Panasonic DVD-C220 DVD Player

Other products by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [4.70mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 15.2 x 17 x 4.9 inches ; 12 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 17 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00003L4EU
• Item model number: DVD-C220
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,614 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Panasonic's DVD-C220D is one of the finest-sounding DVD players we've heard, and certainly the best at this price. In addition to its convenient five-disc carousel changer, this player offers a host of features that allow it to excel in virtually every system.

The DVD-C220D's handsome front panel has push buttons that control basic transport functions (play, stop, pause) and "repeat" modes, which set continuous play of discs, programmed songs, movie scenes, or even short segments of a piece of software. The panel also contains a numeric keypad below the informative and highly legible fluorescent display. A disc-exchange feature makes it possible to open the tray and change up to four discs while a fifth is playing.

The designers have arranged the front panel controls so that you can differentiate each function from the others. For example, the five disc-access buttons are small and round, and light up in either green or amber, depending on whether or not a disc resides in that space.

Unfortunately, the Panasonic's hand-held remote doesn't share the ergonomic flourishes of the player itself. The buttons are nearly all the same size and shape. What's more, the absence of backlighting makes it difficult to select the correct function in a dark room.

On the back of this machine, Panasonic provides enough connections to satisfy the most ardent audiophile or videophile. Two sets of analog audio-video outputs and a pair of composite-video jacks accommodate traditional system connections, while coaxial and optical outputs send digital audio (whether stereo, Dolby Digital, or DTS) to an external processor. For theater buffs with high-end TVs, the DVD-C220D supports both S-video and component-video formats.

Panasonic didn't sacrifice any performance quality in order to add all these extra features to the DVD-C220D. In contrast to the bright, often harsh trebles typical of most budget gear, the DVD-C220D's high frequencies are smooth and non-fatiguing--even with old, poorly remastered CDs. Of course, those wonderfully recorded "show-off" discs sound superb, with natural midrange reproduction and bass that is both tight and powerful. With both Dolby Digital and DTS software, a superb surround soundfield and startling dynamics tell you this is a first-rate machine. This player even has a Virtual Surround Sound (VSS) button, which simulates rear-channel surround sound from your stereo speakers.

Video quality is also better than average, although "average" for a DVD player is already spectacular. In our tests, images were reproduced with a natural color balance and razor-sharp detail--so sharp, in fact, that we had to reduce the "Sharpness" setting on our reference television monitor. If your set has component-video inputs, you'll enjoy an even more filmlike image.

Despite the versatility of DVD, the absence of low-cost, high-quality changers has prevented many consumers from abandoning their CD players. With its combination of performance and convenience, the DVD-C220 should compel most of you to clear a space in your equipment rack. --Anthony Chiarella

Pros:

• Carousel mechanism offers unsurpassed convenience
• Superb sound from both stereo and surround sources
• Useful assortment of audio-video connections

Cons:

• Remote lacks backlighting feature and ergonomic design

Product Description

The Panasonic DVD-C220 plays up to 5 DVDs, CDs, or Video CDs, for pure enjoyment in virtually any digital format. The changer's 5-Disc Rotary Carousel design allows you to change any of the 4 non-playing discs, without disturbing the movie you're watching, or the music you're listening to. The Front Panel LED conveniently displays the location of loaded discs, which disc is playing and the position of the disc tray when the drawer is open. The DVD-C220 also features a Quick Disc Rotation System, which lets you switch between discs at the touch of a button. This feature is ideal for watching multiple-disc movies.Dialogue Enhancer increases the center channel volume of a Dolby Digital 5/5.1-channel disc, making the dialogue easier to hear during loud scenes. Advanced Virtual Surround Sound creates the surround sound effect using only two front speakers with a wide range from left to right. Hi-Speed Smooth Motion Scan gives 5-Speed up to x100 thus providing crystal clear scan quality in both forward and reverse. Easy to Use On-Screen Menu Icons allow you to control a variety of player and disc settings via remote control. After resuming play of a DVD movie disc, Chapter Preview feature shows the first 3 seconds of each previously viewed chapter and proceeds with normal play once it reaches the position where you left off. 10-bit Video D/A Converter performs video signal processing at a fast rate for enhanced DVD picture quality. Still Picture Display (I/P/B) indicates on screen the type of still image (I, P, or B) being displayed; the I image is the best and should be used when making picture quality adjustments. Auto Switching Field/Frame Still reproduces still images in incredible detail regardless of source (film or video).

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great DVD player with great features, but there's a catch., July 26, 2000

By	Darren Richards (Chandler, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

I couldn't be happier with the features of this DVD player. The picture and sound quality are superb as well. The only major drawback I've found is that it doesn't play CD-R's that I've burned myself on my PC. I have a rather large CD collection, from which I've created many "greatest hits" CDs containing my personal favorites. The DVD-C220 DVD player also doubles as my CD player for my home stereo, and I now find myself looking to by another CD player just to play my favorite CDs. Had I known this before I bought, I probably would have went with a Sony.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid DVD / CD player with 5 disc capacity, August 12, 2000

By	kiwiplex (Tulsa, OK United States) - See all my reviews

The Panasonic DVD-C220 represents last year's top of the line. Some of the newer features available this year are missing (zoom). It can't read CD-Rs neither can any of the other players released last year.

This player has a great picture, especially the notable clarity, sharpness & color. The sound is as good as any CD player I've used. It has 2 sets of audio/video outs + S-VHS, component & 2 digital audio outs (1 coax + 1 optical).

Among the best features is the ability to play audio CDs and skip over DVDs. Great if like me, you are using the DVD player as a CD player.

The on screen menus are easy to understand if you read the manual and the indicator lights are informative as well. Plays all of the CD's and DVD's I have tried very well and hasn't skipped yet. Even plays one CD that won't play on my other systems. The audio is great for music and the audio on DVD is fantastic. The disk change is not slow at all and noise is to be expected but it is not annoying in the least. As for the tray, you can't push it closed - you have to push the button.

If you're looking for a multi-disc DVD/CD changer for a great price, this is a very good unit to consider. However if CD-R compatibility is a must, I'd say go for Pioneer's 3 Disc changer.

Hope this helps

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very HAPPY, April 13, 2000

By	Ben (INDIANA) - See all my reviews

This DVD player is excellent. It has so many goodfeatures that I didn't know would come in so handy until I actuallyused it. You can use all the functions without the REMOTE which might not sound spectacular, but if the remote has disappeared you still have control, which is a Big problem when I experienced this with other DVDs :) I put five movies in or CD's and just sit back and relaxe. That comes in really handy when you are going for that double feature and don't have to turn on the lights and blind everyone, just to take the movie out put the new one in and sometimes see what side you need to turn it. Just makes it a lot easier. I haven't tried any of the Sony DVDs to compare the picture quality but up against the toshiba there is no noticeable difference. I am very picky when it comes to that and I am satisfied. I wasn't at first until I got to compare, but now I see that it is OK, It is average. Though I havent experienced anything better, so I don't know! The only drawback is that it is bulky and it isn't the best color. I would rather it be BLACK but, oh well. I like to take it to friends houses since they don't have players and it is a little tough to lug around. But I dont know too many people who carry their DVD players with them. SO no big deal :) So all in all, at first I was seriously thinking about taking it back and trying a Sony DVP-S530D to stay in my price range or a Toshiba but after using my friends and then using mine I have done a 180 and realized I GOT A HECK of a deal! So any questions on how things are going with it just write me and I'll be glad to help. Maybe by then I will have tried the SONY!