Introduction The
KD-1800U is a DVD player that has broken the $200.00 price barrier. The
unit lists for an extremely affordable $199.00. That's right: just
$199.00. And wait, there's more. The KD-1800U contains many of the
features found on higher priced players.
All kidding
aside, for those of you who are not familiar with Konka, the company is
a global consumer electronics company based in China and was
established in 1980. The company touts products that have been
recognized as the "National Best Selling Products" in China and has
been granted "The Most Famous Brand of China" while holding 25% of the
Chinese TV market. The United States subsidiary is Konka USA, Ltd.
Back to our regularly scheduled programming: I've seen the Konka brand
from time to time but have shied away from products on account that I
didn't believe that the performance would hold-up. Well, the KD-1800U
has turned me around. Some of the features were unexpected at this
price point.
This unit includes composite and S-video output. The audio section
contains AC-3 bitstream LPCM optical, coaxial outputs and left and
right analog outputs. Additional features include: Multi-angle,
multi-language/subtitle, multi-layer displays, (software dependant),
Multi-screen aspect ratio 16:9 and 4:3 letterbox, and 4:3pan-screen,
Pause, still/stop, Chapter/title/track time search, repeat, a
full-functional remote control and even non-stop Karaoke play. Whew, a
lot of bang for your buck. Cosmetically, both the front and back panels
are neatly layed-out. The front panel slopes forward at a slight
rounded angle, which is quite attractive. Evaluation Hooking-up
the KD-1800U is a snap. For reference I utilized my Sherwood Newcastle
R-775 receiver to drive the Energy e:XL28P mains, the Vantas DPA-P87
for Dolby Digital processing and to power the Energy e:XL-C center
channel and Mirage surrounds. I was reviewing my first DVD, Saving
Private Ryan (Paramount), within five minutes of unpacking. I sat back
and relaxed, that is until the bombs bursting red glare appeared on the
screen. The KD-1800U performed very nicely. Keeping pace with every
step of the soldiers storming the beach and every bullet that screamed
into, through and out of frame. I then tested The Matrix (Warner
Studios), pure eye candy. For subtlety, I slid L.A. Confidential
(Warner Bros.); not so much for the dramatic shoot-out scenes, but for
when officer Bud White yanks Christmas lights and decorations from the
roof of a house. I could distinguish which item was falling where; from
the crackle of electrical arcing to the pop of the last light bulb
breaking. (Dolby Digital audio is so nice).
The audio CD
application worked equally well. I listened to a variety of music; from
the XRCD of Johnny Griffin's, The Little Giant (Fantasy, Inc.) and the
gold disc remastered Joni Mitchell's, Blue (Dcc) – to James Brown's
Greatest Hits (Polygram). There wasn't a hitch in the mix.
The Downside There
were a few shortcomings. The KD-1800 seems to run a little on the warm
side and the footprint of the unit is a little large (about 30% deeper
than my Yamaha S700). Last, onscreen display blocks the DVD image while
in use. On a personal taste note, the product has a sliver brushed
aluminum finish, which really didn't match-up with many of my other
components. The other personal pet-peeve that bugs me is when
manufactures display their logo when the DVD player is in the pre-stop
or stop mode – the KD-1800U does just that. By the way, I reviewed a
Panasonic DVD/Divx player earlier this year and their logo actually
bounced around the screen like the old "Pong" video game (the review
was never published due to the extinction of Divx). Come-on guys, give
us a break. The unit is also missing component video outputs, which are
needed to take full advantage of digitally compatible TVs. However, in
January, 2,000, Konka will be offering two new DVD players to its line:
the KD-1900U and the KD-2100U. The KD-1900U will contain all of the
features of the KD-1800U plus built-in AC-3. The KD-2100U will contain
both features of the KD-1800U and KD-1900U plus component video
outputs. The price of these units is $249.00 and $299.00 respectively.
Conclusion At
this price point, I really don't see how you can go wrong with the all
of the features that are included with the KD-1800U. I would recommend
this unit to anybody who is looking to enter the DVD arena in a very
inexpensive way. In addition, the KD-1800U would be great as a
secondary player for the office, bedroom or study.
Objectively, it is more than a deal; it's a steal. Nice work Konka.
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The
KD-1800U is a DVD player that has broken the $200.00 price barrier. The
unit lists for an extremely affordable $199.00. That's right: just
$199.00. And wait, there's more. The KD-1800U contains many of the
features found on higher priced players.
