Sony DVP-NS92V

I was looking around for a new HDMI capable DVD player which narrowed the field considerably. I admit to being a Sony fan, so when the Sony DVP-NS92V model became available I went for it, together with a STR-DB895 receiver.

First impressions were good, and the player is a step above the normal lightweight construction, but a little way off the lovely QS range with their metal fascias. I plugged the player into the TV via HDMI only, and to the receiver via the coaxial optical link. Hmmm, this is easy I thought. Switch on is greeted by a 'Welcome' message and enough delay to go and make a cup of tea. Inserting a DVD allows you to go and fetch a cake to go with your cup of tea, and finally when you get back, the player has sorted out what disc you have put in and presumably how to play it. Set up is reasonably easy, and I left everything pretty much alone to start with, setting the HDMI to Auto which supposedly sends the highest resolution that the panel will accept. Audio options have always left me baffled with talk of 'down mixing' and the like, so I left that alone as well!

First impressions are extremely positive. The picture via the HDMI link is impressive with a sharp, colourful and detailed image with no noticeable artefact's or motion issues. It is probably the best picture from a DVD source that I have seen, and also the best I have seen an LCD TV perform, other than when fed with a pucker HD demo signal.

The only real downside I have found so far is that the feature count is so high that the player can be a nightmare to configure. The user guide explains how to switch a feature on or off, but it does not explain what the feature does, so you are left to experiment, which can be confusing and time consuming. For example, I could not get the player to feed a multichannel signal to the receiver. After two frustrating hours of surfing through the menus, I resorted to the user guide. The guide pointed to a feature which allowed you to select the coaxial output. However, when I attempted it on-screen, the feature wasn't there. Another hour later I was ready to throw the machine through the window and write a stiff letter to Sony. I suddenly realised that the feature appeared on the Quick Setup menu only and NOT in the full Setup menu. Why there would be LESS features in the Full Setup to the Quick Setup is a mystery to me, and not conducive to a smooth installation.

Having said all that, the player works well now. The picture is fabulous and the sound is detailed on DVD's and audio CD's. I have yet to try SACD's, but I am sure these will be equally impressive.

Despite a slight reservation over the sheer complexity of the machine, which I am sure will delight as many as it bewilders, I am very happy with the player, and partnered with a HDMI TV, it definitely raises the home cinema experience.