Customer Reviews

Hyundai HDP-550S DVD Player

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

You really can't ask for more on this unit. It is packed. I tested VCD on it, no problems. SVCD, no problems. DVD, no problems. The unit seems constructed sturdy, and has a nice expensive look to it. The load time on this player is FAST, I pop in the dvd and it loads automatically in a few seconds. No need to press play...
Have fun with your Hyundai HDP-550S :)

I was searching for an inexpensive DVD player. I read the customer reviews on the Apex and other models and they were pretty mixed. I figured for [$$] it's tough to go too far wrong. I took a chance by buying before reading a custoer review.

The installation was a snap. The remote is easy to use (this was a problem with some of the Apex reviews I read). The Dvd's I've played so far work fine.

An excellent buy for someone unsophisticated like me.

Had a JVC DVD player (250.00) 2 years ago and it started acting up not wanting to play disks etc. Saw this one I figured for the prive cannot go wrong. Got it, hooked it up and it is a great player. Admitted basic functions but the video is sharp and clean, loads very fast, and with all of the audio outputs sounds great. This player should cost more... Would recommend to anyone looking for a DVD player.

I haven't tried too many DVD players, but it seems to play the DVDs we rented fine, so it gets 3 stars for satisfactory performance on that count. It doesn't get any more stars than that because of the subtitle problem, which is the result of poor programming on Hyundai's part. But here's a workaround that we figured out by reading the manual. When the DVD tray is open, press the "setup" button and choose "language" on the menu that appears. On the popup menu, move to the "subtitle" entry and press "enter". Then scroll to a language other than English, such as German. Press "enter", and then exit the setup menu. The settings will be saved, and you can now load your DVD, which will then play without any subtitles appearing. The settings will be kept after you turn off your DVD player, too.

So, the annoying subtitle problem can be fixed, but it is annoying that it has to be dealt with in the first place.

There is nothing wrong with your Hyundai HDP-550s. I had the same problem when I first got mine(no picture via s-video). I soon discovered that this was because the player was originally configured at the factory for composite video and TV left/right audio. So, here's what you do: connect the dvd player into the back of your TV's composite video & left/right jacks. You should now be able to confirm a picture (DVD Player's initial screen). Next, access the player's menu, configure it for s-video and
whatever audio system you are using. Finally, re-hook to your video audio system, and you're all set! I know, this isn't exactly the simple plug-n-play we are all accustomed to with higher end name brand players like my Toshiba, and the manual isn't going to win any literary awards in the near future. However, if you can get by this minor inconvience then you will find that the 550's benefits will easily outweigh its faults.

While the picture looks great, it would be nice if the product advertised advised people that they would also need to purchase an audio cable separately in order for the player to operate completely. It was very frustrating. I also felt that the connection directions could have been better written, especially for those of us not familiar with hooking up electronic devices.

My first DVD player. Hey, it plays DVD's! Most real complaint is that the 5-minute shutdown comes way too soon. I THINK I've overcome the persistent subtitling mentioned in other reviews but the onscreen menus ARE a little non-intuitive, and the manual has its confusing moments (though the subtitling was the only feature to bug me while watching my first couple of DVD's before even *opening* the manual). It comes with the cables (3-in-1) you'll need for basic setup--you only need more if you're setting up for home theater, or if you want to use higher-quality video connection (S-/composite video). The unit itself is surprisingly good-looking, the picture is beautiful (and I haven't so far seen ANY of the digital artifacts I've noticed on my computer and on friends' players), and everything seems to be working as it should. A good way to get your feet wet while you're sorting out which bells and whistles might be worth the money next time around.

******UPDATE 29 OCT 2002*******

Okay, after a month of familiarity, I can definitely say that I am now pleased with my Hyundai HDP-550S! Yes, the "setup" issues (S-Video and subtitles) are annoying and rather strange, and yes it takes like five whole seconds longer to "load" than other players, and its manual is sparser than the already sparse manuals of today (namely, it leaves out those "setup" instructions), but it is a fine product all the same for most people who aren't terribly demanding A/V-philes (nothing wrong with those folks, though). I have, actually, bought one for a friend as well, so happy am I with this product!

****UPDATE 25 SEP 2002****

Thanks very, very much, fellow "Electronics Fan" from SF, CA!! You're certainly a whole lot more helpful than Hyundai Electronics Pacific! I haven't tried out your suggestion yet (am waiting on my THIRD player -- LOL), but it makes a lot of sense!

ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

********original review of early September**********'

The $$$ price (after mail-in rebate) sounds great, but I could not get this Hyundai HDP-550S DVD Player to work! Yes, I know how to connect S-Video and optical audio...I've done that with my other players with no problem. I've since exchanged the HDP-550S I originally received with another, and it's still not sending any video or audio signals! My TV and audio receiver are fine, so they're not the issue.

BEWARE THIS HYUNDAI. There is no technical support info in the manual (i.e., where to go for service), no Hyundai help line, only an e-mail address not in the manual but on a separate sheet of paper.

Again, I know how to connect optical audio and S-Video (as straightforward as can be), and my connections are fine (tried another player, an RCA make, successfully), so I can only conclude that the two Hyundai HDP-550S DVD Players I've tried so far are at fault. Interestingly, both were manufactured in March of this year ('02)...might there have been a run of defects at the factory??

it's a not problem really.. it just turns off wen you want it to and turns on when you want it to. 5 SIMPLE steps..

1) Press the SUBTITLE BUTTON on the remote control
2) On the top left hand corner a box will appear that looks something like 01/01
BM ON
3) Press ENTER on the remote control
4) Press -> RIGHT ARROW BUTTON on the remote control
5) Press ENTER, then "ON" will change to "OFF" and NO MORE SUBTITLES!

oR~ Just go to SETUP (without puttin a DVD in) on your remote control, go to languages, go to subtitle, press original and then exit

this is all there is to it

I logged on with the intention of writing this review because we are very disappointed with the subtitling problem (other than that, it is a good, low-cost DVD). I am glad I did in order to find out that we're not the only ones with this problem and find some ideas to deal with it! We are going to try to "work around" the problem using some of the tips here, and if that doesn't work, we're going to try and send it back to Hyundai (if we can figure out how to do it with the lack of documentation in the manual)!