Picture quality, price.

CD playback.

First, let me list the components in my system, so there is a baseline to work with.

Rotel DPL pre-pro (haven't upgraded to DD yet)
Rotel RMB100 monoblocks (L&R channels)
Rotel 60 watt/ch amp running center and surrounds.
NHT 1.3 main speakers, 1.1C center channel speaker,
Cambridge Soundworks Surround II surround speakers,
Cambridge Soundworks Powered Sub (12") and Slave sub
Mitsubishi 31" TV

My initial impression wasn't great of the picture quality, mainly because I had a problem with my S-Video cable. Using the composite video output, the picture was still noticably better than VHS, but not as sharp or clear as I expected from the DVD medium. Once I replaced the faulty cable (Straightwire - same brand that I use for my audio connections), things improved dramatically.

The Pioneer produces a sharp, focused image. Colors are surprisingly vivid on good DVD transfers - fully saturated, yet still sharp. So far, I've not noticed any artifacts - only a clear, sharp picture that blows away VHS in every way.

Comparing the sound of the Pioneer to the sound of my NAD model 5000 CD player showed a few weaknesses, however. Vocals are not as defined or full, and the sound overall is less natural. It did excel in one area, that being the bass. While I prefer the sound of the NAD in the midrange up, the Pioneer did a good job on the bass. It seemed to have more output in the low regions than the NAD. I'm not sure it's better defined so much as equally well defined with a bit more oomph. For music listening, I'll stick with the NAD, though, even though it's getting a bit long in the tooth (as is the rest of my system).

Note that the above weakness in sound reproduction seems limited to CD playback. DVDs sound fine. It's not a high-end player by any means - when it comes to sound - but this can be improved by using a higher end pre-pro that has good internal DACs. I'm using the player's DACs, since I only have a pro-logic processor. The picture quality - the reason I purchased a DVD player - is very good, though. I'm sure you can get a better picture with a high end player, but you'll spend 4-5x the $249 I paid for this player - and even then I doubt you'll see a ton of difference unless you have a very large, high end rear or front projection system. If you're like me and have a 31" set, it's not worth the extra money to buy a high end model, unless you're looking to use your DVD player to play CDs, too. The high end models do sound better.

For value - high marks for this unit. Four stars overall. Great picture, but weak CD playback. I can't rate it on it's Dolby Digital or DTS output, though (but keep in mind that the D/A conversion - and most of the sound characteristics - will come from the processor it's hooked to).

good performance at a low price

slow tray motor

It has nearly all the functions that you need today. What else do you want?

Great picture, great sound. No sync problems. All the features I really need...

Very noisy

I am pleased with this unit in every way except the noiselevel from the drive unit. I live in an apartment and often watch movies on low volume levels, and found the noise from the 515 way too loud. Gonna try the 717 instead.

Very good bass delivery yet controlled. Almost flawless surround delivery in DTS & DD 5.1 format.

Vocals can be improved. Picture is shaky though.

Best value for ppl who only cares for surround & bass. Vocalist stay away!!

I used Pioneer 515 for along time. The picture is excellent and sound is ok.More than everything is 24/96 KHz output (I have sony 7700 too but no 24/96 direct output). I love this very much because nature picture quality and flat digital output. Recommend to used with sony E9000ES, you will found heaven in your audio.

Very good player, about U$400 only in Singapore, plus it's a code free model, worth upgrade from any lower models.

This unit is my pride and joy. I got it for $500 shipped from Hong Kong, and it is a great value for the price. Code-free, it plays my region 2 discs and "smart" Buena Vista DVDs without a hitch. It has optical and coaxial digital out, capability to do straight MPEG digital out at 96KHz for those with outboard D/A converters, S-Video, composite, and component video outs, and auto PAL/NTSC switching, as well as an internal step-up/down transformer for going between 220V and 110V. It also plays CD-Rs like a dream, for those who do their own VCD-making. The remote is nothing special, but it is quite intuitive and easy to use, but has no jog shuttle. Video quality is excellent, especially out of the S-Video and composite outs, and there is no sign of any lipsync problems as of my tenth DVD watched. Will post again if any problems arise.

I've bought the DV-515 one month ago, I think the picture quality is superb, but the sound using the analog out is quite disappointing (It's a much too flat and cold sound) compared to my existing CD-Player, there is also something that hurts my perfectionist mind: when I turn my Onkyo amp to a high level while the Pioneer is not playing, there is some snoring noise (probably due to a lack of power supply analog stages isolation).It reveals some lack of quality in the analog section of the player although there is a nice 24 bit/96Khz DAC. Another negative aspect is the remote: I've never seen such an horrible one ! The OSD system is also not very pleasant.On the positive side, you'll get full CD-R compatibility (It works even better than my Sony CD player)and if you're used to handle a solder iron, you can make it region free by using an "upgrade" kit (the one i've got consisted in a new EPROM and a small 6 pin chip).
In conclusion, if you're "price concerned"and want big features like DTS-out, CD-R compatibility and superb picture quality, the DV-515 sounds like an honest deal (I've got mine for about 500 Eur/519 USD)

We bought our Pioneer 515 (multicode) together with Yamaha2095 receiver
and boseAM10 last June99... great buy! no complaints, I just
wish it came with a fancier hi-tech looking remote...but
I guess simplicity is sometimes better...
I didn't invest in a higher $$$ end DVD model, since the
technology/functionality will probably change some more...

I have yet to test the DTS functionality of this...but the
picture qualtiy is pretty good! ...of course that also
depends on the TV you're using...

Also chose this over Sony coz our Pioneer LD has lasted 10yrs
without any problems...I hope this one lasts as long...
PS. (all our Sony stuff has broken down over the last 15 yrs,
so I really can't buy another Sony product ever again)

It has everything you need for a low price.
Good sound. DTS compatible

Somewhat lightweight, difficult to set up for 16x9

Great little inexpensive deck. No problems with lipsynch. I use it in my classroom and it has come through like a champ.

Similar Products Used:

Sony 500D