The DVD-CX875P employs progressive-scan technology, which displays all the scan lines of a video image in a single pass (as opposed to the odd-numbered lines first and the even-numbered lines second, as with interlaced scanning). This feature works best, however, when paired with an HDTV television. The unit is also compatible with most common music and movie formats, including CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and MP3. The listening experience is enhanced by the dual Dolby and DTS outputs, which enable spacious and realistic digital surround sound through a 5.1-channel receiver. The system also features Sony's exclusive Digital Cinema Sound modes, which provide customized audio for everything from dialogue-driven films to big-budget action spectacles to powerful musicals.

The player includes such features as SmoothScan high-speed forward and reverse, SmoothSlow slow-motion forward and reverse, and Picture Navigation, which generates onscreen menus that make it easy to access specific chapters, camera angles, and bookmarks. The system also offers a 12-bit/108 MHz video digital-to-analog converter for superior signal transfer, along with 24-bit/96 kHz linear PCM audio decoding. In addition, the system still fits conveniently int