Panasonic DVD-RV31K DVD Player

Other products 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: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000059ZZH
• Item model number: DVDRV31S
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,982 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Panasonic's DVD-RV31S 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-RV31S 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 bitstream for DTS and Dolby Digital surround sound, fostering glorious home-theater sound when decoded with an appropriate surround receiver.

Advanced Virtual Surround Sound (VSS) simulates a surround effect using only your two front speakers. Furthermore, the DVD-RV31S'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-RV31S' 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-RV31S'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-RV31S. 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-RV31S comes in silver and is Energy Star compliant. This model is covered by a one-year parts, 90-days labor warranty.

Product Description

Panasonic DVD players are known for great picture quality and reliability. Now you can add versatility to the list. Their affordable DVD-RV31 is an all-purpose entertainer that plays DVDs, CDs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs?even MP3 CDs (now it's easier than ever to enjoy your downloaded MP3 tunes on your home A/V system!).When it comes to watching DVD movies, the RV31 is ready to please. Panasonic's High Speed Smooth Motion Scan lets you zip through a DVD at up to 100X regular speed. A video black level control lets you adjust the player's video signal for a more film-like picture. A component video output lets you take full advantage of DVD's awesome video performance with compatible TVs.Whether your A/V system is simple or elaborate, the DVD-RV31 makes DVD sound more involving. Advanced Virtual Surround Sound simulates a surround effect using just the pair of speakers in your TV or stereo system. For surround sound systems, Dialogue Enhancer makes dialogue easier to hear by raising the center channel volume.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent player for the money, May 1, 2001

By	SL (RI) - See all my reviews

Panasonic DVD-RV30 (older model w/o MP3 capability) was rated excellent for picture quality in the Consumer Report magazine.I found that is true also for this RV31 (silver) model. Unlike my older JVC dvd player, this player allows me to set different black level (light and darker); it allows users to set contrast, brightness, sharpness, color, and tint--features used to be only available in more expensive players. The picture quality, of course, is outstanding. I could notice more details in the black/dark areas when I set the brightness a little higher than factory preset. Among the 3 dvd players I've owned, I find this RV31 to have the best (user-friendly) on-screen menu. This player, however, lacks a screen saver to prevent phospher burn-in. In addition, it lacks a coaxial digital output. It comes with optical output, and of course also regular (a/v) rca outputs. It has component video output as well. The remote control is fine. I didn't think the keys are too small; however,it is not a universal remote. MP3 player, honestly, works flawlessly. I expected that it wasn't going to work based on other reviews. To my surprise, the player was able to read and play all my tracks on every MP3 cd-r and CD-RWs I have. It could be that I have saved all my music files in bit rate of 128 or higher. It does say in the manual that if the bit rate is 96 or lower, it may have problem reading the files. All in all, I was very happy to have purchased this player. I have played DVDs, MP3s and my Hong Kong VCDs without running into any problems. I also like the silver finish (you can purchase in black, as well.)

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent player except for a few kinks..., January 24, 2002

By	John K Yu (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I bought this DVD player 3 months ago and I could never be happier with it. Since then I have bought 3 more of these players for friends and relatives. I bought the Black or Silver they are exactly identical in functionality. I prefer the Silver look myself.

The MP3 player was a big plus! It plays my MP3 disks with ease. The only problem is that it only displays the numbers of my MP3 files when playing it. So you may have to memorize your MP3 via numbers. It will play the files in the order the MP3 files are written. Just make sure you make a list of the songs cause there is no way to memorize over a hundred songs in a disk.

Unlike the Toshiba DVD with the MP3 playing capability, the Panasonic DVD/CD/VCD/MP3 COULD Fast Forward/Rewind while playing the MP3 files. Im glad I did not buy the Toshiba, pretty much all the Toshiba players I tried in the electronics store could not fast forward/rewind MP3 file/song. This is bothersome especially if you need to scan through your MP3 songs.

Playback was excellent. I haven't got any bad pixelations where the picture was not completely processed which leaves bigger squares of the image all over the place. I did get a couple pauses/delay/discontinuity while playing the DVD on some disks. The discontinuity usually happens while it switches to the next track. It only happens rarely in the frequency of once in 10 movies I play. It may just be the disk itself causing it, especially if it has scratches.

As far a CD playing is concerned, it has pretty much what a normal CD player has. Search, Fast Forward, Rewind, Random, Scan and more... Just read up on the specifications to find out the rest.

VCD Playback is excellent as well. The image was nice and clear. Of course it will never match up with the DVD's picture quality.

The component outputs and digital audio output is a plus for future expansions. Most new higher end televisions and receivers have component inputs now. And most receivers that support DTS/Dolby digital 5.1 will have digital audio inputs. Though this particular player does not support progressive scan, the picture quality is up to par. Panasonic makes a model that supports progressive scan but it is slightly more expensive. It will look very similar to this one except it will say progressive scan on the front disk tray.

This player also implements special function for surround sound. It will simulate a surround sound through your television even though you don't have any of the complex receivers/audio equipment. Of course it will not match up with having your own surround receiver, but it is good enough if you don't have one.

This player has proven itself to be very reliable to me. Its ease of use and functionality makes it my top pick especially for its price range. At Amazons current pricing on this player (Black or Silver), you cannot find a better name brand in its class!

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Crap!, December 6, 2001

By A Customer

After 6 months (....)I'm getting "H02" errors on every DVD. Time for the maintenance depot. Stay away from this defected DVD Player!!!

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