Customer Reviews

Sony DVP-S530D DVD Player

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

I'm a SONY freak. From my XBR projection set to my pro-DV cameras at work, it's all SONY. I love the company but they, like anyone else, can drop the ball once in a while. The lip-sync problem gets worse as time goes on because newer DVD releases employ the latest MPEG-2 codes which these players were not properly set-up to decode. So SONY will now pick-up via FED-EX any 530-550 player still under warranty and install a new processor chip and firmware and deliver it back home within 2-3 weeks free of charge. (Not Bad, right!) However, a buddy of mine had this done and it still has the lip-sync problem! Oh Nooooo! ..as Mr.Bill would say.

Not sure what I'm going to do. My player is 3 months old. One other thing, this player will not play CD-R and CD-RW discs, the new PIONEER 626D's will. You may want to look into this one. I wish I did. Good luck out there!

I've had this player for a few months now, and loved everything about it except for the occasional sync problem. Sony has fixed the problem on newer versions, and if you buy an older one you can take it to a Sony service center for a free fix (it requires a firmware update). A bit of a hassle, but it is free and they'll mail it back to you for free when it's fixed.

The S530D has been a peerless performer since joining my home theatre system. The 5.1 Dolby Digital surround is crystal clear, and the image quality is stunning. I have experienced the sync problem on one of the first six discs I've tried ('Clerks'), and it disappeared after restarting the disc from the beginning of the chapter--certainly nothing that would make me want to return or service the unit. The unit has the look and feel of a tremendous piece of equipment. Fire it up with 'The Matrix', 'Seven' or 'Austin Powers' and impress your friends...

I just purchased mine 11/5/99. I have had the evil lip-sync problem on only one movie(A bridge to far),Ive played about 8 DVDs. One other note, The universal remote isnt, when it comes to JVC receivers. It would have been nice to control volume with the 530s remote. On the plus side it does control my Sony TV perfectly.

I took a look at a few other customer reviews and noticed a lot of the same problems "lip-sync". I am rather amazed that a company like Sony would continue to produce/release a product and simple not fix the problem in their factories. As you can see from a lot of reviews on this page, this is a continuing problem.

As a gift from my wife this year for Christmas, I was so excited I rushed out an rented two DVD's early that morning. What can I say...AWESOME! The picture was perfect, the sound was amazing, what more could someone want?

It was around the middle of January and about four to six DVD's later that I started to notice this weird problem. At first I thought...hmmmm...must be the DVD, then it started to happen again and again. One Saturday, my wife and I decided to visit the store where she purchased it in December. I asked one of the electronics specialists about the "lip-sync" problem and immediately got an answer. "bring it in and Sony will fix the problem for free", he said. Well, I don't know about anyone else but this has become the best feature of my home theatre system and I don't think it fair that I have to give it up for two or three weeks, while someone fixes a problem that should have been fixed earlier. Not to mention the amount of money she paid for it ($750.00 Can.).

I am an avid Sony buff and this is really disappointing. I hope each of you will review this product in great detail and ask a lot of questions before you decide to purchase it.

Good luck!

I have to assume that the lip-synch problem referred to inearlier reviews must have been taken care of, because I haven'tencountered the slightest problem. The video quality is simply astonishing - I won my wife over by doing a direct comparison with the laserdisc and DVD versions of "Gone With the Wind" - she is 100% sold now! There's enough flexibility that you can upgrade to a component-video-capable TV if you don't have one now; I'm using the S-video output and THAT blows me away. The remote has EXCELLENT human factors engineering - I have no trouble using it in a dimly-lit room for the usual functions (pause, slow forward/backwards, fast, etc.) plus some HANDY features like "How much time is left on the movie?" Menu access is simple and intuitive, too - no teeny-tiny pixie-sized buttons to feel around for. Full 5.1 outputs and DTS/Dolby Digital if you can use them and a host of options for the two-three speaker folks. Really, this has everything you could ask for in a player in this price range - I don't know who selected the Toshiba as Amazon's pick, but THIS is REALLY the one you want!

THE GOOD NEWS. I bought my DVP-S530D a month ago. I have been very happy with the overall performance. The video is sharp, the audio is riveting. This model includes all the outputs you would ever need, plus a few you probably won't and they are flexable in the ways they can be easily programmed, further future-proofing this unit. No need to buy a new receiver to enjoy 5.1 dolby, you just need your older amplification & speakers for 3, 4, or 5 channel output. A powered sub-woofer raises the bar further. NOW THE BAD NEWS. I have witnessed the audio sync problem twice out of the 20 movies I have watched so far. About halfway through an affected movie the dialog will suddenly be delayed about 1 second behind the rest of the movie. The fix is to stop, then restart the movie. It takes 2 clicks on the remote, and about 3 seconds to to resume the movie problem free. This defect occured once per movie, and I was unable to recreate the defect in a reliable manner. I expect more from Sony and can't imagine that the released this unit not knowing of this defect. It's nice to hear that there is a fix. This is the only feature of this unit that deserves scorn (and a 1 less star rating> Everthing else about this unit is top notch. If you have not experience DVD yet I encourage you to check it out. Remember what happened to vinyl records? The same fate awaits VHS. The DVD format offers so much more.

I did plenty of research and shopping around before I settled on this player. The reasons were simple- it had the most features and the best value for the money. I am very pleased with it. I had seen plenty of the warnings concerning lip synch problems, and I prayed I didn't get one with that problem b/c from what I have heard Sony customer service is less than helpful on that matter. Well I got one of the later models with the good serial number and newer firmware and it is outstanding. These are very popular so it is highly unlikely that you would get a defective one (it would have had to been on the shelves since summer 99.) If you're looking for a player in the $350-400 range this should be on your short list. Picture and sound are excellent- has all the connections, even component video. Also has a good decoder built in, necessary if you don't have a receiver with one. All in all, a very good buy for the money. Any questions, email me and I'll help you if I can.

I just bought the Sony 530D DVD player and so far I couldn't ask for anything more. I was choosing between the Toshiba 3109 and this, but I decided to ignore the few instances of synching problems and buy. I've watched several DVD's and the picture and sound are amazing. A small note, but the remote for the Toshiba 3109 is really awful, but the 530's is clear and gives you full command of all the great features. So far, it's a steal.

I bought this DVD player and have had no problems whatsoever. The picture quality has been flawless, as has the sound. I have NOT had any lip-sync or fuzzy lines, etc.

I have played both Austin Powers movies, Rounders, Contact, Pulp Fiction, and two Gratefuld Dead DVD's, along with an assortment of audio CD's.

It did take me a little while how to figure out how to get the audio set up properly for 5.1, as the default setup when you buy it is for just two front speakers.