Konka KD1800U1 DVD Player

• Coaxial digital-audio output
• Dolby Digital output
• S-video output
• Plays CD-R discs
• Supports up to 8 different languages for soundtracks and up to 32 languages for subtitles

The KD-1800U1 is extremely well made. In fact, it weighs 10.5 pounds--roughly four pounds more than competing models. Although weight isn't necessarily a barometer of good build quality, if you're attracted to metal, you'll love this machine, which has a solid brushed-aluminum faceplate wrapped around a metal chassis lid.

Although the KD-1800U1's silver finish is prone to reflecting light, Konka seems to understand that big, bright display lights are a distraction when you're watching a movie in a darkened room. Konka uses small, faint-blue LCDs to display disc information such as chapter, track, and elapsed time. An unobtrusive red DVD logo appears in the center of the display, while a tiny, green standby button resides in the left corner.

Front-panel controls include Open/Close, Skip+ and Skip-, Play, Pause, and Stop, along with a Power button that rests flush when engaged. Unlike some front-panel buttons, which feel like they'll fall off if you jiggle them too much, Konka's controls are strong and reliable. The shiny, silver disc tray opens and closes smoothly, without hesitation.

Glancing at the back panel, we were disappointed to learn that Konka has eliminated the optical digital-audio output on the KD-1800U1, the model that replaced the older KD-1800U. Fortunately, we prefer using coaxial digital cables--they're less expensive than fiber-optic cables and are less prone to disconnecting.

Although the KD-1800U1 doesn't have component-video outputs, we had no qualms with this omission, given that most consumers who are searching for a bargain DVD player don't own TVs with component-video inputs. However, Konka did include an S-video output, which should please most home theater enthusiasts.

Another omission is the lack of DTS-compatibility. Depending on your point of view, this is either a gross oversight or a wise decision. We think it's smart, given our experience with several sub-$200 DVD players that carry the Digital Theater Systems logo but are unable to satisfactorily pass the DTS signal onto an audio-video receiver. Kudos to Konka for playing it safe and recognizing that most consumers shopping in this price range will not fret at the absence of DTS compatibility.

Konka's player performed flawlessly on all the Dolby Digital discs we played--from action flicks to high-drama to U2's Rattle and Hum 5.1-channel concert DVD. Although the KD-1800U1 doesn't offer any video-enhancing circuitry, such as black-level expansion, we were satisfied with the player's ability to produce accurate images on our 54-inch rear-projection TV. Contrast levels, colors, and image depth were impressive during both daylight and nighttime viewing, with no digital artifacts or other anomalies that could be attributed to the player's video decoder.

In 5.1-channel Dolby Digital, the KD-1800U1's audio D-to-A converters were equally impressive. On music CDs, the KD-1800U1 was able to reproduce the audio spectrum--from the highest highs to the lowest lows--better than most DVD players we've heard. Granted, Toshiba, and Sony DVD players still reign supreme when it comes to offering exceptional digital-to-analog audio converters, but the Konka KD-1800U1 is the best music machine we've auditioned in this price range.

When it comes to ergonomics, Konka has also demonstrated it understands consumers. The remote control isn't fancy, but it is intuitive. The Select button and navigation arrows are located in the center of the remote, where they're easy to access with a thumb. Stop and Play buttons are located just above the Select button. A "trap door" slides open on the bottom of the remote to load the batteries. It also reveals a Setup button, which gives you quick access to the player's most important functions, such as choosing Dolby Digital 5.1 audio and selecting the screen's aspect ratios (standard 4:3, 16:9 widescreen, or 4:3 letterbox). Konka also included a Return button, so you can get out of the Setup menu with ease.

The Power and Eject buttons are isolated at the top of the remote, where they're easy to find. Disc Skip, Fast-Forward, and Rewind buttons are clustered together near the upper-left corner of the remote. A Subtitle button enables you to glide through the options available on a given DVD, while an On/Off button makes it easy to get rid of the subtitles if you fail to deactivate them when you start the disc.

The onscreen menus are distinguished by large letters that are very easy to read--just one of the many thoughtful features that make the KD-1800U1 a bargain.

Other features include the ability to play CD-Rs; the ability to play DVDs encoded with up to eight audio tracks, including Chinese, of course; and the ability to display up to 32 subtitle languages--from Afar to Zulu. (The audio language and subtitle features depend on whether the disc itself offers these options.)

For consumers who may have concerns about purchasing an electronics product made in China, rest assured the KD-1800U1 is well-built. One might also consider that 40 years ago, up-and-coming Japanese companies were greeted with great skepticism when they decided to compete with the Western giants that dominated consumer electronics. If the KD-1800U1 is any indication of the kinds of products we can expect from Konka--which has been manufacturing TVs since 1980--this rising star is about to change America's perception of the words "Made in China." --Eric Gill

Pros

• Extremely impressive build quality
• Attractive brushed aluminum design
• Remote control is simple to use
• Good sound and image quality

Cons

• No headphone jack
• No backlight on the remote