Pioneer Elite DV-46AV DVD/SACD/DVD-Audio Player with HDMI - Review

Playback functionality was excellent. The DV-46AV played commercial DVDs, several DVD-R/DVD+RW discs, as well as a selection of CD/CDR/RW/DTS format discs.

Using the HDMI at the 720p setting in conjunction with a Syntax LT-32HV 720p native resolution LCD Television, and using the 1080i output mode in conjunction with a using a Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, with both a Samsung DVD-HD931, in conjunction with the Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark DVD video test disc, the DV-46AV produced excellent results in HDMI/DVI output mode.

The presence of artifacts, such as jaggies on diagonal lines, moire patterns, video noise, and frame rate cadences was very minimal, and easily on par or surpassing the Samsung 931 comparison DVD player, the Toshiba HD-DVD player, and both the Samsung and Sony Blu-ray Disc players (running in standard DVD upscaling mode).

In terms of detail, color, and black level, the DV-46AV provided solid performance. Objects were clear and distinctive, even on distant shots. Close up flesh detail was also excellent, although softer than a true HD-DVD or Blu-ray high definition disc display.

To determine DVD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD differences, I compared identical scenes from the standard DVD version of the film The Italian Job, with both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD versions. The HD-DVD version was the most detailed, followed by the Blu-ray version, and then the standard DVD version (upscaled) on the DV-46AV.

Audio Performance

For those that think that DVD players are not to-up-to par with a good hi-end CD player for audio reproduction, think again.

The DV-46AV delivered excellent audio performance when playing standard CDs, SACDs (Super Audio CDs), and DVD-Audio Discs. I noticed no audio artifacts that could be attributed to the DV-46AV.

Several examples of good audio reproduction included the excellent surround imagery and vocal presence in the SACD version Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, as well as the DVD-Audio version of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. In terms of excellent standard CDs, Heart's classic Magic Man, with its distinctive bass slide to lower depths of the audio range, was spot on.

All-in-all, the DV-46AV showed its versatility as both an excellent DVD player and CD/SACD/DVD-Audio player. It is too bad that SACD and DVD-Audio discs are hard to find on the shelves, as the DVD-46AV really delivers the goods on those two niche formats.

What I Liked About the DV-46AV and What I Didn't Like

The DV-46AV is an excellent DVD player. Some of its consumer benefits include:

1. Excellent Video and Audio Performance

2. HDMI output with 720p and 1080i upscaling options.

3. Automatic 4x3 Aspect Ratio Conversion when in 16x9 mode. The eliminates the "stretched out" effect when viewing 4x3 material on a 16x9 Television.

4. Inclusion of both DVD-Audio and SACD playback with 5.1 channel analog audio outputs.

5. Easy-to-use On-screen menu setup.

6. Slim Cabinet Profile

However, despite the positives, there are some things I didn't like about the DV-46AV:

1. No 1080p upscaling capability.

2. No SACD output available via HDMI connection.

3. No separate DVI-HDCP output.

4. No built-in Test Tone Generator for 5.1 channel analog audio speaker setup.

5. Buttons and controls on front panel too small. Remote control not backlit.

Final Take

Using HDMI and both the 720p and 1080i outputs settings in conjunction with a Syntax LT-32HV 32-inch LCD TV with native 720p display capability, Samsung LN-R238W 23-inch 720p LCD TV , and a Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, and using the Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark DVD as a reference, the DV-46AV produced excellent results in terms of detail, color, video noise reduction, and progressive scan detection.

The Pioneer Elite DV-46AV was easy to set up and use. The user manual illustrates several connection scenarios, based on the type of television or audio system to be used.

Overall functionality was excellent. The DV-46AV easily played commercial DVDs, several DVD-R/DVD+RW discs, as well as a selection of SACD/DVD-Audio/CD/CDR/RW discs, and also a Divx disc.

In terms of video performance, quality depended on the type of connection used, but was very good for each type of connection, with HDMI producing the best results, with the upscaling feature.

It was a disappointment that the DV-46AV did not include 1080p upscaling, which is becoming common.

If you have a 1080p compatible TV that does a good job adjusting 1080i to 1080p for screen display, you may not notice the difference, unless you compare the upscaling of the DV-46AV with the native 1080i or 1080p output of a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player play Blu-ray or HD-DVD discs.

However, the lack of 1080p upscaling does factor into the review rating, as this option could be provided at this same price point.

Despite the difference between upscaled DVD and Blu-ray and HD-DVD, the DV-46AV does show how good standard DVD upscaling CAN BE, especially when you consider the price differentials between a good upscaling DVD player and the current crop of Blu-ray and HD-DVD players (as well as the price of the discs).

Audio performance of the DV-46AV was excellent. Dolby Digital/DTS surround sound options worked well, with excellent imaging and sonic detail. CD, DVD-Audio, and SACD playback audio reproduction was excellent and I did not sense any shortcomings that could be attributed to the DV-46AV. NOTE: SACD playback can only be accessed by the DV-46AV's Analog 5.1 Channel Outputs.

For its price class ($299), I came away with the impression that the DV-46AV provided a better image-for-the-price, than either HD-DVD or Blu-ray does at this time, at least with players and discs currently available in those formats.

The DV-46A, with its excellent DVD/SACD/DVD-Audio and Upscaled DVD playback performance, is worthy of consideration for inclusion in your home theater system.

However, the lack of 1080p upscaling, the lack of access to SACD audio via HDMI, overly small front panel function buttons, and the lack of a backlight for the remote control were taken into consideration in the rating process.

I give the Pioneer Elite DV-46AV a very strong of 4.5 out of 5 star rating.