plays DVD-Video, DVD-R & DVD-RW, DVD+R & DVD+RW, Video CD, and Super Video CD * plays SACD, CD, CD-R & CD-RW, and MP3 CD-R & CD-RW * plays digital photo CDs (JPEG) * HDMI digital interface (selectable 720p or 1080i output) * 108MHz/12-bit video D/A converter *
Sony's DVP-NS975V is a must for videophiles. The player up-scales standard MPEG-2 DVD-Video signals to full high-definition 720p or 1080i, a feature anyone with an HDMI-compatible TV can appreciate. Still watching analog TV? The player also handles your standard-definition (480i/480p) DVD-Video, audio CD, and Super Audio CD (SACD) entertainment--including playback of recordable CDs filled with MP3 music or JPEG image files.
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any AV source with an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV). HDMI supports standard-definition (SD), enhanced definition (ED), or high-definition (HD) video, plus multi-channel digital audio--all using a single cable.
The DVP-NS975V plays just about any disc out there, from DVD-Video to DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW, and its onboard processing technologies, like Sony's Precision Cinema Progressive de-interlacer and 3:2 pulldown reversal, make all of them shine. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p or 720p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines (at 480p) of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.
Precision Cinema Progressive technology uses a 12-bit video DAC (digital-to-analog converter) with high-bandwidth, 108 MHz processing to detect image changes at the pixel level, rather than at the level of whole scan lines. That makes this player's picture more faithful to the source--whether film or video--because it uses separate, optimized algorithms to handle different pixel behaviors. Separate algorithms are also used to process the moving and still parts of an image, resulting in sharp backgrounds with moving objects that are free from motion artifacts.
DVD mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 reverse pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture. Composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television.
Depending on the disc, SACD music releases provide super high-fidelity multichannel and/or stereo sound. As an anti-piracy measure, the DVP-NS975V performs its own decoding of SACD signals, passing high-resolution analog, not digital, audio to your integrated amplifier or surround receiver. This means you'll need an audio/video receiver with multichannel analog-audio inputs to appreciate multichannel SACD releases. Built-in SACD bass management helps you tailor the output level of the ".1" LFE (low-frequency effects) channel to your system, as an appropriate level may differ from the output level appropriate for Dolby Digital and DTS surround mixes.
If you're not planning to use the SACD capability for multichannel programming, both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can also be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (1 each RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for simpler connection to a compatible receiver (multichannel analog and digital-audio interconnects are not supplied).
Precision Drive 3 provides a mechanism for reading DVDs that are in less than perfect condition, eliminating errors in playback due to imperfect, scratched, or warped discs.
DVD resume memory kicks in whenever you stop a DVD. Later, when you come back to it, the player will pick up right where you left off before. The player holds resume points for an impressive 40 discs. Other playback features include 10-second instant replay, DVD/CD Text display (with applicable discs), a digital video enhancer, digital video EQ (equalization), custom parental control memory for 40 discs, as well as Advanced SmoothScan and SmoothSlow Modes.
What's in the Box
DVD player, remote control, 2 AA remote batteries, a stereo analog audio/composite-video interconnect, a user's manual, and warranty information.
1 This thing is JUNK DON"T BUY IT
I bought this SONY dvd player on 02/24/05 and it just died on me on 05/08/05 it's got my new $30 dvd stuck in it. I bought it because i got a new SONY TV and i wanted it all the same name and it looked good.I should have bought the SAMSUNG one don't buy this SONY DVP-NS975V you'll be sorry you did i had a cheap PANASONIC one that played better than this one. This should be recalled i payed $314.97 for this and im sorry i did now now it's a paper weight what junk now i got to look for a new one and it will not be SONY.
2 Don't try and watch "Casablanca" or "Citizen Kane"
Upconverted video looks very smooth and filmlike, but any non-anamorphic disk will not play properly over the HDMI connector as it will stupidly be stretched to fill full widescreen rather than window-paned with black bars on left and right. This is just unacceptable. Sony, I'm disappointed in you.
3 Absolute crap! How the mighty have fallen.
Sony of old is gone. The new sony is just plain crap. This DVD player is the best example of how horrible they have become. less than 5 months, very light use and it's DEAD. To replace it I have to pay $33+.
Avoid!
Sorry Sony, but I simply don't trust your products anymore.
4 Early death
Don't buy this. It really is unreliable. Mine died after playing about 5 DVDs.
5 The HDMI output will ONLY work with HDCP compliant Monitors
Yet another reason NOT to buy this poorly designed DVD player. Sony has doubled the price of this DVD player after it included a HDMI digital output capability. However, the encryption is turned ON all the time! This means you can NOT feed the digital input of ANY monitor thta does NOT HDCP compliant. You must use the old fashioned component or S-Video inputs with your expensive digital flat panel monitor.
6 TRAY LOCK !!!!!!!!
Unbelievable!!!! I bought this DVD player in March assuming that Sony MUST have fixed the problem after all of the initial problems with the player -- but just like every other post, I received the dreaded tray lock after just 30 days of use. What a piece of garbage and, I agree, a huge black eye for sony. Why is Amazon even continuing to sell this model?
7 Multiple problems
Was impressed with the initial quality of the sound (when set to 96k hz/24 bit) and video but only got to enjoy it for a few movies. I purchased my first unit in Nov 04 but it tray locked within 30 days. I got a second unit and it tray locked after 45 days (a few hours of movies). I had to pay to send it in for repair. I was without the unit for several weeks. After it came back, the HDMI port stopped working (after a few hours). It's in the service center again. I've now been informed they want to charge me $321 for the repair. I have spent many hours on the phone with these guys (or on hold) and their attitude is robotic at best. "Customer Satisfaction" has never come up in the conversation. Sony's very open approach is to leave a dud with the customer (multiple repairs ok by them) or send you a second rate refurbished model, all without any consideration for the inconvenience, the hassle, or that your now inferior unit doesn't come with additional warranty. I'm not convinced this entire investment won't be lost through no fault of my own. It's not what I expected from Sony. They seem to have lost their way.
8 Stay away from this expensive nightmare
This is a horrible unit and should be recalled. I bought this thinking it would be a good, versitile product and suitable for future use. What a mistake. I began having disc freezes and tray locks after about 5 weeks. Sproradic at first, then worse and worse. Now after 3 months it is dead and the official Sony warranty IS INVALID !!! I have to pay $33 to get a replacment unit from Texas, which may be a refurbished one with the same problems. Hard to believe isn't it!? Go to the Sony support site and see for yourself. You don't need to have one, no need for a serial number or anything. Just go through the process of acting like you have a problem. The support process will end saying your unit is NOT eligible for (local) service (!) and your only choice is to return it, freight pre-paid, plus another $33 to get a replacement, which may/may not be new. Do a web search on all the other poor comsumers who bought this piece of junk and you'll see it is a widespread problem. I have trashed this dead Sony unit after only 3 months. Why pay $33+ for more garbage? I will buy a JVC or Panasonic; maybe Denon. I'll never buy from Sony again. The JVC XVN512 is looking pretty good and has comparable features.
9 Decent quality, while it lasted
Yeah, count me in too. I got to play about 9 full length DVD's until I put Scarface in and then nothing happened. I had to shut off the unit to be able to eject the disc. It ejected. Tried to go to the setup menu and got a bunch of garble... oh great.. turned it off.. changed movies and the same thing.. now nothing plays. Using a monster cable hdmi cable and 42' plasma screen from sony.. also new. Also, Sony new DA3000 ES model receiver. Strangely enough the receiver says "unlock" under DVD now after it screwed up... and no the child lock is not on... i've tried everything. PLEASE DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY IT WILL DEFINATELY BREAK. For God's sakes I should have spent a little extra and gone with an entire pioneer elite setup or samsung... sony looks great.. but all my sony pieces in prior setups have broke one way or another and these are bound to break now I'm sure... I figured it had been a few years since the last stuff broke maybe they are better. Looks like I was wrong. Stay clear unless you plan on watching less than 10 movies or something.
10 Great picture while it lasts
I bought this DVD player because it has an HDMI connection. On a 55-inch flat panel HDTV, the picture exceeded my expectations. I watched the movie "Hero" on it and the picture was crisp and the colors were both true and breathtaking. The player, however, cut off midway through the film. Fortunately, it relented in its malfunction just long enough to allow me to finish watching the movie. Afterwards, no matter what disc I put in the player, it erroneously recognized it a "multitrack," churlishly refused to play and obstinately locked up. I did as I recommend all people do who have had the misfortune to adopt children who are churlish, obstinate or should be locked up - I sent it back.
I have replaced this player with the Denon 2910. Even though this player costs more than twice as much as the Sony, the picture on the Sony was just as good, while it was there . . .
11 Somewhat Basic Player
I recently bought an HDTV with an HDMI connection. Previous to that I had a non-progressive scan DVD player so obviously I was in need of an upgrade. Frankly Sony was not my #1 choice in this case but the other upconverting models that I read higher reviews on were out of stock so I settled on this one.
This is a really basic DVD player in appearance, and Sony didn't exactly go out of their way to make it user friendly or particularly attractive. The remote looks like any standard remote, hopefully you have something else that can control it because this one stinks.
I haven't bought a DVD player in a while, what was a shock was that these darn things are only 1/2 as deep as a normal component, there's just hardly anything inside these things.
The main reason any of us would buy this thing is for the HMDI and the upconverting. On that note I was somewhat lukewarm on what it put out, not exactly blown away. However, I think my bland response is because I just got into HDTV and any DVD picture, no matter how "upconverted" still looks somewhat lame by comparison to HDTV.
My recommendation is to stick to a nice progressive scan DVD player and wait until they change the DVD format over to something that does HD. HMDI is over rated (plus the cable is expensive).
12 'Tray Locked' problem and poor service from SONY
DVD player worked as advertised in the first month. Picture is excellent. However after after 1 month it gave a 'Tray Locked' error and would not operate at all. At Sony's suggestion the player was returned to the service center in Texas. That was early December. Sony said that the replacement unit would take about 1 week. Here it is January 18th and no DVD player. Apparently there are none in stock and would have to wait until the end of January. Nice product but horrible support.
13 Great for plasma / LCD, nor fot CRT.
First off, I'd like to address the first moronic reviewer. Just because you are uninformed about the product, doesn't mean it should take away from its review. Next time get a clue and do your homework.
That being said, this is a great player. A little pricey, but still great. It works a lot better with a LCD or Plasma thought. With my 34" Sony CRT it works great at 720p, but I noticed a little bit of flicker on 1080i.
If you got the extra bucks, go for it. But personally I would wait for the next generation of Bray or HD-DVD players or discs.
14 upscaling only works from HDMI output
I bought this DVD player because the advertised video upscaling. But please be careful that the video upscaling is only from the HDMI interface and NOT from the component video interfance. I returned it since my HDTV is SONY KD34XBR2 from two and half years ago and didn't have the HDMI interface. I was a little disappointed because that "HMDI only video upscaling" is not clearly described in Sony's marketing sheet. I found this out by reading the user's manual and a clear product description from Crutchfield.
15 What a black eye for Sony
Well I just returned my second DVP-NS975V player due to the same problem as other posters. DVDs or CDs would not track/initialize and would not allow you to open the disk drawer. When it was working, it was a fantastic DVD hooked up via the HDMI interface to a Samsung HL-P5063W. The upconversion for DVDs presented such a clear picture. The built-in Dolby decoder was also a plus since I owned an older Sony AV receiver that was Dolby Digital-Ready. There were very few upconversion DVD players available that also had a built-in Dolby decoder. I ended up purchasing a new AV Receiver and DVD player with a DVI interface - Denon. I just lost all respect for Sony.
16 Terrible PRODUCT-Whats going on with SONY DVD players
ALL current HDMI Upscale DVD players on the market are FIRST generation products and are all in need of work. However I cannot afford to waste money or time until they get it right. The HDMI connects looked great...it stopped working within 48 hours. So then I was left with only the progressive outlets working till I worked on returning this item. Then I noticed that the progressive connects (yeah they worked) but looked HORRIBLE. So I went back to my old sony 425P. I love this player and in my opinion is one of the GREAT dvd players sony has made 2+yrs and running strong.So please avoid this player read the rest of the reviews and wait for awhile till they submit a new model with HDMI connects
17 not what i expected from a sony
i had the same problem as the previous reviewer. after 2 weeks of fine playback, the player suddenly wouldn't play my dvd's. i also couldn't eject the disc unless i turned it off, then turned it on. ended up returning the player since it was within the 30 days. i also had the same problem with the samsung 841 player. i own a sony 60xbr950. i've heard about problems with dvi connections? i had to go with a hdmi/dvi monster cable. maybe a hdmi/hdmi connection might be alright.
i own all sony products, and this is the first time i was not satisfied with a sony. the picture was great while it was working...but to be honest, the picture with my sony rdrhx900 recorder/player (component video) is just as good. i'll stick with the component video till they work out the bugs with the dvi connections.
18 Great picture but hope it does not break
Three weeks after I purchased this unit, the player developed problems playing DVDs and opening the drawer. Because I mail ordered the unit, I had to return it to the Sony Repair Center. Since it was withing the first 30 days, they said they would ship out a new unit. When I filled out an online return, they said a replacement would be shipped out in 5-7 days. When it didn't show up, customer service stated it would take 10-14 days at the minimum. I like the player. Hopefully, some day I will be able to use it.
I'd recommend purchasing Sony products from a local store as you could probably get an exchange within the first 30 days.
19 Good but expensive DVD player
The HDMI output from this DVD player is very good (I watched it on my Panasonic 50" plasma TV with Montser HDMI 2m cable). I did 480P, 720P and 1080i and they are all good. The picture difference between them is small. I would like to comment that its component output is also good. Probably 90% of HDMI quality. I think If I watch it on a front projector with larger picture size I might be able to see more difference between HDMI and component output. Anyway, I'm happy with the HDMI outpout.
20 Seems good
Looks like Sony did a little 'biting' off of the Samsung design. Then again, I wonder if the two companies are together. I recall that Samsung supports memory sticks....
It could also be why the Samsung did not come out yet...
21 Great Sony player with a few quirks.
I got this player a week ago. The upscaling is very good even though you have to spend at least $100 for the HDMI cable. Beware that you cannot change screen size on Sony TV's when using the HDMI jack so your non-anamorphic dvd's will have to be watched thru the component outputs if you wish to change screen size. In other words, older non-anamorphic dvd's will not be upscaled to 1080i. Also the SACD is only output thru the analog 5.1 jacks which I think is really stupid. But overall the player is fantastic and once you see the way your DVD's look on your HD set you will never go back. Great job by Sony. Worth every nickel. Buy, buy now...and be happy.
22 The Iceman could be mistaken
I think this player is amazingly priced when you consider that is has HDMI output and multi-channel SACD support. Maybe this person does not want these features, but Samsung's HDMI (not DVI) 1080i player is similarly priced. When it comes down to it, the upscaled HDTV picture quality is what will show whether this player is any good.
HDTV upscaling can have lots of artifacts or inaccuracies. I'm guessing Sony is working on these problems with this new player.
This player is not released as of the time of this writing.
