Panasonic DVD-S53 DVD Player Review

Conclusions

Strong Points

• Fast to turn on, fast to load movies, fast to start playing movies.
• Fast response to commands like previous/next chapter and scan backwards/forward.
• Plays Divx and MPEG4 files with outstanding quality.
• We could make it region free (even though you will need an external device to accomplish that).

Weak Points

• Remote control can’t control other devices, especially TV sets.
• Doesn’t have an optical SPDIF output.
• Display shows the current chapter being played, not the running time.
• Proved to be incompatible with recordable dual-layer media.
• Unit doesn’t provide an option to automatically configure the upscaler resolution, upscaler resolution isn’t configured at “quick setup” function and the upscaler configuration isn’t easily accessible.
• Upscaler quality could be better.
• One of the most expensive models on the market today.

Final Thoughts

This is a unit with fast response time and that we could make it region free. But unless you are looking for a player that can play both Divx and MPEG4 files we think that there are products that provide a better cost/benefit ratio on the market.