Panasonic DVD-CV51 5-Disc DVD Player

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [2.43mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 14.5 x 17 x 4.8 inches ; 11.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 15 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00005AK7L
• Item model number: DVDCV51
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,088 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

In the DVD-CV51, five-disc convenience and Panasonic ingenuity convene at a strikingly low price, making this not only an excellent DVD player but a great bargain. The DVD-CV51's five-disc carousel changer performs play exchange (letting you switch four discs while one is playing), and does so quickly and quietly. What's more, in our tests the unit emitted only a slight whirring sound while playing--a far cry from older changers that sounded like nearby helicopters (which was fine during certain scenes from Blue Thunder but a little jarring during The Blue Lagoon).

The changer has three types of video output jacks: composite, S-video, and component video. We attached a component-video cable (not supplied) to a 36-inch TV. The quality was fantastic due to this premium-quality connection and the DVD player's 10-bit, 27 MHz video digital-to-analog converters. If you're serious about video, we strongly recommended buying a television with component-video inputs.

The DVD-CV51 offers extensive features tailored for video buffs, including black level control (two levels) plus the ability to adjust contrast, brightness, and color. You also can choose a specific frame on which to adjust picture parameters (called I/P/B). We like to tweak as much as the next person, but the factory settings needed no adjustments. Still, it's nice to know they're there. The unit lacks a topnotch progressive-scan video output, but at this price one can hardly be expected.

The unit passes (but doesn't decode) Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround sound signals using an optical digital-audio cable, which is not supplied. To experience surround sound, you must connect it to an audio-video receiver with built-in Dolby Digital and DTS decoders.

The player also has a subwoofer output to plug into an active floor shaker--and this will let you enjoy the benefits of a subwoofer with your stereo speakers even if you do not have a surround receiver or separate center and rear surround speakers.

We listened to the depth charges and flying bolts in Das Boot and got ready to don our life vests, the sound was that good (even without a subwoofer). Along with Dolby and DTS, the player has two levels of Virtual Surround Sound for an ersatz multichannel audio experience. This feature is merely okay, nothing more or less.

After listening to a few other soundtracks, we popped in some compact discs and found the audio quality rich and full, not thin or tinny as with other affordable DVD players. The player handles CD-R/RW audio discs and MP3-encoded discs. We burned an old Etta Jones disc on a PC and put it in the new DVD/CD changer. It read and played it back without a hitch.

The key to any good electronics component--besides its performance--is its human interface: in this case the remote control, onscreen menus, and owner's manual. It was here the Panasonic did not live up to the high standards set by its video and audio performance. The layout of the keys of the remote is not as intuitive as it could be. It's also a DVD-only remote (no TV controls) and lacks lighted keys.

The basic onscreen menu is legible, however, and a breeze to use for frequently used topics (audio, video, subtitles). Even still, drilling down a level or three to change picture quality brings up small icons whose purpose is difficult to discern, though the owner's manual helps. On the plus side, you can move the icon bars to the center of the screen to read them more easily.

The bottom line? Highly recommended. An excellent five-disc DVD/CD changer that takes just a little time to learn how to use. --David Elrich

Pros:

• Excellent picture and sound performance
• Component-video output connections
• Subwoofer output for systems without surround sound
• Handles CD-R/RW and MP3 files
• Disc indicator tells you if a loaded disc is a CD (green light) or DVD (orange)

Cons:

• DVD-only remote, no lighted keys
• Onscreen icons and remote not as intuitive as they should be
• Lacks built-in Dolby Digital or DTS decoders

Product Description

Black Stereo Advanced Virtual Surround Sound (V.S.S.) 1 year warrantyLet this Panasonic DVD/CD changer multiply your entertainment options. The carousel design lets you keep a selection of DVDs and CDs (up to five discs) re

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The complete solution (almost!), June 17, 2001

By 

"dabbu1" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic DVD-CV51 5-Disc DVD Player (Electronics)

I recently decided to purchase a DVD player and wasted hours checking out what was available. Well i was definitely not going to pay more than $250 and needed to maximize on the basis of that. Of course all DVD players generally play DVD's well so that was not the issue What I wanted to see were the extras- other than my computer I have nothing that plays MP3's and neither do I have a Home theater receiver. Since the DVD player was going to be the first step in my home theater I wanted something that would add less to the "muddle" in the long run. SO I was looking at DVD players that could do all of the following a) Decode Dolby Digital and DTS (no point at this stage buying a DVD player that only does the former). b) Plays MP3 (which usually means it also plays CD-R) c) If its going to play music cd's it might as well have a changer. As of now there is nothing in the market that does all of the above (at least in my price range). So I was left between stuuff that does 2 out of the three (a number of combinations for that exist). Finally I decided to choose to go with this player because I felt that a home theater receiver would be something i would need to purchase later on what with all the TV broadcasts also begining to carry dolby digital signals. This one does a very good job of playing all your music cd's and of course DVD's. In both respects its flawless. The sound reproduction is great. There are a few things to note though: a) As the other reviewer suggested- it does not display the track names of MP3 songs and this was something I did not expect but I can live with it. I am the kind of person who usually slips in a cd into the tray and listen to all the songs. But note that "random" track selection ALSO DOES NOT WORK on MP3's. b) It does not have a coaxial sound output (why did panasonic decide to do that?????). It only has an optical sound output (I think Panasonic has made this technological choice for some inexplicable reason. Their Technics home theater receivers only accept optical inputs in most of last years models and no coaxial inputs!) Except for these two drawbacks, I think this is a very versatile system and should serve well. Come on MP3, Cd-Rw and a 5 disc changer where you can change your cd's even while you are watching a movie!!!! ps the remote- dont expect it do anything other than control the dvd player. PERIOD

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice features, difficult controls., September 30, 2001

By 

Gerry Gosselin (Agawam, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic DVD-CV51 5-Disc DVD Player (Electronics)

I've had this DVD player for a month, picked it up while my Sony was in the shop for repairs. I love the fact that it can play MP3 CDs too. It works well with my mostly Sony components. I have found that the controls are confusing. Now I love electronic devices, audio/video, I've been working computers for years professionally. When I have a difficult time getting then hang of a piece of equipment, I couldn't imagine my parents trying to figure it out. Here's my pet peeves...
1. Since the disc's can be changed while the player is running (a feature I loved with CD changers), there's a button for Disk Exchange, and one for Open/Close. Each have they're own unique function and changing the disc that's in the currently "selected" spot can be difficult. It doesn't seem to want to cooperate and takes a little fussing. Another sitting with the manual should get me straightened out though.
2. The discs sometimes slide out of they're trays, once obviously after the changer received a little hit accidently, another time just out of the blue.
3 & 4. The disc tray doesn't like to open when discs are knocked loose on it. Perhaps because it seems like the tray won't open until a disc has been read once. Seems odd but you'll notice the lag when you turn the player on then hit eject.. it'll try to read a disc first before opening.
5. The display doesn't show which disc is playing in big enough numbers. It's difficult to tell which it is from far away. Haven't looked into the possibility of a on-screen display for this on the remote.. will have to check..
Overall, I do like the player. Much better than the sony 1 disc I was working with. Great price for the features.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great DVD/CD/VCD/MP3 Player, June 15, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Panasonic DVD-CV51 5-Disc DVD Player (Electronics)

Excellent picture quality for both DVD and VCD! I've hooked it up directly to my amp and TV so I can play MP3s and CDs and take advantage of the 5 disc carousel without having to turn on the TV. I do wish that when MP3 songs played, it would show the artist and song name too, atleast on the TV screen, but I didn't find that. Otherwise, this brand new player is flawless.