Panasonic DVD-S27S Progressive Scan DVD Player Silver

This is a terrific DVD player for the price. Features include excellent quality progressive scan output, ability to play all writeable DVD formats (DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD-RW VR Mode (random access mode used for some standalone DVD recorders, e.g. Sony) and DVD-RAM (random access mode used for some standalone recorders, e.g. Panasonic), and automatic one-button audio and video adjustments that can be used to "optimize" the output for a specific type of disc. The picture quality, especially in progressive scan mode (output through the component out connectors) is appreciably better than the picture from "el cheapo" players in the same mode. The difference is that Panasonic uses a proprietary high quality video decoder chip. Physically, it's a nice looking unit. And it's quite small. It has the standard component width, but it's only about 2" high and it is unusually short front to back. That can be either a plus or minus, depending on where you plan to place it. The unit is too shallow to be placed under a modest sized TV, for example. Other nice features include a good sized LCD display (a lot of cheap players these days skimp on the display or omit it altogether) and a decently ergonomic remote. The primary downsides to this player are: 1) it only has a coaxial digital connector on the back, no optical connector; 2) it will not play the new audio/video hybrid formats, such as DVD-A or SACD; and 3) as note above, it's pretty shallow, which means that if it's going to be placed in a stack of components, it will have to be the top component. It can't be used as a pedestal for a TV, either. You could spend more for a DVD player, but unless you need to play DVD-A or SACD, you aren't going to find another player with a better picture unless you spend several times the price of this unit. Read more

It's a nice DVD player, works as expected, easy to use. I'm very happy with the purchase. Read more

Very good player, but I notice that the sound on player is very low and you can't hear a movie on it too well; other than that, it works very well and plays all types of DVD'S. Read more

Pros: Looks sleek. LCD nice size. Onscreen setup a breeze. Cons: "No disc" error right out of the box! Don't attempt to call the toll-free help line on the sticker because the phone system drops your call into limbo after 10 minutes of waiting. Will try again with second unit (thanks Amazon for taking the first one back postage paid). Hope this is an isolated defect. Read more

This has been a great DVD player. Our old one had problems playing rental DVD's but since we got this DVD we have had no problems even with DVD's that looked questionalbe wheather or not they would play. I would highly recommend this item. Read more

I bought this dvd player, because it is one of the first ones that will play dvd-ram disc's that have been recorded on my Panasonic dvd recorder. I really like the remote on the dvd recorder. The remote on this dvd player is just as good. I bought this player to replace tow cheaper players. The first was a Daewoo, and the second was a CyberHome. Both of the remoted on these were hard to use. All of the buttons on the CyberHome dvd player's remote were small, marked with small print and looked alike. From now on, I'd cleck out the remote, before I bought any other device using a remote control. As a satellite TV and home theater installer, I have experience with thousands of remotes, and I can navigate amost all of them with ease. But for long term use, I prefer one that is easy to use. Read more

We went with Panasonic because we've had the best reliability with the brand. And we're happy with the player. It seems most of the other players we've seen are all about exactly the same...they even have the same remote control as if one blanket company is making them for many companies. This Panasonic is definitely original. The Audio/Video Enhancer button is great. This is the best DVD player we've seen in its class (under $100 single disc). Why not 5 stars? Well, if this unit lasts a long time then I'll come back and give it 5 stars. UPDATE: It is now years later and I would change this to a 5 star review if I could because this player has been fantastic...no problems, good at playing scratched discs, etc. Read more

I've been looking for a player that will play DVD-R's I've made myself. I've been creating DVD's from our home videos and finding our older player (and many new players) will not play them without skipping or freezing. I went through all the players at a local retailer and this one was the only one that played the whole DVD with not a single hiccup. It does a great job on purchased DVD's, and allows us to view our picture CD's on the TV. Anyone involved in home movie production may wish to test this player on their DVD's. I rated it for four stars out of 5. I would have liked enough front panel controls to permit easy DVD menu navigation for those times you misplace the remote. Read more