Sony DPV-NC650V 5-Disc SACD/DVD Changer

Rating:
Summary: Progressive Scan & SACD
Review: I purchased this to replace a Sony DVD that was only a year older -- same size, same layout, almost the same remote. What the older model did not have was SACD & progressive scan. A couple of notes to those considering this player that may save you some frustration.

You will need a receiver that has the 5:1 input jacks to get the full benefit of this player. You cannot use the optical or coax connection and get full multi-channel SACD. (There is one short sentence in the entire manual that says this). My Sony receiver worked fine once I connected to these jacks.

Once connected right, you may still not get the sound you expected. If you are playing a hybrid multi-channel SACD, the player defaults to the regular CD layer and you get only stereo. I had to use the player menu to select multi. Then the white light bar comes on with the blue one. If you don't get the white bar you aren't listening to multi. Single layer multi discs require no menu manipulation -- the player reads them right.

An additional note on progressive scan mode to other novices. If your TV doesn't have the component inputs, you can't use progressive scan. I'm not talking about the L-R-V jacks -- the weird ones Pb-Pr-something. Then again, if you don't have one of the wide screens, I don't think you can use the additional lines (data) provided by the progressive scan anyway (your TV can't deal with it). This is a feature that will be nice to have if you do have or plan to have the TV for it.

Is the SACD worth it? Yep, the sound of the multi is phenominal once you get it all working and understand whats going on. Since there are 6 discrete channels theres not a bad seat in the house -- it really sounds great regardless of where you're sitting.

Rating:
Summary: Progressive Scan & SACD
Review: I purchased this to replace a Sony DVD that was only a year older -- same size, same layout, almost the same remote. What the older model did not have was SACD & progressive scan. A couple of notes to those considering this player that may save you some frustration.

You will need a receiver that has the 5:1 input jacks to get the full benefit of this player. You cannot use the optical or coax connection and get full multi-channel SACD. (There is one short sentence in the entire manual that says this). My Sony receiver worked fine once I connected to these jacks.

Once connected right, you may still not get the sound you expected. If you are playing a hybrid multi-channel SACD, the player defaults to the regular CD layer and you get only stereo. I had to use the player menu to select multi. Then the white light bar comes on with the blue one. If you don't get the white bar you aren't listening to multi. Single layer multi discs require no menu manipulation -- the player reads them right.

An additional note on progressive scan mode to other novices. If your TV doesn't have the component inputs, you can't use progressive scan. I'm not talking about the L-R-V jacks -- the weird ones Pb-Pr-something. Then again, if you don't have one of the wide screens, I don't think you can use the additional lines (data) provided by the progressive scan anyway (your TV can't deal with it). This is a feature that will be nice to have if you do have or plan to have the TV for it.

Is the SACD worth it? Yep, the sound of the multi is phenominal once you get it all working and understand whats going on. Since there are 6 discrete channels theres not a bad seat in the house -- it really sounds great regardless of where you're sitting.

Rating:
Summary: Progressive Scan & SACD
Review: I purchased this to replace a Sony DVD that was only a year older -- same size, same layout, almost the same remote. What the older model did not have was SACD & progressive scan. A couple of notes to those considering this player that may save you some frustration.

You will need a receiver that has the 5:1 input jacks to get the full benefit of this player. You cannot use the optical or coax connection and get full multi-channel SACD. (There is one short sentence in the entire manual that says this). My Sony receiver worked fine once I connected to these jacks.

Once connected right, you may still not get the sound you expected. If you are playing a hybrid multi-channel SACD, the player defaults to the regular CD layer and you get only stereo. I had to use the player menu to select multi. Then the white light bar comes on with the blue one. If you don't get the white bar you aren't listening to multi. Single layer multi discs require no menu manipulation -- the player reads them right.

An additional note on progressive scan mode to other novices. If your TV doesn't have the component inputs, you can't use progressive scan. I'm not talking about the L-R-V jacks -- the weird ones Pb-Pr-something. Then again, if you don't have one of the wide screens, I don't think you can use the additional lines (data) provided by the progressive scan anyway (your TV can't deal with it). This is a feature that will be nice to have if you do have or plan to have the TV for it.

Is the SACD worth it? Yep, the sound of the multi is phenominal once you get it all working and understand whats going on. Since there are 6 discrete channels theres not a bad seat in the house -- it really sounds great regardless of where you're sitting.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent DVD player with SACD capability.
Review: Sony makes excellent DVD players and this 5 disc changer is no exception. Great DVD playback with 5 disc changer convenience combined with Sony quality and performance at a reasonble price make this DVD player a very good buy.

But this Sony offers even more. Like most good DVD players this unit also plays CDs. But, unlike most DVD players this Sony also plays not only regular CDs but also the new Super Audio CDs which are the finest sounding music source currently available. Not only do Super Audio CDs sound better than regular CDs they also are significantly superior in sound to the alternative DVD Audio format. Furthermore, Super Audio CDs, including this model, also improve the sound of regular CDs played on them. If you're looking for a reasonably-priced DVD player with great picture quality plus great CD sound this Sony is a terrific buy.