Little Wonder, DV-525
Written: Sep 27 '00 (Updated Sep 27 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Seems well built
Cons: Remote buttons are small/hard to see/use
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| i-robot's Full Review: Pioneer DV-525 DVD Player |
I was all set to go out and buy the Toshiba progressive scan DVD player when sanity reigned me back in. Fact of the matter is a better, more feature intensive machine will be out tomorrow. With DVD-Audio discs finally gaining momentum, it made sense to wait and buy an interim machine. This is what led me to purchase the Pioneer DV-525. I am very happy with my decision.
When I went out to get it, I went to a major nationwide retailer and looked for a cheapish machine. There was a brand called Apex for $179.95 but I passed on it. (Interesting side note is that a friend who bought the Apex found that it would decode .mp3's burned onto CD as .mp3's not .wav files.) I went for the Pioneer because of previous Pioneer pieces I have bought over the last 15 years (receiver, CD player). They generally have worked as they were supposed to and provided a long service life.
Taking the DV-525 out of the box I discovered that it had component video outputs. As my Toshiba Theater Wide rear projector TV has these inputs I was pleased that I had the option. Since I did not do any research before I went out to buy, this was a nice bonus and completely unexpected at this price level. (I just ordered a Y/C cable and will report back on how much better the picture is, if at all, over the S-VHS cable I am now using.)
Other than that, everything is fairly easy to use. My 6 & 8 year old are quite able to set it up; with permission of course. In the 120 days that it has been in around, it has done everything that was expected. I use it for both CD & DVD's and as far as I care to examine, it sounds at least as good as a near $1000 Sony ES player in another part of the house. The picture is bright and clear with a great color balance. At several different times both my wife and I have commented on how phenomenal this or that scene may look.
To sum, it is fairly easy to use, seems to be better built than a kleenex box (unlike some of the others I looked at), sounds great, produces a great picture, and has component video outputs in addition to the composite & S-VHS. The only minor comment is the remote. The buttons although clearly marked are closely spaced and near identically sized making them a challenge to push correctly in low light conditions. At the price I paid however, this is a DVD player that is tough to beat. While I went out to buy an interim machine, I see no reason to replace this one until it breaks*.
i-robot
*There does not seem to be a concept of long-term ownership anymore. Temporary usage seems more like it.
If you are a Palm pilot user, read about my heartbreak here:
http://www.epinions.com/cmd-review-599C-41E7A54-39D172E4-prod1
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
i-robot
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Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 1 member
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