Pioneer 444 or 545

[welshman213]

Finally decided that my sammy 709 has seen better days, and need a new player.

Looking for a player, good for VCD CDR/RW and mp3.

But as a must, I would require RCE friendly, and Macrovision disabled, due to having to go via the Video ( "I know I still have one" )

Been thinking of the Toshiba SD-210E.

Any comments or suggestions very welcome.

Many thanks.

John :D

[john316]

I don't think you can look past the Pioneer 444 from Justin at Home Cinema Heaven. Top reviews and highly recommended by owners

[Paul.B]

I upgraded a couple of months ago from a 709 to a Tosh SD210E, the difference is surprisingly large and its not had a problem with any disks that used to trip the sammy up, in fact theres not even been a glitch with anything.
Its also pretty good with cd's too and the mp3 playback is marvelous for me personally. I don't really notice the noisy mechanism that others have remarked on, except when it is first loading up.
Do consider the pioneer too but i have no experience of that player, but by all accounts that too is a fine player.
£170 for either player is a steal and imho you wouldn't be disappointed with either of those two.

[welshman213]

Thanks for all the reply's.

Anyone know anything about this dv-444, I have not been able to find any reviews.

Does it do vcd/cdr-rw mp3 well.. and the multi region does it disable macro vision.

Any info well recieved.

Cheers :D

[john316]

Find reviews and opinions here:

First here (http://www.epinions.com/Pioneer_DV_444_619753)

Second here (http://www.home-entertainment.co.uk/grouptest_read.asp?GroupID=1499&ArticleID=1498)

[welshman213]

Ok then,

Finally decided on the pioneer, but now caught in two minds...

The 444 or the 545...

Anyone have one of these, who can comment??

Many thanks

John :nuts:

[Rizel23]

I have the DV545 and its a great machine, i have had loads of budget players and this is such a step up, it does everything you can want it to do, and does it really well.

The only difference between the two is that the DV545 has a better remote plus an extra scart, which my not seem a lot, but if yor limited to scarts on your TV this really does help. You can pass thru 'RGB' from a Digi Box ect or games sytems like PS2 or Dreamcast, plus it has 'Macro off' so you can back up your DVDs to VHS if required.

Which ever way you look at it there both cracking machines for the money, just depends what your needs are in deciding which modle. Rizel

[jflynn]

From my understanding the 545 has a few tweaks to improve CD playback over the 444.That and the extra scart.I believe the video performance should be the same.

[derekng]

Read in the NG forums a while ago that the 444 supports SVCD as well though it's not officially stated. Is it true? If it does, I presume the 545 supports svcd as well :)

[welshman213]

Thanks to all for the reply.
Think it is going to be the 545 unless I hear otherwise, seems to be a slightly better player all round..

Cheers.. and happy new year...

John :D

[Simes]

Just a point to note...in case you were not aware..

Even though macrovision is disabled (depending on the mod)none of the players mentioned will be able to record NTSC DVDs to VHS. They don't output PAL50 like the 709 can.You would only be able to back-up R2 DVDs (or other PAL ones).

Its probably not a major concern to you , but a lot of people are buying these with macro disabled thinking they will can record any region to VHS. To do so you need a player that can output PAL50 (not the more common PAL60 ) from NTSC discs.

[welshman213]

Simes, cheers for the info.
You're right I am not really after "backing up" up dvd's.
It is just because I have an oldish TV.

Thanks for all the posts, making me spend more money, and proberbly going to our Justin..." discount would be nice mate" :D

Cheers

John :D

[sirp]

i bought the 545 yesterday, going from the sammy 709..and the difference is fantastic. The audio from the 545 is superb, and mp3 playback sounded first class, rather disturbingly good!!!

the picture quallity is very good..better than that of the sammy by far.

very pleased with my upgrade indeed.

P