DVD Changers & Random Play (1 Viewer)

[FrankSteel]

Does anybody know of a DVD changer out there that will:

- random play music from multiple CD's (randomly selecting from all discs)

- random play chapters of multiple DVD's (the idea being to load up multiple music video or concert DVD's and random play the different songs continuously)

Thanks,
Frank

 

[Jeff Hoak]

Good luck...

I went through basically the same search about a year ago. I didn't really care about the "random chapter" thing but I did want to randomize CD palyback across all discs.

I initially purchased a JVC player (I don't recall the model) but ended up returning it. The build quality was not great and I didn't like the way it handled the "skip" function while playing randomly. It replaced a Sony 300 disc mega-changer. The Sony was a WHOLE other story beyond the fact that it just didn't fit in my new "entertainment center".

I ended up with a Kenwood DV-5700. It WILL randomize playback of CD across all discs. BUT... I've found 2 things that I don't like about it. (1) The process required to initilize random play is so convoluted that I never use it. (2) The changer mechanism is so slow that the delay between songs is annoying.

The "random play" issue could probably be solved by programming a macro ino my Pronto remote. Too bad I so lazy. I don't believe that there's anything that can resolve the slow mechanism though.

In the end I've pretty much abandonded the idea of a "do-it-all" changer. I bought an Auditron and ripped almost all of my CD's to MP3 to handle the music side of the things. I'm selling the Kenwood and I've ordered a Yamaha DVD-S2300 to handle DVD, DVD-A & SACD. I may someday get another CD only carousel to handle those CDs not ripped to MP3 (classical, Christmas, etc.).

Like I said... Good luck!

 

[Kenny_H]

I have a Sony DVP-CX860 300+1 dvd/cd changer. If you have filed your music videos in one of the folders,like I have(such as videos, anime, sci-fi, etc (A,B,C,orD), select the FOLDER, then select CHAPTER SHUFFLE to get random play. The downside is that you will get those FBI warnings, first & end chapter titles, etc. So far, there are no players that will allow you to skip those portions of a disc. But, you will get random play. My guess is that the other Sony models also do this. Hope this helps!

 

[Naddy]

How much are you selling your Kenwood DV-5700 for?

Thanks,

Naddy

 

[Jeff Hoak]

Naddy,


I love DVD-A but I wanted to give SACD a listen. Since I just don't have the space in the entertainment center for another box I have a Yamaha DVD-S2300 on its way to me. When it arrives I'll be giving it a good checkout and I "HOPE" that the picture quality is close to that of the Kenwood. Close is the best I can hope for. Out of the 10+ DVD players that I've used here the Kenwood is hands down the best picture quality that I've seen at a "reasonable" price point. I did try out a couple VERY high $$$ players (Denon 9000, Pioneer AX10 and a Sony that I can't remember the number) and while the picture was a bit better overall there certainly wasn't enough improvement to justify spending an extra $2K+ (like I have it to spend). All of that was to say that the picture output on these players is just great. B.T.W. I'm watching on a well calibrated Hitachi 43UWX10B.

If the Yamaha checks out and I decided to keep it I'll be advertising the Kenwood at $600. It's in new condition, with all original box, packing, cables and paperwork including the blank warranty card. I bought it from Crutchfield in June 2002. We've watched maybe 2 movies a week (1 or 0 many weeks) and actually spent more time playing DVD-A's than DVD-V's

 

[FrankSteel]

I heard that the Sony 655P 5-disc player has a random feature. Any 655 owners out there who can verify how it works (i.e. CD track and DVD chapter random play across discs).

Thanks,
Frank

 

[SteveK-mn]

After searching for mid-priced ($300-$500) changers I am really disappointed in the shuffle capabilities in the new "universal" changers. I love the idea of a single player that can play, DVD, DVD-A, SACD, CD, CD-RW, etc.... but I can't stand the time it takes for the player to figure out what kind of disk it is about to play. I tried several players while in the store...some player took 15-20 seconds to go from one song to another. When you are waiting, this is painfully slow. When are players going to get faster at shuffling?