There are many amongst us who will gratefully welcome Samsung’s latest offering, the Samsung DVD-VR330 DVD recorder & HiFi VCR. This unique set will help customers give life to their VHS tapes, which otherwise would have died a natural death. With this unique DVD recorder/VCR combo, you can enjoy both the dying breed and modern DVD at the same time.

The device is well provided with standard accessories including remote, batteries for the remote, some rather short composite audio/video and RF “coax” cables, along with the customary user instruction manuals like warranty card, quick set-up guide. VHS playback of the device is bound to surprise you with its dual picture and sound quality, so is the compatibility demonstrated by the unit with the S-video and coaxial digital connections.

DVD playback can alone be a good reason why you buy this device as both the video and audio performance is on par with most of the stand-alone DVD players. There are a few minor issues concerning the DVD’s main menu, especially that of the button labelling on the remote. The peculiar thing here is that the button unlike in stand-alone players, doesn’t take you to the DVD menu, but rather to the device’s setup menu. The problem is nevertheless not that severe and may take time for you to adjust to it.

Moreover, you get to have high-quality composite video and S-video inputs as well, apart from RCA connections that deliver high-fidelity sound. Really the only thing missing is Blu-ray playback found in models like the Samsung BD-P1500; however, Blu-ray has been slow to catch on with consumers anyway. The recording capability of the device is fluent too, though the process takes a tad bit more time than expected. Further, the DVD-VR330 comes with a front-panel IEEE 1394 port hat can be used to dub home movies from a digital camcorder.

Despite the fact that the HD-DVD format is completely dead in the water and has been discontinued by Toshiba, some HD-DVD players continue to be sold. And, again, despite being rather obsolete, many of these players, like the Toshiba HD-EP30, are still quality products with a lot to offer.

Going by its price tag you may be inclined to believe that it is a toned down product, which is actually not the case. The device comes with a sufficient array of features that will please the average customer. A decisive example of its capability can be derived when you compare with the HD-E1 released last year, which was capable of outputting only 720p or 1080i pictures. The Toshiba HD-EP30 in comparison is capable of producing full HD images at 1080p so that you can derive the optimum quality audio-visual output from your HD DVD discs. The device in addition supports 24fps playback that gives you the leverage to view movies at heir original frame rates, provided your TV supports it.

The device does have its limitations and drawbacks as it misses on 7.1 bitstream audio output and HDMI 1.3 Deep Color support. These features however require matching high-end equipments to deliver what they are capable of, and consequently come as a consolation for this budget device.

It is somewhat surprising, that despite being a key member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, it has taken JVC a damn long time to come up with its own debut Blu-ray player, the JVC NX-BD3. Fans of the company will definitely be pleased with this new development. JVC has generated enthusiasm and fans for its propensity to risks, as evidenced by the company’s latest presentations at the IFA and CES, for example.

The most alluring aspect of the JVC deck is that it is the first of its kinds to use anisotropic diaphragms in its speakers that unequivocally takes the audio to an entirely different level. This unique feature technically using cross-shaped vertical and horizontal dense areas increases the sound propagation levels by 10% which consequently reduces the resonance levels.

Moreover, each speaker is equipped with a pair of drivers in separate enclosures, with one of them outputting the front channels while the other sends out the surround channels, which delivers a comprehensive 4.1 sound from three speakers. You will however regret not having a proper5.1 speaker system, especially considering the lackluster performance meted out by most of the by most 2.1 systems.

The connectivity of the unit is a versatile mixture of sophisticated and user friendly features that should give you the luxury to almost every thing the system has to offer. It includes an HDMI 1.3 output, which supports Deep Colour and x.v.Colour, apart from having1080/24p Blu-ray output and CEC functionality. Then, the much in demand a SCART and component video output features are available on the Blu-ray DVD player as well. What should impress you is also that optical digital input feature included is compatible with the optical out found on Sky+ and other digital TV receivers. An analogue audio input effectively complements the set up and proves to be a useful foil for other external sources.

It is somewhat surprising that despite being a member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, it took a long long time for JVC to come up with its first Blu-ray System, the NX-BD3. The unit has a swanky look and feel about it, and wears a number of different hats apart from performing its primary task with great ease.

In terms of looks it’s not called Sophisti for nothing, as the main Blu-ray/receiver unit boasts an elegant, seductive design with a gorgeous semi-translucent front section that offers a flirtatious glimpse of an illuminated blue arc. The buttons and info display also glow an alluring shade of blue and on the underside you’ll find a flap that conceals a slot for SD and SDHC memory cards.

Each speaker of the unit is outfitted with a pair of drivers in separate enclosures, with one of them outputting the front channels while the other sends out the surround channels which are supposed to deliver convincing 4.1 sounds from the three speakers. Despite all these, the JVC NX-BD3 sorely misses the presence of a proper 5.1 speaker system that could have turned the system into a real livewire.

Connectivity of the unit is pretty solid including an HDMI 1.3 output, which supports most of the popular formats like Deep Colour and x.v.Colour, apart from 1080/24p Blu-ray output and CEC functionality. Then, there is a SCART and component video output as well, which is capable of upscaling standard videos to 1080i, but somehow strangely defaults to 576p when playing DVD or Blu-ray.

A player that has been creating a lot of buzz and has captivated the imagination of movie enthusiasts is the Aiwa XD-DV370KN. The unit starts to impress you from the word go with its impressive design and easily fits into TV/VCR or Hi-fi set-ups, with colour being the only real consideration.

The access time of the unit is dependent on the disc type, and plays CDR, CDRW, MP3, VCD, along with the trademark DVD discs. An aspect that may bother you is that it takes a considerably long time to load an MP3 disc, depending upon the disc structure and track content. Moreover, you might even encounter noise while the player skips to and fro reading the TOC.

Noise levels are however, nonexistent when the disc is played, irrespective of formats, and scene selection and access track is also pleasantly quiet. The on-screen GUI menus, which to an extent are identical to those offered by LG units, such as the LG DVX-392H, are easy and quick to navigate and comprises of all the contemporary options. The unit’s audio output feature unit is a colourful one and possesses all the modern requirements ranging from PCM to Bitstream. The video output features, on the other hand, include 4:3, 4:3 Pan and Scan, and 16:9 wide.

Connectivity wise you will have very little to complain as it consists of 1x SCART, which is RGB, Composite and S-video. Then, Coaxial and optical connectors are there as well that will especially help those with DTS and Digital amps. The remote of the unit however lacks in imagination, especially its insipid design. It is however, quite functional and well laid out.

One thing that I have come to believe is that most of the Blu-ray players out in the market are over priced. It is because they invariably fail to leave up to the expectations and consequently does not do justice to their outrageous price tag. It is for this simple reason I believe that the new Blu-ray player from the ranks of Sharp need to be recommended, if not commended and appreciated.

The look and design of one unit, namely the BD-HP20H, has not been compromised to get its appealing price tag, nor has it cut back on features either. The greatest quality of the Sharp BDHP20 is its extremely rapid load rate. While most players seem to take ages to load a disc, this devil of a product will do the same in the blink of an eye. In fact it can play a disc even from standby in a matter of seconds!

Connectivity is also impressive enough, if not top rate, and includes a HDMI feature, and is more importantly compatible with the latest v1.3a specification. Then, the much vaunted imaging features Deep Colour which is built-in along with Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel HD audio is there as well. The video quality, on the other hand, is optimized by a Component video output capable of progressive, upscaled HD video feeds. Meanwhile, the service port acts as a supplementary feature as you can use the same for firmware upgrades.

You will also be left stunned by the performance meted out by the Dolby TrueHD audio well supported by the standard Analogue 5.1-sourround sound audio.

Blu-ray players may be dame a dozen these days, but you will hardly find a particular one that doesn’t have its own issues. Even Pioneer or Sony, the premier names in the DVD sector, are also not immune to this accusation. The peculiar problems associated with these two premier brands are that they have extremely slow response time and, in addition, also found wanting when it comes to offering support for cutting-edge Blu-ray features. It is here that Denon has made its mark with its first Blu-ray DV player, the 2500BTCI. The unit is strikingly different from the average players that you normally come across and is all set to fill the persisting void.

It has managed a coup in the sense that it is the first player to support Picture-in-Picture Bonus View interactivity, and in likelihood is also the first entirely digital Blu-ray player to have hit the market. You will also be perplexed to find that there are no analog outputs whatsoever, and instead features only a solitary HDMI output. The emphasis of the player seems quite apparent and is unmistakably designed to be used with the current crop of AVRs and pre/pros that offer full advanced audio decoding. Furthermore, the unit is one of those select few, in addition to high-end players like the Panasonic DVD-2500BTCI, that support bitstream transmission of lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Support for onboard decoding of the lossless codecs is however not there.

The major highlight on the audio section includes PCM (up to 7.1 channels) and Dolby Digital Plus. The player on the lower side is inscribed with Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks, which limits its decoding capability to only the core lossy Dolby Digital and DTS tracks, which are output over HDMI as 5.1-channel PCM.

“High-end Blu-ray source” is the terminology that Denon is using to describe its latest offering, the DVD-2500BT. Whatever may the terminology or the claims the truth is despite having an abundance of features you still have to rely on outside help to experience a full cinematic experience on the unit. You for instance will need an extra bit of kit, a decoder to get things moving.

The DVD-2500BT, nevertheless as has been mentioned above has a number of features that should excite you. The one feature that immediately comes to mind is the unique drive mechanism feature that has been purposefully designed by Denon for use with Blu-ray discs. This feature separates this Denon device from imitators like the Denon DVD1940 and plays a significant role in protecting the internal disc space from magnetic influences, dust, and external noise. This noteworthy improvement in the drive mechanism is carried out by adding a shield to the bottom and top of the unit which consequently creates the perfect environment for playback.

The image quality of the unit is crisp, clear and displays a great degree of clarity that makes movie watching a real pleasure. Moreover, colour combination is pretty natural thereby giving a realistic feel to the proceedings. Skin colours, in particular, appear very natural. Another, pleasant thing is that the unit makes negligible operating noise, which usually happens to an obstacle on your way to a satisfying experience.

The unit is now available in the market in three colour versions: black, silver and premium silver. The colours are specially designed to fit into every Denon A/V receiver colour available.

Pioneer has unleashed a killer of a product in the form of the DV-575A! What makes it a real threat to its rivals is the stunning fact that, in spite of being available at a price that can be considered a steal, it has a profusion of quality features all in one go. You will be amazed to find that the unit dishes out DVD-Audio and SACD alongside vanilla DVD-Video and CD like a true master. Skeptics, especially those who are not used to surround sound, may try to downplay this achievement, but surround sound fanatics can satisfy their cravings for quality performance like never before.

Despite coming at about one-third the price of the DV-575A, the next best specified player, you will hardly find any remarkable compromise in its specifications. The Pioneer DV-575A still displays progressive scan outputs, a high-quality video 12-bit/108MHz digital/analogue converter, apart from having a very good 24-bit/192 kHz audio digital to analogue converter in every channel. Signals are processed using the contemporary Dolby, DTS components, and the unit is also apt at processing the native formats for DVD-Audio and SACD. The only memorable miss that can be used as a pretext to separate it from modern high-end players are the digital video and audio connections like HDMI and i.Link.

Nevertheless, the manufacturers have got a grasp of people’s preferences and have included a few tricks usually the exclusive domain of high-end players. A prime example thereof is the the DivX feature, increasingly regarded as the MP3 of cinema replay.

You will be satisfied by the audio performance delivered by the unit, though it is in no way outstanding. The pictures are also colourful enough with a good deal of contrast, whereas the sound is pleasingly crisp, detailed and clear.

DVD players come in a variety of shapes and forms so as to fit in to your scheme of things. Moreover, each company incorporates their own set of ideas and innovations into each DVD player and invariably goes the extra distance to ensure you get the best possible picture quality. Panasonic happens to be one such concerned company determined to bring its best products to discerning customers. Its latest innovation, the DVD-S511 player, has managed to keep the company’s reputation intact and comes equipped a multitude of features. The icing on the cake, however, is the fact that you can get all these and much more at an unbelievably competent price.

The unit bearing a silver coloured appearance comes with dimensions of (H) 4.3 cm x (D) 23.9 cm x (W) 43. Moreover, it is also reasonably lightweight at approximately 1 pound, making it a great asset in case you are on the move.

Outfitted with the progressive scan feature, this single disc compatible player has a shrewd remote control that allows you to control all of its features with a minimum amount of fuss. Customised to fit perfectly at home, the Panasonic DVD-S511 DVD player is compatible to a wide range of disc formats including DVD video, VCD, SVCD, DVD-R, DVD+R, Audio CD, CD-R and CD-RW. Moreover, images virtually come to life with this unit and you will be pleased by the assurance that it causes no strain on the eyes. Some of the playable file formats include Div X and MP3, and indeed most popular audio/video formats are covered.

The unit’s image resolution capability stands at 480 i, 480 p, 576 I and 576. The video up conversion, on the other hand, of 1080i in HDTV, Video output system of NTSC and PAL, Video DAC 12 Bit /108 MHz all adds to this gadget’s impressive feature list.