Panasonic DVD-RV31K DVD Player, Black

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [1.92mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 17 x 3.5 inches ; 5.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005AR4L
• Item model number: OUTLET-DVDRV31
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (212 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,359 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Panasonic's DVD-RV31K DVD-video player delivers a combination of quality video and special features usually found only in more expensive players, if at all. Among many other features, the DVD-RV31K offers MP3 playback, robust connectivity, and an advanced version of Panasonic's simulated surround sound with proprietary Bass Plus technology and a dedicated subwoofer output.

This unit's state-of-the-art component-video outputs allow for digital video transmission to compatible video equipment. It also offers standard composite-video outputs and an S-video output. A built-in 27 MHz/10-bit digital-to-analog video converter maximizes picture quality from these outputs, while brightness, color, and contrast controls let you fine-tune picture quality.

A digital-cinema mode illuminates the picture and fine-tunes color, even in low-light scenes. Additional video features include one-touch cinema memory, freeze frame, frame advance, and black-level controls.

An optical digital-audio output channels a bit stream for DTS and Dolby Digital surround sound, fostering glorious home theater sound when decoded with an appropriate surround receiver.

Advanced Virtual Surround Sound simulates a surround effect using only your two front speakers. Furthermore, the DVD-RV31K's dialogue enhancer pumps up the center-channel output to emphasize a movie's spoken audio. A 96 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog audio converter and dynamic-range compression (for late-night viewing) complete the DVD-RV31K's robust audio arsenal.

If you're not quite ready for 5.1-channel audio but already have a powered subwoofer, you'll appreciate the versatility of this player's discrete subwoofer output. The DVD-RV31K's pair of analog-audio stereo outputs along with its subwoofer output simulate theatrical sound by setting up a two-channel-plus-bass output that sends all low-frequency information to your subwoofer.

A built-in stabilizer and twin-laser pickup offers improved playability with the DVD-RV31K. Playback formats include DVD-video, Video CD, audio CD, MP3-encoded CD, CD-R, and CD-RW. (Please note, however, that MP3 playback may vary depending on the content and disc type used.) For your viewing convenience, Panasonic's high-speed scan comes with five speeds, and the player also offers chapter preview, updated onscreen menu icons, a front-panel jog-shuttle dial, and a multibrand remote control. Panasonic's DVD-RV31K comes in black and is Energy Star compliant. This model is covered by a warranty for a year on parts, 90 days on labor.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

792 of 806 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good DVD player!, March 27, 2001

By 

weebday (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic DVD-RV31K DVD Player, Black (Electronics)

The good?

- Superb picture and sound
- Plays everything: DVD, CD, VCD, XVCD, MP3, CD-R, CD-RW
- Supports MP3 CBR and VBR
- Quick loading mechanism
- Front panel (display and controls) is fairly complete
- Supports black level expansion
- Brightness, contrast, and color adjustments
- S-Video, component, optical, and subwoofer connections
- Icon based menu system is very polished

The bad?

- Feels cheap, especially the remote
- Cannot play SVCD or XSVCD
- No coax digital out
- Surround sound, dialogue and bass enhancers, and cinema mode are useless
- MP3 player has NO features

The MP3 player does not display filenames! Any directory structure that exists will get flattened. You'll get to know your songs by number... "1 of 122" or "24 of 122" etc. Programmed or random play would make things better, but unfortunately, those features are not supported during MP3 playback.

The bottom line?

If you watch DVDs most of the time and occasionally listen to MP3s, then the Panasonic RK31 is highly recommended!

118 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great player, short lifespan, December 12, 2001

By 

bigchuckl "bigchuckl" (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic DVD-RV31K DVD Player, Black (Electronics)

I bought this player based upon the stellar reviews posted herein and at (...). The player worked terrificly for the first four months (exceptional audio and video on our standard 27" TV). However, after 4 months, it started freezing up randomly more and more frequently until it doesn't play DVDs at all. Occasionally, it gives an "H02" error before it freezes (as alluded to by several other postings for this player at Amazon).

When I called the Panasonic repair center, they were very discourteous and rude and told me to send the player and $90 to have them fix it (with no estimated return time). I've decided to purchase a different brand instead.

Bottom line: there are an inordinate number of people in this forum outlining this same problem with this player after a few months of use. Also, the warranty period for labor is a very short 90 days. I suggest that the model design may be defective and that potential buyers stay away.

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you're like me, you'll like this player..., January 10, 2002

By 

Alvin Tanhehco "kerki" (Kowloon, Hong Kong) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic DVD-RV31K DVD Player, Black (Electronics)

What I meant by being like me is:
* first time DVD owner
* don't have a home theater system
* planning to just plug into a TV and use its speakers
* like intuitive remote control buttons
* want to be able to play VCDs as well

This is the perfect DVD player for you then. I found it especially easy to use. Right out of the box, just hook up the power and color coded video/audio cables to the back of your TV and it's ready to go. They even supply the batteries for the remote. I for one don't like to read manuals, but i really didn't have to. Power the player on, hit Open/Close, load your DVD disc, turn on your TV and it starts playing. If I want to access the menu, there's a clearly marked button called Menu and direction keys (Up/Down/Left/Right) and an Enter button at the center to make selections with.

The price for this player makes it attractive as well. After canvassing around department store for basic DVD players and adding the tax to it, Amazon's selection and convenience just won me over.