The Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD Review Thread

[Harvester]

Got the call today! I will have mine installed Sept. 11th. They need to do some updagrades to the receiver (firmware update) that was not communicated ot the srevice department, so they were not preped for that this Thursday.

Oh well, I have waited since May. i can wait 2 more weeks!

[CAB]

Originally Posted by petmic10

As of today, this is innacurate.

Eventually, Pioneer will provide a firmware update enabling this
feature for HDMI(PCM) and multichannel.

The only way to get DTS HD MA currently is via bitstream.

This does seem to be the case for HR and MA flavors of DTS. I'm playing with an 05FD today and when setting the audio output to PCM over the HDMI (yes, I'm 1.2+) the player display shows it decoding DTS at 1.53 Mbps. Their literature is sorely lacking detail, borderline on deceptive.

Heard a date on the firmware? I may just go for the 09.

Edit: From this I'm deducing that the DACs will only be getting the PCM output from the DTS Core as well. Disappointing until the firmware is released.

[Shallow_]

I cant seem to find any info wether the firmware update for internal DTS MA decoding for the BDP-05FD is out yet. It is the only format I am missing, and I wont buy a player that only can/will play DTS MA in the future..
Anyone know ??
Thanks

[CAB]

Originally Posted by Shallow_

I cant seem to find any info wether the firmware update for internal DTS MA decoding for the BDP-05FD is out yet. It is the only format I am missing, and I wont buy a player that only can/will play DTS MA in the future..
Anyone know ??
Thanks

It's not out yet. I just pushed the 1.02 update to mine and still only see DTS Core. I've heard dates from Oct 08 to Jan 09 for the DTS HD MA update.

[Shallow_]

Thanks mate. Dont understand why the manufacturers cant get their heads out of their a..es and make DTS MA 1. priority. Most discussions about BD players concern this. Almost half of my movies are currently just 50% hidef

[petmic10]

Originally Posted by CAB

This does seem to be the case for HR and MA flavors of DTS. I'm playing with an 05FD today and when setting the audio output to PCM over the HDMI (yes, I'm 1.2+) the player display shows it decoding DTS at 1.53 Mbps. Their literature is sorely lacking detail, borderline on deceptive.

Heard a date on the firmware? I may just go for the 09.

Edit: From this I'm deducing that the DACs will only be getting the PCM output from the DTS Core as well. Disappointing until the firmware is released.

Unfortunately, I have heard of no concrete date for this update.

Yes, that is correct about the DACs.

An insider from AVS said the update would be soon but couldn't
give a concrete date for it.

Currently, I'm enjoying bitstreaming from my 51 to my Onkyo
885 pre/pro and on to my Kuro(6010).

[bluewatergrigsby]

Any more details on how you like your unit.

[petmic10]

Originally Posted by bluewatergrigsby

Any more details on how you like your unit.

Coming from a PS3, which I still have, I did some A & B testing between
the 51 and PS3 as far as PQ is concerned and I always enjoyed the 51
more. The depth and detail of the picture was always more impressive on
the 51. Whatever Pioneer is doing with this deep color upconversion
technique it is really a sight to see.

These units are well built and look fantastic a typical Pioneer product.

There are so many video adjustment features on the new Pioneers, that
if you like tweaking for the best PQ, this player is for you.

There is a video adjust option depending on your display type.
LCD, PDP, Pioneer PDP, Projector, Professional, Memory 1, 2, 3.
I initially used the Pioneer PDP setting but since have changed to
the Memory 1 option as it gives you more adjustment flexibility.
My favorite feature is source direct which takes whatever signal
is coming from the disc an outputs it.

Load time are a little on the slow side but the PQ more than makes
up for it. If your looking for PS3 load times with these players you
will be dissappointed.

[bluewatergrigsby]

Don't really care about the extra 20 sec load time.Want the best picture I can get for my 1080i .

[CAB]

Originally Posted by bluewatergrigsby

Any more details on how you like your unit.

I do like it. The 05's buttons are something to get used to but I've always kept a small flashlight next to my A/V rack so I don't have to disturb the room lighting if I need to make a change. I very much like that I can change the resolution using the remote and the front panel. I use Source Direct for the most part but had to change when I was testing DVD video.

The unit is larger than the 95FD it replaced but has a lighter feel. It is VERY quiet with load times that are way below the PS3 but of less concern to me. I am very happy with the PQ and AQ:always been a fan of Wolfson. I am avoiding much of the video processing by putting the player into "professional" mode and hard setting 4:4:4. I need to run some side-by-side tests but my initial impression is blacks were richer and color transitions were smoother. I used Sunshine and Underworld as my references. I have two copies of each movie and plan on playing each side by side with the 95FD and just switch between HDMI sources on the display

My only disappointment is the lack of DTS-HD processing as I use the analog outs to a pre-amp. I do hope Pioneer gets that update quickly. My recommendation for the budget conscious is to wait until HR and MA are decoded internally and then compare to other players on the market. I'm the opposite of budget conscious as this player is about 1/4 of what I paid for just my one of my pre-amps.

In summary, this player will tide me over until I can take a look at that new Denon coming out that will have SACD and DVD-A included. It will make a nice addition to the gaming room where all my hand-me-downs go before they hit craigslist or audiogon/videogon

[rragland]

Originally Posted by CAB

I do like it. The 05's buttons are something to get used to but I've always kept a small flashlight next to my A/V rack so I don't have to disturb the room lighting if I need to make a change. I very much like that I can change the resolution using the remote and the front panel. I use Source Direct for the most part but had to change when I was testing DVD video.

The unit is larger than the 95FD it replaced but has a lighter feel. It is VERY quiet with load times that are way below the PS3 but of less concern to me I am very happy with the PQ and AQ:always been a fan of Wolfson. I am avoiding much of the video processing by putting the player into "professional" mode and hard setting 4:4:4. I need to run some side-by-side tests but my initial impression is blacks were richer and color transitions were smoother. I used Sunshine and Underworld as my references. I have two copies of each movie and plan on playing each side by side with the 95FD and just switch between HDMI sources on the display

My only disappointment is the lack of DTS-HD processing as I use the analog outs to a pre-amp. I do hope Pioneer gets that update quickly. My recommendation for the budget conscious is to wait until HR and MA are decoded internally and then compare to other players on the market. I'm the opposite of budget conscious as this player is about 1/4 of what I paid for just my one of my pre-amps.

In summary, this player will tide me over until I can take a look at that new Denon coming out that will have SACD and DVD-A included. It will make a nice addition to the gaming room where all my hand-me-downs go before they hit craigslist or audiogon/videogon

When I load a Blu-ray disc into my BDP-05FD and press play, my Pioneer/Elite PRO-110FD 50" KURO turns itself on and automatically switches to its dedicated HDMI input. I like this feature a lot.

[CAB]

Originally Posted by rragland

When I load a Blu-ray disc into my BDP-05FD and press play, my Pioneer/Elite PRO-110FD 50" KURO turns itself on and automatically switches to its dedicated HDMI input. I like this feature a lot.

Yep, the HDMI control stuff is nice and seems to work with many display vendors.

[rragland]

Originally Posted by CAB

Yep, the HDMI control stuff is nice and seems to work with many display vendors.

My BDP-94HD did not do this.

[petmic10]

Originally Posted by rragland

When I load a Blu-ray disc into my BDP-05FD and press play, my Pioneer/Elite PRO-110FD 50" KURO turns itself on and automatically switches to its dedicated HDMI input. I like this feature a lot.

A very nice feature indeed.

[Harvester]

Mine will be installed on Sept. 11th after the installers get back form pioneer certification.

It will be interesting to see what they saw I should in the setup for my situation. I have a older receiver and the outstanding question is to use the 1.2 HDMI to push the PCM to the receiver or use the analog outs to the receiver and do all the decode to analog.

The only real difference between to two options for me will be the cost in the cables. They plan to ask my setup question to the Pioneer tech and have a solution. I hope they get an idea when the DTS-MA will be decoded internally.

[Eddie_O]

I got a copy of the "Shine a Light" BD, and the load times are egregious. On my PS3, I get the "loading" (from the BD) animation in about 15 seconds; on the '05, it takes over a minute, and during that time, nothing seems to be happening (screen blank), so you don't know if the unit is frozen.

The the BD splash screen appears. On the PS3, that is pretty much immediately followed by the BD main menu. On the '05, if the menu appears at all, it takes about 15 more seconds. About 1/2 the time, the screen remains blank and nothing happens. Only the "stop" button does anything (resume disabled), and pressing play starts the whole process again. If the disc has a read error, there is no indication anywhere, so I can't tell what the problem is, or if it is a Java error of some sort.

On the 50% chance when it runs correctly, it works fine after that, including returning to the main menu.

This is with the 1.02 firmware update. It made no change.

So either I just have a flakey disc, and Pioneer didn't see fit to include any error indications, or there are yet more bugs in the firmware.

OK: here' a suggestion for Sony when they make their next BD player: just give us a stripped down PS3 which is quieter and doesn't run so hot. Include a real IR remote, and the usual gaggle of analog audio and video outputs. The PS3 may still be the best BD player except for the IR remote issue (hard to integrate into a system without a third party IR remote and USB dongle), and the lack of anything but HDMI and TOSLINK for multichannel audio. It's fan is noisy, and it runs VERY hot.

Eddie O

[Carve]

My local retailer said they only received 25% of what they ordered as far 05FD's. Fortunately I got one and got it hooked up a few hours ago. It is the first time I have seen a Blu Ray in action on my dispaly (Pro 150FD) and I am extremely happy. I will admit my confidence in tweaking the setting is low as I am new to the world of HD theater and still learning the language let alone what to look for.

Hopefully I can gain some tips on here and will be asking soon. As for now I am going to watch Apocalypto and Rescue Dawn.

For those having trouble locating an 05FD try the Pioneer store in Costa Mesa Ca. I spoke to my local retailer (they do custom installs one that was $500,000) and they said it was an awesome store. I spoke to them a few days ago and they had them in stock ready to ship. Just FYI

Happy Hunting,

[rragland]

Originally Posted by Carve

My local retailer said they only received 25% of what they ordered as far 05FD's. Fortunately I got one and got it hooked up a few hours ago. It is the first time I have seen a Blu Ray in action on my dispaly (Pro 150FD) and I am extremely happy. I will admit my confidence in tweaking the setting is low as I am new to the world of HD theater and still learning the language let alone what to look for.

Hopefully I can gain some tips on here and will be asking soon. As for now I am going to watch Apocalypto and Rescue Dawn.

For those having trouble locating an 05FD try the Pioneer store in Costa Mesa Ca. I spoke to my local retailer (they do custom installs one that was $500,000) and they said it was an awesome store. I spoke to them a few days ago and they had them in stock ready to ship. Just FYI

Happy Hunting,

I have the PRO-110FD (50" version of your TV) connected to the BDP-05FD. All of my settings are at zero and my AV selection is "Optimum". I have trouble concentrating on the movie due to being distracted by the awesome PQ. Or, maybe I just have an extreme case of attention deficit disorder.

[Carve]

I will give those a shot. Thanks

[rragland]

Originally Posted by Carve

I will give those a shot. Thanks

I don't know if it really makes any difference, but I did invest in a $100 Monster High-Speed Transmission HDMI cable, as recommended in the owner's manual.