Which Pioneer Blu-Ray?

[admin_exported]

Hi All,

I am considering buying a pioneer Blu ray and can buy the BDP-LX71 for £ 415 ( a bargain i thought).... But have no idea if its worth buying its baby brother the 51D or even the LX52....

Has anyone seen the new 52? and is it worth the extra money (as its new, its still +£500). I can also buy the 51 for about £270

Please please please help !!!

 

[Anonymous]

I can't comment on the other players, so I can't offer a comparison. I can say that, having the 51, it is very good at both blu ray and dvd. Only drawbacks as far as i can tell are slow loading times (it took about 5 minutes to load sin city!, although not all are that bad - dvd is quick) and it's not profile 2.0 (so no bd live - no great loss in my view). But at £270 that is a real bargain, and incredibly good value. Check out the review on this site, in particular the part about getting this sort of performance for the money, which at the time of review was £450 i think, so at current prices it's a steal.

 

[Anonymous]

I think the only better thing on the LX71 (thank the 51) is the analogue outs. 51 is a great player, just slow disc opening when you turn it on and very slow loading!

 

[Anonymous]

The LX71 has a better video signal processor (297 Mhz v 148.5Mhz).... what ever that means ???

Given previous statements and that the 52 has 48bit deep colour and x.v colour (again i have no idea what any of that means), should i rule out the 51, and consider the LX71 v the LX52.... is the 52 being reveiwed shortly ? and is there a replacement due for the LX71 ?

I'm itching to buy a Bluray player and hook it up to my 5090.... i'm looking to spend about £500

 

[Anonymous]

nico1:Given previous statements and that the 52 has 48bit deep colour and x.v colour (again i have no idea what any of that means), should i rule out the 51, and consider the LX71 v the LX52.... is the 52 being reveiwed shortly ? and is there a replacement due for the LX71 ?

Despite the claims some of the Pioneer Blu-ray players I've used (including those that support 48bit) appear to have issues with chroma resolution performance based on certain test material i.e. it can't resolve some of the detail on a Blu-ray disc compared to other players. This may also be compounded by the use of HDMI deep colour with certain combinations of product.

x.v. colour support requires source material that is encoded for this standard and a display that supports x.v colour gamut to work properly. Blu-ray and DVD movies don't use this colour space and it isn't in the Blu-ray or DVD video ROM standard AFAIK. Some camcorders are able to record using this standard but may suffer issues as they still use 8 bit colour which may result in banding when combined with the wider colour gamut . The reality for most people it is of little to no benefit and is just another "feature" that HDMI 1.3 supports.

Dasp

 

[Anonymous]

Seems an obvious thing to suggest, but have you considered the Oppo BDP-83 with the multi-region mod? I'm buying one and having tested it against my 51-FD, I'd say the difference is marked, especially in upscaling of SD material and load times which are incredibly quick. It's also a universal player, playing DVD, BluRay, CD, DVD-Audio and SACD. You have to pay other manufacturers an awful lot more for the same and the quality is outstanding. Having said that, WHF won't review it until an official European version is released but the reviews elsewhere and other forum feedback suggest this is the best player out at the moment. Available from CRT Projectors who'll have stock again in about a week.

I for one will be interested to see how the new machines from Pioneer and Denon do on load times which are currently staggeringly slow.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Will Harris:

I for one will be interested to see how the new machines from Pioneer and Denon do on load times which are currently staggeringly slow.

On early testing for our upcoming Blu-ray Supertest, the load times seem to have improved massively; full profile 2.0 spec, too.

Personally, I'd wait to see how this new 2009 breed do - compared to each other and last year's models - before buying into Blu-ray at this price

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:
Will Harris:

I for one will be interested to see how the new machines from Pioneer and Denon do on load times which are currently staggeringly slow.

On early testing for our upcoming Blu-ray Supertest, the load times seem to have improved massively; full profile 2.0 spec, too.

Personally, I'd wait to see how this new 2009 breed do - compared to each other and last year's models - before buying into Blu-ray at this price

Clare when do WHF plan to publish this sort of a test / comparison?

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:
Will Harris:

I for one will be interested to see how the new machines from Pioneer and Denon do on load times which are currently staggeringly slow.

On early testing for our upcoming Blu-ray Supertest, the load times seem to have improved massively; full profile 2.0 spec, too.

Personally, I'd wait to see how this new 2009 breed do - compared to each other and last year's models - before buying into Blu-ray at this price

Clare when do WHF plan to publish this sort of a test / comparison?

 

[Clare Newsome]

We've got a Blu-ray Supertest coming up, and we've done some testing of last year's models as part of that. Latest review model line-up is looking like:

Panasonic 'BD60 and 'BD80; Pioneer BDP-320; Sony BDP-360; Samsung BD-P3600; LG BD370; Philips BDP-7300; JVC XV-BP1

That Supertest is in the September issue, which despite its name will arrive with subscribers from 24th July and be in shops by 29th July.

Oppo, Pioneer 'LX52 and new £600 Denon to follow in later tests, pre-Awards judging.

 

[hammill]

Ha!

you said Oppo. Do you definitely know you are getting one (and when)?

Thanks

 

[Clare Newsome]

We've always said we'd aim to review it when the European/UK unit arrives- we'll keep you updated.

 

[Anonymous]

But they've been quite open elsewhere that the main machine, the BDP-83 will not be released in Europe first, and probably not before Christmas, the only machine they've said they have plans to launch in the near future is the cut down, "de-caff" version. (Which unsurprisingly is one that not a single fan of Oppo I know actually wants). If you're trying to determine which machine is the best combination of performance per pound, then I really hope you test the BDP-83 which in it's multi-region guise is available in the UK, from an authorised dealer for £600. Be marvellous to see the other brands compete with it for the awards edition.

 

[Sliced Bread]

Clare Newsome:
We've got a Blu-ray Supertest coming up, and we've done some testing of last year's models as part of that. Latest review model line-up is looking like:

Panasonic 'BD60 and 'BD80; Pioneer BDP-320; Sony BDP-360; Samsung BD-P3600; LG BD370; Philips BDP-7300; JVC XV-BP1

That Supertest is in the September issue, which despite its name will arrive with subscribers from 24th July and be in shops by 29th July.

Oppo, Pioneer 'LX52 and new £600 Denon to follow in later tests, pre-Awards judging.

I'm on the lookout for a blu-ray player at the moment so I'm really looking forward to this issue

 

[hammill]

Will Harris:But they've been quite open elsewhere that the main machine, the BDP-83 will not be released in Europe first, and probably not before Christmas, the only machine they've said they have plans to launch in the near future is the cut down, "de-caff" version. (Which unsurprisingly is one that not a single fan of Oppo I know actually wants). If you're trying to determine which machine is the best combination of performance per pound, then I really hope you test the BDP-83 which in it's multi-region guise is available in the UK, from an authorised dealer for £600. Be marvellous to see the other brands compete with it for the awards edition.I agree with you 100%, btu i thnik you are flogging a dead horse

 

[Clare Newsome]

Well there's always the reader's Award - if it gets enough nominations for that (we'll be getting you all to make suggestions shortly, then opening up the shortlist for a vote) then it gets in the Awards issue, including being tested!

Otherwise we have to stick to our rules re good, try-before-you-buy availability* - whenever we've (even inadvertently) diverted from this in the past, it's been a nightmare

* CRT Projectors will let you return products, but will charge you 20 percent of the price for the privilege. If they offered a free home trial, and could give us guarantees re stock-levels, we'd reconsider!

 

[hammill]

Cunning as a weasel. I am sure that vote can be gerrymandered to my liking.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Considering we de-dupe entries, even against IP address, that may be tougher than you'd think....

 

[hammill]

Clare Newsome:Considering we de-dupe entries, even against IP address, that may be tougher than you'd think....
Actually I wasn't intending to vote more than once, but my ip address is different every time I connect via VPN so I am not sure that would stop me if I were so inclined.

 

[Clare Newsome]

We have many other ways and means, I assure you

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:
Well there's always the reader's Award - if it gets enough nominations for that (we'll be getting you all to make suggestions shortly, then opening up the shortlist for a vote) then it gets in the Awards issue, including being tested!

Otherwise we have to stick to our rules re good, try-before-you-buy availability* - whenever we've (even inadvertently) diverted from this in the past, it's been a nightmare

* CRT Projectors will let you return products, but will charge you 20 percent of the price for the privilege. If they offered a free home trial, and could give us guarantees re stock-levels, we'd reconsider!

Clare, I'll let Henry know. I have no doubt he'd be very interested. After all, if he believes in his product, and he should, then he should invest in the time and effort needed to make one available and satisfy any criteria you set. Seems wholly reasonable to me. Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:
* CRT Projectors will let you return products, but will charge you 20 percent of the price for the privilege. If they offered a free home trial, and could give us guarantees re stock-levels, we'd reconsider!

How does that fit with Distance Selling Regulations 2000 "right to cancel"?

AFAIK if the contract is canceled within the cancellation period i.e. within 7 working days beginning the day after delivery no such fee can apply for standard products.

Dasp

 

[Clare Newsome]

The right to cancel is clearly mentioned in CRT's full Terms and Conditions. Doesn't cover returning the item once used, though.

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:The right to cancel is clearly mentioned in CRT's full Terms and Conditions. Doesn't cover returning the item once used, though.

Part of the distance selling process is to enable the consumer to asses the suitability of the product. Pretty difficult to do if you can't use it. Certain items are exempt but not a Blu-ray player.

Here is CRT's T&C's relating to the distance selling regulation right to cancel. I'm not aware of a requirement of the regulation being the item must be unused (bar the exemptions) -

"7) Right to
Cancellation

7.1 If the vendor cannot
deliver the goods within 30 days you have the right to cancel the
order.

7.2 In accordance with
the Distance Selling Directive (2000) have the right to cancel an
order to up 7 working days beginning from the day after the day of
receipt of goods.

7.3 To cancel your order
you must give written notice to the vendor by missive, email, or
fax.

7.4 If you cancel after
the order has been dispatched then you will be responsible for
returning the items to the vendor at your cost. The items must be
returned to the address shown on your invoice. You must take
reasonable care to ensure the goods are not damaged in the meantime
or in transit. Proof of postage is not proof of delivery.

7.5 Once you notified
the vendor of your cancellation you will be refunded any sums that
you have been paid except where the order has been received by you,
when you will be re-credited once the goods have been returned to
the vendor.

7.6 You do not have the
right to cancel the contract if the order is for computer software
which has been unsealed by you, for customized, custom built, custom
cables, or
personalized items, or for consumable goods which, by their nature,
cannot be returned."

Dasp

 

[Clare Newsome]

That's an issue for prospective purchasers to take up with CRT.

As mentioned earlier, and many times before, we only test products that you can try before you buy - either from being able to audition in a shop or on a (full) money-back guarantee home-trial basis.