Hitachi DV-P 315

Author's product rating:   

Picture Playback	Excellent
Sound Level	Excellent
Range of Features	Average
Durability	Good
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Excellent picture quality
Disadvantages:	No manual, reigon 2 only see op

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Question1. Did I need a DVD player?
Answer: No!

Question 2. Did I watch DVD’s?
Answer: Yes, you bought a lap top that you could hook up to the T.V. so that you could watch them downstairs instead of hurting your neck watching them on the P.C. upstairs.

Question 3. So why did you buy a DVD player then?
Answer: Because I could.

You may have gathered from the above conversation that I had with myself that I am gadget mad, as opposed to the ‘stark raving’ version that I have been accused of in the past.

Whatever it as that finally prompted me to take the plunge, (I think it was envy); I’m glad that I listened.

The picture quality is so superior that if our elderly video weren’t like a member of the family now, then euthanasia would have been the solution. The only reasons that we keep it are:
i. No one would be daft enough to buy it.
ii. My Mum would string me up because it is hers.
iii. I would have to spend a small fortune replacing the videos that we have.

On to the serious nature of this opinion, and I have no intention of boring everyone (both of you) who read this op with the specifications. The site to find the nearest info that I can gleam on this machine is
http://www.hitachi-eu-img.com/viewProduct_1jsp?productid-87#

Back to my fun day spending money on things that I didn’t need but had to have.

After a trip to Bradford in the morning with my buddy Stuart and his partner he asked me if I would like to look at DVD players as he new that I was interested in purchasing one. I thought about it for at least half a second and then begged him to take me to the nearest store and promised to make good any speeding tickets.

Armed with the spending power of the American Space program, and about as much knowledge as an inebriated amoeba, I ventured into the wonderful world of our local Curry’s.

My very first opinion was about their excellent customer service that will be getting totally rewritten soon, as the service I received this time was poor. Admittedly I do not like to be hassled by sales assistants or followed round like a habitual shoplifter, but these guys practically ignored us.

After consultation with my friend and a thorough browse around their somewhat limited selection, I decided on this model for the following reasons:

1. Stuart already had this model purchased as a present for him at Christmas for approximately £180. So I knew that if I needed to know anything about it later, he would be able to help.
2. The price. As it was the last one in the store and the display model it had been reduced to £119. A bargain.
3. Looks. It is a small, lightweight and extremely stylish silver colour that matches our T.V.
4. Easy to understand remote and manual functions.

Now came the part that hurts. Paying for it.

I finally attracted the attention of one of the assistants, there were three of them in a huddle doing sod all and looking so annoyed at us for interrupting what must have been a very deep philosophical discussion on the merits of extended warranties no doubt. Well it was Friday afternoon and when they saw I wanted to purchase the Managers special the commission would be peanuts. They mentally tossed a coin and the loser had to break off from the debate.

I asked if the machine came with a scart lead, a fair enough question I thought. Alas no. I think he nearly said, “What do you want for that price?” but checked himself in time.

Stuart leapt to my rescue. He is like a Rottweiler when it comes to haggling.
“Can’t you throw one in as it is the display model?”
“No. They’re £11.99.”
“I know.” He replied “I have bought enough from you until I found out they sell a better one for £4.99 at Argos.”

Hah! I thought, he’s gone in with the killer move from the Karate Kid movies that he always learns early on but does not use until the last scene of each film.

This sales assistant has obviously never seen the movies. He was unhurt by the slur on his companies overpriced, inferior products.

I still decided to buy and bought the Scart lead too. The assistant sent for the box but when it came he turned pale. The remote was there as were the A/V leads but there was no manual. He took me to one side and whispered, “ I can order you one or knock off a fiver.” Guess which option I took.

When we got outside Stuart was wetting himself laughing. This model does not come with a manual. Which I find strange but true. If you look at their website you are encouraged to register your purchase then, and only then will they send you one. I must remember to tell the rude assistant that.

The lack of a manual is no hardship as the controls are quite easy o fathom even for the technically inept.

It supports playback of DVD video, Video CD, Audio CD, and CD audiovisual. Dolby digital sound is standard and has a spatializer whatever that is/does, answers on a postcard to the usual address please.

The player is absolutely excellent and I have only one qualm about purchasing this model in that it is a region 2 (UK) only DVD. There is away around this if anyone needs to know you can e-mail me.

I am highly satisfied and would recommend this product even at the full asking price.

Come anyone tell me how to convince my mum that we needed one as she is still struggling with the VCR.

Please ignore the rating for Instructions below.

SparkyDeighton 2002