Help! Faulty Pioneer BDP-320? SOLVED!

[6th.replicant]

Thanks for response Clare. And thanks Margetti for your '2001' DVD/BD, BDP-320/PS3 back-to-back comparisons.

Just to be belt-&-braces, so that all HDMIs from the BDP-320 to the TV are 1.3 spec, I upgraded the AV amp/TV's HDMI from 1.2 to 1.3 (QED New Performance HDMI-P) - no change.

Collected replacement BDP-320 from Richer Sounds on Sat. Opened the box &... it's a 'used' unit - dust on the front panel & packaging missing (the strip of card with Pioneer logo etc) & the top panel has 4 distinct footprints from where another AV unit has sat!!

Decided to give it whirl, anyway. Grrrrrr! Same problems as before: BD playback no better than PS3's; DVD 1080p playback worse. 320 has macro-blocking & 'swirls' in blacks that are not present when same DVDs are played on PS3 at 1080p.

Assume that I've mistakenly been given a 320 that's also been returned with same fault(s) as my original?

Meanwhile, RS has no further BDP-320s in stock...

 

[Anonymous]

Did you demonstrate your previous 320 to Richersounds to see what they thought could be wrong with it?

 

[Sorreltiger]

Re my original reply and Clare's more detailed suggestion, I'd ask Richer Sounds to hook it up to a Full HD TV in store to see if the picture still has the same faults.

 

[6th.replicant]

hmtb:Did you demonstrate your previous 320 to Richersounds to see what they thought could be wrong with it?
Didn't demo my previous 320 - foolishly assumed that the replacement 320 would be new/box fresh.

Sorreltiger:Re my original reply and Clare's more detailed suggestion, I'd ask Richer Sounds to hook it up to a Full HD TV in store to see if the picture still has the same faults.
Have been notified by RS that a new BDP-320 has been located at another branch & is being couriered overnight. When I collect, I'll ask 'em to hook it up to a 1080p TV in-store & give a couple of my discs a brief spin.

 

[Sorreltiger]

Good luck! You must be incredibly frustrated.

 

[6th.replicant]

Sorreltiger:You must be incredibly frustrated.
Aye, just a wee bit!

 

[6th.replicant]

Clare Newsome:... I'm wondering whether the issue is with your TV and lack of true 24fps support. With the '70-series Panasonics, we found the PS3 bizarrely well-suited to the Pana's 3:2 pulldown, whereas other - more sophisticated - players led to judder etc. (Maybe because they're delivering more picture info than the PS3?) ...

Been on holiday, hence no update 'til now.

Recently exchanged latest BDP-320 but sampled its replacement in-store with some 1080p 24fps TVs before returning home.

Re Dark Knight BD: the distortions/flaring on the pale buildings, corrugations & air vent in the opening shot's zoom etc were still present. (Also tried this BD on a £600 Denon bdp & it had the same distortions. Is Dark Knight the world's toughest demo disc?) Sampled 3 different TVs - all the same. However, all other aspects of the 320's BD playback were impressive: stunning detail in night scenes & a very noticeable 3D effect - IMHO the 320 is way superior to a PS3 overall.

Then tried the Alien DVD: solid blacks during the opening titles, rich colours & impressive detail during tracking shots through Nostromo's empty corridors.

However, when played via my Pana TH-42PX70, once again, the Dark Knight BD pic was generally 'flat' & bland with aforementioned distortions accentuated (ie no better than my PS3's BD playback) & the Alien DVD had 'swirls' & macro-blocking in blacks, with muted colours & soft edges (ie significantly worse than my PS3's 1080p DVD upscaling).

So, in short, Clare's hunch was correct: a Panasonic TH-42PX70 is not compatible with the Pioneer BDP-320 (or any other 24fps bdp?).

Great! My 18-month-old, 5-star reviewed, WHFS&V? award-winning TV is already redundant. Clucking bell!

Thanks to all who've taken time to respond to this thread.

 

[margetti]

Was wondering what the outcome was... so are you now "stuck" with the 320 (saying your tv is redundant implies so). It would be good to hear more about this from the WHF team as your findings suggest that anyone buying a blu-ray player needs to test it at home before fully commiting to a purchase... ???

 

[Clare Newsome]

If you've a set that isn't Full HD and doesn't natively support 24fps then yes, it's definitely worth trying/buying on a returnable basis.

Interestingly, the earlier BD players - and especially the PS3 - seem less demanding of non-native 24fps sets than more modern ones: but then both players and TVs have moved on considerably in those two years.

Remember, back in 2007 Blu-ray still hadn't won the format war, and there were even still players on sale - not to mention the majority of TVs - that weren't 24fps or 1080p.

 

[Anonymous]

• Just the other week I had a home demo of a Pioneer 320 and a Denon 2500 and the The Pioneer 320 blew my PS3 away in comparison, more so with sound than picture ( although that was also improved ) sound was the reason I wanted to upgrading ( Bitstreamed HD Audio )
• Out of interest the Pioneer 320 held its own against what should have been the far superior Denon so much so that I could not decide between them and after posting here for some guidance put them both back to my dealer and have decided to hold on before upgrading
• This does not help your situation other then to give IMHO my findings with a PS3 compared to a Pioneer 320 the Pioneer is better if you have a setup that complements it
• I used a Yamaha Z7 and Panasonic AE 3000 projector in my assessment
• A home demo , sale or return , is the way to go if you can , although I am uncomfortable going back with kit and not making a purchase but after your experience it makes sense
• Regards
• Andy

 

[Anonymous]

From reading what everyone has said ! You're TV is the problem , Take the 320 and test it on another Plasma with Full HD / 24fps................ Tell us what you see then ! No way is the PS3 better than the 320 ....... The first thing i noticed was how better the Blacks look with the 320 over the PS3 , Also as stated the sound is alot better aswell. Upgrade you're TV

 

[6th.replicant]

jasonsony735: You're TV is the problem , Take the 320 and test it on another Plasma with Full HD / 24fps................ Tell us what you see then !
Erm, have you actually read this thread?

6th.replicant:... Recently exchanged latest BDP-320 but sampled its replacement in-store with some 1080p 24fps TVs ... all other aspects of the 320's BD playback were impressive: stunning detail in night scenes & a very noticeable 3D effect - IMHO the 320 is way superior to a PS3...

jasonsony735: Upgrade you're TV
Upgrade YOUR grammar:

jasonsony735: You're TV is the problem ... Upgrade you're TV
'You're' is an abbreviation/contraction of 'you are' - 'you are TV is the problem'?

 

[Dave_]

I see the grammar police are in!

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

6th.replicant:jasonsony735: You're TV is the problem , Take the 320 and test it on another Plasma with Full HD / 24fps................ Tell us what you see then ! Erm, have you actually read this thread? 6th.replicant:Clare Newsome:

... I'm wondering whether the issue is with your TV and lack of true 24fps support... ... Recently exchanged latest BDP-320 but sampled its replacement in-store with some 1080p 24fps TVs before returning home ...all other aspects of the 320's BD playback were impressive: stunning detail in night scenes & a very noticeable 3D effect - IMHO the 320 is way superior to a PS3... jasonsony735: Upgrade you're TV Upgrade YOUR grammar: jasonsony735: You're TV is the problem ... Upgrade you're TV 'You're' is an abbreviation of 'you are' - 'you are TV is the problem'?

Must have been a good relaxing holiday.

 

[6th.replicant]

Ravey Gravey Davy:

Must have been a good relaxing holiday.

Actually, it was - the Loire seems to be always lovely, especially with clear blue skies & the temp in the low 30s with a light breeze. Ahh.

However...

6th.replicant:Sorreltiger:You must be incredibly frustrated.
Aye, just a wee bit!

 

[6th.replicant]

Tah-dah! My BDP-320 is now working fine, because it's now hooked-up to a 1080p/24fps TV - a Philips 47PFL7404.

Now seeing lush colours, amazing detail & a very spooky, & very splendid, 3D effect when playing BDs, although the smoothness & speed of 100Hz/24fps is odd at first, but then you realise it's actually more natural & become accustomed. Upscaled 1080p DVDs now look mighty fine, too.

In short, can now see the BDP-320's superior BD/DVD playback compared to a PS3.

Clare & co were correct: the BDP-320 needs a 1080p/24fps TV to showcase its talents.

Only one 'problem' with the Philips 47PFL7404, though, it accentuates my Freeview/Humax's poor pic quality, which is due to a lousy 75%-strength TV signal - bring on Project Canvas!

Ta to all for their advice/suggestions.

*EDIT: After watching a few more BDs, I noticed that the Philips had appalling, headache-inducing motion-blur. Also, over time it developed an annoying level of backlight bleed. After taking advice from Trading Standards/Consumer Direct, and jumping through hoops with Philips, it was returned for a full refund in May '10.

 

[ear]

24 fps judder , then get 100 hz tv...conspiracy to make us spend more?

 

[6th.replicant]

ear:24 fps judder , then get 100 hz tv...conspiracy to make us spend more?
Surely, the benefits of 24fps & 100Hz are clearly tangible?

Or are you suggesting that the introduction of 1080p, 24fps & 100Hz TVs were staggered/delayed (in order to get suckers, such as I, to upgrade their TVs twice[!!] within 2.5 years)?

 

[Cofnchtr]

Hi,

And now they're hoping to introduce 3DTV to make you update yet again...

Mwuah ha ha hah...

Cheers,

Cofnchtr.

 

[ear]

cant they make a 1080p movie with no judder?

 

[6th.replicant]

Cofnchtr:Hi,

And now they're hoping to introduce 3DTV to make you update yet again...

Mwuah ha ha hah...

Cheers,

Cofnchtr.
I think I'm now 'done' re TV & BDP upgrades, for a tidy few years, I hope, maybe... Well, at least until 3D TV/BDPs' prices come down to current levels pro-rata - so I'm not holding my breath - AND they come up with a 3D system the does NOT require gogs - they'll not turn me into a speccy!

Also, what the hell are folks who already wear specs supposed to do - wear 3D gogs AND their prescription glasses??!!

 

[Cofnchtr]

Hi,

I'm already a 'four eyes' and I don't fancy wearing another set...

What a coup if the ppl from Specsavers* could get in there and advertise on the 3D glasses though....

Cheers,

Cofnchtr.

*other well respectacled opticians are available.

 

[Andy D]

Sorry to resurrect this old chestnut, but I'm looking for a compatible Blu-Ray for my Panny PX-70 (more or less decided on the 320), but this issue has stopped me in my tracks...

Was going to go for the BDP-320 as a primary machine & consign my Panasonic DMP-BD35 as a secondary unit....

Sorry if this seems a silly question but can't you override the Video output setting to get round this problem...?

Or are manufacturers virtually insisting you can either

a) Buy a new Blu-Ray player & have relatively poor video quality on a non-1080p telly

or...

b) Buy a new 1080p telly...

 

[6th.replicant]

Andy D:
Sorry to resurrect this old chestnut, but I'm looking for a compatible Blu-Ray for my Panny PX-70 (more or less decided on the 320), but this issue has stopped me in my tracks...

Was going to go for the BDP-320 as a primary machine & consign my Panasonic DMP-BD35 as a secondary unit....

Sorry if this seems a silly question but can't you override the Video output setting to get round this problem...?

Or are manufacturers virtually insisting you can either

a) Buy a new Blu-Ray player & have relatively poor video quality on a non-1080p telly

or...

b) Buy a new 1080p telly...

Alas, it's not possible to "override the Video output setting".

Crucially, however, by now I'm pretty sure that there are better, and cheaper, BDPs than the Pioneer 320 - the Sony BDP-S370, for example?

TBH, I now really regret buying a standalone 24fps BDP, especially one that cost £300-ish

, before buying a compatible TV - I wish I'd stuck with the PS3.

If I were you, I'd get a Sony BDP-S370 and, budget permitting, look for a 'no frills' 1080p/24fps TV that has great picture quality, such as the LG PK350. FWIW, the latter is on my shortlist.

 

[Andy D]

Gawd 6th replicant, that really sucks..

On the Panny BDP35 you can switch off the 24fps with no probs on the quality.

I'm running the Blu through an Onkyo TX-SR605 amp with output on the amp set to 720p

Thanks for your help & advice re changing...

The BDP-S370 was 2nd on my shortlist because of the networking ability
(and the price)....

Andy D