Small footprint, basic operation, easy set up - - 5 minute hook up - - - plug into outlet, connect hdmi from player to tv - - - that's it. Plays all NTSC (US formatted) dvds (+,-,rw, etc),with no problems. No skipping, lag, or freezing up. It also has a basic random/shuffle option for CD's. I also like that although it comes with a remote, there are also control buttons on the unit itself. This is just a laziness issue, but if you walk over to the player to retrieve or insert a disc without having the remote in hand, you can still operate the basic functions of the player without having to go back and get the remote. Note that this also has usb port in front for flash drives but realize that it will not read a large capacity external hard drive - - - just smaller capacity flash (thumb) drives. I've watched avi and mp4 downloads perfectly. Haven't tried any other formats, but assume at least, that m4v would work as well. I didn't need it to play dvd's from overseas, but if this is a consideration for you, note that the specs do not show that it plays PAL formatted dvds. Also note that although it comes with audio/video cables and a remote, it does not include batteries (for the remote) or an hdmi cable. Small issue especially considering the price, but just something to know ahead of time so you'll have these on hand when you're ready to hook it up and not have to make a special trip out to get them. Very, very happy with this purchase. I initially bought one for our flat screen, but was so pleased with it and the price, I bought a second one for our older model tv that is in our exercise room. No hdmi on that older model tv, but hook up was just as easy with the included audio/video cables. Highly recommend this for anyone wanting a basic dvd player. Read more
I got this for a friend who needed a new DVD player but doesn't use one often. As such, she didn't need a very expensive model. It's a very good buy now and was even slightly less, about a month ago. I played around with it before giving it to her to make sure it had no problems while it was still within the 30-day return window. I discovered that, like other Curtis manufactured machines, this one will play PAL DVDs from any region with a small adjustment: 1. Turn on the machine and open the tray. You should see a bright blue screen with SYLVANIA in large letters. 2. Press 9,9,9,9 on the remote 3. Then press 0 (for no region) 4. The region number will appear at the top of the screen The picture quality is fine and the upscaling seemed to improve some of my homemade DVD+RW recordings. If you want a region-free DVD player that is inexpensive and works well, this is a good choice. My only complaint is that the remote is rather crowded with small buttons, many of which you'll probably not use. Also, the instruction manual could be more detailed which might have helped me avoid the problem I describe below. Please note, I was fooling around with the menus and made a big mistake. I switched the output to PAL which was not necessary. What it did was make it impossible to see the setup screen, as I don't have a PAL TV. I was only able to switch it back because I remembered the sequence I'd used to get there and set it back correctly, which I had to do "blindly." I don't recommend making any changes except to switch the aspect ratio to 16 : 9, and even that may not be necessary. Read more
UPDATED 4-10-14: I bought 2 of these a month apart, one for a friend about 3-4 weeks after I had mine. I'm embarrassed that BOTH units are completely non-functional now, mine at 5 week mark and his before even 4 weeks! First, it started skipping during DVD playback (though not CD playback), then the bad disc errors started on mine, then it refused to recognize anything, even a laser cleaner CD. The USB input also did not work at that time. My friend brought me his newer one to use, he had already had problems with skipping and freezing during DVD playback and errors on CD recognition, but within 24 hours of bringing it to my house, it went from dissolving the film (like old VHS lines through pictures), then bad disc errors--refused to recognize ANY discs, DVD/CD & cleaner disc--so I tried the USB, and out of the 12 songs it started failing on the 4th, with static through the speakers & distortion, so I shut it off finally. Before the bad disc errors, these units start making noises while accessing and playing discs, noise that can be heard over the quiet moments of a DVD or CD, within an hour of the noise starting, both units were dead. I called the seller to try and arrange an exchange for defective items, never imagining that a unit under a month old could not be returned (unless un-opened!). Then I checked Amazon site where I bought them both, and it would not let me return them either. These come with only a 30 day UNOPENED return policy, and a 90 day manufacturer warranty, which I will try next, but I can already tell that no matter how many units they replace, none will work, if 2 units failed within a month of purchase. I'm extremely disappointed with the Sylvania brand and plan to never buy another product made by them. I was excited about the product and didn't realize the return policies on Amazon had deteriorated, nor that the warranty was 90 days--to me that is an obviously defective product if a manufacturer won't warranty it for longer. Buyer beware. I'm going to local Best Buy next time. PREVIOUS: Received a couple days before expected, packaged securely, easy to open tab style box, with remote, warranty (90 days! limited), manual (very small print though so it is hard to read), RCA & YUV cables, no batteries in remote. Hooked it right up, have already listened to three computer-written CDs, & USB. Read more
