Sharp DVSL1200W DVD player

The Sharp DVSL1200W DVD player has progressive scanning and an attractive design, but its lack of 1080p upscaling and an HDMI output makes it unsuitable for use with large screen televisions.

The Sharp DVSL1200W's piano-black fascia and black aluminium chassis with grey trimming mean it should match most home theatre setups.

The composite and component ports are found at the rear of the Sharp DVSL1200W DVD player. Unfortunately, Sharp does not include component video cables. If you switch from component to the composite port without switching off progressive scanning, it will disable your image (and there is no reset button if you accidentally switch over). The lack of an HDMI port means that if you're watching DVDs with progressive scanning enabled, you'll need a television that has a component video port.

Progressive scanning is a display method that draws every single line in an image sequentially as opposed to interlaced scanning, which draws half the lines at a time; it makes the picture look clearer and smoother.

The next model up in this series has an HDMI port and 1080p upscaling, and it only costs $80 more. If you've got a large screen television then you'll want to purchase that one. When we hooked up the Sharp DVSL1200W DVD player to a Toshiba 40CV550A LCD television, the picture suffered from some pixilation, stuttering and artefacts.

Large screen television owners will get better DVD picture quality from dedicated upscalers like the Toshiba XD-E500-K-TY or Blu-ray players like the $249 Kogan Blu-ray Player Full HD 1080P.

If you've got a television with a low resolution, however, you will find the Sharp DVSL1200W DVD player suitable. The coaxial digital audio port is capable of handling 7.1 surround sound.

The remote control is easy to use, with well-spaced buttons that cover all the basic functions.