Inexpensive, questionable longevity, nice bells/whistles
Written: Sep 25 '03
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Pros: Bells and whistles galore, component/DTS out.
Cons: Troublesome and requring factory service twice.
The Bottom Line: Nice for the price...
Keep your receipt handy for exchange to the store if anything goes wrong.
Use your VISA protection to extend the warranty.
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| docrings's Full Review: Cyberhome CH-DVD 500 DVD Player |
I am on my third Cyberhome 500. I *want* to love this unit, but it is trying not to let me!
The unit was purchased Christmas time of 2002 for around $50 after rebate, which is a great price for all the features this unit has:
Component out (hooked to my Pioneer 50" HDTV plasma)
Digital optical (and coaxial) DTS/Dolby output
S-video and composite RCA video output
480p playback (twice the resolution of regular TV source)
3:2 Pulldown for film to video correction
MP3/JPG/VCD/SVCD/DVD-R/DVD+R playback
Region free DVD playback
American and European video formats/voltages
Ergonomic remote
*ability to be controlled from my programmable universal remote (although website says different, I have been doing it for months)*
Front "soft power" switch
Rear "hard power" switch (for child security and/or rebooting if need be)
**firmware upgrades on cyberhome.com**
Good customer support (fast and timely)
Setup the unit after powering on *without* a movie in the unit, and hit the SETUP button. Select widescreen format (16:9) or 4:3WS (widescreen with black bars), or 4:3PS (Pan & Scan) [YUK!]
Also select your audio output here, and select if you have HDTV Component Connection (Y/Pr/Pb)
The remote is laid out well, and easy to pause, restart, and fast forward with these keys separated from the others for quick, tactile use. They are a bit on the small side, but I'm glad the remote is not a huge monster (I use a universal remote for these functions now...)
The unit has a nice silver front, and blue display with some red symbols for play and for DTS sound output.
The rear of the unit is laid out well with the audio and video connections with digital optic and component out near the left of the unit (as you look at the back).
There is a rear "hard" power switch to turn the unit off and prevent the front "soft" switch from working. I guess a good thing if you don't want the kids watching DVD's while your away, or you can use it to "reboot" the unit if it freezes up in any way.
The unit comes with a very good manual which actually explains the setup menu well and describes what each option does for video and sound. The manual also describes how to play DVD's from other "regions" of the world, which alot of units for more money won't do.
It also comes with a power cable, and RCA video/audio connection cables, and a remote.
Keep the box/styrofoam/plastic/twist-ties in case you have to ship it back or return it to the store!
Now for the downside:
Some early units with bad hardware were made in 2002 that distorts TV image with bright movie scenes... requires return to factory for chip upgrade (and YOU have to pay postage!) The manufacturing date is on the side of the box by the UPC symbol.
My post-chip-upgrade unit then began to "lock-up" on some CD-s and scenes (not scratches as far as I could tell), then it began to "lock-up" on all CD's after playing for a few minutes. Returned and exchanged.
Now I'm on my "third" unit, as it were, and when it works it works GREAT, and sounds GREAT, for a GREAT price...
I *WANT* to love this DVD player... why does it hate me so?
Good luck!
Dr. Rings
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 50
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Epinions.com ID:
docrings
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Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 2 members
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