The Zenith DVB612 is an inexpensive single disc DVD player that offers 1080i upconversion with HDMI output. Despite its slim design, the DVB612 packs plenty of features behind the sleek silver chassis. The unit stands at less than two inches high, so not only will it make a smart addition to most home entertainment set ups, it's compact enough for use as a second DVD player in a bedroom, dorm room or kitchen.

The DVB612 is compatible with most recordable discs including DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R and DVD+RW formats. It'll play CD-R and CD-RW audio discs, including those encoded with MP3 and WMA digital audio files. Those with a library of video content downloaded from the Internet will appreciate the DivX compatibility. We did find the unit struggled to access material from discs burned from certain recorders, however, so if possible we would suggest you try your favorite home recorded discs on the DVB612 before purchasing just to ensure compatibility.

The biggest selling point of the Zenith DVB612 is the unit's ability to upconvert standard definition DVDs to 720p or 1080i resolution via HDMI when hooked up to compatible televisions, leaving the resulting images looking clean and sharp. Even when using standard 480p progressive scan output, the DVB612 delivers a high quality picture. The DVB612 offers a solid array of playback features including smooth scan and slow motion, disc resume, chapter skip and repeat play. The parental locks enable you to prevent children from viewing adult material and the search feature lets you jump between bookmarks.

The DVD player can route Dolby Digital to a compatible A/V receiver. The clock display is automatically set and updated via the data stream from your broadcast source so even after a power outage you won't have to manually reset the clock. The included remote is functional and simple to use. The Zenith DVB612 is a neatly designed single disc DVD player with 1080i upconversion that represents good value for money.

Pros: HDMI output, 1080i upconversion, slim and compact design, DivX compatible
Cons: Struggles with discs burned from certain recorders

Warranty
90 days, labor; 1 year, parts