Zenith DVD2381 DVD Player Reviewed

  • By: HomeTheaterReview.com,

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HTR Product Rating

Performance
3 Stars
Value
3 Stars
Overall
3 Stars

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As the most popular consumer electronics medium ever, DVD is really the only way to watch a movie at home. Whether it's on a 32-inch TV or in a state-of-the-art screening room, DVD offers an incredible viewing experience, with an impressive picture and multichannel digital surround sound. Integrating one into a home theater is relatively easy, and will offer huge sonic and visual benefits.

Zenith, maker of excellent video products for as long back as we can remember (recall "the quality goes in before the name goes on"?), has released their new DVD2381, a value-driven DVD player that will work in virtually any home theater. Based in the value section of their line, its long list of standard features will surely amaze.

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Unique Features - The DVD2381 DVD player offers some excellent features. Most importantly, when it comes to video, it outputs a progressive-scan image, which, coupled with a TV with a progressive-scan input, will offer a much-improved video image. Not just a feature, progressive scan truly adds something special to the picture, resulting in a more film-like image. Also, the DVD2381 will play discs that are encoded in Dolby Digital or DTS, which is a nice feature for a player at this price (more on that later). Most discs available on the market offer a Dolby Digital soundtrack, but those movies or music discs (either DVD or CD) that offer DTS soundtracks can be played back as well, offering what many call an improved sonic experience. Also, as I just mentioned in a roundabout way, the DVD2381 doubles as a CD player (like all DVD players). However, this DVD player also plays CD-Recordable discs, as well as CD-RWs (rewritable). Another format that the DVD2381 can play is the popular MP3 format, that is mainly used on the internet. While MP3 recordings don't usually sound as rich and full as recordings that originated on CD, it is a nice feature to be offered by Zenith nonetheless.

The supplied remote works pretty well, and is reasonably well laid out. It fits nicely in the palm of the hand, and makes things easy when navigating through any given disc. A nice feature associated with the remote control is that the buttons light up in the dark, making it easier to find that "pause" button when the popcorn is finally ready.

Build quality of the Zenith is similar to most inexpensive VCRs, in that it's not super heavy duty, but it doesn't need to be. It has a plasticky feel to it, rather than a hefty component. Again, for the price, this is not all that important, and not unexpected.

Now, in case you didn't read ahead to the bottom of this review already, trying to see the price, I'll save you some trouble. This DVD player has entered the arena of VCR pricing! At only $159.95, this has to be the most feature-packed DVD player on the market for anywhere near this price. However, the review must continue.
Click to Page 2 for Installation, Evaluation, and the Final Take.

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