Panasonic DVD-S700 Review: Compact Player with Caveats
A verified buyer on Trustpilot summed up their experience with the Panasonic DVD Player DVD-S700 (Black) in one breath: “It loaded quickly and was extremely easy to use. Completely hassle free.” That sentiment aligns with the majority of feedback—93% of reviews leaned positive—but it masks a set of quirks that only emerge after weeks or months of use. Overall verdict: 7.8/10.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Crisp 1080p upscaling for DVDs | Remote buttons small & awkward |
| Dolby Digital sound quality | Only supports FAT, not NTFS, over USB |
| Compact, dustproof design | Occasional firmware glitches cause video artifacts |
| HDMI & analog outputs for flexibility | Unit slides on surfaces with heavier cables |
| Fast loading and playback | Build feels light, less durable |
| Power resume works after outages | Some units failed within months |
| Supports multiple disc formats | Does not include HDMI cable |
Claims vs Reality
Panasonic markets this player on its 1080p upscaling capability, touting “the breathtaking clarity of 1080p HD.” While many users confirm a visible boost over standard definition, not everyone felt the difference was revolutionary. A verified buyer on Trustpilot said: “It played the new DVD movie perfectly… but I’ve never seen it do better than any other DVD player.” This sentiment suggests that while upscaling is functional, it may not dramatically alter viewing for those already used to modern displays.
Another claim is the Dolby Digital sound fidelity. For home theater users, this proved accurate. One Reddit user detailed: “The HDMI and digital audio out options make this DVD player perfect for a surround sound system. I get high-quality video and audio from both my TV and sound system without any issues.” However, some owners experienced intermittent audio dropouts, particularly when units aged or encountered certain disc reads.
Finally, Panasonic highlights the USB playback feature for photos and music. Here, reality diverged sharply from the promise. Several reviewers discovered the player supports only FAT-formatted drives, not NTFS, limiting large HD file playback. As one Trustpilot reviewer warned: “Playing anything HD over USB is not possible.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Compactness and portability emerged as major advantages. “The DVD player is small and light,” noted a Trustpilot review, making it ideal for small living rooms or portable setups. This suits users in tight spaces, college dorms, or those who occasionally move AV setups around. Panasonic’s dustproof claim held up, with no reports attributing failures to dust accumulation—even in cabinet installations.
HDMI compatibility drew praise from tech-savvy buyers, particularly those integrating the unit into modern TV and audio setups. One Trustpilot reviewer recommended: “I hooked it up to my TV with an HDMI cable and plugged it in and it worked great” — a straightforward setup that appeals to non-technical users.
The power resume feature—resuming playback after outages—also earned consistent approval. For owners in areas prone to power cuts, it meant not losing track during movies. While Panasonic admits a 10-second offset from the exact stop point, this was deemed negligible.
Common Complaints
Remote control ergonomics were a recurring sore point. Multiple users complained about “tiny buttons that are awkward to use” and the absence of a digital LED display to assist navigation. This significantly impacted usability in dim lighting or for elderly users with vision issues. “It’s too much guessing button pushing and wasted time,” lamented one buyer.
Physical stability was another concern—thin plastic pads let the unit slide around when heavier HDMI cables were attached. This affects users with elaborate cable runs or wall-mounted TVs where cable tension is higher.
Durability issues surfaced in several accounts. From Victor’s Trustpilot story of “worked for 15 minutes and then stopped” to Greg’s experience with noise, disc read errors, and audio dropouts after four months, the lifespan of some units proved shorter than expected. While many worked flawlessly for years, defective runs or early wear under frequent use were not unheard of.
Divisive Features
Build quality split opinions. Some called it “small, thin and stylish,” while others like Josh felt “a bit cheaply made” and doubted it would withstand rough handling. For travel users or those needing a rugged player, this could be a dealbreaker.
Picture quality, though generally praised, did not impress all buyers. While fanatics of upscaling loved the clarity, casual viewers often saw it as “no better than any other DVD player,” suggesting that perceived gains depend on the viewer’s equipment and standards.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot patterns show most buyers get hassle-free operation right out of the box, but a proportion face early failures. Greg’s case—three units over time, each with distinct faults—feeds concern over consistency. This variability implies quality control might not be uniform across production batches.
On Reddit, long-term owners reported stable performance. Frank described using his first unit for “a year and a half… no problems” and even bought a backup for future use. This supports the view that well-functioning units can last, but unlucky buyers may hit faulty electronics early.
Alternatives
While direct competitor models weren’t named in user discussions, comparisons were implied. Buyers choose the S700 over “smart” DVD/Blu-ray players because it’s simpler and less prone to software bloat. One Reddit comment called it “the best non-smart upconverting DVD player available,” overlooking flaws like firmware bugs and remote design.
Those wanting NTFS support for USB or more robust build quality might lean towards pricier Blu-ray players with broader codec and format compatibility.
Price & Value
Current retail hovers near $49.99 new, with used units on eBay listed from $16.99 to $36.80 depending on condition and accessories. The resale curve indicates moderate depreciation, with complete units holding some value.
Several buyers advised checking the box contents—no HDMI cable is included, which surprised first-time owners. Savvy shoppers recommend dedicated high-speed HDMI cables for best video results. One Trustpilot reviewer noted: “I recommend using an HDMI cable… even though the DVD player doesn’t come with one.”
FAQ
Q: Does the Panasonic DVD-S700 upscale every DVD to 1080p automatically?
A: Yes, it automatically applies upscaling to standard DVDs when connected via HDMI, improving sharpness and color accuracy for modern HD displays.
Q: Can I play HD video files from USB?
A: Not in most cases. It only supports FAT-formatted drives and basic formats like JPEG, MP3, and Xvid—not high-definition video files beyond DVD quality.
Q: Is the remote control easy to use?
A: Many users find the buttons small and awkward. Lack of a digital display makes navigation harder without visual feedback.
Q: Does it include an HDMI cable?
A: No, the package includes power cord and batteries, but no HDMI cable. You’ll need to purchase one separately.
Q: How durable is it over time?
A: Performance varies; some owners report years of trouble-free use, while others experienced failures within months due to disc read issues or mechanical wear.
Final Verdict: Buy if you want a compact, straightforward player for standard DVDs in HDMI home setups. Avoid if USB HD playback or rock-solid remote ergonomics are crucial. Pro tip from community: Invest in a quality HDMI cable and keep the player on a stable surface to prevent cable drag.
