This didn't happen on every movie, but it did on most. (I should point out that I've had no problems with audio CDs on this player. Of course, most audio CDs don't run for more than an hour, so they don't run long enough to encounter the same problems that DVDs do.)

Thinking the problem was with my machine, I took it back to Radio Shack and exchanged it. I asked the sales person if there were any problems with this particular model, and he said it was the first time he'd heard a complaint like this. So, I got the same machine, figuring there was a problem with this one player.

Well, the new player has the same problem.

Clearly Phillips should have issued a recall long ago. But they haven't. The best tactic is NOT to complain to Phillips, as many reviewers here have suggested, since Phillips doesn't feel the problem is severe enough for a drastic action. They'll continue to manufacture and ship these players as long as there are retailers willing to keep the faulty machines in stock.

The best tactic is to complain to the store you bought your player from. If there's a problem with these machines, and the retailers know about this problem, they'll put the pressure on Phillips to issue a recall. Phillips is more likely to listen to a major retailer than a handful of individuals.

It's worth noting that I have never had a problem with a Phillips product before. In fact, I still have a Phillips CD player that I purchased in 1986. It's never needed servicing -- not even cleaning -- and has worked beautifully for nearly 17 years.


Late Review But In Full Agreement   May 25, 2004
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Unfortunately my wife and I purchased this "product" without reading the posted reviews here. ALL are entirely accurate! I cannot calculate how many hours I have spent trying to figure out what is wrong. No loading, skipping, freezing, not OPENING when it freezes, all down the line, combined with 100 trips to and from the video stores to exchange their "defective" DVDs. My wife was firmly of the belief the DVDs were just "dirty" but I finally decided (this agrees with one of the reviewers) there is a balance problem in the drawer. When there is a no-load, jiggling/adjusting the drawer sometimes (not always) fixes it, but only until the next time, and will not stop the freezing problems. If my wife had a dime for every time I said "this thing is a piece of @&*!" she would be a millionaire. This is very late but if this product is still on the market in ANY form stay many miles away. And Philips' arrogant lack of response (as reported; I have no personal experience here) is virtually criminal in this day and age.


Phillips ought to be ASHAMED of themselves!   October 3, 2004
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This DVD player isn't worth the space it takes up in your entertainment system. I've had exactly the same problem as everyone else - skipping really badly; didn't matter which position I selected in the carousel. I think I was able to watch 3 movies without disruptive skipping over the last 1-1/2 years. Though I did purchase another one once I realized this was a problem, I kept trying to see if I could figure out what was wrong with the Phillips. I initially thought the DVD was dirty or defective, only to find it played fine in my portable DVD player. I finally disconnected the Phillips and am ready to toss it. I won't even donate it to a thrift store for fear that some family may look forward to using it only to be at least as disappointed and frustrated as I was. Do NOT purchase this DVD player unless you're a glutton for punishment.


This is as Bad as They Come...   August 3, 2002
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I whole-heartedly agree with the below reviews. This is a total piece of trash, I would not even give a product like this away for free. When I first purchased this model, I went home, plugged it in, and the tray would not open! I then took it back to the store and got another one. This time, I am encountering the problems that everyone else has listed--skipping and freezing--even for new discs. My success rate with being able to play a disc from start to finish without problem is less than 50%, which is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.

Even worse, I wrote Phillips a scathing letter with no acknowledgement from them whatsoever. I was going to send it back to them to get it repaired, but after reading the reviews below, I won't bother. I'll just pitch this in the trash, so thanks to everyone for saving me the postage. I wish I had seen these reviews before I purchased this piece of garbage.


Terrible player!!!!   January 19, 2003
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Like many reviewers I've had the same problems. Skipping, stuttering, freezing, all-out refusal to play and restarting. can't get past the FBI warning on Disney DVDs. This is the second unit I have purchased in the last month. The first I returned to the store thinking I had one defective one. The second one does the same thing. FRUSTRATING!!!! Had a JVC player for two years that was fantastic till the laser burnt out.