Black Boxes: Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai DVD Player

> Next Image Previous Image <

by Stephen Muratore
Summer/Fall 2003

COMPANY Pioneer Electronics
CONTACT (800) 421-1404
WEB SITE www.pioneerelectronics.com
PRICE $1,200

The ideal Smart TV and Sound DVD player would be one that could play discs containing any format of media thrown at--or into--it. This ideal becomes harder to achieve every time a new format enters the market. We now want our DVD players to play not only DVD-video and audio CD discs, but also those containing MP3 audio and the videos we burn onto DVD-R.

To make matters worse, two alternative DVD audio formats have entered the fray. Sony and Philips have introduced Super Audio CD (SACD) as their multi-channel audio champion; while Panasonic and others have backed DVD-audio instead. While each side touts the advantages of its format, recording companies desiring multi-channel releases choose between the two. This leads the consumer into a quandary between two types of DVD players. He isn't going to find a Sony player that will play DVD-audio, nor a Panasonic that will play SACD. Is he supposed to figure out which format is supported by the majority of his favorite record labels, then choose a player accordingly? With the DV-47Ai, Pioneer answers "no." This is one of the first DVD players supporting both audio formats.

Beyond supporting both advanced audio formats, the DV-47Ai plays a host of other media. In fact, it was its impressive list of compatibilities that brought this player to our attention. After that, we were impressed by its forward-looking dual iLink ports. This player is ready to connect, via a single wire, to an iLink-equipped receiver, or to take its place on a network of iLinked components. Other niceties of this player include progressive scan; support of 16:9, Letter Box and Pan&Scan; digital and analog audio outputs and support of both DTS and Dolby Digital surround sound. The player also supports the creation of program playlists and random play: two nice features for audio playback.

Installation and calibration took about half an hour. The process was not complicated and we found the user manual clearly written and well organized. We patched the unit's six analog audio outputs to our receiver as well as one of its digital audio outputs. The analog connections are necessary to monitor SACD.

We tested the DV 47Ai with media in the following formats. It successfully played back every one.