RCA RC5215 DVD Player

We were struck immediately by the ease of setup and the simple clarity of the owner's manual. The user-friendly remote and easily navigable screen menus should give little trouble to even the most inexperienced of DVD viewers. Menu options include multiple repeat and programming functions, parental lock, trilingual display, and even a glossary of DVD terms--a detail usually overlooked by manufacturers who take for granted that all DVD consumers speak their language. Other features include Intelliseek scan modes, Scene Again instant replay, and multiple viewing angle capability.

In addition to a pain-free user experience, this unit offers AV quality and features we have come to expect from DVD players costing significantly more. The RC5215 works with Dolby Digital, Pro Logic, and DTS-compatible receivers, and the incorporated SRS TruSurround technology, when connected to a surround sound home theater system, helps to brilliantly display realism and depth in music and sound effects. Audio CDs also sound great, as 24-bit/96kHz onboard DAC brings better than CD-quality sound.

RCA also knows how to make things easier for the average audiophile, as evidenced in the unit's Dub Assist feature, which helps you record a CD to cassette by ensuring that all the music will fit on one side of a tape. In all, despite the notable drawback in its incompatibility with CD-R and CD-RW discs, this DVD player's audio performance is solid.

Utilizing 10-bit video, the video board provides an exceptionally smooth, detailed picture through its composite, S-video, and component-interlaced video outputs. Images virtually jump off the screen, and colors are sharp and vibrant as any DVD images we have seen. Other functions include frame-by-frame slow motion and fast-forward, smooth still freezes, high-resolution image capability, and many other standard DVD player functions. There's even an auto-start feature that automatically starts up movies as soon as the disc is loaded into the player.

RCA offers a 90-day parts and labor warranty on the RC5215. --Ed Noble

Pros

• Easy setup
• Easily navigable screen menus
• Ergonomic remote
• Dolby Digital and DTS output
• Slim design

Cons

• Holds only one disc
• Remote not backlit
• No zoom feature

It has 500 lines of horizontal image resolution, a 10-bit digital-to-analog converter, as well as S-video, component video, and analog video outputs. The RC5215 has 10-bit digital-to-analog output offers Dolby Digital and DTS output that can be connected to your stereo system. There is also RCA's own TruSurround that offers simulation surround.

The features RCA thoughtfully includes are a CD-only intro scan, bookmarks, and multiple camera angles. Special advance and playback features include five advance speeds, three rewind speeds, frame advance, freeze frame, instant replay, and A-B playback. The DVD player offers direct track access with the touch of a button. There is also a multilingual display and subtitle compatibility. Using a remote control, parents can restrict unsuitable viewing for children. A TV screen saver automatically extinguishes the screen when the DVD or video CD has stopped playing.

RCA offers a one year warranty for parts and 90 days for labor.