Pioneer DV-45A DVD Player

Pros: Great features, smooth sound.
Cons: Reliability may not be the best.

The Pioneer Elite DV-45a is really quite a remarkable machine. It not only plays video DVD’s, but also SACD’s in stereo and multi-channel, as well as DVD-Audio discs, as well as regular CD’s. Now there are numerous less expensive players that do the ...

Pros: Great progressive scan picture and all in one playback of SACD and DVD-A
Cons: Requires you to re-configure your bass management before it shows its full potential

Pioneer DV45A For better or worse, there are two competing multichannel audio formats being marketed: DVD-A and SACD. For us, the consumer, that means we have to buy either 2 DVD players or a “Universal” player such as the Pioneer Elite ...

Pros: Sound quality, picture quality, easy to set up and use.
Cons: Not built like a tank.

Several years ago, I bought one of Pioneer's first DVD players (DVD-414) when I was building my home theater. While not top-of-the-line by any means this player served me well. The main problem I had with this entry-level player was sound quality. I ...

Pros: Very fast. Plays VCDS
Cons: At points when reading the disk its loud.

I like a DVD player that can play vcd's i make on my computer, that is cool looking, and a brand you ...

Pros: Versatile, slightly less expensive, good quality- a better than-utility hybrid
Cons: Marginal difference between 47Ai and 45A models, read review for details

Yep, it's official- the Hybrid market is on fire. "Hybrid" you ask? The term "Hybrid Player" is becoming an industry staple - with the ongoing war between DVD-A and SACD, there's been an ever-increasing demand for players to are compatible with both --...

Pros: The only disk this player won't play is frisbee!
Cons: Setup is lengthy, but worth it.

I recently purchased my second Pioneer Elite DV-45A. I bought one for my parents for Christmas and I liked it so much I went and bought me one soon after.

This machine could possibly do your laundry with a small upgrade that Pioneer needs to...

Pros: Has all latest features. Plays SACD's, DVDS AND DVD-Audio VERY WELL.
Cons: Yeah, I guess a $1100 Sony MIGHT sound a bit better on SACDs.

My husband gave me this player for Christmas. We were both WOWED by the sound and picture quality. You will NEVER want to go back to two-channel CD sound after you have heard 5.1 SACDs and DVD-As on this player! A great price for a great DVD player that...

Pros: Crystal clear sound Nice pictures
Cons: None I am aware of.

I am writing this review because I noticed there are not that many available on this product AND I used/use reviews a lot when purchasing products. Note - I am not a techie.

Why did I buy the product:
I was actually in a Tweeter store and I was planning to buy another product which unfortunately they didn't have in stock. So being the impetous person I am, I asked the store manager if there was another product in the same price range that he'd recommend. He said the pioneer 45a. I then came online checked out the reviews and they seemed fine, so I bought the product.

What do I love:
Plays both CDs and DVDs extremely well. I love the sound of my CDs. They sound CRISP.

The DVDs play extremely well and clearly on my SONY TV.

What do I hate:
That is a single disc CD player. I am thinking of buying a multiple disc CD player to use for music as I hate having to add and remove CDs all the time.

This player blew me away right out of the box.... silky smooth but still retaining all the detail and a magnificent soundstage. My JVC XV-D723 is strident and a bit harsh by comparison. Plays everything but HDCD's...oh well the main CD playback is something to behold and will certainly give players twice its price something to fear. Then you still have both SACD and DVD audio to contend with and both are excellent. The DVD picture quality on my 50" Mitsubishi HDTV set was better in coloremitry than the JVC. All else was about the same but is excellent. The remote is pretty good too, much better than the JVC remote, and alot easier to use than most.