SONY DELIVERS THIS TIME !!
CD/DVD Player Model DVP-NS55P
My quest for a versatile DVD Player ended with this choice. I stuck with Sony because of a previous personal experience with a lookalike product (SONY DVP-575) I had purchased and reviewed in 2004. The most obvious change from one to the other was the placement of the "PROGRESSIVE" switch on the FRONT of the unit. My first take on the newer model is one of awe for the
incredibly sharp images from DVD program matter from such as "Auntie Mame", Film released 1974, DVD released 2002. Starring Rosalind Russell. The DVD release was nothing special in itself but, when combined with a good quality player and the ViewSonic 17" Flatscreen HDTV ready monitor, the results were really astonishing.
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NOTE:
This Sony DVP-NS55P CD/DVD Player was purchased to replace the VHS/DVD player panned in my earlier review. The principal reason for selecting this replacement was my need for MUSIC CD compatiblity; which I was sure this new player would deliver. Reason? The clear statement on the carton that it WOULD play Music CD Discs. I was also persuaded by the similarity of the DVP-NS55P to the DVP-575P I had already purchased in 2004. One for myself
and one for my brother. I reviewed that DVD player in July 2004 (updated Feb 2005).
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http://www.epinions.com/content_245582499460
http://www.epinions.com/content_149501021828
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DESCRIPTION
This player is one of a family of several nearly identical products listed in the Epinions Database. These other listings are all of the same basic products. For example, DVP-NS55/s denotes a silver color case; which is the color of the unit I bought. At this time, only one other Epinion about this product has been published.
With this product, Sony has managed to reverse its trend to introducing "New and Improved" models that are not necessarily compatible. The DVP series is as close to being a "COMMODITY" as an electronic component can be. In other words, one buys it, plugs it in and uses it. When
it wears out, toss it and get another. At $70 or so, the Consumer is being served.
Dimensions: 17" Wide x 1.69 Thick x 8.2 Deep
Depth Including RCA Cable Terminals - 10"
Weight: 3.8 Pounds
Rear Panel: Digital Audio Out (RCA Coaxial)
Line Audio Out (RCA L & R)
Line Video Out (Composite RCA)
S-Video Out
Component Video Out (3 x RCA)
120 VAC Power
Front Displays Disc Type (CD, DVD, VCD)
Player Status (Play or Pause)
Repeat Play indicator Camera Angle Variations (if recorded)
Audio Signal (Dolby, MP3 or DTS)
Time Elapsed or remaining, Track number
Front Controls Power On/Off
Eject/load
Play Start
Stop
PROGRESSIVE On/Off
Back / Next
Remote 44 Buttons, Component Number SONY DVD RMT-D175A
Power Consumption 10 Watts
OPERATIONS - ON SCREEN
The player is controlled by two actions: Selection from the Remote or signals from the Disc Type
"On Screen" Menu Selections:
Title, Chapter, Track, Time, Program, Shuffle (Random) Play, Repeat, Selective repeat, Custom Picture Mode, Sharpness, Parental Control, Setup, Album (MP3), File (jpeg images) Date, Interval (Slide Show), Effect (visual effects between images), Mode (MP3,JPEG)
The remote allows other things such as forward, backward, pause and stop. As noted above, the "Shuffle" or Random
presentation can be invoked.
After 3 months of use, I have utilized the Setup and Shuffle controls. With these, I have been able to view DVD films, DVD photo image slide shows, and listen to CD Music.
"Disc Type"
The original disc production may be a movie that contains a "Self-Starting" mode. Once the disc reaches normal operating rotation speed, it begins to send out a signal that the player detects and the "Play" command is invoked. Many recent discs contain layers of menus that require users to intervene from the player front panel or from the remote. Thus, one can view the main feature or theater trailers.
Other discs may contain a series of images like *.jpg files that can be viewed in a Slide Show presentation.
If the disc contains sub-directories of such files, the remote enables navigation from one level to another.
TIME/TEXT button: If the disc contains such information, one can view the Title of a DVD/CD Album on screen. A bit of experimentation reveals that such information is nothing new; a newly opened CD manufactured in 1988 revealed track numbers and elapsed time, time remaining and and total time. (Other messages appeared on the screen and on the front panel display. "Welcome", "Loading", "Open", "No Disc" and others are shown.)
A Curiosity: Audio speed can be varied from fast to slow; sound pitch varies accordingly. This allows quick "cueing" when searching for a given passage of sound.
DVD Movie Operations
DVD Play is straightforward, inserting the disc and pressing the "Close" button brings the player up to speed and most movie productions will Pause at the Main Menu. From there, one may select the main feature or whatever special features were recorded. Once selected, play begins; speed / scan can be done at normal, 2x, 3x in either direction. "Slow Play" runs the program material at 60% of standard speed. Title, Track Numbers, Time Information and Status are all displayed on-screen when desired. Pressing any of the number buttons on the remote can summon the desired track or scene. The DISC title can be displayed on the player front panel.
DVD Sound: If alternative audio tracks are available, pressing Audio one or more times reveals the status, reproduction and language. The DVP-NS55P offers Dolby Digital 5.1, 3.0, and Virtual Surround choices, depending upon what is coded on the Disc.
Viewing Angles: Supported if the disc contains such information. The function of the "Angle" button should be obvious.
Playback Picture: Pressing "Display" and "Custom Picture Mode" displays the custom picture menu. Variations control the contrast, color intensity, brightness, and color contrast. Preferences can be saved. Parental control can be invoked in this menu.
JPEG/MP3 Files: These images can be viewed on this player if on CDs encoded per ISO 9660 Level 1 or 2 or Joliet as can images on DATA DVDs with Universal Disk Format (UDF). Empirical testing can get the user through this gobbledygook in a trice. That is, try it. If it does not work, consider that it is not supposed to.
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COMMENTS:
Using the
SONY DVP-NS55P Player, I have been playing Music CD, DVD Movie, and JPEG files during the preparation of this review and I have enjoyed each type of entertainment.
One feature that turned out to be very convenient is the thin profile. It will fit cozily into a 2" high slot in your entertainment cabinet. Mine is sitting on a bookshelf with a couple of portraits on it. I would not ignore clearances recommended by the manufacturer but I have had no problems so far.
Used as it is in my home setup, the DVP-NS55P adds music and video signals to my inexpensive PC (Gateway GT-4016). For my display, I use the ViewSonic 17" Combo TV/PC Monitor.
The ViewSonic was not cheap but with it I have a modern entertainment center for much less than the cost of just a larger wide-screen Television. You might consider this if space is dear in your home.
By the way, the ViewSonic's POP (Picture out of Picture) feature allowed me to play movies in one screen and prepare this review in another. Such a distraction is not good for concentration but does make life more interesting.
Asourdough4
