Home > Consumer Reviews > H & B DVD-5415S Multi-region DVD Player

Have been looking at DVD players for a while and fancied one of the new slim design ones, but also wanted multi-region player. Was looking to get a chipped Pioneer 444, then I came across this one. It's slimmer than the Pioneer, has a good metallic case, nice two tone display (red and blue/green), is multi-region without the need to do anything and it's cheap!!
I'd never heard of H&B before-- probably won't hear of them again either, but this is worth getting without a doubt.

The H&B isn't entirely without niggles, but for me none of them is significant enough to take a star away from a machine whose playback quality, no fuss multi-region support, and stylish packaging would allow it to sit without embarrassment at a price point well over £200.

Full-width but standing no more than the depth of two video cassettes in height, the 5415S is slimmer and more attractive than the Amazon snap suggests. A SCART lead and a set of audio and video RCA (red/white/yellow) cables are supplied. Armed with those, hooking the player up to my TV (via SCART) and hi-fi system (via analog stereo RCA), followed by playing a DVD took a couple of minutes and didn't require cracking the user guide (which is probably just as well; see below).

Navigating a DVD's menus via the remote is as intuitive as you'd hope, and when the action starts picture and sound quality are both excellent; sharp, smooth, and immersing.

Just to confirm or deny a few things that were raised in other reviews:

1. The default language on my machine was correctly set to English, although the default locale was actually set to the US (for what it's worth)

2. The default sound setup is not least common denominator, which confusingly results in lost audio channels (notably centre and rear) until the player has been told via its setup menus that dedicated speakers aren't hooked up for those channels

3. A number of skip/search modes are indeed available on the remote, with the current mode indicated by an on-screen caption after a mode change (see below for one negative implication of that)

Just for the record, those minor (for me) niggles I mentioned at the start:

1. The user guide can best be described as minimalist; heavy on abbreviation and rather short on explanation, diagrams, or examples. No wizards or step-by-step setup guides here! If that sounds daunting, something more user-friendly (or just plain better-documented) than the H&B might be a better choice. On the other hand, if you're comfortable experimenting with setup menus, there's not really a problem.

2. Audio CD playback via the H&B's conventional analog stereo outs is a little dull and disappointing when compared back-to-back with a dedicated CD player. Not being a card-carrying audiophile I can live with this, but the more demanding hoping for a multifunctional unit capable of replacing their CD player may not be satisfied. The digital audio path may perform better; I don't know.

3. Modal skip/search control works well when playing DVDs because there's on-screen feedback as to the current mode. However, when using the H&B as a CD player with the TV off there's no such feedback. Trial and and error is the only guide to the mode you want. Entering the track number always works, though.

4. The multi-coloured LCD display, although attractive, is not entirely practical. While the elements displayed in blue are clearly visible up to 15 feet away, the darker red elements (e.g. current track) are only visible close up under normal room lighting.

But the bottom line is that this H&B is oustanding value for money; a versatile and high quality DVD player for surprisingly little, and a purchase that I'm more than pleased with.

Move over Sony, here comes one of the best DVD players on the market. Storage is not a problem with this DVD, it is tiny compared to others, so it only takes up a small bit of shelf area - very useful! One main reason you must buy this DVD player is that it is a multi region player. This means that you can watch DVDs from any country, like if you've gone abroad and bought a DVD. Usually, DVD players only play our region, which is extremely annoying. It also plays not only plays DVDs, but also VCD, copied Cds and MP3s, which makes it very good for the money. The multiple screen sizes are excellent for getting rid of that horrible letterbox effect, which makes the TV have more black space than actual picture. Another advantage of this DVD player is that it is compatible with surround sound speakers, which adds to the eternal viewing pleasure this DVD player provides. It also has very useful on screen programming, although not the most endearing I've seen, which clears up annoyance. It is also great for showing off to your mates. It is very cool and attractive, and will make any sane friend green with envy. The only disadvantage I find with the DVD player is that, on mine, whenever I accidentally change the channel while watching, I've lost my place on the movie and can't find the DVD channel. This is only with me though, but I bet any technical whizzes out there can sort that out,it's probably nothing. So, this DVD player has hardly any disadvantages, and for the price really is amazing. This DVD has been my great pal, as I am a big DVD collector, and I definitely think you should make it your (metaphorical) friend too, as I think it is a decision you will never regret. Happy buying!

This DVD player really is a FANTASTIC DVD player, not just a good cheap one. The Dolby digital Decoder is superb (I have mine through a Sony Amp Kit and it blows your mind)and the picture is very clear and crisp. The slimline design is very nice with only limited controls on the front of the unit and the small LCD display is almost sexy. The ping noise it makes when you open the disk drive is also a lovely touch.

THE REMOTE DOES HAVE FAST FORWARD / REWIND / SKIP ETC, just push mode and then plus / minus.

It doesn't default to French and the sound is easy to set to your own preferences (Took me 10 minutes from getting it out the box to be sat watching Star Wars: Episode One).

I am not on commision from H&B whoever they are but I do approve of this DVD player. It has everything in abundance

Please believe all the other reviews - this is a great piece of kit - excellent value for money, sleak, and plays all region discs with no problem.

BUT...

The remote control is slightly annoying - the forward and reverse commands are accessible through a short menu, but other wise no problems. This should not dissuade you from purchasing it.

AND...

I did have a few problems with set up however, and the following tips may help you. The instructions are somewhat thin on the ground, and although all you have to do is plug in the scart lead and the power and you are away, there are one or two things to bear in mind.

1. The DVD appears to default to French for the root menus and language where this is available. Whereas some DVDs played straightaway in English, I was treated to 'Les Sopranos' and 'Buffy Contre les Vampires'. You can access a 'preferences' menu and set all the default languages to English. The 'preferences' menu can however only be accessed when there is no disc in the machine. This was extremely frustating to sort out, but once you've changed it there are no further problems.

2. Sound. There are multiple options for speakers and the like, so you may find that (as I did) when you play a film for the first time, you can hear the background sound but not the dialogue itself. Assuming you do not have a fancy sound system rigged up, you can change this by accessing the 'Audio' menu and changing the first setting to 'stereo' and badda bing.

A slightly frustrating start for a great player which hopefully now you should now be able to avoid.