Customer Reviews

Panasonic DVDS25S Progressive-Scan DVD Player , Silver

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I bought this player as a gift, so I have looked at the unit first-hand.

To the reviewer that stated it does not have an optical digital output - correct. However, the statement that you will have analog audio only and not digital - not correct!!!

This unit has a COAXIAL digital output. Most DD recievers will have inputs for both (coaxial and optical) digital inputs. Many early DVD players had both outputs. My recent Toshiba has both. Many recent Panasonic models had optical only, but for some reason (my guess is cost) this Panasonic unit went the other way (coaxial).

This is easy for newcomers to confuse and it's not helped by the fact that the Amazon description is wrong in stating that the unit has an optical digital output.

Just to note: it can stop a DVD and resume where it left off. I've seen various comments recently about some DVD players (not necessarily this model) that were claimed to not have this feature. I have no idea if this was user error or what, but I tested this and it worked fine.

This appears to be a good basic unit for the price. The progressive scan is a bonus for those that have the TV to take advantage of it.

I bought this during the Holiday season to make use of my spare time catching up with Movies of the last few years. I found the player has lived up to the Panasonic brand name. Great features at a good price. Great value ! I have the following observations about the product:
1. Good quality picture output. Played scratched DVD with ease while others (Like Samsung DVD P231) were just not able to do that. In fact, I replaced my Samsung with the Panasonic S25.
2. Ease of operation directly on the DVD Player is good. Not so on the remote.Some of the remote control commands are difficult to navigate. I would say, it needs getting used to.
3. Audio output is not to my expectation. I would have to increase the volume atleast a couple of notches on my tv set in order to hear the dialogs clearly.
4. Response time from the remote is a little delayed
5. The player's noise is a little pronounced during very quiet scenes
6. Plays multiple formats pretty well especially VCDs and CDRs. Have not tried the other formats.

Overall a big thumbs up for this model.

This message is for all those who have encountered the H02 or H07 errors. I have a similar Panasonic DVD palyer: Model 35S and had H02/H07 error.After much investigation i found that although the problem seems to be of motor it is actually "dirty lens" that causes the motor to stop. A good lens cleaning cures the problem. If air spray or lens cleaner CD doesnt work open up the dvd palyer and clean the lens with alcohol based aftershave or nail paint remover. (You may have to rotate a wheel under the DVD tray to get to the lens.) Hope this helps all the troubled souls.

navendu

This is a great player for the money with a passable remote.
One thing to watch out for when reading Amazon reviews: If someone has truely owned over $100,000 of different Pansonic products, why would they purchase numerous Panasonic DVD players when they consider them the most unreliable brand?

This unit has one of the higest ratings for long term durablity and working with various media of any player out there. if you go to videohelp dot com you can see the unit now has a rating of 9.5 stars after two years of use. Not one mention of the failure some person has made multiple posts about.

someone with sour grapes got another panasonic unit two years ago (just before they changed drive manufacture plant to the most reliable one there is). they are using the same lannguage and diction to post a bad review of every single panasonic product!

Don't believe it, look at the long term use reviews on the site I mentioned. these are dvd afficianodos using units over a year or two and reviewing them. This is a great unit and one of THE MOST DURABLE.

12/21/03. I have had this DVD player for eight days. I added this DVD player to my newly purchased home theater system, and found setting up the DVD player for progressive scan to be cumbersome (perhaps I was overwhelmed with setting up three new items DVD, TV, and amp).

I have this connected to a Yamaha amp and a Panasonic 50 inch LCD widescreen TV. In the end, I am happy with the results, but getting there was a difficult journey. The picture quality is excellent and detail imagery is apparent.

I have found this DVD player remote is not as easy to use as my prior one (Not progressive scan and 2 years old), but perhaps that is because the Panasonic is more advanced and has more features. Panasonic was available for assistance with all my questions at 1 866-843-9788.

My remarks will be associated with setting up with component cables out for progressive scan and a 16x9 widescreen TV, with digital audio/coax digital. During the initial set up make sure you have the correct settings -Progressive out, Component video out - Black Level Control - Darker, 16x9, etc.

After reading through the manual again, I found that there are additional settings needed to enjoy progressive scan. To change the unit settings - Press the display button 3 times and switch 480i to 480p. Then the type of material viewed should be defaulted to Auto 2 (Movie era 1940 and up). Auto 1 is for older movies 1940 and beyond. Video is for burned DVD's from a camcorder video, etc.

Under the audio tab if you use the digital coax, some of the functions may be automatic. Here are my settings. PCM down conversion - No. Dolby digital, DTS and MPEG are all Bitstream. NOTE: To enjoy 5.1 sound, you will need the coax digital cable. Otherwise 5.1 will not work and surround speakers will not be audible. For those using the analog (Left and Right speaker cables) all settings should be PCM - If not, PCM with analog cables (set to bitstream) may result in damaging noise output. The dynamic range compression is set to off - For us older audiophiles, this is a loudness switch.

I have found the sound quality to be excellent, but I have this DVD player connected to a high end home theater system. The low bass/subwoofer shakes the room, and the midrange and tweeter sounds are excellent, for both movies and music DVDs.

Watch the price on this one. I have seen it on sale for (cheap) Panasonic DVD S25K (Mine is black, not silver - only difference). Recommended Purchase!!!!

This is a fairly decent DVD player for a very reasonable price!

Some features that I like:

- Good picture quality, I was very impressed!

-plays multiple formats including DVD-video, DVD-R, JPEG picture disks, CD-R, CD-RW and MP3-encoded CDs.

-DVD player itself is easy to use

-Compatible with almost all televisions, including HDTV

Some things I didn't like:

-Remote is not as easy to use, many other DVD players have more intuitive and user friendly remotes

-Audio isn't as good as many other DVD players

Overall, considering the inexpensive price, the pros far outweigh the cons. It's a great "starter" DVD player, or great for those on a tight budget. Some of the pricier DVD players have more options and work slightly better, but this one is decent. For the price, you can hardly go wrong.

I've had this unit for just 7 months and it quite working, giving a H-07 error. Panasonic customer service recommends that I send it in (at my cost) to a repair depot in California where a tech will work on it for $90/hour.

Given the shipping and repair costs is not worth it to me to repair and I'll be getting a new DVD player. Any brand except Panasonic.

I am sorry to say that I did not read the other reviews until after I had made the purchase. However, I would like to thank all the other reviewers. The afternoon I came home with this Dvd player I made the connections with all of your help. I was then expecting it to blow up like my last 2 units. The last was a PlayStation 2 which made it for about 18 months used about 50/50 Dvd player and for game play. When I made it past the predicted 3 disk play with no audible internal noises. When it sounded much better than Sony's Toy. When the picture was so perfect. (Not a HD Tv)With its many picture modes from normal to dynamic, I finally relaxed and totally enjoyed this so far excellant players performance. It may go sooner than later, but for this priced right Dvd Panasonic player with most of the bells and whistles I would highly recommend you to give it a try. When it blows up I will report on its life span. However, for the here and now what a nice suprise. Update 3/25: Ok group, I have used this player for just over 2 weeks now. It is the the most silent running I have owned. Even dual layered disk cause no changes with external noises. It is not with optical audio hook up. However, the coaxial connection does the 5.1 sound just as well though. The freeze frame stills are perfect. I have used it everyday with Cds and Dvd without one problem. I think is safe to continue my strong support of this unit.Try it, you will like this one.

Well Gang the DVR as blown up while recording from the hard drive to DVD. It is acting confused and making repetitive beeps and noises. I did not buy the extended warrenty and had to take it to a authorized repair shop. It has been there for 2 months and they claim they are waiting for a part.
MY ADVICE NOW: Get the extended warrenty to just exchange it at the store.

The motors on several Panasonic models have quit working after about a year. Do a search on "Panasonic DVD error code H07" in Google and watch what comes up. Until they get their act together I would avoid Panasonic all together.