Panasonic DVD-RV30S DVD Player (Silver)

• Dolby Digital and DTS output
• Component-video outputs
• Virtual surround sound and dialogue enhancement mode
• High-speed smooth-motion scan
• 24-bit/96 kHz audio digital-to-analog converter

While measuring a standard 17 inches wide, the DVDRV30S stands just 3.25 inches high, making this model a much easier fit than most for crowded equipment racks or TV stands.

Despite its diminutive proportions, this DVD player boasts exemplary image and sound reproduction along with a host of extras. Pictures are delivered via component video as well as S-Video and composite jacks. First-rate performance of Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby ProLogic, and PCM/stereo sound tracks is achieved via an optical digital output and single pair of conventional RCA jacks, plus a surprising subwoofer jack.

A long list of desirable extra features includes several innovations we've never come upon before. We think you'll appreciate how quickly play begins when you load a DVD into this machine's motorized tray--picture and sound arrive in as little as five to seven seconds. In other players, the norm for disc initializing/startup is closer to 10 seconds. (CD play starts slower in this machine, with an average 11-second kickoff for the first song.)

Impatient types will also appreciate the scanning at up to 100x normal speed, which renders surprisingly clear pictures on the screen. If you're not in quite such a hurry, double speed--the slowest of the five fast-scan modes--is accompanied by an intelligible soundtrack. (This trick play works only in the fast-forward direction and can be disabled.)

For late-night home theater viewing, when you don't want to disturb sleepers, the DVDRV30S also offers a dialogue enhancement feature. Designed so that intelligibility is not lost when the system is playing at a very low overall volume, this circuit jacks up the relative volume level of just the center channel.

Been hankering for a bit more rumble in the cinematic jungle than your stereo TV's mostly midrange speakers can provide? The DVDRV30S offers another cool sound feature--a separate output jack for delivering otherwise "lost" low-frequency soundtrack information to a self-powered subwoofer. Because bass signals are nondirectional, low-level information extracted from both left and right channels is mixed by the player into one output channel, so only one subwoofer needs to be used.

Other neat Panasonic touches address the mating of this player to a stereo TV. The Advanced Virtual Surround Sound circuit works remarkably well, expanding the imaging from a two-speaker setup. By tricking the ear with precise time delay and phase-shifting cues, it creates the impression of sound coming from the listener's sides as well as the front when fed a Dolby Digital sound track. For best results with virtual surround, sit precisely centered between the two speakers at a distance equal to four times the width from speaker to speaker.

Player ergonomics are thoughtfully executed. The front panel is clean and attractive, befitting those slimline dimensions. Likewise, the remote is small and easily gripped, with buttons that are logically arranged and that offer a good feel. Unfortunately, the buttons aren't backlit. The other side of keeping button clutter to a minimum is that many program play functions and customizable features are accessible and adjustable only onscreen. That job's done here in short order with an onscreen Windows-like tool bar display (with drop-downs) that runs across the top of the screen. Our fave is a neat slide-rule graphic that pinpoints the percentage of a program already viewed as well as the proportion yet to be viewed.

The only place we think Panasonic has cut corners is in the jack pack. There's only one set of audio outs, with no coaxial digital out and no headphone jack. However, if you can "suffer" through these minor shortcomings, you'll find satisfaction galore in the DVDRV30S.

Pros:

• Slimline dimensions slip into tiny spaces
• First-rate picture and sound reproduction
• Outstanding array of video and audio trick-play features
• Sensible remote control

Cons:

• No headphone jack and no coaxial output
• Remote isn't backlit
• Cinema enhancement mode produces minimal improvements