| Spectacular 1080p Picture Quality: The BDP-320 provides up to 1920 x 1080p resolution for unrivaled picture quality. And with True 24fps, Deep Color: The BDP-320 supports 48-bit* Deep Color, offering high definition images with superb color detail. x.v.Color: An advanced feature which greatly broadens the color space HDMI Precision Quartz Lock system (PQLS) Jitterless Transmission (2-ch): By HDMI connection with a compatible Pioneer A/V receiver, CD music is precisely reproduced with minimum jitter. KURO LINK: By connecting the BDP-320 to a Pioneer KURO flat panel TV or monitor and a compatible Pioneer A/V receiver, KURO LINK lets you operate the entire system’s basic functions such as power on/off and playback through KURO’s remote control. The new KURO LINK Video Adjustment System automatically switches to optimal video settings adjusted by unique parameters developed by Pioneer KURO and Blu-ray Disc player engineers. Picture Control Suite: 13 different video adjustments (Progressive Motion, PureCinema, YNR, CNR, BNR, MNR, Detail, White Level, Black Level, Black Setup, Gamma Correction, Hue, and Chroma Level) Triple High-Definition NR: BD-Live Compliant (Profile 2.0): USB Input for BD-LIVE Contents Storage 7.1 Channel Analog Audio Outputs: For compatibility with non HDMI equipped receivers and preamps. Internal Audio Decoders: The BDP-320 features internal decoding of all advanced audio formats including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution, and DTS-HD Master Audio. Easy Operation and Setup: New Advanced HD GUIs for easy navigation. Multi-Format Compatibility: You can play high definition DVD discs recorded by digital video cameras in AVCHD format. You can also play BD-R/RE, DVD-R/RW, etc. recorded using Blu-ray Disc recorders or DVD recorders as well as CD/CD-R. |
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 Outstanding Video and Audio, Especially Upconverting! |
| Review Date: December 6, 2009 |
| Reviewer: HomeTheaterFan, Michigan |
When buying a blu-ray, or for that matter any dvd/blu-ray player, a great dividing line in quality is the player's ability to upconvert standard dvds. Most manufacturers market their players as "able to upconvert standard dvds to near 1080p levels." But what does this really mean? And are all upconverting players putting out satisfactory upconverted images? And are all upconverted images alike? And most importantly, can a really great upconverted image avoid having to replace all of one's standard dvd library? Well, in light of my experience with the Pioneer 320.....
But before answering the above questions, a word about the basis of this review. I own a Misubishi 54" 1080p rear DLP projector, purchased new about one year ago. Blu-rays are displayed by use of a very good Sony 350 player---a player itself worth buying for use in displaying blu ray dvds (if you can find it). I also have a 110" Grayhawk screen, displaying images from a Sharp 1080i DLP front projector. And, I own many legacy dvds and their blu ray counterparts. The 110" grayhawk is an outstanding real world laboratory for evaluating the ability of a player to "upconvert" standard dvds. A 110" screen, is, in short, unforgiving, as any player's shortcomings are very apparent. So too, however, a player's strengths. And since I can do A/B tests of the same movie in blu-ray v standard upconverted versions, using both the Sharp 1080i and Mitsuibishi 1080p displays, this review is offered for your consideration.
The Pioneer 320 is outstanding in its ability to upconvert standard dvds! The resulting image with most (not all) of my dvds has been astounding. The result is new life and appreciation for my large dvd library. The Pioneer's color and detail abilities are worthy of being marketed as "near 1080p levels". Previously I used a Denon dvd player for use with the 110" grayhawk screen. The Denon is a very good player, but its upconverted images displayed on the 110" screen do not come close to the upconverted dvd images produced by the Pioneer 320. With my Denon, most standard dvds had a grainy unappealing image, sometimes so bad I was forced to reduce the image size. Similiarly, my Sony 320 was less than satisying when upgrading older DVDs. Not so, however, when I use the Pioneer 320.
As with most blu ray players, the Pioneer displays blu rays very well.
Sound: Amazing! Surround sound was very improved with the Pioneer 320, and most importantly, VOCAL INTELLIBILTY is stellar.
And now, a word about criticism over the Pioneer's delay in turn on, chapter search, etc. The pioneer "delay" is often descibed as maddening, nearly 30-45 seconds slower than the faster Oppo 83 when turning on. This criticism may be well intended, but its must ado about nothing. By the way, my Pioneer turn on time etc is faster than that suggested in some reviews posted here. Perhaps the time delay critics' units are early models which have now been sped up by modifications .
In any event, by the time you turn on the player, put in the disc, get to your seat with your favorite beverage, dim the lights, you are ready to go. Movies are to be enjoyed, and the extra seconds (seconds) is an issue only for the very impatient, "I want it right now " crowd. Incidentally, front projectors have a "turn on delay" as well; expect a minute or so before quality imaging is possible. The projector must warm up too. So the best strategy for the very impatient: (1) Turn on the Pioneer blu ray, then (2) turn on the projector (or whatever ) then (3) select disc then (4) put in disc (in a now booted up and ready to load Pioneer blu ray player). Finally, Go to seat: push play! And you wont have missed a thing. Not a second.
Upconverted images produced by most players really turn out to be very disappointing, especially when comparing the standard dvd images to blu-ray images. The satisfaction gap grows wider with the width of the screen. Viewing upconverted images on most players well supports a conclusion that the old legacy dvds must be replaced, especially where the image is displayed on a large screen. Of course, Blu ray dvds, without question, do offer a "better picture" over their standard dvd versions (all things being equal in use of source material, etc). But can the PQ " satisfaction gap" between blu ray and standard dvd movies be narrowed such that most standard dvds look great, even on a large screen? Yes, at least with the Pioneer 320!
With my equipment, the difference between the images of blu-rays on my Sony 350/ 54" Mitsuibishi and images of upconverted standard dvds on the Grayhawk/ Pioneer 320 are usually very minor, despite viewing the Pioneer's upconverted images on a very large screen . Of course, poorly done dvds still look, well, poorly done. An example is the Dirty Harry DVD----that is one I must replace with a blu ray version in order to enjoy it on the big screen. Fortunately, poor quality dvds constitute but a small percentage of my dvds. The point here is that the Pioneer 320 player usually produces very satisfying upconverted images on a very large screen.
The Pioneer's audio/video performance is wonderful. Its solid build quality and A/V qualities easily reveal that Pioneer put its design attention and money largely into A/V values, that is, picture and sound. I think thats where our consumer money should be spent as well! Current pricing makes the Pioneer 320 the player to buy if the Oppo 83 ($500) is too much for your budget. With the Oppo, well, you will get 15-30 seconds or so of faster turn on time, and I would bet a slight improvement in AQ/PQ over the Pioneer 320. But for bang for the buck , I suggest you give the Pioneer 320 a home test; you wont be disappointed! Big Thumbs Up!!!
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Best Blu-ray Player Within Its Price Range
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| Review Date: June 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: gregpod9, |
I tried out many blu-ray players and this Pioneer blu-ray player is the best one. It offers the best picture quality within it price range and it has an option to make the image even better with its built in picture adjustments. The analog audio outputs sound quality is excellent especially listening to audio cds. This player has slower loading times than its competition, but its worth the wait due do its excellent picture quality. This blu-ray player also looks good and has very good build quality.
I recommend this blu-ray player to anyone who don't care about loading times, but care about picture quality and sound quality. |
Excellent player, especially w/Pioneer Plasma TV.
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| Review Date: January 2, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Harneloot, |
I've had a Sony BDP S550 for over a year and have been less than impressed with its ability to upscale normal DVDs to 1080p which is the resolution of my television. I purchased this pioneer unit last week and have been more than pleased with its ability to produce clear, sharp images on my 1080p plasma from regular DVDs.
Lets face it, MOST Blur-Ray players play Blu-Ray disks just fine. Its their performance on normal DVDs where they stand apart - and this Pioneer unit is the best I've seen! |
Best player in $325 space - excellent upscaling, PQ, & AQ, but not fast
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| Review Date: May 30, 2009 |
| Reviewer: WDH, |
| I have been using this device for nearly 75 days and have been incredibly happy with it. I owned a 51 and expected similar performance, which I got. I also own the new Oppo Blu Ray player and must say this is hands down the next best bang for your buck and nearly $200 less. Its load times are slow and it struggles with some DVD layer changes, but overall PQ, AQ, and tweakability are top notch. Expect roughly 25 seconds to power up. SD upscaling is very good and have not encountered any trouble with deinterlacing that has cause jaggies or moire. |
Not Slow at all for me!!!
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| Review Date: December 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: D. Raimey, Ohio |
| i have a pioneer AVR with Kuro. I'm not sure if this makes a difference with my speed; but this thing is fast! i was very worried about purchasing this one. especially since there are cheaper ones with netflix. Speed was the only thing holding me back. i got this totally for quality, and i was right. the speed was nice! 10 seconds to power up, and 5 seconds to start the movie. i guess i have a special one or something, but if you have a pioneer AVR, this is a must! matches beautifully, and performs way better than expected. As you can see from all the other comments, the picture is one of the best you can get from a bluray in todays market. I recommend this one unless you can afford the Oppo. |
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