11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Another Sony demonstration in the art of middling
Date of Review: Feb 20, 2006
The Bottom Line: If you're put to the choice to get rid of movies, or by a changer, buy the 985 and keep your HD single tray. Otherwise, I recommend waiting for improvements.
All things considered, the hardware department turned out a product representative of a price much higher than even their SRP of $399.95. Amazon had a pre holiday price of $329 with free second day air. For 329 dollars, I get to take 2 walls of dvd cases, box them, and hide them in the basement. A sound investment, regardless of how much wall space you're allowed to clutter. The video output is comparable to any player in this price range, multi or otherwise. The SACD, DVD-RW/-R/ RW/ R, MP3, JPEG, CD-RW/-R, VCD and SVCD compatibility with above average audio clarity compliment the relatively compact size and handsome presentation.
There are downsides to this player that have been well documented. An obviously cheap remote, and the autoplay/slow loading of any selected disc are sure to give you and your guests the impression you spent a measly 329 dollars for a 400 disc changer. If you're unaware, this means that when you turn your player on, whichever disc was run last, starts to load and run. Slowly. You cannot stop the loading process until either previews start, or a menu is reached. This can take up to a minute. The easy fix? I just leave my unit powered on. If you stop the disc, it's not doing a whole heck of a lot just sitting there.
The firmware/software group unfortunately were out to lunch on this one. As a stand alone player, I wouldn't trade an acorn for this player. And I don't have a lot of uses for an acorn. After spending 12 or so hours carefully organizing discs through the player and entering all title information, the software a week later "hung up" and forgot every title entered.
Whether you're keeping your movies on the shelf, or within this unreliable and dreadfully slow player, Collectorz.com ( http://collectorz.com/movie/ ) has a crucial piece of software every movie collector should own. Without this software, I would have returned this player. Quickly. Considering it deleted all 368 of my entries, I would have returned it with a frown. There is however a software solution. I have no affiliation with the company, but I purchased several similar programs from different customers and none filled all needs collectors have for customizing lists and quickly importing information from the net. I would enter this rave review in the collectorz section in software, but it doesn't exist. Again, without this, or at the very least, similar software, I would not bother with this player unless you enjoyed the shuffle/play action no titles within the player will provide.
Ok, off of that soap box. Is this player worth purchasing? Ultimately, even for this reasonable price, I cannot recommend the player. I do not think this is a justifiable upgrade from the previous version (DVP-CX985V). The 985 is approx a hundred dollars less expensive, and would actually perform my primary function (organization) better. The 985 menu system didn't have any more or fewer features than the 995, but the layout was far more capable. My Uncle has 3 of the DVP-CX985V players and has not had any of the firmware issues I have.
This simple difference (985 having the better menu) would in my opinion outshine the inability to play in progressive format. While for low def movies, output from either player would be fine, any film worth watching in HD would be swiftly relocated to the owners ES or Elite tray player to better reach the televisions abilities. If you cannot see the texture of eyes in your television, this player will be sufficient as your only.
The database and printed index has proven an invaluable addition. The previously mentioned index is the only thing preventing the player from visiting the ebay auction block. Whether it be budget related, or simply incompetence, the firmware is a slow and constant disappointment. The audio output is well above average, and the video is fair enough that on lazy nights, I play directly from the changer. The space recovery has been a welcome change, so I'm glad I have a carousel, but not necessarily this one.
****Update***
There is indeed an entry for the Collectorz software now. If you are considering this, or any other multi disc player, review that software!
I have had this unit for well over a year now. I am similarly happy with the unit as I was when I wrote the review. More and more often I find myself playing directly from the player. Convenience rules the house! Given the fact that Sony has changed very little about this player, and there really is not a lot on the shelves for competition, I would suggest stop waiting. You're going to want a printed list of the movies. Find some software, even if it's excel, and get your movies on paper.
