Pioneer: New DVD players 350 and 454

[Okalettos]

Hello,

I am about to buy my first DVD-player and would like to hear from new owners of the Pioneer 350 or 454, or from anyone who know anything about them, good or bad or most wanted: differences.
From the specifications these two players are identical, except for one optical output and a dashed front on the 454.

(The 350 is the replacer of 343 and 454 of the 444, I've heard)

I am a Sony-friend and for a while a wanted the new Sony model 305. But now I have read some reviews of both Pioneer 350 and Sony 305, and the conclusion is that Pioneer is really something extra, and Sony could be a bit better on almost every test-point reviewed, so it seems as if I will have to leave Sony for Pioneer instead .
One of the most "serious" review centres I have found is http://www.areadvd.de , where you need to know german very good, or use http://www.freetranslation.com/ for translation into english.

My thoughts are:
*What about 350/454 and VCD/XVCD/SVCD/XSVCD, what is possible? Any experiences?
*"Practical" differences between these two models, except for the ouput mentioned above?
*Others?

I have ordered a 350 regionfree, macrovisionfree, RCE friendly, I.C.O.S. modified, (3000sek~300dollar). But if something speeks for 454, or against 350 then maybe I should cancel the order.

All experiences and thoughts are welcome :P,

Regards Gunnar (Sweden).

[Okalettos]

No one?

I thought that we in Sweden always got the new stuff last..

Perhaps USA has different model names for the same machines(?)

I am most curious about VCD, SVCD etc, all models. E g what can they handle "inoffically"? Officially they can only take VCD, but the Pioneer 444 and Sony 400 can handle SVCD without problem, for example, so there is hope for the new ones to!(?)

Regards Gunnar.

[Cobra]

You've made a good choice to go with the Pioneer - I own a 535 and it's a nice player. Only thing I wish Pioneer would make is a nice screen when it is on and waiting for a disc - the blue screen isn't that fetching!

Also, I do not belive Sony players play CD-R or CD-RW discs. The Pioneer never gives me any trouble

Enjoy your shiny new Pioneer...

CobraDMX

[Okalettos]

CobraDMX, thanks for your reply.

The new Sony players all handle cd-rw and cd-r by specification, as far as I've seen, they also handle MP3 in a good way. The quality of the new models are high according to price-level. But this is also the fact for Pioneers new-comer's, even greater testcenter's tell us. As always for budget level machines Sony is a bit restrictive when it comes to "extras".
Pioneer gets better quality reports than f e Sony, so together with the extras, then it should be an easy choise.
But if there are any quality differences between Pioneer 350 and 454 I have not read anything about. Anyone?

And, what about VCD/SVCD etc, we are many who are curious here in Sweden :P.

Regards Gunnar.

[Cobra]

I stand corrected!

My Pioneer DV535 and my friend's DV444 plays every type of VCD we have thrown at them. I think Pioneer have a great strength in the compatibility of their players.

Go to www.pioneer.co.uk for information on the players you are looking at. Here's a small quotation which you may find useful:

"Performance and features of the DV-350 and DV-454 are nominally identical. However, DV-454 is fresh-up cosmetic design with a complementary AV receiver to partner it. And DV-454 includes both coaxial and optical digital outputs. (DV-350 has only a coaxial output.)"
- www.pioneer.co.uk

If you want me to test anything in particular on my Pioneer for you I will give it a go and post the results up

CobraDMX

[JoMu]

I just bought model 350 and VCD's are working fine!

Does anyone know where can I download (or order) user's manual for Pioneer DVD-players (for free).

[Okalettos]

Jomu, happy you, myself I am waiting for my 350 to be delivered.
Have you been able to test SVCD? VCDHelp tell that SVCD is supported=it should work fine.

What about shifting disc layer, is it annoying somehow? That is an annoying thing about 444 (the only thing almost it seems among users), but I have heard that 350/454 has the same "problem" (eg no buffer)..

Regards Gunnar.

[JoMu]

Just tried successfully SVCD!!!

BTW, I found a manual in finnish :)

[jf_]

Im also thinking of buying a DV-350.
According to Pioneer, dvd-r/-rw will work fine.
But how about +r/+rw.. anyone of you tested it yet?

/Jonny (also in Sweden )

[amichael]

I purchased the Pioneer 444 after investigating and asking many questions on forums about it and unfortunately THERE IS a problem with the 444 and possibly the other models near them.
The problem is only apparent when viewing in RGB mode - there seems to be light patches on the top part of the screen. There have been many postings about it by other customers. It appears to affect Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba TV's.
It's really annoying as many are now posting these on forum, coincidentally as they have discontinued the model.
You'll notice the black areas of a widescreen film change colour depending on the strong colours in the film. I am now viewing the film in S Video mode - which is fine. SVCD and VCD play fine. Pioneer are denying everything, as they would !!, but I have read a few too mnay stories for it to be a coincidence.