Panasonic DVD-RV30: Spankasonic does it again....
Written: Feb 13 '01 (Updated Feb 15 '01)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Sound: |
 |
|
| Ease of Use: |
|
|
| Picture Quality: |
|
|
| Durability: |
|
|
|
Pros: Ease of use, Price, and RAZZLE DAZZLE VIDEO and AUDIO
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: If you're looking to enter the world of DVD, might just as well do it with this one. Look for rebates... that's how I got mine
|
|
|
| wutang2364's Full Review: Panasonic DVD-RV30 DVD Player |
Available in black and silver, the Panasonic DVD-RV30 DVD player once again proves that Panasonic can run with the big dogs.
AUDIO
--------------------------------------------------------
The player includes standard (analog) audio/video outs as well as an optical digital audio output.
Advanced VSS creates a simulated surround sound effect by downmixing from either a 5.1-channel or 2-channel Dolby Digital soundtrack. Although it's a nice feature, it is in no way a substitute for the real surround sound - Dolby Digital, DTS and even Dolby Pro Logic sound much better.
The 2-Channel Plus Bass feature provides deep bass with even two-speaker system - the player has a separate subwoofer out in addition to the standard left and right channel analog outs.
There is a standard for Panasonic DVD players dialogue enhancement feature, which boosts the volume of the center channel by 6 dB when playing a Dolby Digital 5.1 disc so that the dialogue doesn't become drowned out by the left and right speakers.
This feature helps you to keep volume level lower while still being able to hear what people on the screen say.
VIDEO
--------------------------------------------------------
Video features include a cinema mode in which the picture is enhanced by reducing glare, softening resolution, and improving visibility of details in dark scenes, resulting in a more realistic, cinemalike image.
For better picture quality, the player is equipped with S-video outputs and component video out (both of them are present in virtually all modern DVD players, except the basic ones - Oritron DVD600 doesn't have either S-Video or component outs, Panasonic RV20 doesn't have a component out).
Component video out is the best possible way to connect DVD player to your TV, it digitally separates the video signal into its luminance (Y) and separate chrominance (PR and PB) elements, allowing delivery of a reference-quality picture with precise color reproduction. (Of course you have to have a TV that is compatible (has component inputs) to utilize the benefit of this feature.) But you will have to deal with 3 cables instead of one cable for S-Video.
Every Panasonic DVD player, RV30 including, features high-speed, five-step, smooth-motion scan, which provides crystal-clear forward and reverse scan in five speeds. At the highest setting, the unit scans at 100 times normal speed (1 minutes 40 seconds in 1 second).
The player is Energy Star compliant, so it will draw significantly less power in the standby mode than non-compliant DVD products. What's more important, however, is that RV30 tolerates scratched CD and DVD discs much better than other models.
The picture and sound produced by the player are excellent. The picture is detailed, sharp and there is no loss in detail level in dark scenes.
The remote is well-designed and allows you to operate the player without actually pointing the remote directly towards the player's front panel. The button layout is intuitive (menu control buttons) and most frequently used buttons are reasonably large.
This model is excellent in both picture quality and ease of use, which, along with predicted reliability, makes it a very good choice.
-------------------------------------------------------
FEATURES (from panasonic website)
• Digital-audio outputs: Optical
• Digital-to-analog converters, video: 10 bits
• Digital-to-analog converters, audio: 24 bits (96 kHz)
• Analog-audio outputs: 1 pair
• Video outputs: 1 component, 1 S-video, 1 composite
• Video black-level control: Yes
• Total resolution: 500 lines
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Surround sound compatibility: Dolby Digital, DTS
• HDCD decoding: No
• Speeds: Slow motion (5 levels forward and reverse); rapid advance (5 steps forward and reverse up to 100x)
• Special effects: VSS (Virtual Surround Sound for DVD only), 2-Channel Plus Bass output, dialogue enhancement mode, freeze frame, frame advance, cinema mode, quick start
• Repeat functions: Yes
• Title/chapter search with marker function: Yes
• Parental lock: No
• Remote control: Basic
• Onscreen menu: Yes
• Dimensions: 10.75 by 17 by 3.25 inches
• Weight: 6.4 pounds
• Warranty: 1 year on parts, 90 days on labor
--------------------------------------------
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 199
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
wutang2364
|
|
Member: Wouter Reyniers
Location: Bradenton
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 10 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.