Radio Shack Slyvania for $139 - Blu-ray Forum

PatrickL2009 · 03-07-2009, 11:56 PM

I was in Radio Shack today and saw the Slyvania. It's a 1.1, probably manufactured by Funai, but is a lower price than Walmart's Magnavox NB530MGX (I own one) and it's most likely made with nearly identical parts. This is the lowest (store) price I've seen on a Blu-Ray Disc player besides the Magnavox NB500 during Walmart's Black Friday sale. Anyone own this Slyvania? How is it? Anyone going to test it out?

Blu-ray Fanatic · 03-08-2009, 05:02 AM

I wouldn't even think about buying it. It's probably a refurbished product, outdated, and unreliable. It'll be better to settle on better brands like Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, etc.

Blu Titan · 03-08-2009, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-ray Fanatic

I wouldn't even think about buying it. It's probably a refurbished product, outdated, and unreliable. It'll be better to settle on better brands like Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, etc.

At this point, sub $200 are becoming the norm. I am actually looking foward to the new Vizio 2.0 profile player that will retail for less than $200.

Scoob · 03-08-2009, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-ray Fanatic

I wouldn't even think about buying it. It's probably a refurbished product, outdated, and unreliable. It'll be better to settle on better brands like Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, etc.

Since when does Radio Shack sell refurbs? The Sylvania IS the Funai rebadge that is the same as the Magnavox. (which has been proven to be reliable) For someone who doesn't care about BD-live, it would be a steal of a deal. Oh and btw, the Magnavox/Sylvania contains Sony and Panasonic parts. (Panasonic Uniphier chip and a Sony optical head) To say it is unreliable isn't accurate.

smith1921 · 03-08-2009, 07:01 AM

remember the old saying you get what you pay for

Scoob · 03-08-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smith1921

remember the old saying you get what you pay for

Yep, Panasonic and Sony parts.............and for the record there has been NO flawless BD player, they have all had some problems. If someone couldn't afford a more expensive player, I would say go for it. Have you guys even read the owners thread? Sheesh. The Magnavox/Sylvania player has already been proven to be a reliable player. Now the newer off brands like Memorex, Curtis Mathes and Vizio??????? You guys might be right about those brands. We don't know enough about them yet.

gushin · 03-08-2009, 05:09 PM

My mag is going strong almost a year later. Buy the Sylvania, it is certainly worth it at $139.

Kryptron · 03-08-2009, 06:27 PM

My Friend works at Radioshack, they had a couple of these left. It is the same player as the magnavox, phillips and others. Disc load time wasn't bad and they had a display unit thats been playing for over 2 months none stop without any issues. If you don't use BD-Live its a good deal. And no they are not refurbs they were brand new in box. Radioshack also had all their Blu-Ray movies on clearence sealed, all titles $18 and under.

Jeff Kleist · 03-08-2009, 06:39 PM

Just because something has some name brand parts in it does not indicate quality

There aren't very many sources of chipsets for Blu-ray yet, and when a player is this cheap compared to the name brands, it means they're skimping on other parts to hit that price point.

Remember, HD is more about the software running through the chips than about the chips themselves. That's why Westinghouse or Vizio looks and lasts like crap, even though they may have some b-stock or overstock parts from reputable manufacturers in them. Saving on that software development is a huge savings. Funai isn't in the business of making good gear, they're in the business of making utilitarian gear that's focused on a low price point

PatrickL2009 · 03-08-2009, 06:41 PM

I bought the Magnavox at Walmart for $199 more than a month ago. It works flawlessly but when I saw this player I thought about returning my Mag and getting this for $60 cheaper because it has the same parts. I was going to spend the money on a few more Blu-Ray disc because at the moment I only have about 10. Too bad I bought my Magnavox 33 days ago, it can't be returned. All I have is the 1 year warranty from Funai. Should of shopped around some more, but I thought I was getting a pretty good deal, which I actually did. I never knew RadioShack would have a better one, they're usually overpriced.

Scoob · 03-09-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Just because something has some name brand parts in it does not indicate quality

I am quite aware of that.........I am also very aware of who Funai is and what they are trying to accomplish........however in this particular case, these players have performed very well and have been found to be quite reliable. Those other posters who came on here to slam the Sylvania player saying it is a cheap piece of junk don't understand the history and performance of this player and did ZERO research before spouting off......It was stated above that this player is "probably a refurbished product, outdated, and unreliable" which is untrue based on many first end user reports and several reviews including Consumer reports............

Fors* · 03-09-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoob

I am quite aware of that.........I am also very aware of who Funai is and what they are trying to accomplish........however in this particular case, these players have performed very well and have been found to be quite reliable. Those other posters who came on here to slam the Sylvania player saying it is a cheap piece of junk don't understand the history and performance of this player and did ZERO research before spouting off......It was stated above that this player is "probably a refurbished product, outdated, and unreliable" which is untrue based on many first end user reports and several reviews including Consumer reports............

I think sometimes think some of us put ourselves in the OP's shoes and look at whether we should buy the player as if it was ourselves in his/her position, but with our own set of values. It is very reasonable that the OP might consider buying this player based on what his/her own needs are for this player. I personally live by the old saying "you get what you pay for" and thus would not look to purchase this player.

PatrickL2009 · 03-09-2009, 09:18 PM

"You get what you pay for." You can also waste money on a more expensive player. I own the magnavox made with the same parts as the slyvania and a sony BD player and the picture/audio on both is the SAME. The magnavox has never even tripped up on a disc, and never needed a firmware update, unlike my sony. Mag has played every disc. Sure it's a 1.1 and it doesn't have an ethernet port. But what does it matter? Anybody who has tried it out knows BD-Live is the biggest piece of Sh*t on the planet. Just a way for companies to collect your viewing information. You've obviously never seen the Magnavox, Phillips, Slyvania, Insignia, etc. players in action. They are a great value. Ask someone who has them. Search the owners thread.

Wreck · 03-09-2009, 09:22 PM

@ that price I wouldnt mind buying it for a 2nd player and to take some stress off my ps3, if it lasted 2 years I'd be happy with the purchase if it took a crap after that.

PatrickL2009 · 03-13-2009, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wreck

@ that price I wouldnt mind buying it for a 2nd player and to take some stress off my ps3, if it lasted 2 years I'd be happy with the purchase if it took a crap after that.

I'm sure it will last 2 years, they really aren't bad players. The slyvania is a pretty big steal for $139.

03-07-2009, 11:56 PM	#1
PatrickL2009 Member Member since:Feb 2009 Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:14 Blu-ray reviews:3	Radio Shack Slyvania for $139 I was in Radio Shack today and saw the Slyvania. It's a 1.1, probably manufactured by Funai, but is a lower price than Walmart's Magnavox NB530MGX (I own one) and it's most likely made with nearly identical parts. This is the lowest (store) price I've seen on a Blu-Ray Disc player besides the Magnavox NB500 during Walmart's Black Friday sale. Anyone own this Slyvania? How is it? Anyone going to test it out?

03-09-2009, 09:18 PM	#13
PatrickL2009 Member Member since:Feb 2009 Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:14 Blu-ray reviews:3	"You get what you pay for." You can also waste money on a more expensive player. I own the magnavox made with the same parts as the slyvania and a sony BD player and the picture/audio on both is the SAME. The magnavox has never even tripped up on a disc, and never needed a firmware update, unlike my sony. Mag has played every disc. Sure it's a 1.1 and it doesn't have an ethernet port. But what does it matter? Anybody who has tried it out knows BD-Live is the biggest piece of Sht on the planet. Just a way for companies to collect your viewing information. You've obviously never seen the Magnavox, Phillips, Slyvania, Insignia, etc. players in action. They are a great value. Ask someone who has them. Search the owners thread. Last edited by PatrickL2009; 03-09-2009 at 09:20 PM.*

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03-08-2009, 05:02 AM	#2
Blu-ray Fanatic Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Location:San Antonio Blu-ray reviews:1	I wouldn't even think about buying it. It's probably a refurbished product, outdated, and unreliable. It'll be better to settle on better brands like Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, etc.

03-08-2009, 07:01 AM	#5
smith1921 Active Member Member since:Feb 2009 Location:madison, wi Blu-ray collection:84 DVD collection:103	remember the old saying you get what you pay for

03-08-2009, 05:09 PM	#7
gushin Active Member Member since:May 2008 Trading Score:5	My mag is going strong almost a year later. Buy the Sylvania, it is certainly worth it at $139.

03-08-2009, 06:27 PM	#8
Kryptron Expert Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Tampa Bay, FL Home Theater Gallery:21 4K collection:83 Blu-ray collection:450 Trading Score:4	My Friend works at Radioshack, they had a couple of these left. It is the same player as the magnavox, phillips and others. Disc load time wasn't bad and they had a display unit thats been playing for over 2 months none stop without any issues. If you don't use BD-Live its a good deal. And no they are not refurbs they were brand new in box. Radioshack also had all their Blu-Ray movies on clearence sealed, all titles $18 and under.

03-08-2009, 06:39 PM	#9
Jeff Kleist The Digital Bits Member since:Jul 2008 Trading Score:1	Just because something has some name brand parts in it does not indicate quality There aren't very many sources of chipsets for Blu-ray yet, and when a player is this cheap compared to the name brands, it means they're skimping on other parts to hit that price point. Remember, HD is more about the software running through the chips than about the chips themselves. That's why Westinghouse or Vizio looks and lasts like crap, even though they may have some b-stock or overstock parts from reputable manufacturers in them. Saving on that software development is a huge savings. Funai isn't in the business of making good gear, they're in the business of making utilitarian gear that's focused on a low price point

03-08-2009, 06:41 PM	#10
PatrickL2009 Member Member since:Feb 2009 Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:14 Blu-ray reviews:3	I bought the Magnavox at Walmart for $199 more than a month ago. It works flawlessly but when I saw this player I thought about returning my Mag and getting this for $60 cheaper because it has the same parts. I was going to spend the money on a few more Blu-Ray disc because at the moment I only have about 10. Too bad I bought my Magnavox 33 days ago, it can't be returned. All I have is the 1 year warranty from Funai. Should of shopped around some more, but I thought I was getting a pretty good deal, which I actually did. I never knew RadioShack would have a better one, they're usually overpriced.

03-09-2009, 09:22 PM	#14
Wreck Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2008 Location:H-town To Indy PSNetwork: HERETOWRECK Trophy Level: (12) Blu-ray collection:249 Blu-ray reviews:7 Trading Score:58	@ that price I wouldnt mind buying it for a 2nd player and to take some stress off my ps3, if it lasted 2 years I'd be happy with the purchase if it took a crap after that.

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