Features:
- 5-disc carousel changer
- Dolby Digital and DTS output
- Virtual surround sound (VSS) simulates multichannel surround from stereo speakers
- Full-function remote control
- Component-video outputs for superior image quality
Description:
Panasonic's DVD-C220D is one of the finest-sounding DVD players we've heard, and certainly the best at this price. In addition to its convenient five-disc carousel changer, this player offers a host of features that allow it to excel in virtually every system. The DVD-C220D's handsome front panel has push buttons that control basic transport functions (play, stop, pause) and "repeat" modes, which set continuous play of discs, programmed songs, movie scenes, or even short segments of a piece of software. The panel also contains a numeric keypad below the informative and highly legible fluorescent display. A disc-exchange feature makes it possible to open the tray and change up to four discs while a fifth is playing. The designers have arranged the front panel controls so that you can differentiate each function from the others. For example, the five disc-access buttons are small and round, and light up in either green or amber, depending on whether or not a disc resides in that space. Unfortunately, the Panasonic's hand-held remote doesn't share the ergonomic flourishes of the player itself. The buttons are nearly all the same size and shape. What's more, the absence of backlighting makes it difficult to select the correct function in a dark room. On the back of this machine, Panasonic provides enough connections to satisfy the most ardent audiophile or videophile. Two sets of analog audio-video outputs and a pair of composite-video jacks accommodate traditional system connections, while coaxial and optical outputs send digital audio (whether stereo, Dolby Digital, or DTS) to an external processor. For theater buffs with high-end TVs, the DVD-C220D supports both S-video and component-video formats. Panasonic didn't sacrifice any performance quality in order to add all these extra features to the DVD-C220D. In contrast to the bright, often harsh trebles typical of most budget gear, the DVD-C220D's high frequencies are smooth and non-fatiguing--even with old, poorly remastered CDs. Of course, those wonderfully recorded "show-off" discs sound superb, with natural midrange reproduction and bass that is both tight and powerful. With both Dolby Digital and DTS software, a superb surround soundfield and startling dynamics tell you this is a first-rate machine. This player even has a Virtual Surround Sound (VSS) button, which simulates rear-channel surround sound from your stereo speakers. Video quality is also better than average, although "average" for a DVD player is already spectacular. In our tests, images were reproduced with a natural color balance and razor-sharp detail--so sharp, in fact, that we had to reduce the "Sharpness" setting on our reference television monitor. If your set has component-video inputs, you'll enjoy an even more filmlike image. Despite the versatility of DVD, the absence of low-cost, high-quality changers has prevented many consumers from abandoning their CD players. With its combination of performance and convenience, the DVD-C220 should compel most of you to clear a space in your equipment rack. --Anthony Chiarella Pros:
- Carousel mechanism offers unsurpassed convenience
- Superb sound from both stereo and surround sources
- Useful assortment of audio-video connections
Cons:
- Remote lacks backlighting feature and ergonomic design
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