Schneider DVD 856 Review

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Keith M.'s Review of Schneider DVD 856

23rd May 2002

Overall Rating

0.5 stars
  • Value for money
    2.5 stars
Good Points

Very good picture quality, decodes prologic into the 5.1 outputs.


Bad Points

Low sound output, locks up on variour dvd's when returning to menu, auto shutdown after 4 minutes, zoom unusable for real time viewing.


General Comments

I had one of these Schneider DVD856 DVD players which was great but it wouldn't play some dvd's so I exchanged it. The exchange unit had a different startup screen so I presume different firmware: I've now had three of these units all with the same problems. Major problem: when navigating back to the root menu these players can lockup and you have to eject the disc. The zoom goes into slow motion so you can't watch a widescreen film slightly zoomed in, instead of pan and scan. The audio output is low. Amazingly these players will decode dolby prologic so older dvd's with 5.1 will play in surround with effects coming from the rear speakers.

I don't know what to do with this player. It's picture quality far out performs a cyberhome, mustek and raoc players I tried but the locking up is a real pain.

I have the Hitch-hikers guide to the galaxy DVD collection and all of the players except the Schneider the rising Sun at the beginning looks dithered: the Schneider plays it beautifully. But: don't expect a fix from Schneider U.K, to be fair they haven't had many complaints so they will not be investigating the problems.

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Members' Comments onKeith M.'s Review

  • mrdavidhunt. on 24th Sep 2002

    Not really fair comment - I've had one and it's perfectly fine and represents excellent value compared to the big brands

  • Keith Marriott. on 25th Sep 2002

    I wrote the original review and it is fair and I stand by all of my comments. I actually bought another of these players because of the outstanding picture quality but the they do lock up on various DVD's, have a useless zoom facility and have low audio output. They have some excellant points, I just wish Schnieder UK would fix the firmware. PS, other people reviewing this player have said the same!

  • mrdavidhunt. on 26th Sep 2002

    actually you're right - it's the DVD857 which is fine - the 856 could be rubbish for all i know - humble apologies

  • Armengar. on 16th Jan 2003

    I personally have had no problems with any locking with my 856. I can return to the menu every time be it either a DVD or a VCD. I also do not exibit a zoom slowdown either. I would have preferred a variable zoom as on my LG as I feel the zoom is of limited function but certainly works. I cannot comment on low audio since I use a separate DD decoder via the audio digital output. I havent tried the analogue outputs at all. One problem which I have found is a slight tinny almost over sampling of the high end asound when using VCDs. I have tried using various non standard audio rates but this makes things worse or the VCD doesnt play. I havent had any complaints from my customers and it sounds fine on my PC. For a cheap budget player I think the 856 is great. and I feel a 1/10 is far too harsh. 5/10 is my personal rating. If you dont play VCDs then I would say 7/10.

  • doggy777 on 5th Apr 2004

    hi i have 856 it has stoped playing dvd only
    playes vcd any ideas