Pioneer BDP-LX71 Blu-ray Player Review

Danny,

You said "it can decode DTS HD MA and DTS HD into hi-res PCM when using the HDMI output". I don't believe this is true, it can bitstream DTS-HD MA, but it cannot internally decode it and send it out as PCM. It will not have that ability until the DTS HD firmware update is released.

John,

There are many who do not wish to have a 2.0 profile player (myself included). I don't want my viewing habits recorded for the purpose of recieving targeted advertising and spam. If I want to download extra content, I'll do it on my computer. When I want to watch a blu-ray movie, I want to watch the movie...not download a bunch of crap.

According to the manual (Page 50) (I haven't got the player, but downloaded the excellent manual nonetheless), DTS-HD Master Audio and High Res are output as PCM through the analogue audio connections.

As PCM is an excellent codec, then I think you should not have been so harsh, especially as there will be a firmware update to give full DTS HD functionality!

I really can't see what people are getting hot and bothered about the lack of Profile 2 functionality. Sure, it might be a nice feature to have, in the future, but give me all the extras on the disc(s) anyday!

The other issue about Profile 2 is that one day, the studios will charge for the extra downloaded content and functionality. They're not stupid. We should all be wary of this potential direction! Profile 2 won't appear to be such a good idea then, will it?

All the great extras we now take for granted, could start to migrate to Profile 2 / internet only status!

I know some HD DVD owners waxed lyrical about it's internet accessability from day one, but really how much time did people really spend using this feature? They cited this as being HD DVDs trump card and it's reason for being better than Blu-ray! How misguided was that, given HD DVDs quite obvious technical limitations!

I make it that there are about 23 current Blu-ray players out there, eight of which have full Profile 2 functionality. Both Sony and Panasonic players conform to this. Also, each manufacturer has one machine that decodes and outputs DTS-HD as PCM via analogue outputs for those of us with slightly older AV amplifiers/receivers!

niftynigel,

I agree with all you say, but your first statement is only half right! Page 50 of the manual says that when the source is DTS-HD HR or DTS-HD MA, then the analogue output is DTS Digital Surround (ie the DVD variety) converted to 5.1ch PCM. As well as being only core DTS quality, also missing are the two surround-rear channels that DTS-HD is capable of.

This is what the promised Jan/Feb firmware upgrade will presumably fix.

What surprises me in perusing the manual is that I have yet to find any reference to delay compensation adjustments for surround channels at different distances to the listener than the primary front speakers. Both the Panasonic and Sony counterparts to this machine have distance compensation. I have this problem with my 2002 SACD player, and it's most annoying (but was unavoidable at the time). I WANT the Pioneer to be right for me due to its sound, video and build quality (& don't care one whit about network connection), but this factor, if true, is a strike against it.

Also, I'm a legacy user on two counts. All the money I could afford was spent on TV and AV amp in 2002, and it's too early to replace them yet. So I need analogue video (1080i component) as well as 7.1ch analogue audio in a blu-ray player (+ HDMI 1.3 for the future, no problems there). Page 25 is therefore disappointing. On the 1080i output setting for component video, neither NTSC or PAL DVDs are upconverted, only de-interlaced. Compare the Sony, whose output is 1080i for DVDs and BDs, unless the contents are "protected".

Well, I've never heard of protected content on DVDs that would prevent upscaling; indeed upscaling is common on DVD players. As for blu-ray, from what I've read in forums (fora?) so far, only a handful of BDs have had the ICT flag enabled, which would force the BD component output to 480p. (As if pirates would "play" analogue video at reduced quality to make a copy rather than find a way to digitally rip the contents! - another stupid studio "shot in the foot" idea and annoyance for real users, like region coding, IMO. But I digress).

Anyway, I see that as two strikes against the Pioneer, unless someone can show me otherwise. I'm a complete newbie to blu-ray - have never had a player - and am trying to learn fast so as to not make an expensive mistake. I welcome any enlightenment on these issues!

Danny/ All, I am considering buying the BDP-LX71 or the panasonic dmp bd-55 which is a little less expensive. Ultimately I am looking for best video and audio quality. Any thoughts?? tks