Panasonic DVD-S55S DVD Player

I have some of DVD video on DVD-R. DVD-S55S works ...

Strengths: It works in a lot of DVD-R formats. 5.1 channel support.

Weaknesses: Not yet!

Summary: I have some of DVD video on DVD-R. DVD-S55S works great on reading my DVD-R. I also tested Toshiba from Costco (even though DVD-R supported type) but it was not good as panasonic. I got it form CompUSA at $89.99. In my idea, currently it is the only place to get this one.

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After researching DVD players on Panasonic's websi ...

Strengths: Plays a varied number of formats. Has built in decoders for DTS and Dolby. So no need to buy a reciever. Just plug and play the speakers. It even plays JPEG pictures. Amazing piece of electronics

Weaknesses: Doesnt have multiple disc changer

Summary: After researching DVD players on Panasonic's website, I decided that the S55 was perfect for me. This particular piece was out of stock at most sites until I came across AbtElectronics. I was given a Free-Shipping. So for $122 it was delivered to my door.

The product itself has been flawless, it's played every Media I have thrown at it. It apperas as though the S55 will be replacing the S25 & S35.

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I have this player hooked up to an older, mono TV ...

Strengths: ease of set-up (comes with cords); very nice picture; Panasonic name (quality)

Weaknesses: need remote for advanced play options (no arrow keys on unit)

Summary: I have this player hooked up to an older, mono TV set that lacks digital capability. The picture still looks amazing, better even than the Sony DVD player I owned previously, which is now with a friend. I can't comment extensively on the sound, except to say that the volume seems muted as compared to viewing cable TV (it is mildly annoying to have to turn the volume way up to view DVDs). I do know this player has options - which is one reason I chose it above the cheaper S25 and S35 - for optical outs in video and sound. I do eventually want to buy a digital set-up and a good quality receiver, so I think it's smart to buy a player that can handle upgrades.

This player was a breeze to set-up, which really pleased me. Going into a mono TV, I did purchase a Y-patch cord from Radio Shack to merge the stereo outputs into one. I needn't have bothered; the sound remained nearly the same as when I had only the left channel plugged into the TV.

The remote looks easily to use, but since I still haven't bothered to scrape up the two AA batteries it requires, I haven't used it. In using the unit controls, I discovered one difference between our old Sony and this new Panasonic that did bug me a bit: no arrow keys on the player itself. If you want to navigate DVD screens, you really need the remote.

Did I mention the picture is amazing on a 5 year old TV?

It did glitch on one DVD so far, but it is a DVD that the Sony also could not handle: Eddie Izzard's "Dress to Kill" on DVD freezes for a second midway through; it's barely noticeable (maybe a layer change?) but I noticed it both times I've played it on a DVD player as opposed to the computer. The computer plays it flawlessly; very strange.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased so far. It didn't glitch once on all of _West Wing_, and a lot of _Buufy the Vampire Slyer_. It played "Bridget Jones' Diary" flawlessly, and I think our Sony freaked out at a layer change on that movie.

Highly recommended.

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