Pioneer DV-578A-S DVD Player with DVD-Audio / SACD

by Pioneer

Product Details

Product Manual [1.74mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002ERY6W
• Item model number: DV578AS
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,279 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 10, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Pioneer's luscious DV-578A-S is not merely a slim, high-performance movie and music machine--it's a highly affordable movie and music machine, considering the plenitude of formats it's equipped to play. We're talking DVD-Video, video CD, DVD-R, and video-mode DVD-RW. Then there's the specialty formats: super-high-resolution DVD-Audio and SACD (stereo and multichannel), as well as--in the opposite direction--compressed audio files (MP3 and WMA) on recordable CD. Slideshows of digital photos? Sure. Just load your JPEG digital photo CDs, Fujicolor CDs, or Kodak Picture CDs and you're off and running.

For sensationally great video, the DV-578A-S features virtually twice the video processing power of previous Pioneer models with its 12-bit/108 MHz video digital-to-analog converter (DAC), as well as Pioneer's PureCinema 2:3 Progressive Scan feature, and a range of video output types, plus 7 video adjustments for maximum versatility and performance. DVD mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; reverse 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.

Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.

The deck is even outfitted for CPRM copy protection (Content Protection for Recordable Media). CPRM permits the recording of copy-once broadcast programs, but not copying of such recordings. CPRM recordings can only be made using DVD-RW discs in VR mode and can only be played on CPRM-compatible players such as the DV-578A-S.

DVD-Audio and SACD media both offer super-high-fidelity sound. DVD-Audio discs provide high storage capacity, unique bonus materials not available on commercial CDs, and 192 kHz/24-bit multichannel and stereo sound (with audio harmonics conceivably extending all the way to 96 kHz, two full octaves beyond the highest frequencies found on standard CDs). DVD-A discs often have compressed Dolby Digital soundtracks for listening on standard DVD players, but true DVD-A decoding is required for full sonic appreciation.

Depending on the disc, Sony's proprietary SACD format provides extended-bandwidth multichannel and/or stereo sound, often presented in a dual-layer format compatible with both standard CD players (at standard resolution) and SACD-equipped players like the DV-578A-S (for full-resolution playback). Most high-res audio players offer compatibility with one or the other format, DVD-Audio or SACD. This player is happy with both.

As an anti-piracy measure, the player performs its own decoding of both DVD-Audio and SACD signals (not to mention standard Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround sound), passing high-resolution analog, not digital, audio to your integrated amplifier or surround receiver. This means you'll need an audio/video receiver with multichannel analog-audio inputs to fully appreciate multichannel DVD-A and SACD releases.

If you're not planning to use the DVD-A/SACD capability for multichannel programming, both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for simpler connection with your receiver.

Other features include picture zoom, parental controls, disc resume, repeat, random play, track programming, dialog enhancement, a GUI disc navigator, a fluorescent display with 3-level dimmer, a screen saver, auto power off, track/time search, and 10-key direct search and play.

Product Description

DV578AS DVD Video and Audio Player - This single disc player is offers a lot more than many DVD players at this price range. In addition to regular DVDs and CDs, the DV578AS also plays DVD-Audio - DVD-A - and Super Audio CD - SACD - which represent the highest level of audio on disc. 7 Video Adjustments Disc Navigator with Moving Picture Continue Play Memory (Last Memory, Up to 5 DVDs) Repeat Mode (All/Title/Chapter A+B) / Still Play (Field/Frame) Multiple audio and video disc play modes 10-Key Direct Search and Play via Remote (Chapter/Track) Title Search, Track/Time Search On Screen Display On/Off Front FL Display with dimmer control Screen Saver mode Video Adjust Menu Unit Size - 16 9/16 x 2 1/8 x 9 9/16 / Unit Weight - 4.75 lbs Pioneer USA 1-Year parts/labor limited warranty

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pioneer hits a home run for great picture, sound & value, July 29, 2004

By 

D. Goodwin "Are you not entertained?" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pioneer DV-578A-S DVD Player with DVD-Audio / SACD (Electronics)

After buying a 30-inch widescreen Philips digital display, my nearly 4-year-old Magnavox DVD player just would no longer provide the quality I needed. Thus, I began the search for a quality progressive scan player that would take full advantage of my new TV.

After buying and trying ~$100 players from Samsung and Panasonic, which I both promptly returned, I expanded my mindset. I looked at the Harmon/Kardon DVD22, which costs a hefty $200 and this great Pioneer DV-578A, which clocks in ~$50 less. I decided to take the Pioneer home and I am completely pleased.

It has a rich, clean 480p image with ample blacks and no unwanted imagery or need for excessive adjustment of my picture to compensate. The on-screen menus are more comprehensive than any other player I've plugged in, giving you lots of control and adjustability based on your system. It is SACD compatible, but I've not tried any of those yet. It has the optical and digital coax outputs, as well as built-in audio outs.

If you're like me, a mid-level A/V nut who's not ready for the ridiculous prices of Denon and the whole HiFi Buys crowd, the Pioneer is a great choice for a DVD player.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect player, April 8, 2005

By 

Sherin Emad Barsoum "70's Music fan" (Alexandria, Bulkley Egypt) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pioneer DV-578A-S DVD Player with DVD-Audio / SACD (Electronics)

I purchased the Pioneer DV578A player as an upgrading to my old Pioneer dv515. The main cause of upgrading is to play DVD audio and SACD formats. The player does it all perfectly. About the DVD video, the picture is surely more vivid and clear than my old DVD, considering that I use the S video input of my Samsung Tantus Digital 100HZ 29" TV. This TV doesn't include a component input to try the Pure Cinema Progressive scan ability of the new player.Also JPG photos play fantasticaly with it as a slide show.
About the audio, CD's sound great, also DVD audio and SACD discs perform with good fidelity. There's here one drawback. It's the subwoofer channel output which seems to be so much low on playing DVD audio and SACD discs using the 6 channel output of my digital receiver. The subwoofer itself is a Sony 100W active subwoofer producing great bass on DVD videos played on either new and old DVD player.Here's the trick to bypass this problem.
First the player must be adjusted to SMALL SPEAKERS and SUBWOOFER ON using the Initial Menu, and the subwoofer cut frequency adjusted to its maximum.
Second and the most important is that the digital receiver contains 2 different outputs: the first is the digital one, with the ability to play 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS encoded DVD videos through optical or coaxial connections, and the level output of the 6 speakers including the subwoofer must be carefully adjusted preferably using the Radio Shack analogue sound level meter. Also the analogue 6 channel output designed for DVDA and SACD playback must be SEPARETELY adjusted using the SLM (I use the Sound & Vision - Home theater tune up DVD by OVATION software)for speaker's calibration. It includes calibration tests for both 5.1 and 6 channel.
I found that the subwoofer must be adjusted to a level of 8-10db more than the main speakers on the analogue 6 channel output, while it's about the same level or only 2db more on the digital 5.1 output.
Now the problem is solved, and I can enjoy listening to the new audio formats with a reliable quality.
As a conclusion, The DV578A is a great universal player with an amazing affordable price comparing to other products of the same category. I'm very happy for owning such an amazing player.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome dvd/cd player, September 28, 2004

By 

Trevor Quinn "tq" (Sunnyvale, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pioneer DV-578A-S DVD Player with DVD-Audio / SACD (Electronics)

While I love a good video, I bought this mostly for its audio playback qualities, and for the fact that it plays almost every kind of dvd/cd media format out there. I have a hi-end audiophile system, and the sound is the best I've ever heard, and I've had maybe 5 dvd/cd players in the last few years.

For $149 or so you can't go wrong!