Good sound quality, universality of formats supported, good picture quality, set up versatility, 2 year warranty.

Not very solidly made (very light, cheap plastic disc tray), slow to find tracks on DVD-A discs, no HDCD decoding, remote not adequately lit, variable output does not have enough range.

I am very satisfied with this player. I knew I did not want to get the Apex universal dvd-v/dvd-a/sacd machine because of the reported reliability issues. Also, I figured, how good could these high resolution formats sound on a sub-$300 machine? My other equipment is definitely in a different league, so I felt that I needed to wait for an appropriate (yet still affordable) player. So far the Pioneer dv-47a is very pleasing, particulary for its street price. While my guess is that many more inexpensive universal players from a variety of manufacturers are on the near horizon, I think I would end up having to spend this much to get one with both good sound quality and a good picture. Out of the box, I was very impressed with the sound quality on cd''s. This unit far outperforms my previous dvd-a player, the Technics dv-a10. It is much more musical sounding with very good soundstaging ability. There are various "Legato Pro" settings to select which do have an impact on the sound. So far I seem to enjoy setting #3 the most, which sounds pretty sweet to me. The setup on the machine allows you to choose how SACD''s are played (cd player, 2 channel area, or multichannel area). DVD-A playback is determined by the menu selection on the disc itself. Both DVD-A and SACD sound good. My preamp was in the shop when I first got the Pioneer, so I tried hooking up the Pioneer directly to my amp to listen to it. I think that SACD definitely trumped DVD-A when set up in this minimalist way, but I hesitate to write that with much conviction because the Pioneer offers only a very limited volume control range. Even at its lowest setting, the volume was much higher than I would ever want it to be. Yes, multichannel SACD sounded better than multichannel DVD-A at this blaring volume level, but how it would sound at a more reasonable level I don''t know. (Also, I wasn''t comparing the same recording. As of this date, I only know of one recording that has been issued on both SACD and DVD-A.) I would say that the inability to use the Pioneer directly into an amp is its biggest weakness. The manual clearly indicates that the purpose of the inclusion of a variable level output setting was to allow direct connection to an amplifier. The player itself contains all of the decoders and settings most users would need.

Similar Products Used:

Technics DVD-A10, Toshiba 3109.

The latest technology available in today''s market (as of Apr, 2002) 108 MHz/12 bit Video processing, 192kHz/24bit audio processing, multi-channel SACD, DVD-Audio

Built quality, Made in ?

I used DV-38A previously and I would say it was a great product from every aspect. It showed me clear picture quality and detailed sound. Built quality was extra ordinary. Pioneer came up with DV-47A about year after the DV-38A (I know it is replacement of the DV-37) Since this unit uses better technology, I see very sharp clear picture. Sound was crisp and detailed. Thanks to the Legato PRO refined-bit expansion technology. I used Number of different movies and some animations to checkout the picture details I can get from this DVD player. By scene by scene, frame by frame, this unit showed me clear images like DV-38A did. Also listening to DTS (example: saving private Ryan) I felt the real enemy tank was forcing toward me from distance. How detail was that Only my concern on this unit is its built quality compare to the DV-37 or 38A. So far, most of the high-end ELITE units were made in Japan. However, this unit was made in Malaysia. (I know it is a beautiful country and I am not against that country at all :-) For example, pioneer logo on the unit itself look a little bent inward from angle. The letters written on the unit look thin (Not like DV-38A''s gold rich texture) Plastic tray for DVD and its surrounding material look cheap. I know it is very light compare to the DV-37 No separate compartment for video, audio, power like the DV-38A (probably also from its advanced technology. Other than its built quality, this product is one of fine DVD players in today''s market.

Similar Products Used:

DV-38A

This unit has the latest technology as of today (Apr,2002); 108MHz/12 BitVideo processing, 192kHz/24bit audio processing, Legato PRO refined-bit expansion technology, and six-channel audio output , SACD, DVD Audio

Overall built quality, An ELITE product made in ?

I used DV-38A previously and I would say it was a great product from every aspect. It showed me clear picture quality and detailed sound. Built quality was extra ordinary. Pioneer came up with DV-47A about year after the DV-38A (I know it is replacement of the DV-37) Since this unit uses better technology, I see very sharp clear picture. Sound Thanks to the Legato PRO refined-bit expansion technology. I used Number of different movies and some animations to checkout the picture details I can get from this DVD player. (Used M1000CV) By scene by scene, frame by frame, this unit showed me clear images like DV-38A did. (Tested in both progressive/interlaced modes) Also listening to DTS (example: saving private Ryan) I felt the real enemy tank was forcing toward me from distance. How detail it is.. Only my concern on this unit is its built quality compare to the DV-37 or 38A. So far, most of the high end ELITE units were made in Japan. However, this unit was made in Malaysia. (I know it is a beautiful country and I am not against that country at all :-) For example, pioneer logo on the unit itself look a little bent inward from angle. The letters written on the unit look thin (Not like DV-38A''s gold rich texture) Plastic tray for DVD and its surrounding material look little cheap. I know it is very light compare to the DV-37 (Probably from its advanced technology.) Other than its built quality, this product is one of fine DVD players in today''s market.

Similar Products Used:

DV-38A

SACD & DVD audio, Progressive scan, black scale adjustable

Severe red chroma but, lightweight, mediocre remote

I am suprised that this unit is getting such good reviews. The chroma bug is very bad, much worse than my Toshiba 5109 and Pioneer Elite DV-38a. Out of the box the audio was atrocious, sizzling highs and bloated bass. Two weeks of 24/7 burn in tamed the audio, but in no way are the Pioneer''s DACs even close to the DACs in the DV-38a. The Integra Research RDC7''s DACs upsample the cd bitstream, and they make this unit sound good. The DACs in the Lexicon MC 12b are superior to the Pioneer''s also. Video quality is good but not great for a dvd player in spite of the hi bit video dacs. As far as progressive scan pictures go, I rate the DV-38a higher and the Toshiba 5109 lower than the DV-47a. After the DV 37 & 38a, I was expecting more.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Elite DV38a, 424, Toshiba 5109 & 3107

12-bit video, Good video quality, lots of performance for the money

Chroma Bug very Prevalent, Cheap remote and chasis, DACs not of the quality expected of 192 khz DACs

I originally thought the previous review was a bit harsh in only given 3 stars because of the chroma bug, but after trying to watch some anime I have to agree. It can easily be seen during the FBI warning screen on those discs that use a red background. The picture tears and smears around fields of constant red. Otherwise, the picture is every bit as good as the DV-38a. There is some smearing caused by the chroma bug in the Toshiba 5109, but a Pioneer DV-38a played the same discs flawlessly. Out of the box this thing sounded awful through its analog out jacks. Tizzy highs and bloated bass. I used 3 different preamps/processors, all with the same results. After 2 weeks of 24/7 burn-in with a burn in disc, the unit sounded much better, but still not as good as the DACs in an Integra Research RC7 or a Lexicon MC 12B. If you have a processor with good dacs, don''t use the analog output, use the processor''s. The DV 47a unit is not as large or robustly built as previous Pioneer Elite equipment. After living so long with a DV-38a in my system this unit is a disappointment.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer DV-38A, Toshiba 5109 and 3109,

All formats, appearance, general completeness, price, picture quality, sound quality. SACDs change tracks as fast as CDs.

Still too few disc choices in both formats. DVD-As take too long to switch tracks. Also, the blue multi-channel light from my old Pioneer DV-414 is missing...

Well, it''s about time. Finally a player with both formats and a street price of less than $1,000. I am so far totally pleased with this unit. With respect to audio quality first, do not underestimate the value of the Legato Pro uplink digital filters for converting even 16 bit CDs into a warmer, less digital-like sound. I use setting #2. Sony had first introduced digital filter choices on mainline products with their ES line CD megachangers. The decoded analog signal from the Sony (switch down) sounded far better than the high-end digital decoders even in my B&K AVR-307 receiver without these choices and I run it analog as a result. The Legato filters in the DV-47a have this same effect. (Naturally, the higher resolution discs do not require as much assistance with their extended frequency responses and bit depths). It seems as if (at least to my wife) I''ve been going through DVD players lately like water. I replaced a Toshiba 6200 with this Pioneer and use my old standby, Starship Troopers, as my color and definition comparison. It''s not that this is the best of all possible transfers, it''s more like I''ve seen it so many times that I know what to expect without a closely timed A-B comparison. I would be remiss it I suggested that it blew the Toshiba out of the but the image WAS better, both in color saturation (without bleeding, of course) and maybe a slight edge in clarity as well. It was as stunning as my monitor would allow. This was compared in progressive modes. When I brought the unit home I had a short-lived regret that it was not one of those 40# tank-like DVD players which once seemed so impressive to me. Perhaps I should wait for the upcoming Denon? After seeing the DV-47A integrated into the rest of the system however, these concerns were dispelled. The trend today seems to be toward light, attractive equipment and not boat anchors. And, doing the math, determined that $800 is less than $2,000... Bottom line: Everything worked perfectly out of the box and it was a pleasure to reply to the salesperson at Tower Records who asked me whether I was looking for DVD audio discs or SACDs, with the word "yes". If you want hi-res audio now, your time has, at long last, come.

Similar Products Used:

Many DVD players but none with high resolution audio. (OK, the Toshiba 6200 technically had HDCD decoding).

It''s a universal player.

Saturated reds on diagonal lines look terrible. Lots of combing, blockiness, and jagged edges. Basically, it has the chroma bug in a really bad way. Sorry.

I was really excitied to get this product because of the DVD-A/SACD playback capability. It does that without any problems. Both high resolution formats sound very good. I cannot say that I am completely happy with this player because the reds on progressive playback of DVDs look absolutely horrible. One movie where reds look extremely jagged is Disney''s "The Emperor''s New Groove". Wherever there is a saturated red against blue or black, it looks really blocky. This problem, I believe, is caused by a flaw in the Genesis progressive chipset that they use. It is a shame that is has this chroma bug, becasue overall, the picture is good. Most colors look great except for red. The picture is bad enough that I have decided to use a different DVD player for movies and use this one strictly for multi-channel music playback. I am currently on hold with Pioneer to ask them to come out with a firmware update to correct this problem. I have tried other DVD players with different chipsets, using the same scenes, and they do not exhibit this same problem. I will post another review if Pioneer corrects the problem. I cannot recommend this player for progressive playback. It is good though for SACD and DVD-A

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba SD9200 Denon 1600 Rotel 1080 Sony DVD 300

Typical Pioneer quality and value. Easy set-up menu for electronically challenged.

Are you kidding?

I purchased this player as soon as I could as I had been sitting on the fence regarding the new high-res formats. Well, am I glad I finally got off the fence. This player gives so much for the money that it is almost crazy. It has better video than my previous Elite DV-37 (great player btw), which I did not expect, so that was a nice plus. Regarding it''''s audio performance, it performs good if not great in ALL audio formats. Now I am sure that the high-end 3k-6k players are great, but they better be!It has a detachable power cord for tweakers, auto progressive (no buttons on the back of the player), and is a tad smaller that the DV-37.For those of you that are skeptical regarding the new audio formats, you are definately missing out. with this new player, Pioneer has taken away all excuses. For the money, you can''''t beet this player for twice the price!

Similar Products Used:

Sony (entry level player), Pioneer 626D, Elite DV-37.

Incredible Picture, Sound, Built like a Tank.

NONE!

This Has to be the best DVD player I have Thus far. I got in to DVD''s back in 1998 with the First Panasonic DVD player made and I must say this player (DV-47A) gave me the same Raction that DVD gave me for the first time back in the day. After this player I will never Own another Pansonic DVD player Again. I have a 51" Sony HD and the Progressive Scain is the best I have seen the 12bit Video makes a big difference, The audio Is nothing shy of perfect. I just fell in love with Pioneer Elite. It''s A keeper.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic DVD-A100, Panasonic DVD-A7D, Playstation 2, MS Xbox

Great as a universal player.

Croma-bug Cheap construction

I previewed this player at a local dealer. While the picture looked somewhat better than the DV-37, the chroma bug was readily apparent. Lots of streaks in the reds in Toy Story. You would think that Pioneer would upgrade their video technology, but it looks like they simply added SACD support to the DV-37 and upgraded the video DAC which accounts for the improved picture.