The physical appearance of the DVD-P401 is very, very sleek. It's a nice gray with matching remote to boot. The player features the standard component output (something to consider if you want optimum picture quality), s-video, digital audio out (both in optical and coaxial) and your standard audio/video RCA jacks. Even the biggest AV squad aficionado should be satisfied here.

The front bezel and user interface on the unit is very simple. Only the most basic of buttons are visible (play, forward/back, stop, eject and power). A very nice look indeed when considering the virtual button-ladden consoles of many other DVD player on store shelves.

One thing I would like manufacturers to start doing (whether it's a TV, VCR or DVD player) is to implement the "setup" button as part of the standard button set on the front bezel of the electronic device. I've had an older TV where you cannot add and remove channels without the remote. Needless to say, the remote is damaged and I cannot access this function anymore. Something to think about if you plans to keep your players for a long time as many of the features on the P401 are accessible solely by the remote.

Hidden doors are great at providing you all the features available through the remote on the face of the unit should you every be sans' remote.

GUI Setup Screens:

I have one thing to complain about concerning the OSD menus. The screen shows a return button, but the remote doesn't have the same iconography. Where is the "return" button? Where is the "return" button! It is incredibly frustrating since the buttons on the remote don't coincide with the picture on the screen.

On screen, it is depicted as a circular icon leading me to believe I should be looking for a similar looking button on the remote. However, hidden within the nest of similar looking buttons was the "return" button except that it didn't look like what I saw depicted on the screen at all. Instead of an icon, it is just a generic looking button entitle "return". It was only after the third time, when playing with the on screen menus, did I remember to stop searching for this fabled "return" button and remember where it was. AArgh!

All else considered the remote for the P401 is very smooth flowing when it comes to the general layout of buttons. The most used buttons like play, stop and especially the 4-directional cursor and enter buttons are all centrally located so that it was relatively intuitive.

Conclusions:

Basically, if you are in the market for a new DVD player, and you have an older TV that you plan to eventually upgrade, you should get a progressive scan DVD.

You can be the judge of whether or not this player is a worthy choice. I think the sporadic pixelization problem is something of minor concern. It's pretty obvious to me when I compare the P401 with my Toshiba SD-2150 that it's a problem with the unit,and not the particular DVD.

To learn more about progressive scan, check out the progressive scan article at Secrets of Home Theatre and High Fidelity.