Coby DVD-237 DVD Player

I bought this player the other day, because my other one quit on me, (check out my review of the Magnavox MRD500VR to see the whole humorous story there!) and I hate the thought of permanently resorting back to VHS tapes. So, being impatient as I sometimes can be, I went to the local 'discount' (yeah right) store, "Pamida", in search of a cheap temporary replacement dvd player, instead of just ordering one from Amazon and saving $10. Well, the only one they happened to have on this particular visit was this one, the Coby 237. I was actually hoping to see the Apex model they had before, it was like $5 cheaper, but oh well, everyone else beat me to it I guess...

As of today, there was one other review written on this dvd player, and I agree somewhat with it. I do not feel this player is worth throwing away, however. It will still play a dvd should you need a backup, maybe just stick it in a closet for a spare, or give it to some kid who don't have one, don't waste it!

Anyway, the biggest thing I can't stand with it is the remote. It is about the size of a SMALL pocket calculator, with buttons you'd expect to see on a pocket calculator. And only about 600 different small buttons too! At least this one has buttons on the unit itself should you want to bypass the remote. (Stupid Magnavox MRD500VR!) The problem is that this remote reminds me of a 3 year old. It's as if you have to sit it down, hold it's face and make eye contact and tell it s l o w l y what you want it to do, then make it repeat it back to you. You know what I mean? You have to point the remote directly, and I mean directly at the unit. I don't seem to have too good of luck with remotes now do I? It has no fast-forward or rewind button like the other Coby 237 review mentions, but you have to hold down the Chapter Skip buttons for that. And if you don't aim the remote DIRECTLY at the player, it might only get a little blip of the signal, and instead of rewinding, it'll go back a chapter. UGGHHH! And they've positioned the buttons you use most -like the skip/ffd, play/pause buttons, at the BACK of the remote, so you can't hardly use the remote with one hand -if you can picture the physics of the whole thing...

I put the first ever disc in it yesterday, and by the time I had the RF modulator (that I had to buy for another $17 because my TV didn't have all of the necessary hookups) plugged in, the "COBY" welcome screen was telling me 'wrong disc'. What do yo mean wrong disc? What would the right disc be Mr. Coby? Perhaps it didn't like the Pooh's Heffalump Movie I put in for the kids...I don't know.

I had to eject and re-insert the disc 3 times, then finally it got the idea that I was boss and started to do its job. I've heard this can happen sometimes with cheaper players trying to read a dual-layer disc. Don't even try one of the new double-sided discs!

It played it rather nicely, and never skipped or stuttered at all. It seems to have the same speed when selecting different options as any other player I've used. So I can't complain any more about its actual performance, other than the remote's signal. Just a little slow with the first use I guess.

This player holds quite an array of other features though, ones you'd expect from the higher-end models like Sony or Panasonic:
-Adjustable 110-220 power input
-Compatible with NTSC/PAL
-Parental lock
-Nice, easy to understand on-screen display
-Audio: Dolby Digital, Analog out, or Coaxial Digital out
-Video: Component Video out (progressive scan), Composite Video out, S-Video out.
-Subtitles, viewing angle, zoom
-Also plays CD, CD-R/RW, MP3

These features of course seem to be pretty standard on all dvd players. Well, Coby's got 'em to!. It also has a different look than typical players, silver shell, with full black face. I kind if like it. It will match whichever electronics color scheme you have, black or silver TV. And it's rather slim, only 2" high x 11" wide, so it hides on the shelf rather quietly.

I haven't had any troubles with the tray/door motor only pushing the tray out halfway, but it hasn't been through rigorous testing yet. I will update this review should that ever become an issue. Perhaps this condition has been corrected by Coby, the player I own is slightly different than the one pictured above. It's orientation (feature layout)is slightly different on my model...

It plays cds and MP3's as well. The manual claims that you could have trouble playing certain MP3 discs, depending on what program you made the disc with. It recommends using Easy CD Creator 5.0 (Roxio). I only ever use Windows Media, so I could be in for some trouble there. So, unless you never intend to use your DVD player for cd's, keep that in mind.

Now, would I recommend this unit? Yes if you want a quick, temporary player until you can buy a nicer more reputable system, or maybe put it in the kid's room. Yes, for around $30 or less, this unit will work. But there are a host of other options for you in that price range, none of which I have even read reviews on, let alone personally used. So, perhaps there's a better $30 player out there. Chances are in favor of the latter being the case.

All in all, I give this a 6 out of 10 because like I said, it does play dvds. That's what you buy it for, right? If you want the world, then spend more than $30.