New budget Pioneer universal player announced

[soundboy]

MSRP of US$200.00....so street price of about $160.00??

Pioneer DV-578A universal player announcement

Let the mods begin!!

 

[acs236]

Is this just a replacement for the 563a? Are there any differences?

 

[Welly Wu]

Soundboy:

WOW! That one completely slipped under my radar screen! It looks like it has some of the key components of my Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi. At $199 MSRP, it is indeed a steal. Search around and you'll probably get one for $50 USD less.

What about the Samsung HD-941? It looks like that one is killer too for under $500 USD. Pre-orders on that one look to be ~ $350 - $400 USD. It has all of the key features of my DV-59AVi including an internal video scaler and HDMI output. That is one to look out for too.

I guess that this bodes well for the DVD-Audio and SACD camps. It looks like 2004 might just turn out to be another year where no losses are taken but no major victories are claimed either. With the greater availability of hardware to play both hi-rez formats, that once limiting factor for the market penetration and acceptability of both hi-rez formats is fading away. Now, it's all about the software...

 

[soundboy]

Yeah, if only SACD software can be released quicker. The music companies in the US need to get the ball moving. The rest of the world is releasing titles at a much quicker pace than here in the States.

I would like to get one of these inexpensive uni player to cover all bases; already havs a Sony DVP-NS500V.

The Samsung HD-941 can be had at Amazon.com for $300.00.

 

[Welly Wu]

Amazing. Perhaps I should have waited until these came out -- I knew full well they were down the pipeline as early as January 2004. However, I know my Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi is a sound decision. Must take it to ModWright LLC soon.

These new affordable universal players signal the willingness of the manufacturers to support both hi-rez formats -- and their inherent acceptance that consumers would prefer to hedge a bet -- in the future. Now, it is up to the major record labels to pump out compelling titles.

PS: I'm still rooting for DVD-Audio. It is going to approach equivalent sales as SACD later in 2004 or by the second quarter of 2005...provided nothing happens to disrupt our economy.

 

[soundboy]

I wonder who amongst all of us will take the plunge first??

 

[ServinginEcuador]

ANY and all universal players in the budget category are a good thing. Why? The more we have universal players, the more people will buy hi-rez format discs, and that means companies will start releasing more and more recordings in hi-rez formats. I saw that there are now more than 2000 SACD titles already, and DVD-A is picking up steam as I type. In the end we all win when these hi-rez formats release new material.

 

[soundboy]

It's rumored that Sony is working on a Bruce Springsteen SACD reissue program a la Bob Dylan.

I would like to see hi-rez make it into the mainstream in this country, but seriously doubt that will happen. Even with inexpensive uni players available, hi-rez is on a uphill climb. At the very least, prices of both players and software is coming down.

 

[acs236]

What we really need is other companies offering low-priced universals. Really -- is this anything but this years model of the 563a? I honestly don't know, but it looks like a replacement. I'm more excited abuot the new Toshiba's coming out. Maybe they won't be great, but at least it's some competition.

 

[Jose Perez]

Just a quick aside:
Where do things currently stand in the format wars? I've heard lots of conflicting info in recent weeks/months but to be perfecty honest I haven't been keeping up with all of this enough to know where its all going to go in the end.

A brief synopsis would be very appreciated, thanks.

 

[soundboy]

This is just my opinion regarding the "format war".....

Like my comment above, I seriously doubt either DVD-A or SACD will make it into the mainstream. After all, these 2 hi-rez format is more about audio than anything else. For me, most of my favorite titles appear on SACD. And it seems like SACD is the format that is growing faster....over 100 titles has been added around the world since the announcement of the 2,000th title at the beginning of May.

Prices for both the players and the software have come down considerably....I was able to pick up Sting's "Brand New Day" SACD for $14.99, which is only about a dollor or two more than the regular CD. As for hardware, universal players are the best of both worlds. For inexpensive offerings, Panasonic, TEAC, and JVC continue to make single disc and 5-disc DVD-A changers. Sony and Philips are doing the same for SACD; Sony has announced a single-disc DVD/SACD player for as low as $130.00 and a audio-only (no DVD) 5 disc SACD changer for about $150.00.

 

[Welly Wu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ServinginEcuador ANY and all universal players in the budget category are a good thing. Why? The more we have universal players, the more people will buy hi-rez format discs, and that means companies will start releasing more and more recordings in hi-rez formats. I saw that there are now more than 2000 SACD titles already, and DVD-A is picking up steam as I type. In the end we all win when these hi-rez formats release new material.

Doug:

I totally agree with your sentiments. At least you have the balls to be positive about this new development. It will still take years before both hi-rez formats become plentiful and in demand by general consumers. However, these manufacturers who are providing hardware support is equally critical in our battle to have both hi-rez formats eventually replace Red Book CD. That will take perhaps another decade or two. I don't know. However, there is the logic that since more affordable hi-rez capable players enter the market, then the apparati to play hi-rez formats is becoming available and affordable to the general masses. One can only pray and keep positive hope that both hi-rez formats will eventually gain widespread popularity and acceptance by Joe Smith and Jane Smith. It will take years though.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu One can only pray and keep positive hope that both hi-rez formats will eventually gain widespread popularity and acceptance by Joe Smith and Jane Smith. It will take years though.

Very true. If the mainstream doesn't start catching on, these formats will remain fringe at best, or replaced again at worst. They both sound incredible, and with a decently engineered recording far superior to the Redbook originals.

 

[kartik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu PS: I'm still rooting for DVD-Audio. It is going to approach equivalent sales as SACD later in 2004 or by the second quarter of 2005...provided nothing happens to disrupt our economy.

You wish!

SACD is more likely to win the day for many reasons, but most obviously because the 900 lb gorilla of the recording industry (Sony) is pushing it.

 

[Welly Wu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartik You wish! SACD is more likely to win the day for many reasons, but most obviously because the 900 lb gorilla of the recording industry (Sony) is pushing it.

Kartik:

You know you'll be the first one to eat your own words when DVD-Audio gains greater footing and is poised to make a leap in the market and industry.