Sony DVP-NS315 Problems

The 315 is a long discontinued model and Sony has made some improvements in
their transport designs with their latest offerings since replacing the
PrecisionDrive 2 with PrecisionDrive 3 in their current generation.  

Previous PD designs moved the whole traverse to account for disc imperfections.
 The new PD design does this within the optical pickup instead.  Obviously, the
pickups used in Sony players now are completely redesigned so I must wait until
more data is made available.  

In the meantime with other factors considered, like overall video quality and
responsiveness (one of the greatest things about the DVP-NS575P is that it's
one of the few players out their that virtually has no layer change pause), the
Sonys of the current generation are recommended.

As for Panasonic, they haven't changed much in their transport design yet,
which was used from the 5th generation and up.  Had they just kept on using
brushless motors instead of inferior brush motors for the spindle, they would
have been recommended over Sony.

This was a pity because it seemed that Panasonic solved their pickup problems
with their 4th generation models, like the fantastic DVD-RV30.  Yet, they shot
themselves in the foot again by shortchanging the spindle motor component this
time.  

Now, a few players that are very reliable have also used brush motors, like
quite a few Pioneer models and the older Toshiba SD-2109, SD-1200, and SD-1600,
but it seems Panasonic short changed even on which brush motor they used.

To make it worse on Panasonic, they are shortchanging the video sections of
their current players.

You may have to cut-n-paste this hyperlink to access this webpage.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com /cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function =search&a...

This link includes both recent and recently discontinued models.  The current
model from Panasonic that's listed is the DVD-S27.  Panasonic has really
slipped up on this one after the DVD-A, DVD-RV, DVD-RP, and DVD-H models in
terms of their video performance.  

Although the DVD-S27S is the lowest end player that Panasonic offers, it seems
that many manufacturers are either going with a rebadged OEM or, in the case of
Panasonic, using one basic platform they designed themselves for all of their
models, only adding and/or replacing some things with a few of their higher end
offerings.  A few top-of-the-line models may be exceptions to this, though.

Their DVD recorder is also a lackluster performer as a player, but I don't
think there is even one DVD recorder from any manufacturer that excels as a
player.  
Anyways, Panasonic just doesn't make them like they used to, which is a pity
because they made some of the best players for the 4th generation line-up

You can pay more money to fix it than to replace it with a new player, but
that would be sheer stupidity.

The NS315 was a bit of a problematic model.

Since that DVD player was the lowest end that Sony had to offer, it's not worth
trying to get it repaired.

Believe it or not, Sony currently makes decent DVD players.  Their lowest end
offering is the DVP-NS575P.  This model is available in either black or silver
and is a decent performer with a revised disc drive.  However, there are other
choices if you wish.

Recommended:  Sony, Pioneer, and JVC.  

If you're looking for the very best DVD player: Denon DVD-5900.  Otherwise,
avoid most other models of Denon DVD players.  Quite a few lower end Denon
models use utterly inferior Funai platforms.

Various upscale brands of DVD players typically employ OEM platforms for their
models.  For example, Yamaha players have been made by Matsushita Electric,
which is a parent company of Panasonic.

VCR/DVD combo units are NOT RECOMMENDED, regardless of brand.

No-name brands of DVD players (Lasonic, Apex, Mintek, Norcent, Cyberhome, jWin,
Curtis-Mathes, Venturer, etc.) are NOT RECOMMENDED.

For brand names, newest model players from the following are NOT RECOMMENDED.

Panasonic  (spindle motor problems)
Toshiba  (see LG)
Sanyo/Fisher  (general QA problems)
GE/RCA  (general QA problems)
Philips  (general QA problems)
Samsung  (optics problems)
Funai  (general QA problems)
Mitsubishi  (see Funai)
Symphonic  (see Funai)
Sylvania  (see Funai)
Hitachi  (see Funai)
Emerson  (see Funai)
Sharp  (see Funai)
LG  (general QA problems)
Zenith  (see LG)
Aiwa  (see LG)
Magnavox  (see Funai)

  - Reinhart

They are still using the plastic lug focus spring that breaks rendering the
player useless.  As reported elsewhere, there is a class action law suit in
hand in the US.

Plus Sony still have recuring problems with poor soldered joints.

Ian.