Pioneer DV747A DVD Player

[Jodrell]

Need some information about this new model from Pioneer. :)

Does it offer the ability to record to DVD and is the progressive scan output for NTSC titles only?

How does it compare to the Sony DVP-S9000ES and does it only come in that ugly gold colour?

Ta.

[GarethH]

- It won't be able to record DVD
- It comes in Silver
- I'm unsure about it working on PAL Progressive
- For more info goto www.avland.co.uk

:D

[Jodrell]

Originally posted by GarethH

- It comes in Silver


:D

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[Jodrell]

Come on peeps. Anyone else got any thoughts on this new player? :)

[splobber]

Well I'm buying one just as soon as Justin gives it his seal of approval. :)

[Jodrell]

Originally posted by splobber
Well I'm buying one just as soon as Justin gives it his seal of approval. :)

Why have you gone for this particular model Splob and not a new Sony? :D

Do you know if it supports a progressive scan output for PAL DVDs?

What colour you getting?

[splobber]

The specs say it all. :)

I have been wanting a quality combined DVD and audio CD player and this fits the bill nicely and it looks rather sexy too. It's only available in silver (thank god) - I find gold tacky tbh. :)

No idea about the progressive scan output though - not really a consideration at the mo.

[Justin]

Originally posted by splobber
Well I'm buying one just as soon as Justin gives it his seal of approval. :)


Well, here I am after a few days of silence! My thoughts....

As most forum members know, I don`t actually have a pioneer dvd player, nor would I normally consider owning one (despite their machines being very good, especially the cheaper models).

For the past 3 years i`ve used daily a 1998 Sony DVPS7700 which has been consistant, and I`ve used as a benchmark on my home system for new machines as they come out when I bring them home to work on and test. having said that, for the last year i`ve used a Sony DVPS9000ES and the 7700s been a backup model.

To compare it I tested it against Pioneers current flagship, the DV939A, Toshibas SD900e, and my sony 9000. Most of you will have seen pictures of it, as we`ve had it on the site since october! Basically its the same dimentions as the pioneer DV646A, indeed you could call it a 646a, but in silver finish! However, when you come to lift it, you know its not a 646 in a silver box, its over twice the weight of the 646!

Connections wise, its fine, including both the DVD-A/SACD outputs, coaxial and optical digital outs, plus twin RGB enabled scarts.

Performance wise, its very much on par with the toshiba for picture quality (which is regarded as the best machine at this price point for picture), but the sound, it blows away the tosh! Its every bit as good for audio as the DV939A and sony. Testing sacd - and, although the pioneer didn`t quite have the depth of scale of my 9000 for audio, it still did a fine job, considering its almost half the retail price of the sony, and is currently the only choice for DVD-Audio and SACD in one box!

However, negative points. Its a pioneer! Which means a noisy-ish drive! Sorry, but I`ve never been a fan of pioneer stuff (other then laserdisc) , but the last 3 years has seen Pioneer product some of the best mid range players out there, and i`m now forced to consider owning one! Pioneer will have a job getting this one back, think I`ll take my time with the mod:)

I`ll post some pictures over the next few days, but please bear in mind that the machine I have here is a pre-production sample (the only one in the UK in fact currently!) so there may be some slight variations once they are brought into the uk in 3 weeks time. Price is supposed to be £899, but as those keeneyed amongst you will have noticed, its up for £799 M/R as soon as the mod is finished:)

Seems pricey, but look at what you get - not only a fine DVD player which is as good as the current DV545, but SACD, DVD-Audio and half decent audio cd replay in one box. Sure, you could go and buy a Sony NS700 for SACD, and a Pioneer Dv646A for DVD Audio, saving about £100, but I`d say spend the extra £100:) Getting ready for some demos of this beauty - anyone want to buy a sony 9000ES? :)

Hope the above info helps:)

[splobber]

Justin - that is great! :) Thanks for the comprehensive reply. :)

[Spero D]

Justin- Thanks for your impressions of the Pioneer. Does it have the Chroma bug that the Sony 9000ES and Toshiba SD900E has? Also there is a hack available that will allow PAL progressive on the DV-S747A. Is this enabled on your player and did you try it?

Thanks,
Spero D.

[Justin]

Originally posted by Spero D
Justin- Thanks for your impressions of the Pioneer. Does it have the Chroma bug that the Sony 9000ES and Toshiba SD900E has? Also there is a hack available that will allow PAL progressive on the DV-S747A. Is this enabled on your player and did you try it?

Thanks,
Spero D.

I`m not aware of any bug on current 9000es or sd900s, nor is there currently a player that offers progressive scan for pal, its an american format that onyl works in NTSC. Denon were rumored to be releaseing a plyer that supports it, but it never appeared.

[Jodrell]

Thanx Justin. :)

Out of the Sony 9000ES, Toshiba SD900E and Pioneer DV-S747A which would you go for and why? :p

[GarethH]

Justin -

1) Whats the Layer change like on the Pioneer 747A?

2) How much forum discount will you give me??? :D

[Spero D]

I`m not aware of any bug on current 9000es or sd900s, nor is there currently a player that offers progressive scan for pal, its an american format that onyl works in NTSC. Denon were rumored to be releaseing a plyer that supports it, but it never appeared.

Here is where you can find the information on the Sony Chroma bug-

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_4/dvd-benchmark-progressive-shootout-12-2000.html

and here-

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_8_2/dvd-benchmark-special-report-chroma-bug-4-2001.html

As for PAL progressive the Denon DV-2800 DVD Player does support it with a firmware upgrade from here-

www.geocities.com/denondvd

There are other players that can do PAL progressive also here-

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=91992

As for the Pioneer DV-747A hack to allow PAL progressive it was mentioned in a thread here-

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16822

Spero D.

[olufsen]

I'm going to buy this unit, but it means that I will have to upgrade other components too, mainly amplifier/receiver.

I think it will have to support high bandwidth (100kHz) 5.1ch input, but I'm not sure about other specs. Does it have to be compatible with 24-bit resolution and 192kHz sampling ?

Please advice what to buy.

Thanks

:rolleyes: