Blu-ray Player Showdown : Pioneer BDP-320
2. Pioneer BDP-320
The Remote
The remote is a little confusing when you first look at it. All the buttons look alike and you’ll need some time to get used to where they’re positioned. This doesn’t facilitate use in the dark, especially as the remote isn’t backlit. It does nevertheless handle nicely and is well designed.
The Pioneer BDP-320 has been on sale since June 2009. It stands out thanks to DiVX compatibility and a sober, elegant design, the Pioneer stamp.
Design & Build
Although the BDP-320 is positioned as a mid-range player, we were disappointed to see that it is not as well equipped as it could be.
- BDP-320 Blu-ray Player...
Connectivity is limited to an HDMI 1.3 socket, YUV outs, composite, stereo and optical outs and Ethernet and USB. Moreover you can’t use the USB to read multimedia files as it has only been designed for BD-Live functionality. You have to plug in a USB that is at least 1 GB in size if you want to use BD-Live. You can’t use the Ethernet socket that functions with BD-Live to access files stocked on the local network (computer, server etc). It is important to underline this as some descriptions or tests on the internet are misleading on this point.
We would have liked to see twice the digital audio optical/coaxial connectivity, as well as analog 7.1 audio outs.
The menus are easy to use and the design is in keeping with current trends. As with many TVs and Blu-ray players, there is a certain delay in comparison with the graphics interfaces of products that are truly adapted to current software potential. This isn’t particularly serious as time spent in the menus is of course a lot less than the time spent using the player itself.
You can use the BDP-320 to view JPEGs, play mp3s, WMAs and DiVX files. DiVX files are limited to SD (720x576) format. You’ll notice straight away that the player is quite slow to start up. Turning it on, putting the disc in and closing the drawer and display of the first image all takes a bit more than a minute.
Image quality
The wait is worthwhile however! HD quality is quite simply perfect. For those who want to adjust the image according to taste or the screen, Pioneer has designed a whole array of settings (continuous movement, Pure Cinema, 3 sound reduction filters, sharpness, white levels, black levels, gamma, tones and saturation).
DVD upscaling is great and playing source of this type (interlaced images) activates new functions in the video settings menu. Once again, the user will be able to adjust the settings as they like.
Audio formats
All audio formats are supported and internally decoded: Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD and DTS-HD MA. You can feed them via the HDMI socket as a bitstream – a single flow that is decoded by the amplifier – or PCM – 8 decoded channels that can simply be amplified. Of course you need the HDMI socket for HD signals, otherwise you have to make do with Dolby Digital or DTS via the optical out. Once again, we have to say that the absence of analog 7.1 outs is a shame.
Note also the PQLS feature that improves the restitution of stereo audio sources and eliminates any jitter. However you need to be using the HDMI out for this to work.
| Pioneer BDP-320 | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
The BDP-320 is quite simply one of the best Blu-ray players on the market. Well equipped home cinema enthusiasts will have to check that the audio connections fit in with their system (no analog 7.1 outs).
Why not review the 3600 sammy? The ability to connect to a PC share with NO software or special configuration on the home network is amazingly nice and simple. I can browse my collection of DIVX movies (hundreds) and play them without a hitch. I have no reason for a home theater PC when this player can connect to my 5-year old home seerver pc and play it's content so nicely.
Do these devices spellt he end of the home theater PC? On the 3600 I can download NetFlix, Blockbuster, player Pandora internet radio and watch YouTube videos for hourssss (very addicting). What can a HTPC do that this player can't? Just a question for THG.
I still recommend the PS3, even if the person has no interest in games.
specially the newer, quieter one with bitstream. great at BD, great media streamer, and they are always updating it and adding new stuff.
the only reason I'd get a standalone is if I already had an xbox that does all that stuff except bluray.
The BD60 does NOT play DIVX/XVID files, only the BD80. Secondly, you can burn AVCHD camcorder files (Canon HF100) to a DVD and play on my BD60.
I think its a good player. Some people have been reporting that it has a random skipping problem.
Ok, where is the OPPO BDP-83 review?
Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Pioneer....bleh. I have an OPPO BDP-83. Plays anyting I throw at it and has excellent dvd upconversion.
Why wasn't Oppo reviewed? It is a great player and not that expensive.
Why wasn't Oppo reviewed?
mtn ranger
Could you please advise how to create the AVCHD DVD?
I am using multiAVCHD and Imgburn and I only get a black screen, no image, no sound..