Pioneer Follows Suit with Their Rendition of The Affordable Hybrid DVD/SACD Player
Written: Apr 08 '03 (Updated May 27 '03)
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Pros: Supports diverse media range, excellent value for hybrid, audio strong point, UPGRADES!
Cons: Video is weaker point, no SACD distance compensation, no Faroudja/Silicon
The Bottom Line: Upgradability can easily earn this unit 5 stars...A great unit, but read review and be critical when shopping! Let your ears and eyes guide you!
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| nick1326's Full Review: Pioneer DV-47A DVD Player |
Naturally, with the ongoing war between SACD and DVD-A, it looks like the oncoming generations of media-players will continue to see growing numbers of hybrids. Like Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, Lexicon and many others, Pioneer has introduced its own mid-lever hybrid player -- It is aimed at the higher-level consumer (yet not quite audiophile) in an attempt to capture market share in the world of Hybrid SACD/DVD A/V players. The 47Ai is the next-generation predecessor to Pioneer's pre-existing 47A - while the Ai is a notable improvement, it still leaves a few points to be desired...
Pioneer's hybrid, while not quite perfect, is a very capable unit which comes with a very reasonable price. The 47Ai comes equipt with excellent Burr Brown PCM1738 DAC (Digital Analog Converter) technology. Clearly, this is one of the highlights in the unit - the higher quality DAC equates to much better audio quality than on the prior 47A unit. The unit is also expandable in terms of new DVD software- Pioneer includes 3 years of free ungradability as new encoding and DVD software becomes implemented. Clearly, the 47Ai has alot of great attributes- however while the audio department seems to be especially well covered here, it is actually VIDEO in which the Pioneer seems to still have some trouble, but more on that later.
The 47Ai compares to a few other units, one of which I review recently - the Yamaha 2300 - see link below:
http://www.epinions.com/content_94406020740
NOTE: PLEASE SEE DENON 2900 REVIEW- hands down, the winner in this category!: http://www.epinions.com/content_100695248516
First, below are the spec's as quoted from the Pioneer:
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"Video Performance Features:
PureCinema Progressive Scan (2-3 Pulldown)
108MHz/12bit Video DAC for high-quality DVD pictures
Twin-Wave Laser Pickup for CD/Video CD/CD-R/CD-RW/DVD-R/RW (DVD Video Format) Playback
Super-Fine Focus Filter with 4:4:4 Video Up-sampling
16 Video Parameter Adjustments w/3 User Memories (Progressive Motion, PureCinema (on, off, Auto),YNR, CNR, Mosquito NR, Block NR, Sharpness High, Sharpness Mid, Detail, White level, Black Level, Gamma, Black Setup, Hue, Chroma Level, Chroma Delay)
3 Factory Video Settings (CRT/PDP/Professional)
Pioneer Exclusive Viterbi Error Correction with Accurate Digital Servo for Superior Reading Accuracy
Trick Play Processor for Smooth Scanning
Still/Step Play (Forward/Reverse, Except VCD Reverse)
Slow Motion Playback (Except VCD Reverse)
Audio Performance Features:
i.Link (Advanced Resolution Digital Audio Interface) Audio Output
Multi-channel DVD Audio Playback
Multi-channel SACD Playback (1 bit)
MP3 Playback Capability
Bass Management
Triple 192KHz/24-bit (3x2 channel) Audio DAC's for Superior Sound Quality
Legato Pro Conversion
Dolby® Digital and dts® Digital Outputs
Dolby® Digital and dts® Decoders
Convenience Features:
New Advanced GUI (Graphic User Interface) with Set-up Navigator
Jog and Joystick Remote with Glow-in-the-Dark Keypad
Resume Function (DVD, Video CD)
Repeat Mode
Program Play
Random Play
Output Terminals:
Video:
Component Video (Y, Cr, Cb) Output x 1 (Gold Plated)
S-Video (S2 Compatible) x 2 (Gold Plated)
Composite Video Output x 2 (Gold Plated)
Parallel S-Video/Composite/Component Video Outputs
Audio:
Dolby® Digital/dts®/LPCM Coaxial Output x 1
Dolby® Digital/dts®/LPCM Optical Output x 1
Analog Output x 1 (Gold Plated)
6 Channel Audio Output x 1
Digital Audio Output (i.Link) Connection (for AV Receivers)
Other:
Pioneer SR (System Remote IN/OUT)
Construction:
Triple-Layered Chassis for Chassis Stability
Removable Power Cord
Warranty:
2 Years parts and labor
3 Year Firmware Upgrades For Compatibility with Future DVD Authoring Technology
Dimensions (Inches):
Width: 16-3/4 in.
Height: 4-1/8 in.
Depth: 11-1/8 in.
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As you can see, the unit comes with an impressive array of features and is compatible with almost any media. Additionally, the unit is extra friendly in terms of hook-up compatibility: In addition to the standard outputs (6.1 RCA, Digital Optical and Coax, the unit also comes furnished with a "I-link" for easy trouble free connection to A/V receivers. Warranty wise, Pioneer has done a good job at keeping competitive - The 47Ai comes stock with a 2 year warranty AND also entitles the owner to 3 years of DVD-expansion software upgrades for free - this is a keep point, because DVD media-tweaks go further and further as technology development continues!
In the video department, there are a couple of items which will clearly prevent this unit from earning 5 stars - 1) Pioneer uses its own "PureCinema" video circuitry claiming to provide the most accurate video representation and richest picture and color attributes. However, the unit clearly would do much better with either Faroudja or Silicon Graphics technology - while video quality is very good - it isn't quite perfect, and better circuitry would make a markable improvement. 2) Along the same lines as "1", the 47Ai still shows traces of the chroma-upsampling bug - something which has been discussed, debated, publicized and by now, SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOLVED. Clearly, this one bug will hinder 47Ai sales, at least until the bug is completely solved, which hopefully will be soon. It is believed that the unit will soon have a free upgrade available from Pioneer which will solve the problem for good - this will get the unit a better rating in my book - though I would like to have believed Pioneer would have gotten this one right before introducding it to market - after all, it does REPLACE a pre-existing model...A number of other manufacturers decided to NOT rush to market just to attempt to gain forist over advantage (such as Yamaha with the 2300 and Denon with it's 2900) THOSE manufacturers will have been much happier when their units make it to market (yamaha already has) - after all, while these guys didn't achieve first mover advantage, their players are at least current enough to avoid the chroma-upsampling issue... In my opinion pioneer should have been more patient with the release of the 47Ai.
The 47Ai is equipped with excellent bass-management control - LFE is highly tweakable, making this player ideal for a wide variety of rooms and layouts. Sonically, DVD-A speaker distances are correctable as well, and multi-channel audio sounds fantastic on account of DVD-A distace comp, Burr Brown DAC technology and overall excellent job in the audio department. Sadly, Pioneer (like ALL other manufacturers, INCLUDING SONY) has not figured out distance-comp for SACD - but perhaps this will also be upgradable in the future... Nevertheless, SACD and DVD-A sounded crisp and very believable as monitored on a Sherbourne/Alon surround system - audio quality was really incredible - CD's sounded much better on this player than on alot of supposedly higher quality CD players - excellent job.
Remote wise, the Pioneer comes with a well laid out and ergonomic remote control - because of the massive array of features, you'll need to become familiar with the remote before you start blasting commands away, but this is quick and easy with Pioneer's intuitive design and common-sensical layout.
All in all, for a street price of around 800 bucks, you really can't go wrong, considering the free-upgradability of the unit and the superb sound - clearly it is the demonstration of carelessness on Pioneer's part, as well as the lack of (IMO) critical video componentry which earns this unit 3.7 stars - it will get 4.2 stars once the chroma-bug is gone. For the same price, I still believe Denon will be the silver bullet, but we'll have to wait and see when it comes out -- Obviously Denon has made the wise choice is being patient and trying to overcome all the obstacles other players are facing - like this Pioneer! As compared to the Yamaha, it is a toss-up... Audio wide, the Pioneer takes it by a narrow margin - audio just sounded more alive and crisper, however this is not to say the Yamaha sounded mushy either! However video wise, the Yamaha clearly does a better job - while the Chroma-issue on the pioneer is only slight, it must be mentioned - comparing the two, I insist you must view and listen on your own... Happy shopping!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 789.99
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nick1326
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Location: Long Island, NY
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