say the construction is "rock solid", it does seem like it will last a reasonable amount of time. Probably over a hundred discs have been played in mine so far. There have been no problems so far. This DVD player also seems to do well with lightly scratched discs, such as the type commonly rented by Blockbuster.

Overall

The only real choices in this price range are Panasonic and Toshiba. If you don't believe me, read a few hundred DVD player reviews, like I have. This DVD player has a lot of features, provide quality sound and video, plays many formats, and is less than $150. If you are thinking of buying a $79 Orbitron or Apex, save your money a while longer and buy one of these instead. You will be glad you did one year later, when the other kind will probably not be working. This DVD player carries my highest recommendation in the under $200 price range.