The Bottom Line
Pros
- Excellent Blu-ray Disc Playback
- Good DVD Upscaling
- Excellent Audio Peformance
- Flexible Audio connectivity
- 1GB internal memory for BD-Live access
Cons
- No audio/video internet streaming functions.
- USB port not compatible with audio/video file playback.
- Slow disc load times.
- Remote control has small buttons and is not backlit.
- No built-in Wi-Fi
Description
- Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) functionality with 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 Resolution output capability via HDMI 1.3a audio/video output.
- Playback Compatibility: BD-Video, BD-R/RE, DVD, AVCHD, CD, CD-R/RW/MP3, DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL.
- 720p, 1080i, 1080p output via HDMI connection (adaptable to DVI- HDCP).
- Added video outs: Component (up to 1080i for Blu-ray, 480p for DVD) and Composite (480i only). DVD upscaling via HDMI only.
- Video adjustments for Detail, Noise Reduction, White Level, Black Level, Black Setup, Gamma Correction, Hue, Chroma Level.
- Onboard Decoding and Bitstream output of all surround sound formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.
- Precision Quartz Lock System (PQLS): Provides jitterless CD audio playback via HDMI with compatible Pioneer A/V receiver.
- Audio output options, in addition to HDMI, include 2/5.1/7.1 Channel Analog, and one Digital Optical.
- USB port provided for BD-Live memory expansion. 1 GB of internal memory is included.
- Wireless remote and onscreen menu. Remote IR in for control with other devices. Ethernet for BD-Live and firmware downloads.
Guide Review - Pioneer BDP-320 Blu-ray Disc Player - Short Review
With regards to standard DVD playback performance, the BDP-320 passed most of the tests on the Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark DVD.
The test results revealed that the BDP-320 did very good with progressive scan (3:2 pulldown), jaggie elimination (both rotating line and flag waving tests), detail, motion adaptive processing, and moire pattern detection and elimination. On the other hand, the BDP-320 did not do as well suppressing video noise and could not lock onto several frame cadences. For full details, check out my Video Performance Tests
The BDP-320 did not have a problem converting HDMI to DVI when necessary. Using an available DVI input on the HDTVs used for testing, there was no problem with recognition using an HDMI/DVI conversion cable.
On the audio side, the BDP-320 offers both onboard audio decoding and undecoded bitstream output for compatible home theater receivers. The BDP-320 also comes equipped with both HDMI and 5.1 channel analog audio output options. This allows the BDP-320 to supply Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio access to both HDMI and non-HDMI equipped receivers.
The BDP-320 delivered excellent audio performance on both Blu-ray and DVD soundtracks and when playing standard audio CDs. I noticed no audio artifacts that could be attributed to the BDP-320 with any audio source material.
The only audio feature that I tested but could not detect a performance difference was the PQLS anti-audio jitter function for CD playback using the HDMI connection. CDs sounded equally good whether the PQLS was on or off.
If you are looking for Blu-ray Disc player that performs well, and are not interested in internet streaming or USB flash drive features, the BDP-320 is definitely worth consideration.
