Denon DVD-2500 DVD Player

Your dilemma will be over once you see this piece of work!!

The main attraction to this unit is because it's up front features. It plays CDs and DVDs and has an excellent setup menu. One will not find multiple trivial features that many other manufacturers offer. Just simple playback. Among the useful features are memory markers, auto off, and searching capability. It was delightful to fast forward and rewind frames at different speeds.
The only negative on the hardware side is it's remote control; while it has useful buttons, they are too small and the remote itself is not very ergonomic.

I have nothing but praise for the 2500's sonic and video capabilities. I wanted a DVD unit that played both DVDs and CDs well. It does just that - plays CD music with clarity and DVD videos with good resolution and color. It does have a slight problem with certain downconversion of widescreen materials. For example, when a camera pans across scenes like empty stadiums (ie, opening scene - Shakespeare In Love), there are jagged artifacts. But I've read a number of reviews that states a artifact/downconversion compromise with players that have good resolution and sharpness. I hear Sony players does not have this problem, but they do tend to soften the picture a bit.

I am quite happy with the DVD-2500 and am looking forward to their next generation of DVD players - no doubt a progressive unit.

Looked and auditioned many DVD (first priority) / CD (second priority) players and found this unit to be the best combination in this price range. DVD picture quality is excellent and CD playback is very good. I have to say that the price is a little higher than comparable units, but I chose it anyway. Not many good deals available either. The remote looks like a toy and I have found myself having to hit buttons repeatedly to get the functions to work. The remote is poor for a unit of this price, but I'm using a Marantz learning remote from my SR-18 so it doesn't matter.