A diamond in the rough?
Written: Sep 24 '02 (Updated Sep 26 '02)
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Pros: Very small and very portable, standard features, low price.
Cons: Small LCD screen, awkward removal of DVDs, Sony reliability?
The Bottom Line: This really is a great portable DVD player. Let's just hope reliability for the Sony DVP-F5 proves to be included with this excellent package...
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| jamesbay's Full Review: Sony DVP-F5 Portable DVD Player with Screen |
I bought this DVD player almost a year ago, but I've hesitated to write an opinion for it thus far because I seem to have problems with the reliability of Sony products. The Sony STR-DE825 home theater receiver and my 3 discmans are immediate examples that come to mind. Many people I've encountered refer to this as the Microsoft syndrome. To be honest, I haven't been too impressed with all the hype about Sony quality lately so I have been avoiding buying anything with the Sony name on it.
Last year, I received an unexpected bonus in my salary from my employer and immediately decided to use this new-found windfall on something I've wanted for a long time...my first DVD player. I travel a fair amount during the year and often I am sleeping in hotels or staying with my in-laws (who are French and have only French programming with their TV service). So I decided to splurge on a portable. More expensive, but so portable that I could bring it with me anywhere and just plug it in! Plus, I loved the idea of carrying a small CD case full of DVD movies instead of big, bulky video cassettes.
After much research on the Internet, I finally found one that met my needs and did not have to cost me an arm and a leg. Yes, it was a Sony...but I just couldn't find one bad thing said about the DVP-F5 (and believe me, I tried very hard to find something).
I needed a small, portable player and the DVP-F5 is the size of a standard DVD case.
Most (practically all) portable DVD players come with a built-in color LCD viewing screen. I did not need a small color screen or any screen at all since my intention was to plug it into the television. This was one extra with the DVP-F5 I did not have to pay for, thus, reducing the price significantly compared with those that have a view screen. There is the option of buying one separately that connects to the DVP-F5 if you so desire one.
I also wanted all the features of a standard DVD player: Although, the only other DVD player I have to compare with in the house is my Xbox, the DVP-F5 does not leave me lacking in any way. I have a choice of analog or optical sound (VERY important for me since I wanted to take advantage of the Dolby Digital). There is an S-Video out or a video out coaxial and there is a remote where I can run all the functions of the DVP-F5. The remote, I should add, is medium sized, clearly marked and works very well.
There is also a rechargeable battery for the DVP-F5 available to buy if you need one, but I am fine with the AC cord that is included.
So far, so good.
But it's not perfect. There are a few minor flaws I should mention starting with the connections. Or rather where they are located. I don't know if it was possible when the Sony engineers designed the DVP-F5, but the connections are on the right side of the player. This tends to be a little annoying for me when the DVP-F5 is at home next to my receiver and I have all these wires sticking out on the side. It would have been more convenient to have had all the connections in the back of the player. I'm not sure if this is a design flaw or just wasn't physically possible...
The LCD screen that tells you the time left in a movie or the current track that is playing and so on lights up when the player is on. Even so, it is still too difficult to see it when you are comfortably sitting on the couch, snuggling up with somebody and are watching a favorite film. This is probably a sacrifice you have to accept when dealing with a DVD player of this size. There is an on-screen display that you can use with the remote that will show you any info you need to know so all is not lost.
The last imperfection I found with this player was the awkwardness of removing the DVD from the DVP-F5. To remove a disk, you must press on the "open" button and the cover pops up. The trouble is, the cover only opens at about 60 degrees(give or take)and makes removing the disk (for someone who has fairly large hands and is extremely paranoid of scratching my DVDs) somewhat awkward. With a little bit of caution, this can be done with no problem and your DVDs will go on unscathed.
Overall, I have to recommend the Sony DVP-F5. It fits my needs perfectly (especially for the price) and there are additional accessories you can buy for the player if you find something lacking later on. Picture quality is as good as any standard DVD player I've seen in the stores, sounds great and plays on all the televisions I've connected it to (even my in-law's 9 year old Sanyo 21"!). I took a chance despite all my bad experiences with Sony and I am happier for it. Let's just hope it continues to be reliable for the years to come...
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 330.00
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Epinions.com ID:
jamesbay
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Location: Eastmain, Quebec
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 0 members
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