Why is it the Pioneer BDP-23fd gets no love, but the Oppo and PS3 get mad RESPECT!

[HD Man]

I have had my Pioneer 51FD and Elite O5 since August of last year and am very happy with the PQ/AQ these players output. Sure load times are not as fast as I would like, but they have improved dramatically since their initial release. The picture and audio I get from both of these players is A+++ in my book.

I think Pioneer released these players too soon, and the lack of DTS-MA, which came in a much later firmware upgrade was a major drag on these players. Oppo makes a great product, but I love my Pioneer players.

[wafi]

Originally Posted by gtmorgan23

I have the pioneer 320 and it has worked flawlessly, I have not one negative complaint at this time.

Same here no complaints with the 320 or the 51.

[awongshing]

I'll be looking to upgrade my blu ray player soon. I'll be looking into the Oppo, Pioneer BDP-23FD or the Denon DBP 2010. So it's not true everyone wants the PS3 and thinks it's the best. The PS3 a value at $299 with the hard drive, internet and gaming capabilities. I've tested the PS3 out against my older Panasonic 30 and the Panasonic looks and sounds better, but that is just my opinion.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by awongshing

I'll be looking to upgrade my blu ray player soon. I'll be looking into the Oppo, Pioneer BDP-23FD or the Denon DBP 2010. So it's not true everyone wants the PS3 and thinks it's the best. The PS3 a value at $299 with the hard drive, internet and gaming capabilities. I've tested the PS3 out against my older Panasonic 30 and the Panasonic looks and sounds better, but that is just my opinion.

IMHO, the PS3 should no longer be considered for BD player purchase unless you like to game on the side, don't care about DVD upconversion, or don't want the Oppo.

[EWL5]

Is it fair to say that most of you Pioneer BD owners who are satisfied with the loading/responsiveness of your player have never owned a PS3 or Oppo (ie. fast loading/responsive BD player)?

My understanding also is that the dreaded DVD layer change has not improved since the days of the 51/05/09 players.

[awongshing]

Originally Posted by EWL5

IMHO, the PS3 should no longer be considered for BD player purchase unless you like to game on the side, don't care about DVD upconversion, or don't want the Oppo.

I agree. I don't own a PS3 but I would like to get one and the reason I want it is for gaming purposes. It's nice that it can play blu rays as well but it would not be considered for primarily playing blu rays. I think it’s great product it’s just not the best blu ray player.

[wafi]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Is it fair to say that most of you Pioneer BD owners who are satisfied with the loading/responsiveness of your player have never owned a PS3 or Oppo (ie. fast loading/responsive BD player)?

My understanding also is that the dreaded DVD layer change has not improved since the days of the 51/05/09 players.

My 51 obviously takes longer than my 320. The 320 is slower than the Oppo and the PS3 but nothing to fret about. I'm patient enough and I dont see the pressing needs for having a player start-up and go to the main menu in 3 seconds...but these are the days of instant gratification so go figure!

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by wafi

My 51 obviously takes longer than my 320. The 320 is slower than the Oppo and the PS3 but nothing to fret about. I'm patient enough and I dont see the pressing needs for having a player start-up and go to the main menu in 3 seconds...but these are the days of instant gratification so go figure!

Don't forget that we are coming off a fully cooked technology (DVD) and those players are of a certain response/load time. Newer players like the Oppo (and the PS3 for quite some time) are already there. Any slow BD player within the last year or so will stand out all the more. That's all I'm saying.

Players from Oppo, Samsung, LG, and JVC have somehow figured out how to get decent speed w/o the benefit of a CELL processor. I'm just curious as to why Pioneer and the rest still haven't figured it out.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by cembros

For bd playback the oppo is no better than the pio. Upcomversion, the oppo takes the edge. As far as features the oppo does play sacd and DVD-a which the pio does not. The pio does stream music through the HMG which is a really awesome feature. Pqls is another great feature if you have a compatable pio amp. For analogue audio I def give the edge to the pio with the wolfsen dacs and burr brown dacs for 2 ch. The pio is a top notch player

Great input and I think that the 23fd is for me. I have no need for sacd/dvd-a support as I already my 58av for that.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by BaronVH

While load times are not lightning fast on java heavy titles, it ain't bad. My 23 has no problems with the menu navigation. Two channel sound on CDs is completely amazing. I can't imagine any player being better. I also cannot imagine any player's upconversion of DVDs to be better. I say this is an exceptional BD player. I have not even upgraded the firmware since I bought it, which was in May.

You should update it as they have improved load times. This player loads movies decently. It's not super fast like the ps3, oppo but I wouldn't call it slow. I got a heck of a deal on my 23fd and couldn't be happier with it. Solid player with decent load timed. No sacd or DVD-a like the oppo...if those are important I'd get the oppo otherwise I'd recommend the 23fd as my stand alone choice.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by seanfarley2

You should update it as they have improved load times. This player loads movies decently. It's not super fast like the ps3, oppo but I wouldn't call it slow. I got a heck of a deal on my 23fd and couldn't be happier with it. Solid player with decent load timed. No sacd or DVD-a like the oppo...if those are important I'd get the oppo otherwise I'd recommend the 23fd as my stand alone choice.

Talking about good deals, can someone please point me to one?

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by ManUtd

Talking about good deals, can someone please point me to one?

Search online...nag friends that work at home theater stores.

[Blove23]

Finally, its good to hear from those who have different players. I thought I was going a little crazy for awhile.. I have to give the Pioneer love because I'm a pioneer guy.

Everyone likes what they like and I usually upgrade my Blu-player every year and a half or so new technology is a *****. If you get what I'm saying. I don't know why I do it, but I do. Since I bought the Pioneer I don't have that itch any more for now. I'm all Pioneer out, but I need to work on some Pioneer Speakers and I'll be great!

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Blove23

Finally, its good to hear from those who have different players. I thought I was going a little crazy for awhile.. I have to give the Pioneer love because I'm a pioneer guy.

Everyone likes what they like and I usually upgrade my Blu-player every year and a half or so new technology is a *****. If you get what I'm saying. I don't know why I do it, but I do. Since I bought the Pioneer I don't have that itch any more for now. I'm all Pioneer out, but I need to work on some Pioneer Speakers and I'll be great!

I tried to be brand loyal but Pioneer hasn't ever made a BD player worthy of their plasma and AVR heritage. Until recently, they priced themselves out of the mass market and now their optical division is paying the price. Pioneer inhabited that niche of home theater reserved for the "enthusiast." Not too cheap to be taken lightly but not too expensive to be considered high end. Unfortunately, they were not able to build that cult following that their Kuros got and have now conceded that enthusiast spot to Oppo. It was not enough that they couldn't get good word of mouth for their BD players but they actually reversed with broken promises and long delays concerning their firmware (forums everywhere were unkind to the 05/51 players). Earlier efforts like the 94 and 95 players were ridiculed for being unnecessarily pricey and video standards not in line with what you paid. Here's hoping their AVR division fares much better.

[Blove23]

I will say the only down fall with the BDP-23fd is the BD-live and I will never use that and its not important to me! LOL

[HD Man]

Originally Posted by Blove23

I will say the only down fall with the BDP-23fd is the BD-live and I will never use that and its not important to me! LOL

I have absolutely no interest at all in BD-Live and it's not even a consideration when I look at players. I've only heard from friends who try to use it that it just causes problems/freeze up on their players, and they finally turned the feature off.

Anyone out there really enjoy BD-Live or do you just see it as a novelty?

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by HD Man

I have absolutely no interest at all in BD-Live and it's not even a consideration when I look at players. I've only heard from friends who try to use it that it just causes problems/freeze up on their players, and they finally turned the feature off.

Anyone out there really enjoy BD-Live or do you just see it as a novelty?

I've only used BD-Live once and that was to see the trailers for Transformers 2 on the original Transformers BD. I've never used it since.

In regards to why I've never really considered the Pioneer is because when I upgraded I was looking for a universal player. My progression when from a PS3, to a Panny 35 (which came free with my Panny plasma), and then the Oppo. I may have went with the Denon 4010 if it was out, but since I had prior experience with Oppo, I went with it.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by HD Man

I have absolutely no interest at all in BD-Live and it's not even a consideration when I look at players. I've only heard from friends who try to use it that it just causes problems/freeze up on their players, and they finally turned the feature off.

Anyone out there really enjoy BD-Live or do you just see it as a novelty?

I'll be using it a lot more if it is required to stream Netflix over the PS3 (or so the rumor claims).

[HD Man]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

In regards to why I've never really considered the Pioneer is because when I upgraded I was looking for a universal player. My progression when from a PS3, to a Panny 35 (which came free with my Panny plasma), and then the Oppo. I may have went with the Denon 4010 if it was out, but since I had prior experience with Oppo, I went with it.

When I purchased the 51 and then the 05, I looked at the PS3, but wanted something that I could place in a system rack, plus the appeal of gaming wasn't high on the list for me. Add to the fact that the players looked more visually appealing, in matching my Elite receivers, and the fact that the 51/05 are basically the sme player, I went with the Pioneer product. I still have, and occasionally use, my Oppo DVD player.

If I was making a new purchase, I would definitely look at the Oppo, but have no regrets about going with Pioneer product. It will be interesting to see how future Pioneer products develop after the merger of operations with Sharp and wonder about the future and performance of any future Elite products.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by HD Man

When I purchased the 51 and then the 05, I looked at the PS3, but wanted something that I could place in a system rack, plus the appeal of gaming wasn't high on the list for me. Add to the fact that the players looked more visually appealing, in matching my Elite receivers, and the fact that the 51/05 are basically the sme player, I went with the Pioneer product. I still have, and occasionally use, my Oppo DVD player.

If I was making a new purchase, I would definitely look at the Oppo, but have no regrets about going with Pioneer product. It will be interesting to see how future Pioneer products develop after the merger of operations with Sharp and wonder about the future and performance of any future Elite products.

I went with the PS3 because it was an easier sell to the wife at the time.