I've used Escient products for a number of years and have been pretty happy with them as stand alone units, but I've always been disgusted with them in the 'high-end' installs w/Crestron that I've had to deal with them in.
But, for a stand-alone product I've always considered them to be one of the best products out there.
Pricey? Compared to what? I mean, this isn't a PC, it doesn't crash, or require constant supervision to make it work. It is like a nice CD player, or a good DVD player - it is a nice component and part of your A/V system. Techies hung up on how cool their HTPC is and don't have a person yelling at them because nobody else in the house can watch a DVD, may find the unit overpriced.
But, those who have an extensive DVD collection, kids with sticky fingers and think DVDs should be primarily used to play frisbee with will really like that the unit just works. Simple, the family can use it, the kids can use it, and they WILL use it!
But really... how long must we wait for a stand alone 400 disc DVD player that is Internet ready? It is perhaps my #1 pet peeve that we have come this far, but my DVD changer can't ID all my discs.
