Review on 📀 Sony DVP-NC655P/B 5-Disc DVD Changer: Progressive-Scan Technology in Black by Major Lindsay

I was looking for a replacement for my 4 year old Panasonic DVD-C220 DVD player. I wanted to buy a Tivo or Replaytv device, but I didn't like that I only had to pay to use the device. And I've been thinking about a standalone DVD burner too. But since my computer already works like a TIVO (without nasty service fees) along with a DVD-RW recorder, I decided to look for a device that will play all these types of discs: CD-R, CD-R/ W, MP3 files, DVD-RW and DVD-R discs and VCDs. My Panasonic read these DVD-RW discs but sometimes had trouble reading the discs. And it doesn't even read MP3 files or those CD-Rs. So instead of paying more for a standalone DVD recorder or one of those hard disk recorders, I settled on a Sony DVPNC655PB. This is an amazing device. It plays not only homemade DVD-RW discs, but also CD-R, CD-R/W and MP3 encoded discs. Sony also states that it will play DVD-RW discs. This is another type of rewritable DVD format. Recordable DVD media currently has 5 competing formats. These include DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-R and DVD-RW. The DVD burner I have uses the DVD-RW format. But this is another story. So I won't go into detail. This device is available in two colors: black and silver. I went black since the rest of my gear is black. In fact, it is one and the same entity. The Sony DVPNC655PB is a 5 DVD changer with selectable progressive output. The front panel of the device is smooth and clean. The front panel has all the necessary buttons. This way, if the remote control is lost or damaged, you can still control all functions. The connection went without incident. You can connect it like any normal DVD player, be it with progressive output, S-Video or regular RCA jacks. I connected it via the S-Video connection as I haven't bought an HD TV yet. You need a TV with component inputs to use the progressive output feature. The device does not have a built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 decoder, so you must connect it to a receiver that decodes 5.1 signals. There is a coaxial output and a digital output on the back of the device. As well as two analog cinch connections. When connecting for the first time, the player enters the Quick Setup menu mode, which allows you to adjust picture, sound and other DVD player enhancements. Of course, you can enter this mode at any time by pressing the button on the remote control. The unit stores the various settings you have made for each disc up to 200 discs. The device also has parental controls, but only up to 40 discs. When playing DVDs, I have noticed that Sony DVD players have a much smoother picture than my Panasonic. However, this Sony has 3 sharpness settings that you can adjust if you don't like that soft setting. I prefer higher sharpness so I use sharpness setting #3. I guess it's just personal preference. Otherwise the image quality remains the same. It was the same with the sound. Fast forwarding and rewinding in the player is nice and smooth. No sudden movements when using this feature. One of the main advantages of this player is that it can remember the moment you stopped playing the disc even if you eject the entire disc. This will resume playback. My old Panasonic didn't. It remembers the point where you stopped, but once you remove the disc you have to go to the point where you manually stopped. Another interesting thing is that when you stop the disc, the cover art of the currently playing DVD is displayed. At first I thought this feature would only be available if you watch the Columbia Tristar DVD, which of course is owned by Sony Corporation. But as long as the DVD is encoded with this function, it will work. Otherwise, the good old SONY DVD PLAYER screensaver will just kick in. The remote control itself is logical and easy to use. However, the buttons are a bit small and the remote control does not have a backlight. So you cannot use the remote control in the dark. I also wish the arrow keys were a bit closer to the center of the panel rather than the end of the remote. This is usually a Sony remote control layout design. The remote control also controls your TV and some receivers. Normally I would have trouble buying Sony products due to the lack of customer support. But this time Sony has really outdone itself. This is an excellent turntable, especially for the price I bought it for. These minor flaws aside, the Sony DVPNC655PB DVD player is a pleasure to use. So if you're looking for a new player or secondary device, the Sony DVPNC655PB is for you.