A budget Sony DVD player costing less than $2,000 has the same picture and sound quality as a top model of the same make costing almost $10,000, a Consumer Council survey found.
Twelve models from six manufacturers were tested, with prices ranging between $9,990 for the top-of-the-line Sony model to $1,780 for another Sony.
The survey, published in Choice magazine, said consumers could be assured of excellent quality even with cheap DVD players, although those that cost more offered greater versatility and convenience. 'A test revealed all samples produced superb picture and sound quality,' the magazine said.
Price seemed to depend on where the models were made. The most expensive Sony, the DVP-9000ES, and four other models - costing upwards of $3,480 - were made in Japan, while cheaper models, such as the Sharp DVD-770W, priced at $1,880, and the Sony DVP-K350, at $2,380, were manufactured in Malaysia.
The $1,880 Sharp model also received the same score for picture and sound quality as the $9,990 Sony.
