Thus far, I can offer up only two caveats: the DVPNC80V's less-than-perfect display and its limited random programming capability. As most of your settings will probably be handled via your monitor (assuming you're using the deck for video and not just audio playback), this isn't really a problem. Even though the onboard display needs to be pretty much at eye level to be seen clearly (as another reviewer noted), it is sufficient.

As for random or "shuffle" play -- and this is a big one, in my opinion -- Sony still doesn't get it; how can they produce a multi-disk deck that does so much so well and STILL refuse to offer the option of random play on all five disks??? Once again, you can only shuffle a single bay at a time. Fortunately (for me), I'm using this player primarily for video and SACD audio, without all that much need for random play (I have another changer that fills the bill in that respect). Still...

All in all, though, this is quite a remarkable... Read more

As other reviewers have pointed out this DVD changer is hard to beat for features and price. However, it's not perfect. I bought the 80V to replace a failing 3-year-old Sony 5-disc changer (the model number escapes me) and I'm slightly disappointed. The 80V has a terrible LED display -- it's dim and recessed, as if hiding in a cave, almost useless. This changer is also SLOW to turn on (it displays W-E-L-C-O-M-E slowly, letter by letter, each time you fire it up). And when you put in a DVD it takes much longer than my old Sony before it starts to play. You have to sit through a 20-30 second "Loading" message before the disc even starts. I can't knock the price or features, but after 3 months of trying to get used to it I'm looking for something better. My old Sony was much more responsive, so I don't know what they were thinking. Once the 80V gets going it's fantastic, but life is too short to waste on "Loading." :-)

This unit has so far surpassed all of my expectations. As the description states, it can truly support practically every format out on the market, including the coveted "DVD+R DL" (dual layer disc's 8.5gb's)& "DVD+RW". Other cool features include progressive scan & resume. Progressive scan means if your tv can support a higher viewing/picture clarity (as dvd's are intended to produce) this player can decode the signal to produce brilliant, vibrant, razor shap images. The one con that this unit doesn't have, is a built in dolby digital/dts decorder. No biggie tho.. As long as your receiver has one built in it, your all set. This unit pairs up magnificently to my Phillips 42 inch plasma (42pf9956/37) so much so, that my other previous units (2 panasonic& 1 jvc) pale in comparison.

Oh happy day.