According to a recent Consumer Reports, some of the top players out there (listed in order of performance, and along with approximate price):
Thank you to 3Js for originally posting this material
Single-Disc Players
1. Sony DVP-S570D -- $430
2. Sony DVP-S560D -- $300
3. Toshiba SD1200 -- $225
4. Hitachi DVP305U -- $200 (CR Best Buy)
5. Samsung DVD-612 -- $200 (CR Best Buy)
6. RCA RC5215P -- $300
7. Panasonic DVD-RV30 -- $230
8. Philips DVD711 AT21 -- $220
9. Pioneer DV-333 -- $250
10. Sharp DV-710U -- $200
11. JCV XV-523GD -- $230
12. Apex AD-600A -- $180
13. Mitsubishi DD-4001 -- $260
Multi-Disc Players
1. Toshiba SD200 -- $275
2. Toshiba SD3205 -- $350
3. Samsung DVD-C600 -- $300
4. Panasonic DVD-CV50U -- $400
5. JVC XV-M555BK -- $290
(prices from
audioreview - and thank you
3Js for your post)
As much as we don't like to plug other forums, you *might* want to check out discussions at the
DVD Coupon Post and at
DVD Talk as they've got a lot of hardware discussion being bantered about.
I have an APEX AD-600A - plays DVDs, CDs, VCDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and will even play back MP3s burned onto a CD-R/RW. I've only had two problems with it - the remote cut out on me once (it's better now of its own accord) and it wouldn't play my copy of The Patriot. I like it - it's cheap, it's easy to use, it's got some decent features, and my model has a "hack" that allows you to disable MacroVision and to make the player a region-free player.
On the downside, my player lacks really top-notch audio & video output. For my needs, that's ok, as I don't have the best TV or stereo out there.
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My knob tastes funny.