All I gotta say is wow. This unit is so small in size, yet huge in performance. It is suggested that the unit plays every format available today, from CD Video, to MP3, to DVD video to SACD and DVD-A. In a word, awesome. While I found the initial set-up rather difficult, and all the onscreen set-up prompts daunting (and let's face it, I didn't read the instructions ), once it is all set up it was a breeze to use. Almost every form of output from audio to video is available, so it is a good assumption that it will link up with your current equipment. There are so many user controlled functions that I still find playing with the settings a bit difficult, but being the tweaker I am, I continue to try new things. The main menu offers 6 differant setting lists, with sub section after subsection for audio, visual, initial settings, set-up navigation, disc navigation. I'll bet there are easily 75 menu selections to fine tune the unit to your needs. The unit allows speaker correction from crossover, to position, to boost levels, etc. Also, it has preset values so you may turn off user selected functions if you choose. It allows almost as much controll as many mid level recievers do. This function is key for SACD and DVD-A playback, as most recievers have a direct passthrough, and bypass processing in these modes. With audio, the unit senses the disc in the tray, and adjusts acordingly. If a music CD is entered, it selects stereo mode, if SACD or DVD-A is inserted, it switches to multi channel out, or digital out if a DTS encoded SACD is inserted. DVD's self select to the format you choose as a default, or whatever you select via the main menu. The unit also allows for 3 user preset video functions, allowing for contrast, tint, color saturation, sharpness and fine level adjustment. This is cool for those who don't have a "daylight" function on their TVs. Set 1 for daylight, the other for evening. While I don't need it, my wife prefers an unnatural contrast in her film viewing, and setting 1 for her preferance (with boosted contrast and sharpness) made her like the unit even more. Visual and audio playback are superb. Video is startleingly rich, lively, and vibrant, almost 3 dimensional. Audio is considerably more smooth and accurate then the unit it replaces. Simply replacing this unit provided an incredible gain in my HT enjoyment... moreso than any other change outside of the new mains acording to my wife. I found the warmth and functionality of the Elite reciever to be the best upgrade personally, but I care more about how it sounds than she does . The bottom line is, this unit will reside in my theater for a long time. With the suggestion of a new line of players soon to be released by Pioneer, I suggest keeping an eye out for this player to be going cheap soon. If you find it for $400 you would be a fool to pass up the opportunity to own one. Great unit, and well worth the $700 retail IMHO. :detective: For the negatives... I did find that having to set the DVD's visual functions was a pain since my TV is already set up to a standard signal, and setting it to THX standards is long tedious work. Also, I wish there were more analog audio outputs. I would like 2 pair, 1 for TV and 1 for CD. It does take multi channel out and drop it to stereo mode to eliminate the need for the dual outs, but I find I like to tweek a standard disc a bit. Analog audio out is selectable through the menu's as 2 or 5.1. this makes for a pain when wanting to listen to MC audio, and switching to the TV feed (you have to enter the menu and select between 2Ch and 5.1Ch analog out). I also would like a bigger screen on the player. The small yellow #s are tough to read from a distance. These are small prices to pay for ush a fine unit though
It sounds like a bargain, particularly at what you got it for. Could you simply split the analog audio outputs via Y-adapters to each target - TV and receiver? This sounds like an ideal unit for my upstairs family room that we're adding to the house... I really like the idea of the simplicity of a single disk player for all. B)
Actually, I have chosen to feed my CD in with the digital coaxial cable (my reciever has assignable inputs), and my DVD output through the optical (I just feel the optical is more detailed and inviting than the digital coax, and my primary use is HT). I tried to split them (bought nice damn splitters too) but they returned feedback whenever the TV was not on. As soon as the TV was turned on, it went back to pristene replay. I have no idea why, but it sounded terrible. Running them direct eliminated the noise, and running them through the splitters with the TV disconnected also eliminated the noise. However, when the TV was hooked up, it went blah :ranting: . It really is incredible, and I highly suggest it Chris.
