Sony 360 or Pioneer 320

[got rice]

I am in the market for a new BDP, and have narrowed it down to either of these.Sony BDP-360 or Pioneer BDP-320. I think?

Both are pretty comprable on paper ie BD live 2.0, 48 bit deep color support, download newest firmware via internet, internal/external hard drive.

Can some of yu chime in with your opinions pros and cons? Experiences? Reviews? Or even another BDP.

thank you

[sheedoe]

Haven't tried the Sony, but here's my review of the Pioneer BDP-320.

PROS: Excellent AQ/PQ for BD. Very good upscaling for DVD. Ability to decode dts-hd MA. Bd-Live enabled. Source-Direct video output option. Sleek design. Sturdy disc-loading tray.

CONS: SLOW operation. DVD layer change delay. KURO Link doesn't work if connected to a KURO TV via non-pioneer receiver. No blue light on Standby/On button as pictured in stock photo.

This was my upgrade from the PS3 and as far as PQ/AQ is concerned, I am very satisfied. I've always put image quality over speed, but I've been spoiled by the speedy operation of the PS3. The 320 is slow all around, including: start-up, eject, disc-loading, fast forward/rewind command and BD menu navigation (in certain discs like 'Saawariya'). The worst part for me is having to wait for the loading tray to open during start up. It only takes 30 seconds, but when you are standing in front of the player to put a disc in, and not on your couch, it feels a lot longer.

The DVD Layer-change delay is very annoying. A 2009 BD player should not have this issue, period! Especially Pioneer since its previous generation of players (BDP-51) had been plagued with this issue and they had a long time to correct it for the newer units. Many older DVD players costing 1/10 its price don't even have this problem. Its very dissapointing.

HD picture quality is absolutely stunning. Its slightly better than the mighty PS3. In source-direct (my default setting), the picture is slightly more neutral and less-noisy, as if there is less video processing. You'd have to look hard to find the difference though. SD upscaling is also very good. It comparable to the Reon HQV thats in my AVR. Audio quality is about the same as the PS3 when decoded internally and transmitted via HDMI. However, I find my Onkyo 885 doing a better job at decoding. When bitstreamed, Dolby digital track sounds much more dynamic and robust and the bass is more actively present. I've compared it with the DRC turned off on the player. I haven't tried the analog outputs.

Overall this player is O.K. I would recommend the bdp-51 (its cheaper and has better build) if your AVR can docode the high-res audio and you don't care too much about BD-live. If I had a choice, I would get the Oppo bdp-83 over the 320/51 for about $200 more. Its faster, has an excellent Anchor Bay VRS scaler, ability to play SACD/DVD-Audio, and customer service and product support you can count on to fix bugs (if any). Since the 320 is fairly new and has the potential to accommodate major firmware updates with its larger ROM, it may be possible to improve its performace in the future, but as of now, the player gets 3/5 rating in my book.

[got rice]

Originally Posted by sheedoe

Haven't tried the Sony, but here's my review of the Pioneer BDP-320.

PROS: Excellent AQ/PQ for BD. Very good upscaling for DVD. Ability to decode dts-hd MA. Bd-Live enabled. Source-Direct video output option. Sleek design. Sturdy disc-loading tray.

CONS: SLOW operation. DVD layer change delay. KURO Link doesn't work if connected to a KURO TV via non-pioneer receiver. No blue light on Standby/On button as pictured in stock photo.

This was my upgrade from the PS3 and as far as PQ/AQ is concerned, I am very satisfied. I've always put image quality over speed, but I've been spoiled by the speedy operation of the PS3. The 320 is slow all around, including: start-up, eject, disc-loading, fast forward/rewind command and BD menu navigation (in certain discs like 'Saawariya'). The worst part for me is having to wait for the loading tray to open during start up. It only takes 30 seconds, but when you are standing in front of the player to put a disc in, and not on your couch, it feels a lot longer.

The DVD Layer-change delay is very annoying. A 2009 BD player should not have this issue, period! Especially Pioneer since its previous generation of players (BDP-51) had been plagued with this issue and they had a long time to correct it for the newer units. Many older DVD players costing 1/10 its price don't even have this problem. Its very dissapointing.

HD picture quality is absolutely stunning. Its slightly better than the mighty PS3. In source-direct (my default setting), the picture is slightly more neutral and less-noisy, as if there is less video processing. You'd have to look hard to find the difference though. SD upscaling is also very good. It comparable to the Reon HQV thats in my AVR. Audio quality is about the same as the PS3 when decoded internally and transmitted via HDMI. However, I find my Onkyo 885 doing a better job at decoding. When bitstreamed, Dolby digital track sounds much more dynamic and robust and the bass is more actively present. I've compared it with the DRC turned off on the player. I haven't tried the analog outputs.

Overall this player is O.K. I would recommend the bdp-51 (its cheaper and has better build) if your AVR can docode the high-res audio and you don't care too much about BD-live. If I had a choice, I would get the Oppo bdp-83 over the 320/51 for about $200 more. Its faster, has an excellent Anchor Bay VRS scaler, ability to play SACD/DVD-Audio, and customer service and product support you can count on to fix bugs (if any). Since the 320 is fairly new and has the potential to accommodate major firmware updates with its larger ROM, it may be possible to improve its performace in the future, but as of now, the player gets 3/5 rating in my book.

Excellent review... this is the one I was really considering since it matches my sc-07, but I am seriously going to consider the OPPO. Have you heard any updated source info regarding the SACD issues?
thanks

[sheedoe]

Originally Posted by got rice

Excellent review... this is the one I was really considering since it matches my sc-07, but I am seriously going to consider the OPPO. Have you heard any updated source info regarding the SACD issues?
thanks

I haven't read the oppo avs forum for a couple of weeks. The last I've heard they had some issue playing some DVD-Audio titles. Never heard of it having issues with SACD. It does have over 90% approval rating from early adopters. I'm sure there are no major bugs with the latest firmware. And if there is any, I am pretty sure oppo will fix it soon. I got the priority ordering e-mail last week, but since I already purchased the pio 320, I just ordered the oppo for a friend of mine who wanted it. Can't wait to check it out when it arrives.

[arthursiew]

I have a BDP-S360 and it's pretty good for the price. I liked how the player was smaller and it's actually pretty nice looking. The build quality probably won't be as great as the Pioneer, but BD players are meant to stay stationary so it shouldn't be a big issue. The PQ was pretty good and this player has onboard decoding for DTS TrueHD and Master Audio. The thing I didn't like about this player was that there was no eject button on the remote and the loading times were just OK. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with this player and it's worth the $250.

[sheedoe]

[got rice]

Originally Posted by sheedoe

The DVD Layer-change delay is very annoying. A 2009 BD player should not have this issue, period! Especially Pioneer since its previous generation of players (BDP-51) had been plagued with this issue and they had a long time to correct it for the newer units.
.

will you elaborate a little more about this layer change delay? You lost me with this.

Originally Posted by arthursiew

I have a BDP-S360 and it's pretty good for the price. I liked how the player was smaller and it's actually pretty nice looking. The build quality probably won't be as great as the Pioneer, but BD players are meant to stay stationary so it shouldn't be a big issue. The PQ was pretty good and this player has onboard decoding for DTS TrueHD and Master Audio. The thing I didn't like about this player was that there was no eject button on the remote and the loading times were just OK. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with this player and it's worth the $250.

I have the BDP 301, do you see any noticeable differences in PQ/AQ with the 360?

One last question, I'm unfamiliar with the BD live 2.0 and the harddrive. I understand how it functions, however I'd like to know if you have encoutered any problems when the hard drive gets full? like slower load times, and funtionality
Thanks again

[arthursiew]

Originally Posted by got rice

I have the BDP 301, do you see any noticeable differences in PQ/AQ with the 360?

Thanks again

I don't have a BDP-S301 so I don't know about that then.

[Waiterguy]

I just pulled the trigger on the Sony BDP S360, and couldn't be happier. Great PQ, and True HD is awesome! You really don't use the remote to open and close the player anyway...don't you have to get up to put the disc in? Good luck with your search.

[arthursiew]

Originally Posted by Waiterguy

I just pulled the trigger on the Sony BDP S360, and couldn't be happier. Great PQ, and True HD is awesome! You really don't use the remote to open and close the player anyway...don't you have to get up to put the disc in? Good luck with your search.

Please share your happiness in the Review Thread. I would love to see the review thread expand so it can help people on future purchases. I feel the same too!

[sheedoe]

Originally Posted by got rice

will you elaborate a little more about this layer change delay? You lost me with this.

What playing dual layer DVDs, there is a pause of about 3 seconds going from first layer to second layer.

[wafi]

Woah! Sheedoe's been banned?

[robertc88]

A vote for the S360. No problems whatsoever after two weeks of playing SD DVDs or BDs. I was comparing it to the Pioneer 51FD which I eventually returned. The Sony was quicker to load and play and decodes both TrueHD and DTSHDMA.

The Pioneer 51FD is cheaper and I don't think anyone gives the 320 a big edge between those two. Why spend the extra bucks on the 320?

[wafi]

Originally Posted by robertc88

A vote for the S360. No problems whatsoever after two weeks of playing SD DVDs or BDs. I was comparing it to the Pioneer 51FD which I eventually returned. The Sony was quicker to load and play and decodes both TrueHD and DTSHDMA.

The Pioneer 51FD is cheaper and I don't think anyone gives the 320 a big edge between those two. Why spend the extra bucks on the 320?

Yeah have been debating over getting the BDP360 or the 51FD. Still cant make up mind...aesthetically speaking I'd really like the Pio player to go with my Kuro but thats being silly

[got rice]

Originally Posted by robertc88

A vote for the S360. No problems whatsoever after two weeks of playing SD DVDs or BDs. I was comparing it to the Pioneer 51FD which I eventually returned. The Sony was quicker to load and play and decodes both TrueHD and DTSHDMA.

The Pioneer 51FD is cheaper and I don't think anyone gives the 320 a big edge between those two. Why spend the extra bucks on the 320?

thanks for your respnse. will you comment on the differences in the PQ/AQ between the two? I feel this wil be a major determing factor in my decision.

Speed and load time aren't as important.

[emont]

I just exchanged the Pioneer 51D for the Sony 360, and my main reasons were:
Pioneer was way too slow to load up, and there was a handshake/connection problem between the player and my TV (using an HDMI to DVI Cable). I like the sony player since it is faster to load up, but IMO the picture and sound was better on the pioneer (I am using analog outputs for audio only).

Cheers,

[got rice]

Originally Posted by wafi

Yeah have been debating over getting the BDP360 or the 51FD. Still cant make up mind...aesthetically speaking I'd really like the Pio player to go with my Kuro but thats being silly

I don' think that is silly at all, matching my AVR is one of the reasons I'm considering a Pioneer BDP, namely the 51fd. To me aesthetics play a large part in the whole HT presentation.

The only thing I have a concern with is the delayed layer change issues wit the 51fd. I've mentioned this in another thread, and I'll ask here. Is this a big concern or a nit pick issue?

thank you

[Kage]

Originally Posted by got rice

I don' think that is silly at all, matching my AVR is one of the reasons I'm considering a Pioneer BDP, namely the 51fd. To me aesthetics play a large part in the whole HT presentation.

The only thing I have a concern with is the delayed layer change issues wit the 51fd. I've mentioned this in another thread, and I'll ask here. Is this a big concern or a nit pick issue?

thank you

The layer change only happens with dual layered dvds.

[wafi]

Originally Posted by Kage

The layer change only happens with dual layered dvds.

So no issues with playing BDs then? I have a dvd player that I use to play dvds so doesnt matter to me if that is seemingly the only issue with the 51.

[got rice]

Originally Posted by Kage

The layer change only happens with dual layered dvds.

Thanks Kage...If this is the case, then it's a wrap. BDP 51fd it is. My main concern is with blu's, so the layer cahnge for DVD's is a non issue for me.

Can anyone verify this?