Pin Sharp Pioneer....... (Pioneer DV 626)

Member Name: crail2tail

Product:	Pioneer DV 626
Date:	06/07/00 (161 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great Pictures and Sounds, good build quality, every output and gadget you'll ever need

Disadvantages: Cluttered remote, make sure you don't lose it or you'll lose some functionality

I purchased the 626 about a month ago based upon very positive reviews in a couple of trusted independent mags, and I can't say I've been disappointed.

As with most DVD's the picture quality surpasses that of video by lightyears, and the sound quality is truly, truly impressive.

I've got mine hooked up to a 28" Sony TV (not widescreen unfortunately), with sounds via a NAD 314 out of Wharfdale Modus 3's, interconnects for audio are Cambridge Audio Pacifics and the visuals are provided through a Vivanco Scart on the RGB channel. Crank up the volume, dim the lights, and sit back for what's (almost) a cinematic experience.

Although DVD will improve your viewing by merely hooking it up to your tv (picture sharpens along with sound), I can't stress highly enough the benefits of hooking it up to at least your hi-fi, if not a home cinema system, and as with all electricals, use good quality interconnects and wiring (it really does make a difference).

OK, back to the 626. Picture quality is stunning, with great colour balance and depth, coupled with an amazing sharpness. Sound on the 626 is absolutely outstanding. Soundtracks get great seperation and awesome clarity, and here's the best bit - it's really strong as a CD player too. OK, it's not going to replace my Arcam, but if your not a hifi freak it's probably going to improve the quality of your musical delivery too.

The Pioneer has a satisfying heft to it, and appears to have really good build quality. It has a dampened 'air locked' carriage tray, which softens the gentle whirring associated with CD/DVD players. There's also a useful blue light under the tray for changing discs when the lights are down for cinema style viewing. The display is a little cluttered, and there are perhaps too many buttons on the facia, but you certainly can't fault the 626 for being ill equipped.

Sounds wise the 626 is c
ompatible with DTS, and all current Dolby delivery channels, so if you've got a Home Cinema amp you're laughing all the way to the ear doctor. It's even got dual outputs so you can run it to speakers in a different room, or even to a second amp.

The remote is a little over laden with buttons, and for those with big fingers it might prove a little irritating as you hit rewind instead of play, but it's totally necessary to have the high number of keys, as a host of the players functions are operated soley from the remote and not from the facia (make sure you don't lose that remote).

I've paid the extra money for a player that's multi-region (well worth while for those new releases), and you can activate regional selection by simbly going into the set-up sub menus.

All in all a product I can't recommend highly enough. Now all I've got to do is buy a bigger house to fit the widescreen TV and 7 speaker cinema surround sound system to do it justice.

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