Sony DVPNS705V

Author's product rating:   

Picture Playback	Satisfactory
Sound Level	Poor
Range of Features	Average
Durability	Satisfactory
Value for Money	Poor

Advantages:	Plays SACDs and CDs
Disadvantages:	Thin sound with SACD

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

The Sony DVPNS705V was the first DVD player I decided to buy. I had always thought Sony was one of the better manufactures of electronic equiptment, but with my experiences over the last year with Sony products, I'm now not so sure?

After the burn in period was up and the machine had settled down I was a bit dissapointed in the machines performance. Video quality was O.K. but I had seen cheaper DVD players with as good if not better picture quality. I found the picture a bit smeary although colour was good. The on screen display was functional at best. The back facia panel has scart outlets to connect to a T.V. There is also optical and coaxial digital outlets for connection to a surround sound processor. The dolby surround sound was poor, but admitttedly my surround sound reciever was in my opinion (also a sony) not able to cope, and the overall surround was wooly and uninspiring.

The machine is easy to use and the remote control was adequate. This machine will also play SACD and CD disks, it was the ability to play SACD that made my mind up to go for this machine. The machine has six dedicated phono outputs for connection to a reciever or amplifier that can produce surround sound. The front left and right outputs double up for stereo mode when playing normal CDs or stereo SACDs. I was disapointed with to SACD sound, it was thin and lacked any real bass. CD was on the same power.

I bought this machine from my local Sony center for £250 and on reflection I would not recomend this machine. I currently own a Pioneer 656 A DVD player and it is a far superior machine in every respect. The pioneer was £100 more but well worth the extra cash. I have sold the 705V.