Alba DVD108 Review

Overall Rating

Relatively cheap.
Easy to install.
Comes with SCART cable.
Remote control comes with batteries.
Acceptable picture quality.

Lacking in rigidity; doesn't support above weight well.
Can tend to be a little noisy; whirring of disc.
Low sound quality.
Disc drawer doesn't open to full extent.
No standby option on remote control.

I bought this Alba DVD 108 DVD player as a cheap addition to my bedroom, as I enjoy watching films in the evening in bed. I found the instructions very easy to follow and had no problems installing or using it. I placed it on the floor underneath the television table about 1 metre away from the foot of the bed, the disc played fine and all was 'dandy' until I tried to use the remote control - the sensor couldn't reach. I then placed the DVD player underneath my 21 inch Hitachi C2125S television, and I must say, the player struggled somewhat with the weight. I then placed it, rather precariously, on the top of my television and the sensor had no problems from then on.

One point to consider, however, is that there is no "standby" option on the remote control, you can either switch the player on or off using the power switch on the console. Now, when your player is sitting on the edge of the television top trying to switch this power button off isn't a doddle. The button itself is rather tough when the player is simply resting on a surface and so you do run the risk of knocking it off things this way. Also, the display is a rather bright blue light which makes it inconvenient to leave on overnight. Because there is no standby function there is also no "resume disc from last place" function either, so if you wanted to leave your film where it was you wouldn't be able to; you'd have to skip through the scenes to find your place again.

The remote control itself, although coming with batteries, smacks of cheap quality - it's springy buttons and plastic-ey feel make it seem more like a children's toy then a piece of remote electrical operating equipment. The actual player is quite attractive, although the disc drawer doesn't quite extend as far as it needs to and so a slight tilt it required to get the disc in. As the disc spins it can tend to get a little noisy; I've often found myself turning the TV sound up in order to combat the increasing 'whir' from my dvd player!

I wouldn't recommend buying the Alba DVD108 if you were planning to use it to play many music CDs; in my experience the sound quality is poorer than that of the normal television, although the poor sound quality is certainly more noticeable when playing audio CDs than in dvd films.

Having critised it thoroughly I'd like to add that this DVD player is OK for it's price and probably is good enough to act as a second DVD player for the bedroom or another reception room. Also the picture quality is fine on my 21" television but maybe a larger, widescreen would challenge it more.

However, I can't help feeling that the Alba DVD108 has had one too many cheap shortcuts taken in its manufacture, and this definitely reflects in the overall 'feel' of it. Indeed, buy it for the children's playroom or a student, or even for your bedroom but please, please, please don't think it will live up to the quality of a typical quality DVD player and install it in your home cinema!