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| Date Reviewed: 12/31/2005 |
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Strengths: Capacity, onboard menu dvd selection, price
Weaknesses: To be perfect it would program itself with the disk info
Summary: This unit is awesome! Some potato-heads are unfairly giving this fantastic device a very low score for their own lack of understanding. It does an excellent job of storing, selecting, and playing back a library of 400 disks. Some of the reviews made me cautious about buying it. I paid more to get it from the local Circuit City so that I could buy the extended warranty and have a local store to deal with for return or service issues. Here's what I found about the problems cited in the reviews:
1. plays a disk when you turn it on and you can't stop it
-> So what? That may be what you want, --to resume the previous disk, if not I have found that you just select the FOLDER button on the remote. The play is terminated and you get the menu. Perhaps the complainers never tried this?
2. Pioneer DV-F07 is so much better
-> Hmmm... Retail price of the Pioneer is $1,100 and supports only 301 disks. I paid $355, have support for 400 disks & it works like a charm. Tough call?
3. Pioneer hooked up to the same TV looked 10 times better...
-> Really? I had the same problem at first. I unplugged by dvd player and plugged in the library to the S-vid that I was using. (I have ordered an hdmi interface for my 42" plasma but that hasn't come yet.) It did look washed out and muddy, however, a few adjustments on the panel and it looked great. Each device puts out a video signal with its own characteristics and the display must be adjusted for the device and interface used. This is precisely why I gave up on using my A/V receiver as a video switch for all my vid gear. Every time I changed devices the settings on the display needed to be tweaked for the device, even though the interfaces were the same.
4. Programming titles is too hard. Its easier to use an excel spreadsheet.
-> Excel is a fine tool with a PC behind it that costs 2 or 3 times what the dvd lib costs, not even counting the cost of the software. The programming is simple and easy if you use the ps2 keyboard. Sure cut & paste functions would be nice as well as some sort of backup copy, but this is not a PC!! Its not much more trouble than creating the excel spreadsheet & the functionality of the menu is part of the reason that you have the library in the first place. So why wouldn't you use it? I just loaded the dvd's and wrote down a list as I put them in. Then I went thru and entered them into the folder menu in a couple of sittings. Piece of cake.
5. Could not get picture using hdmi -- dvi converter
-> I used an hdmi -->dvi cable and got an excellent picture except that there was a single pixel "snow" line down the left edge on my plasma panel. I have since ordered the hdmi interface card for my panel. Don't have it yet. Signal conversions are always a crap-shoot.
6. won't play DVD+/-R disks properly.
-> I have tried a couple & they worked perfectly. Both +R & -R. I will update this post if I find any problems.
7. Takes long time to retrieve the disc
-> Are you kidding? The fetch time is very reasonable. How long does it that you to thumb thru your dvd storage shelf, select a dvd, remove it from the case, open the dvd player, put it in the dvd player, close the player and start the disk? I bet the library will beat you every time.
Bottom line: This is not a perfect product but it does the job that it was intended to do and does it well. Could there be other features or could it operate exactly as I want it to, --of course, but overall it is an excellent product at a reasonable price. I highly recommend it.
(Apologies for the lengthy post but there was much to say about a device that you entrust your entire dvd collection to and spend a fair amount of time setting up and learning.)
 99% of People (86/87) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/02/2005 |
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Strengths: Convenience
Weaknesses: Speed and disk management
Summary: I have 2 of these, stacked. There are switches on the remotes (behind the battery) to allow you to operate up to three of these in the same room. Unfortunately, you need one remote for each unit.
For most disks (9/10) you need to enter the disk name manually. Don't even THINK of trying to do it with the remote. You'll need to plug in a computer keyboard.
Other complaints:
Sony does not understand alphabetical order. They think that any capital letter comes before any lowercase letter. SPONGEBOB comes before Shrek.
When you turn the unit on, it immediately starts playing whatever was loaded last (which is good) but you can't stop it from loading until the movie has already started (and this is slow) (which is really bad).
If the DVD is made with a title, that title loads itself into the system (usually a good thing). You can't override the built-in title (and often you'll want to do so) (that's bad).
There are generas that you can enter for the disks, but they have fixed them. You can't enter your own. For me it made this feature worthless.
Video CD's can not have a title entered except in the area you use to enter an artist.
The end result of all this is that sorting the titles alphabetically on screen is far less than perfect (though it is pretty good). If you buy one enter all titles in all capital letters and half the battle is won.
There are a number of cool disk sorting features that most people will never figure out since the manual is so poorly written. This is very frustrating, prepare to consume several drinks afterwards. If you are unable to program a VCR, don't buy this unit.
Make no mistake they are large. If you see one in the store, you probably won't appreciate the size :
22 inches deep (including the knob up front and clearance for wires in back)
x 17 inches wide
x 7.5 inches high
This is lots better than jewel cases or disk storage books, but this need to fit near your TV.
Multiple outputs including HDMI (great if your TV has the input). There are no inputs so if you buy more than one, your TV will need lots of inputs.
This jukebox will upgrade the output from 480p to 1080i, but I can't tell the difference. And really, it's unreasonable to expect the output to be better than the DVD itself. I'm not sure if this feature is beneficial.
I know I've given you a lot of negatives here, but after buying one, I bought a second one and am thinking of buying a third. If you have lots of movie DVD's, home movie DVD's or CD's, picture CD's, audio CD's, etc., these are great. DVD's will last forever in these units. They won't get scratched, cracked, lost, stolen or borrowed.
97% of People (95/98) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 09/14/2005 |
- hanersky7
- Member Since:
Sep 2005
View Member's:
Reviews
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 Great specs, but horrible implmentation! Strengths: Great video up-conversion through HDMI
Huge 400 disc capacity
Plays many flavors of discs
Weaknesses: Extremely slow for navigation.
Disc Explore - Made and certified by idiots!
No multilink for multiple changers!
Auto play can NOT be turned off!
No DVD-Audio (Because of $ony's $ACD)
Summary: Let me start off by saying that I've been in the Hometheater business for many years and I’ve never been more frustrated and disappointed with a product such as this one. The R&D department must have been sleeping or simply didn’t care. I’ll give you some examples that will make you want to pull your hair out if you decide to purchase this unit.
Example 1: Unlike their Mega CD changers, you need to use the Disc Explore to painfully enter the titles in. (Around 8% was recognized by the player – Columbia Tri-Star titles obviously). What if I don’t want to use the slow and pathetic Disc Explore? What if I want to simply open the player up and as I insert each DVD into a slot, I want to enter the disc’s name via PS2 keyboard and then proceeds to the next! What is so hard about that? The Sony Mega changers can do that, why can’t the DVD changers do it?!
Example 2: I turned off the “Auto Play” feature. Of course it still plays ever time the player turns on. (Sony what is so hard to test these things out!) This is really annoying when you’re trying to search for a disc and the darn thing will not stop!
One last tid-bit before I wrap this simple review up. Sony claims that this plays CD’s and other media. - Dear Sony, If you know people are going to intermix their CDs and DVD collection, why didn’t you put a fast forward or rewind button on the deck itself! That option is only available on the remote! What if I want to press fast forward and I my remote is MIA?
I use an Excel spreadsheet and simply bypass the Disc Explore. The DVD changer itself performs very well in the video quality (HDMI), but the above faults simply push this player back to the Medieval Age. In a scale of ten, I would rate this product 4 out of 10!
Sony you need to fire your DVD Disc Explore R&D and testing department. I will make it my personal mission to tell all future buyers of this huge fault.
92% of People (66/72) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/06/2006 |
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 A big Disappointment Strengths: none
Weaknesses: slow operation
Summary: I purchased this unit to replace my Sony 400 disk CD only changer. My hope was to be able to integrate my DVDs with all my Cd's and not have to use two units to play them. Well I read the reviews and was hesitant but took the plunge anyway. Now I've used the Sony 30 days and am returning it. The reviews are right. Its terribly slow to read a disk either DVD or CD. It lacks a feature on older changers that provides a slot for a quick play disk. It seems lost when changing disks sometimes turning the carousel in both directions until it decides to play the selected disk. The scan forward and reverse is very very slow and jerky. Finally, the last straw, it fails to play scratched disks that my other DVD plays and often will NOT play DVD+R disks. Also I just remembered. Why didn't Sony make direct access to a disk available from the remote?
92% of People (12/13) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/13/2006 |
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Good idea, bad implementation, poor service
Strengths: Fits lots of disks, good interface
Weaknesses: Poor customer service, good luck if you have disks in it and it stops working
Summary: I had mine for about 8 months. It is still under warranty. This morning it stopped working -- I unplugged and plugged it back in. Nothing helps. SACD and Multichannel lights blink and that is all there is to it. I can't even get to the disks.
I called Sony. They gave me the runaround through their script. Long story short -- to get it serviced you have to mail it. But mine has a rented disk in it, not to mention a collection of CDs and DVDs, as well as a handful of family movies. I need to get the disks out before mailing the unit to Sony. Sony is telling me that it will void the warranty.
Sony offered a solution -- that I personally made a list of disks in it and they will reimburse if any get lost or damaged. Too bad I see no way they can reimburse me for my wedding video (the only master copy is in there). And how am I supposed to give them the list of disks when I relied on the jukebox to track them in the first place ?
I don't know what I am going to do at this point. I am definitely not mailing it to them with my disks in it. If I void the warranty and have to pay for repairs or a new unit I can guarantee that the new unit will NOT be a Sony product. I am also not sure if I will ever buy another Sony product again, considering the idiocy of their customer service.
Good idea, bad implementation, poor customer service. Do yourself a favor and find a better product. There is a reason why Sony is the only player in the jukebox market. It worked well when it worked, but I would not purchase another one.
92% of People (11/12) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 11/21/2005 |
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Strengths: Ability to store 400 disks in a relatively small space.
Weaknesses: Slow to recognize disks, "Auto Play" feature does not work correctly.
Summary: I currently have a Sony 400-Disk CD MegaChanger to house all my CD's. As my DVD collection has increased, it became apparent that a single-disk DVD player was an annoyance. The ability to keep all my DVD's together in a small area and the reduction of the risk of damage by handling made a 400-Disk DVD changer a necessity.
Before the DVP-CX995V arrived, I used (2) 200-Disk cases to hold all my DVD's. The weight of the two cases made transport inconvenient and the time-consuming effort of finding the desired DVD was horrible. Now, I have all my disks contained in the DVD MegaChanger accompanied by a spreadsheet containing the DVD located in each carousel slot (this is the same way I organized the CD MegaChanger). Using an external spreadsheet to list all the disks is helpful due to the fact that there is a name length limitation, and many disk names can extend beyond this limit.
Overall, the DVD MegaChanger did exactly what I expected it to do: contain all my DVD's and let me watch them on my TV. Initial setup was easy, although inserting disks is time-consuming. I would recommend the DVP-CX995V to anyone with a large collection of disks who wants to organize them into one place.
90% of People (27/30) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/01/2005 |
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 Good high capacity player with kids Strengths: High capacity
Weaknesses: Disc management systems
Summary: I don’t understand why everything has to be controlled by the disc navigation system. Why can’t I just punch in the disc number and it will play whatever on that slot. Sometime it is very painful to browse thru the whole list to get to the disc I wanted to play. If you are planning to load all 400 discs, be prepare to spend an hour for the machine JUST to load (recognize) your entire discs collection and only about 5% of the titles could be picked up. The rest you will have to manually key them in using a PS/2 keyboard. A pizza delivery would be good idea ‘cause you won’t have time to do anything else for another 3 – 4 hrs. I use an Excel spreadsheet to keep up with each disc and it works out pretty good. The main reason I brought this machine is because of its capacity so I won’t have to keep getting up and changing disc for my two kids; in the long run it is good for your disc due to less handling. For the price (paid $309), picture quality, and convenience (once it’s setup), I would recommend this machine to anybody especially with small children.
90% of People (19/21) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 11/28/2005 |
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Strengths: 400 slots for DVDs, Music CDs and Photo CDs, 720P output through HDMI, SACD through 5.1 speaker output.
Weaknesses: Continuing problem with startup, SACD through 5.1 output, usless connection cable, 21" depth required to install.
Summary: I purchased this unit to suplement my existing Sony CX875P 300 disc changer as my DVD and Photo CD libraries were growing. I was attracted to the 720P HDMI interface, the ability to play SACD and the ability to store and display my photo cds on my DLP screen. The price I purchased this unit was great and the delivery was excellent. Kudos to Electronics Expo.
My A/V system includes an HDTV with the HDMI input connection and my receiver handles the 5.1 output from this player. Hookup was relatively easy and I was able to accomodate the larger depth as I have my equipment setup in an open rack. However, check your space before you get this unit!!!
The startup problem with Sony DVD changers has been around for a long time and the countless requests, writeups, etc does not seem to get through. However, this is more of an annoyance for me as I resolved it by either never turning off the unit or issuing the folder or open command when the unit is first turned on.
This unit will output through HDMI at 1080i, or 720p or 480p. I used 720p as my HDTV downsizes 1080i. I do see an improvement over 480P and 480i but that's me. You should try to see for yourself. It would have been nice to output 720p through composite but HDMI is a one connection cable and inexpensive at Radio Shack.
I have not run into any problems with my photo cds and I am glad of that. I finally have a place to catalog and store my photo cds. I also impress people with the display of the photos through my HDTV using a minimum of effort.
My receiver had only the 5.1 input left, which was fortu-nate but I was surprised the SACD require's the 5.1 cables to be the interface, not the digital coax or fiber. The result is my receiver cannot change the play of any audio output that comes out of this changer (like stadium, night club, stereo, etc). Another annoyance I have to deal with (and no, I do not want to add any more cables outside the 5.1 and HDMI).
Speaking of cables, the one that comes with the unit is totally useless. It's the component red, white (audio) and yellow (video) cable. Using this cable defeats all the enhancements this unit was built for. The cable is so short, you would have to keep the changer directly behind the HDTV.
Overall I give this unit 4.25 out of 5. Getting rid of those little DVD boxes and cd jewel cases along with those storage units is wonderful.
90% of People (18/20) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/10/2006 |
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Strengths: Plays my DVD+R DL discs (Verbatim), huge capacity, accepts PS-2 keyboard input for titles
Weaknesses: Large size is too deep for most component shelves.
Summary: I've had the unit for less than 24 hours and so far I like what I see. Despite what I've read elsewhere, the unit does play my DVD+R DL discs (only tested a few Verbatim discs so far). It has no problems with my single layer discs either (both -R and +R). Considering the number of discs, the wait for the unit to find a particular disc, load it, initialize and then play is not bad.
No HDTV at the moment (coming soon) so I haven't tested the HDMI output or the upscaling to 1080i.
Right now, I'd recommend this unit to people who have large DVD collections and that watch their movies repeatedly.
80% of People (8/10) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/10/2006 |
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Strengths: Great picture quality, hdmi upconversion, store all your discs
Weaknesses: AutoStart problem, no way to directly go to a disc on remote
Summary: This is great changer for both CDs and DVDs. You can store all your dvds by numbers and use a harmony remote to select disc.
Forget the built in disc explorer. Since most media dont have premade titles, you will have to input it manually.
After using it for a few months, I am very happy with the picture quality over svideo and now over hdmi to my plasma tv.
The only solution for the infamous autostart problem is to hit the stop button on the harmony remote. By the way, did I mention you need to definately buy a harmony remote if you use this thing. Then you can use the harmony's media trick to select the disc you want.
75% of People (3/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 05/19/2006 |
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Strengths: Holds many DVD's. Great Picture.
Weaknesses: Long wait to load desired DVD. Not easy to set up. Set for 2 Channel audio as default (you giviing me HDMI and you think I only use 2 channels and not 5 or 7???)
Summary: This thing is huge. Keep that in mind when you think of space to put it.
I love the picture, but setting it up was a pain (I lost the manual). I fought for days trying to get 5.1 audio set up. I finally downloaded the manual from the Internet.
I hate the disk loading when you start it (it takes too much time). I turn it on and then fire up the projector to allow it time to load the last CD only to unload it and open the door to put in the new CD or select the one I want to watch.
In all, I really like it.
67% of People (2/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 08/29/2005 |
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No HD component video output
Strengths: 400 disk changer
Weaknesses: Beware this unit supports up conversion of DVD to 1080i and 720p only with HDMI output which is HDCP compliant. Player will NOT send 1080i and 720p output signals on component video output (y cr cb).
Summary: Beware this unit supports up conversion of DVD to 1080i and 720p only with HDMI output which is HDCP compliant. Player will NOT send 1080i and 720p output signals on component video output (y cr cb).
59% of People (69/116) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/25/2006 |
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No what I expected
Strengths: read all kind of discs, even homemade dvd-/+RW,cd or mp3
Weaknesses: Hard and grievous access to any disc
Summary: First at all I ‘m a profound users manual’s reader. That’s the first thing you have to do, to understand any new generation electronic device. And I study the DVP-CX995V manual from page 1 to 92 so many times, and I got very disappointed with the most important feature for me. The easy and fast disc surfing. With this machinery you have to go from disc 1 to 200 looking one by one trough the disc explorer pushing your finger continuously on one key of the remote, or you have to step up from your sofa and touch the 100 disc skip button on the unit. And don’t count with the numeric key on the remote, since they are useless. Why Sony didn’t’ design just the touch number on the numeric key, plus disc button on this powerful equipment remote control?
50% of People (2/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/21/2006 |
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Good Idea Very Very bad implementation and service!!!
Strengths: Storage capacity is great.
Weaknesses: Has trouble playing DVD +/- and duel layer disks, very slow exchanging disks, is noisy and gets noisier with time, poor or no auto movie title input too many other weaknesses to put here.
Summary: 2006-12-21 05:55:01 This is my first time ever giving a review of a product but this item is so bad and SONY's service is so terrible that I just had to do this.
I've owned the SONY DVP-CX995V for 16 month's, Aug 2005 through Dec 2006. I researched this item and read reviews considered the negative comments but still decided to buy it. My unit worked reasonably well considering that I had to purchase a keyboard to input movie titles and it would not play some DVD + or - or duel layer disks (It seems to pick and choose which one it will recognize, start or play without stopping or pausing, at it's own whim). As time went on that problem got worse. It will not play any CD or DVD that has a Minor scratch or slight smudge (my other DVD Players have no problem playing them). This month it started hanging up with disks still in the play mode and only after a lengthy process can I get it to release the disk. It keeps erasing the titles from it's list and I have to retype them in (it will only let you re-enter the disks it identifies at the time although the player is full) or keep a separate hard copy or computerized data list. It will not play 90% of the 399 music CD'S or DVD disks. There are other Problems with this unit so when you read the negative comments of others concider them as fact.
I contacted SONY but of course the major problem didn't happen until the 1 yr warranty was over so they would only exchange it at a cost of $256.00 + tax and shipping for a Re-manufactured one or return for repair at a cost of $188.00 + tax and shipping (return shipping free). There are no other choices.
I like the idea of having one place to store and play my disks and SONY has provided me with an expensive storage box but not anything to play them on.
I am or was until now a staunch SONY advocate almost all of my multimedia equipment is or has been SONY products but no more they have lost me as a customer.
"DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT"!!! I didn't listen to the warnings and now I am paying the price!!!!!
50% of People (2/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/15/2006 |
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Strengths: 400 dvds in one place with great picture
Weaknesses: Sometimes seems a little slow
Summary: This is a excellent organizer in a relatively small space for reducing the chaos of a lot of dvds. Sometimes seems a little slow, but this is a small price to pay for the convenience. Also the picture is great. This is a fine companion to the Sony mega cd only changers.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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