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.
plays DVD-Video, DVD-R & DVD-RW, and Video CD * plays SACD, DVD-Audio, CD, CD-R & CD-RW, MP3 and WMA CD-R & CD-RW * plays digital picture CDs (JPEG) * 108MHz/12-bit video D/A converter * selectable progressive-scan mode for smoother video with HD-compatible TVs (via the component video output) *
1 Bad item out of the box
Well, after reading all the raving reviews, I bought one sealed box from Circuit City. It powered on, but I could not get it to open th etray to accept any media. That was so disappointing. I did multiple factory resets according to the manual but no luck. It was junk out of the box. How does this reflect on Pioneer's QA?
I'm gonna get another box and give it another try.
2 Perfect player
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 Svideo 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.
3 It's all about the sound!
I bought this for my bedroom as a replacement for a 15 year old Magnavox CD player which died. I don't use it for video, but bought it because it plays just about every audio format around.
The audio system of which the Pioneer is a part is near-audiophile and includes the following:
Carver C-1 Sonic Hologram Preamp
Harman Kardon T-40 turntable
Harman Kardon Citation 15 tuner
Harman Kardon Citation 22 amp
Koss CM-1020 speakers
Tascam 202 MKII cassette deck
Pioneer DV-578A DVD-A/SACD player
Even at full retail, the price to performance value of this unit is outstanding, if not unbelievable. This will play just about anything: DVD-Video, video CD, DVD-R, and video-mode DVD-RW. It plays super-high-resolution DVD-Audio and SACD (stereo and multichannel), as well as compressed audio files (MP3 and WMA) on recordable CD. The one more or less common format it does not play is DivX/AVI video files, which I suspect the next generation of DVD players will all do.
The literature says it does slide-shows of digital photos -- JPEG digital photo CDs, Fujicolor CDs, or Kodak Picture CDs. I never use them.
As a bonus, it has progressive scan, and lots of other nice video features including nearly twice the video processing power of previous Pioneer models with a 12-bit/108 MHz video digital-to-analog converter (DAC). As to the subjective video properties, the other reviewers will tell you it is very good. I can't tell how good the quality is because the video is fed out to the tuner card in my computer. I bought it for the MUSIC!
There is nothing in this price range which will do what this unit will do. You would have to spend hundreds more green backs to get any other combination SACD/DVD-A player. On my home theater system, I have a Sony SACD player and a JVC DVD-A player. I had to run both through two 3-channel switching boxes with lots of extra audio cables, because both SACD and DVD-A require the one six channel direct feed input on my HT preamp. This unit solves that problem.
After listening to DVD-A and SACD for some time, I really have gotten to dislike listening to CDs because CDs sound harsh and brittle. CDs produce listening fatigue in minutes. Prior to the introduction of SACD/DVD-Audio, I needed to resort to the long playing vinyl album for serious music appreciation. These have their own problems such as limited dynamic range, transient distortion, poor pressing quality, tape hiss and noise, scratches and thousands of pops and ticks, rumble, wow and flutter, and expensive playback equipment which needed care and tuning. And worst of all, I had to get up to flip the album half-way through!
It is hard to explain the subjective difference between the sound produced by SACD and DVD-Audio and the sound produced by a CD. Essentially, it is like trying to reproduce cool seaside air with the dry brittle air blowing out of an airconditioning nozzle in a jet airplane. In a very literal sense, the CD format is like playing a violin with a hack saw -- there is simply no way to smooth out the saw teeth sufficiently to make it sound correct. SACD and DVD-Audio fix the problem by giving you enough data to filter out the audible errors created by digitizing analog sound.
How good is the sound in comparison to the more expensive universal audio players? C-NET did an A/B comparison between this unit and the Dennon which costs four or five times as much. They said that the Dennon sounds a bit better, was heavier and significantly more impressive looking. It certainly does not sound as if it justifies the price difference, unless you are an audio name brand (and appearance) snob.
The trade off for the low price is that it comes with a cheap remote, and doesn't have much physical weight, which says Pioneer may be using cheaper components and may be skimping on the power supply. (There really is a relationship between the weight of audio gear really and sound quality!) But, as with all things electronic, over time, less buys more.
Strengths:
Looks good, sounds good, plays everything. VERY INEXPENSIVE
Weaknesses:
Cheap remote, unit is a bit light on weight. Does not play AVI or DivX files.
4 Excellent sound and video, but a bit more $ than average
If you're looking for top-notch audio and video reproduction for your home theater system, this DVD unit is a nice choice. It offers both coaxial and optical connection for audio which is very nice and offers top-notch audio quantity. You'll be able to hear all kinds of subtle sound effects which you never have before. For example, I watched the DVD for Matrix Reloaded and in the "Burly Brawl" sequence when Neo grabs the pipe and is fighting the Agent Smiths with it, you can hear the Doppler Effect of the air whooshing through it as he's whacking away. Yes, it's that good. The video quality is top-notch as well.
That being said, the price tag is a bit higher than the average player. The average player from Samsung, Phillips, etc. seems to go for the $65-70ish range right now and most any name brand will offer satisfactory quality. Some might argue (not completely without merit) that for the casual user that satisfactory is good enough. To be sure it's a fair question to ask yourself whether that extra money would be better spent on extra DVDs over a bump in AV quality from adequate up to excellent. To me the better reproduction qualities coupled with Pioneer's reputation for their players exhibiting greater reliability and longevity was enough to make the extra costs worthwhile. You might decide differently. If you do decide on this one though I have no doubt that you'll be extremely pleased with it.
5 Pioneer 578 - not for DVD-A
I picked up a unit from Best Buy, and it worked swell for about 26 days.
For some unknown reason, the audio playing from DVD-Audio discs suddenly sounded as if was coming from underwater. The odd audio only occurred in 5.1. When playing the same DVD-A discs in stereo, the audio sounded normal.
5.1 SACD discs played without a problem, as did DVD-Video discs. From some of the other reviews, it appears there are those that didn't experience any problems.
If you desire to purchase this unit, I'd advise buying it locally in case you need to return it if turns out to be defective. I had to return mine and ended up purchasing a Sony DVD/SACD changer instead.
6 Pioneer 578 - not for SACD
I bought one at Best Buy and picked out a number of SACD and DVD-Audio disc to take home and try out the new machine. Well on a few of the disc it was very nice but on some there was a horrible popping on some tracks (not just between them). I went back to the store where they had the machine set up as a demo and I was surprised that it didn't have the same problem. I then realized that they had it playing through 2-channel and had not used the 5.1. When set to 5.1 it had the very same problem. I'll be taking it back and saving some more money for the Denon.
7 awesome dvd/cd player
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!
8 Just play it all
I just went to London and was struck by the overwelming choice of hi-fi - note that I live in Brazil where most of it is minisystem... And I noticed this stylish player - the Pioneer DV-575A - that claimed that could play almost everything, from the obvious CD and DVD-video to SACD, DVD-Audio and DIVx.
Having bought it, I was very happy to see that SACD sounds much better than through multi-channed emulation from the stereo track. DVD image is great. Fast forward is very smooth. And as a bonus I managed to get a region-free unit that dispenses with remote keying. It just plays it. Also, it works seamlessly with PAL and NTSC discs.
I use an Infocus X1 projector, so now I can see all discs without having to think about where it comes from.
In summary, very happy with the performance and the features.
9 Nice universal player
I bought this for DVDs, and the Hi-Rez DVD Audio and SACD.
So far I am impressed on all counts. I have played DVDs in Dolby EX, DTS ES, Superbit, as well as several DVD AUdios and SACDs. The picture is excellent and the Hi-Rez sound is awesome. You would have to pay more than 3 times this price to hear anything better, assuming you have equipment thats good enough...
The 563a also downconverts SACD to PCM (if you want bass management) as do all units in extistence to date, so ignore the previous reviewers comments on this issue. And this player has the proper 80hz crossover frequency for subwoofers, that the previous model did not.
Later on I will get a $1300 Denon 3910 Universal player to go with my $1200 Denon reciever, but for the money this little player sounds very nice indeed!
10 Great DVD Player...love it!!
I just bought this player because my old Hitachi wouldn't play anything with a high digital content (Star Wars ep 1&2, Monster's Inc, Spiderman etc..) or any of my homemade dvd-r's, which was very frustrating. I read a lot of reviews of this and similar products and I finally decided to give it a try and I LOVE IT. It has played everything I have put in it. Star Wars ep1&2 have never played so beautifully, my dvd-r's made on my imac play flawlessly with no skipping or garbled sections (I have used expensive 4x Apple dvd-r's and Compusa's 1x cheapies and they both played great), jpeg cd's work great and you can even put them on slideshow mode to watch your pictures like a movie. I haven't tried any SACD's (I don't own any) but I thought the audio was great on all of the dvd's I tried. The player itself is small and compact and makes almost no noise at all.
11 Pioneer hits a home run for great picture, sound & value
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.
12 Excellent player, excellent picture and features!!!
I just purchased this player and could not be more pleased. The picture quality is fantastic and I can play SACD's, DVD-A, DTS discs, DVD+R. I had purchased a Toshiba SD-3960 but had to return two of them as they didn't work. This is so much superior that I am truly amazed. I payed $149.00 and for the money. it's a terrific player. Admittedly, I'm not using this player strictly for SACd's, it's my main DVD player and the picture is wonderful, true colors, crisp images, nice blacks, truly enjoyable.
I haven't had problems playing SACD's like the previous review. Really, can't recommend this player more! I'll never purchase Toshiba again now that I've seen the quality of this player.
13 Disappointing SACD Performance
Well, I bought the new DV-578A mainly because it is plays SACD's. I've accumulated about a dozen hybrid SACD's and have been wanting to hear them in Hi-Rez. Well, it is an understatement to say that I was very disappointed when I sat down to listen to the 578 and discovered that there is a noticeable "pop" between tracks on most SACD's. I've been through two units now and they both have the same problem. The pop only occurs on the SACD layer, never on the regular CD layer. What's the point of buying a machine with Hi-Rez audio capabilities when it only has issues playing the Hi-Rez sections of Hi-Rez discs?
I've contacted Pioneer about the problem and was told that they know nothing about it. There's always a chance that a firmware upgrade could come at some point, but I would not hold my breath waiting. At this point, I'm ready to just return this thing for a refund and completely write off Pioneer's inexpensive equipment. I'll buy an SACD deck from another company with better quality control.
FWIW, the video quality on the 578 is fantastic, as is the sound quality on standard CD's. However, this is all essentially meaningless to me considering that I bought it mainly as a SACD player.
Bottom line: if you have any intentions of using this as a SACD player, look elsewhere!
14 disappointment
The Pioneer 563A had a problem playing long DVDs, and had limited bass management. But it played high quality SACD sound. The DV-578-A does not do this but cuts the quality down to 88.2/24 rather than the approximately 192/24 it starts with from the SACD.
One expert says: "563A DOES NOT convert DSD to PCM, it is a true DSD machine. The 578A "junk" converts DSD to 88.2/24 PCM"
I bought a 563A at closeout price.
