Customer Reviews

Pioneer DV-434 DVD Player

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I purchased this player after having seen the picture from a similar Toshiba unit, switching progressive scan output on and off to compare the difference. The progressive scan output (only available when using the component video outputs) provides a much more filmlike picture; smoother and virtually free of horizontal scan lines. The setup, when using Expert mode, allows you to tailor the display and features to your liking. There is also a "standard" setup for novice users. I compared the picture with this Pioneer to my Panasonic A-310 and I must say the Pioneer unit, even when not using progressive scan out, provided a cleared picture with better overall quality, especially when displaying dimly lit scenes. A fantactic bargain at the Amazon price (I paid $349 on sale!).

For less than $300 with the DV-434 Pioneer packs a lot of features that I couldn't find in any other brand name DVD player in this price range. It has coaxial and optical digital outputs and component video outputs. Also, it plays CD-R and CD-RW, so you can play your own home made music CD, even your home made movies, considerring that it plays VCD and SVCD formats. Another nice feature is the progressive scan, which may allow you to take advantage of your (future) HDTV, even if it is limited to the 16:9 format. Adding to this that it is a very reliable player, no skips, no freezes, I consider that this is DVD player is a very good value for the money.

I bought this DVD player to replace a panasonic DVD player that was about a year old. My old one could not decompress full screen video when it was taxed. Scenes like water where the entire screen is changing was just to much so it would look like satelite TV when it is raining really, really hard.

I also considered some other cheaper players but found this one with progressive scan to be an amazing value. Progressive scan basically means the video is sampled twice as fast. I beleive to take adavatage of this you have to have and RGB input on your TV which my $1500 Sony 61 inch cheapo big screen did.

The picture is MUCH better that with my old DVD player.

Progressive Scan is worth the extra money is the bottom line if your TV can handle it.

You cannot go wrong with this DVD player. First, you will not find progressive scan on any player in this price range! That means that you do not have to upgrade your DVD player when you purchase a new generation television set to get the superior quality that progressive scan offers! In addition, the user interface is simple.. and it is fast! I have played about 100 dvd's and the player has not skipped yet! Buy this player and use the money you save to buy The Sopranos DVD set!

I was very hesitant to buy this player because I had read that the progressive scan in this model is not "true" progressive scan, instead it's line doubling. But for the price I figured I could use it in the bedroom if I had to buy a "real" progressive scan in the future.

When I got it home and hooked it up to my Toshiba 43HX70 I was extremely impressed with the picture quality, it looked like HDTV to me. It looks great, the picture is so crisp and clean! I wouldn't spend the money for a "real" progressive scan (Harman Kardon DV5, Toshiba SD-6200 were the ones I was considering) at this point, I don't think most humans could tell the difference.

I've only watched 5 movies on it though, but I am extremely happy I didn't spend the extra money.

We purchased this DVD player so that we can use the progressive scan for our Mitsubishi Diamond Series 65" HDTV ready projection TV. For the price you pay, this DVD player is one excellent buy! We compared the player to other DVD player including the Toshiba SD 5109 and the JVC 723GD ... Compared to the Toshiba models, the Pioneer was a bit more blurry but that's only after we switched the input image back to back on our TV which means unless you look for it, you probably won't notice the difference. Furthermore, you have to decide whether the difference (very minor in my opinion) is really worth the big $$$ difference. In comparison to the JVC model, the Pioneer beats it hands down. In fact, we were extremely disappointed with the JVC since our stereo is JVC and with the special JVC link, it would have simplified our remote control. But the picture result from the JVC turns out to be even worse than the Pioneer which we have previously considered the most basic entry level DVD player with progressive scan (although strictly speaking, we were told that the Pioneer version is a line doubler not a real 3-2 pulldown progressive scan technology). But however you classified it, the images don't lie and we were very happy to save quite a tidy sum of money by going with the Pioneer than spending more on either the Toshiba or the JVC. The Toshiba, money aside, remains our favorite, but depending on your priority, it might be worth it to save the money and get a HDTV setup box so that you can get HDTV reception.

This player is loaded with extra features. If you already own a large selection of A/V components you'll be able to configure them all. For the less techincal minded (such as I) setup can be handled automatically by the system.

Everyone will benefit from the increased picture quality.

WOW! This player is a real bargin! For a few bucks more than other entry level players and a lot less than other progressive scan players, this Pioneer can really preform. It loads quickly, plays without drops, skips, or jerks, has great sound (esp. if you're using DTS or DD 5.1), and has excellent picture quality. Furthermore, with its myriad of output choices, you can really take advantage of any television. Finally, it can play VCD's without a hitch, something many others flat out refuse to do. The only downside is the remote, which, while easy to use, doesn't glow or light up, rendering it impossible to use in the home theater setting. Overall, it'd give it a 4.5 if possible. You won't find better quality or features at this price.

I have been looking at DVD players that could work best with my new 46in Mitsubishi HDTV. Each and evey sales person I talk to said that I would need a $400 - $700 progressive scan player to get the picture quality that I needed to support my TV. While at a local Costco store looking or other items I ran across the DV434 for $180.00. Even though it's progressive scan is not the same technology as the higher priced units IT LOOK GREAT! It has worked perfectly so far and I would recomend it to anyone who wants a great DVD unit but is on a budget.

I originally bought this player because of the value. It had a great variety of audio options and progressive scan at an unbeatable price. Indeed, it worked flawlessly for six months and played DVD, CD, SVCD, VCD discs well. The setup is comprehensive and simple. It's a bit of a lightweight, but for the price I was willing to accept a unit without "heft". The unit died without warning last week....hanging up during scene changes. I am in the process of seeing if it's worth it to repair the unit. My next purchase will be a player with better quality and a longer warranty.