Panasonic DVD-RV31S DVD Player, Silver

Product Review

Panasonic's DVD-RV31S DVD-video player delivers a combination of quality video and special features usually found only in more expensive players, if at all. Among many other features, the DVD-RV31S offers MP3 playback, robust connectivity, and an advanced version of Panasonic's simulated surround sound with proprietary Bass Plus technology and a dedicated subwoofer output.

This unit's state-of-the-art component-video outputs allow for digital video transmission to compatible video equipment. It also offers standard composite-video outputs and an S-video output. A built-in 27 MHz/10-bit digital-to-analog video converter maximizes picture quality from these outputs, while brightness, color, and contrast controls let you fine-tune picture quality.

A digital-cinema mode illuminates the picture and fine-tunes color, even in low-light scenes. Additional video features include one-touch cinema memory, freeze frame, frame advance, and black-level controls.

An optical digital-audio output channels a bitstream for DTS and Dolby Digital surround sound, fostering glorious home-theater sound when decoded with an appropriate surround receiver.

Advanced Virtual Surround Sound (VSS) simulates a surround effect using only your two front speakers. Furthermore, the DVD-RV31S's dialogue enhancer pumps up the center-channel output to emphasize a movie's spoken audio. A 96-kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog audio converter and dynamic range compression (for late-night viewing) complete the DVD-RV31S' robust audio arsenal.

If you're not quite ready for 5.1-channel audio but already have a powered subwoofer, you'll appreciate the versatility of this player's discrete subwoofer output. The DVD-RV31S's pair of analog-audio stereo outputs along with its subwoofer output simulate theatrical sound by setting up a two-channel-plus-bass output that sends all low-frequency information to your subwoofer.

A built-in stabilizer and twin-laser pickup offers improved playability with the DVD-RV31S. Playback formats include DVD-video, video CD, audio CD, MP3-encoded CD, CD-R, and CD-RW. (Please note, however, that MP3 playback may vary depending on the content and disc type used.)

For your viewing convenience Panasonic's high-speed scan comes with five speeds, and the player also offers chapter preview, updated onscreen menu icons, a front-panel jog-shuttle dial, and a multibrand remote control.

Panasonic's DVD-RV31S comes in silver and is Energy Star compliant. This model is covered by a one-year parts, 90-days labor warranty.

Product Features

DVD/VCD/CD player with MP3, CD-R, and CD-RW playback
Optical digital-audio output for Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound
Features Panasonic Advanced Surround (VSS) system with Bass Plus, 1-touch cinema memory, and dialogue enhancer
Discrete subwoofer output routes home theater sound to your subwoofer
Also includes S-video output, component-video outputs, multibrand remote control, and front-panel shuttle dial

Accessories

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review

(48 customer reviews)

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful

excellent player for the money, May 1, 2001

SL (RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic DVD-RV31S DVD Player, Silver (Electronics)

Panasonic DVD-RV30 (older model w/o MP3 capability) was rated excellent for picture quality in the Consumer Report magazine.I found that is true also for this RV31 (silver) model. Unlike my older JVC dvd player, this player allows me to set different black level (light and darker); it allows users to set contrast, brightness, sharpness, color, and tint--features used to be only available in more expensive players. The picture quality, of course, is outstanding. I could notice more details in the black/dark areas when I set the brightness a little higher than factory preset. Among the 3 dvd players I've owned, I find this RV31 to have the best (user-friendly) on-screen menu. This player, however, lacks a screen saver to prevent phospher burn-in. In addition, it lacks a coaxial digital output. It comes with optical output, and of course also regular (a/v) rca outputs. It has component video output as well. The remote control is fine. I didn't think the keys are too small; however,it is...Read more

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

Excellent player except for a few kinks..., January 24, 2002

John K Yu (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic DVD-RV31S DVD Player, Silver (Electronics)

I bought this DVD player 3 months ago and I could never be happier with it. Since then I have bought 3 more of these players for friends and relatives. I bought the Black or Silver they are exactly identical in functionality. I prefer the Silver look myself.The MP3 player was a big plus! It plays my MP3 disks with ease. The only problem is that it only displays the numbers of my MP3 files when playing it. So you may have to memorize your MP3 via numbers. It will play the files in the order the MP3 files are written. Just make sure you make a list of the songs cause there is no way to memorize over a hundred songs in a disk.Unlike the Toshiba DVD with the MP3 playing capability, the Panasonic DVD/CD/VCD/MP3 COULD Fast Forward/Rewind while playing the MP3 files. Im glad I did not buy the Toshiba, pretty much all the Toshiba players I tried in the electronics store could not fast forward/rewind MP3 file/song. This is bothersome especially if you need to scan through your...Read more

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful

Crap!, December 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Panasonic DVD-RV31S DVD Player, Silver (Electronics)

After 6 months (....)I'm getting "H02" errors on every DVD. Time for the maintenance depot. Stay away from this defected DVD Player!!!