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Pioneer BDP-160 Review

Sections

Verdict

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Pros

  • Superb pictures
  • Good support for mobile devices
  • Solid build quality for the money

Cons

  • Old-fashioned GUI
  • Limited internet content

Key Specifications

  • Review Price: £129.99
  • 3D Blu-ray playback
  • YouTube and Picasa access
  • DLNA file streaming
  • Built-in Wi-Fi (with Wi-Fi Direct)
  • Stream Smoother Link & Sound Retriever Link

What is the Pioneer BDP-160?

It’s Pioneer’s entry-level Blu-ray player, which not only plays high-definition discs in 2D and 3D but also integrates with smartphones and tablets through its built-in Wi-Fi connection and Android/iOS control apps. It’s also DLNA certified and plays media files via USB, making it more of an all-round entertainment hub than a mere Blu-ray player.

Pioneer BDP-160Pioneer BDP-160 Blu-ray Player Front View

Pioneer BDP-160 – Design

The Pioneer BDP-160 is a quietly classy Blu-ray deck with a neutral black or silver finish that eschews the ostentacious gimmicks of many rivals. It should go nicely with most home AV kit. It’s slim and stylish with a brushed black fascia, but what really stands out is the build quality – its aluminium casing and firmly-bolted front panel make it feel more robust than most budget Blu-ray players.

On the front panel is a wide LED display below the disc tray, four buttons for up-close control and a USB port for media playback from flash drives and external HDDs. This uncluttered fascia helps maintain the player’s minimal, discreet appearance.

Pioneer BDP-160Rear view of Pioneer BDP-160 Blu-ray player showing ports.

Pioneer BDP-160 – Connections

Most budget players these days include the bare minimum on the back panel, usually HDMI, Ethernet and a digital audio output. Those are included here, with a digital output of the coaxial variety, but Pioneer adds analogue stereo output and a second USB port, allowing you to keep a USB stick or HDD plugged in without ruining the deck’s dashing looks.

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