Was looking into a Pio DV388 when i saw this on the Pioneer website, which they dont even list a 388 even as a older model.
Well i found a dealer that has them in stock, good ole J&R for $99 with free shipping.
This player has upconverting thru hdmi, i dont know if it will thru component, will find out soon.
I ordered one and will compare it to my LG418 once i get it setup.
The only problem is have with my LG is the shift issue any rez over 480p.
I'm a Dvdaholic so why not give it a shot!

Sorry, but there is no way that a Pioneer will upconvert over component (none of the major brands will, thanks to the studios).

Bud-man -

Looking forward to your review! I'm currently using a Zenith DVB318 (component upconversion) so I'm most interested in your take on the Pio as I do have an HDMI slot available.

BTW, I see you're a fellow CT'er...

Definitely looking forward to see how this player shapes up. I currently have the 588 and I love it, but I was looking to get a player with HDMI in the next month or so. Between this and the new Oppo, it looks like I'll have some options. Hopefully someone will post a firmware mod to make the 490V-S region free, just like all the other Pioneer DivX models.

I just opeend the box and looked in the back NO OPTICAL out!!
I thought i read it had optical out but maybe that was a european model, this is almost a deal killer for me, my Yamaha reciever which is 3 yrs old only has 1 coaxial input, and 3 optical, why is all the dvd makers going back to this 10 yr old technology?

Initial testing...
1 does 480i thru hdmi
2 sound is very low, all settings do not raise this problem, only tried hdmi out.
3 very slow to load xvid files on dvd, real slow....
4 zoom is just 2x and 4x, you can move it around but again usless unless you wanna zoom in on some boobs.
5 nice build quality, but slow tray open/close
6 Top shift issue on my 8th gen panny plasma...what else is new.........
7 tried region 2 dvd of vanishing point....no go......grrrrr.
I will add to this list as more finding come about, pq is nice nice blacks also.

Sounds like more negatives than positives. Hopefully, there is a hack to get it region free. How about layer changes? Have you noticed any as of yet? Thanks

Bummer! Don't you just hate this cheapening of electronics and removal of features to get the price down so as to appeal to J6P! Aside from the diminishing build quality and excessive use of cheap plastic, a couple of my gripes are the dropping of digital optical outputs and removal of the open/close/eject button from the remote! It also seems that more and more electronic items are dropping the battery backup so save a few more cents!

Initial testing...
1 does 480i thru hdmi
2 sound is very low, all settings do not raise this problem, only tried hdmi out.
3 very slow to load xvid files on dvd, real slow....
4 zoom is just 2x and 4x, you can move it around but again usless unless you wanna zoom in on some boobs.
5 nice build quality, but slow tray open/close
6 Top shift issue on my 8th gen panny plasma...what else is new.........
7 tried region 2 dvd of vanishing point....no go......grrrrr.
I will add to this list as more finding come about, pq is nice nice blacks also.

480i via HDMI - cool. I'll add it to the list in the sticky. It will be interesting to see how the MPEG decoder tests out.

larry

Here's a region-free 490....
http://www.regioncodefreedvd.com/pioneer490.html

I started a new thread about this player, but thought that I should include a post here as well.

The new Pioneer DV-490V-S, MSRP $120.00.

Has an HDMI output. Will put out RGB or YCbCR at the following resolutions:
480i
480P
720P
1080i

It will do this into an HDMI or DVI input.

It has two selections for HDMI Color:
"Full range RGB" outputs digital video in the PC signal standard
"RGB" outputs digital video in the Video signal standard (16-235).

It does not pass Blacker than Black. It does pass Whiter than White.

Navigation is almost instantaneous.

The 480i YCbCr output is correctly decoded by the Rec 601 decoding matrix. I don't know if upscaled YCbCr is twisted to Rec 709 in the upconversion.

At 480P YCbCr there was some pixel cropping or image shifting at the Top and Right sides of the image when feeding an Infocus SP7200.

At 720P YCbCr, it was more severe with 2" Black Bars on the Top, Bottom, and Right sides of the image. This was with DVE test patterns. I haven't played an actual DVD to see if it happens with that too, but I presume that it will.

No problems like this at 480i YCbCr. Other than that I can't evaluate the PQ at 480i because the Infocus , though it will accept 480i on its DVI input, does not handle it correctly and produces an image with some screen flicker. It looks like a computor monitor does when run at 60hz vs 72hz or faster.

The image shifting problems might be the Infocus inability to properly handle video that is non-standard for DVI. I will try it out on a display that has HDMI inputs to check.

Glenn

Do u know what's its mpeg decoder ?

It does not pass Blacker than Black. Move on, folks, nothing to see here. :)
Does the next Pio model up have this problem? I don't think the impending Oppo 970HD will hit this price point, but it will pass BTB, etc. YCbCr isn't really a big advantage unless 10bit output is supported. Does this little puppy do 10bit video?

larry

Move on, folks, nothing to see here. :)
Does the next Pio model up have this problem? I don't think the impending Oppo 970HD will hit this price point, but it will pass BTB, etc. YCbCr isn't really a big advantage unless 10bit output is supported. Does this little puppy do 10bit video?

larry
I spoke with someone from DVDO the other day. He has a preproduction version of the Oppo 970 and loves it. He thought that using it over HDMI into the VP30 was equal to an SDI player into the SDI input on the VP30.

Glenn

Do u know what's its mpeg decoder ? I think the 490V uses a Mediatek Mpeg decoder. I don't know which model.

You can see it here (inside pic): http://www.areadvd.de/hardware/2006/pioneer_dv_490_393_1.shtml

Glenn,
The 970HD uses the MediaTek MPEG decoder and has CUE problems at 480i. Did the VP30 filter this completely? (can you ask "someone"?) :)

Pedro,
That's interesting news. Is it the MPEG decode/deinterlacer chip like the 970? I couldn't get a part # from the photo.

larry

Glenn,
The 970HD uses the MediaTek MPEG decoder and has CUE problems at 480i. Did the VP30 filter this completely? (can you ask "someone"?) :)

Pedro,
That's interesting news. Is it the MPEG decode/deinterlacer chip like the 970? I couldn't get a part # from the photo.

larry


My player doesn't have CUE...but I do have the VP30 and it has an adjustment for it.
I assume that it does take care of it.

490v has Mediatek?
I think I'll order it and the 970h for my own private shootout. ;)

Does anyone have this player yet? If so, could you give a performance report? I'm looking into it but nothing for reviews yet!! :D

Ordered from Vann's tonite.
Apparently only comes in silver.
ETA: 6/6.

Glenn,
The 970HD uses the MediaTek MPEG decoder and has CUE problems at 480i.

wow u sound like knowing this for a fact :cool: I'm sure u r one of those beta-testers. Can be more specific ? Which part of the CUE (can't be *all* right ?) and ICP ?

hey multiregion hack here
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.php?select=Pioneer+DV-490V
dunno if it works though

a REVIEW 4 outta 5 http://hometheater.about.com/od/dvdproductreviews/fr/piodv490vsf.htm

wow u sound like knowing this for a fact :cool: I'm sure u r one of those beta-testers. Can be more specific ? Which part of the CUE (can't be *all* right ?) and ICP ? The 971 has the same problem at 480i as reported by somebody in another thread. I thought CUE was only one thing - Chroma Upsampling Error, which is not ICP - 4:2:0 Interlaced Chroma Problem - using Secrets terminology. http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_8_2/dvd-benchmark-special-report-chroma-bug-4-2001.html

larry

i'm waiting for the 696. according to the specs on Pio's press release awhile ago, the only difference between the 696 and the 490 was the PureCinemaProgressive that's on the 696. any truth to that?

The 696 will also play DVD-A and SACD.

C Snyder

The 696 will also play DVD-A and SACD.

C Snyder


I don't have any use for DVD-A (don't even know what it is) or SACD. I'm primarily looking for a good budget player that will produce a good picture on my Pio plasma. The fact that it's a Pio brand (i want to stay same branded) and upconverts via HDMI are the main selling points for me. not to mention the price. purely from a video stand point, is there any difference between the 490 and 696?

Looking for 696? any pre orders Expected Date?

Just got the 490 from ABT for a good price, figured it couldn't hurt to check it out.

lots of problems with this player, to force him to change the resolutions in hdmi.
pain in the a... really. the hdmi resolutions are "greyed" (can't force him to 1080i or 720p) and the hdmi red light front panel keeps flashing ???

i tell you, i'm sick of all those smallish hdmi players full of bugs.
can anyone comment on this issue ?

thanks !

i use an Optoma H79 with its dvi adapter and hdmi hdmi cable (1.5meter)

ok this player is not fully compatible with dvi diffusors so that's it. better connect it only to an hdmi input.
it's specified in the manual.

What is a DVI diffusor?

larry

What is a DVI diffusor?

larry

gotta be the adaptor

lol sorry
plasma, projector.
anyway, there's really issues if the projector or plasma has only dvi hdcp input.
but that happens with many sub priced hdmi players.

$92 from ABT, no need to screw around with HDMI, its progressive output offers competitive performance on the cheap, the build quality is pure crap. All in all, worthwhile for the buyer who sold on Pioneer's budget offerings.

well i just recieved the player and its really nice. the build quality is nice its sleek and thin. its really easy to setup and my god star wars ep 3 looks awesome!!! so does indiana jones and last of the mohicans two dvds that looked bothersome on my 360 running at 480p. if your looking for a good upconverter from a reputable brand check this one out its NIIIIIICE! however i would like to know how to adjust the widescreen picture so it takes up my entire screen rather than have those black bars anyone know if this is possible??? btw i have a pdp-4360hd and its already widescreen

if the film is Anamorphic Widescreen and has an aspect ratio wider than 1:85:1 (which the two films you watched are) then you will get these bars at the top and bottom of your display, as the aspect ratio is higher than that of your television.

You will either have to use a Zoom function to Zoom and Crop (or Zoom to Fit by stretching the image), then you will have to get used to the black bars.

Are these available "locally" in the USA yet? or just mail order?

Not sure if I should go with the 490 or 696... hmm..

dunno by the way it plays divx files really well! i bought mine from abt

When you say 480i is also 576i?
I have a marantz pv-12s4 and need that output.

Or i have the 480i output is enought?

490 manual is now available on Pioneer web site.
Looks like yet another HDMI player that won't let you pillarbox 4:3 material. A problem if your TV won't let you select Normal mode for 720p or 1080i thru HDMI.

Review here:

http://www.lyris-lite.net/dv490v_review.html

Looks bad for PAL. I'm skipping this model myself.

If you don't play PAL disks, then I think this looks like a good player.

490 manual is now available on Pioneer web site.
Looks like yet another HDMI player that won't let you pillarbox 4:3 material.

correct It will NOT pillarbox 4:3.

EDIT: at first I thought it would, as I'm seeing 4:3 and 16:9 correctly on my TV from the same disk. Later I realized it's the Sony LCD that's doing all the auto-ARs.

When you say 480i is also 576i?
I have a marantz pv-12s4 and need that output.

Or i have the 480i output is enought?

If the player is set to region free and TV system "auto", it will output either 480i or 576i depending on the disk. (i.e. for NTSC disk u will see 4 options 1080i/720p/480p/480i, whereas a PAL disk u will see 1080i/720p/576p/576i)

It will pillarbox 4:3.Not according to the manual. There is no option for pillar-boxing 4:3 material for a 16:9 TV.
Can you point me to something that will confirm this as its important to me (I've already rejected several players because of this deficiency).

my ntsc box plays pal discs perfectly

whats 4:3 pillarbox?

whats 4:3 pillarbox?Vertical black bars at left and right of 4:3 picture when displayed on a 16:9 wide screen.

Not according to the manual. There is no option for pillar-boxing 4:3 material for a 16:9 TV.
Can you point me to something that will confirm this as its important to me (I've already rejected several players because of this deficiency).

I apoligize. It doesn't. It was my new Sony LCD TV that's smartly resizing 4:3/16:9 automatically not the player. Today for a test I connected to a 6 yr old plasma and sure enough it locks in full. Sorry.

I apoligize. It doesn't. It was my new Sony LCD TV that's smartly resizing 4:3/16:9 automatically not the player. Today for a test I connected to a 6 yr old plasma and sure enough it locks in full. Sorry.No prb. If you send 720p or 1080i via HDMI from this DVD player to your new Sony LCD TV (is it an A10?) does the aspect ratio lock to Full (or Zoom) and disallow Normal so you are stuck with a stretched 4:3 picture that you can't pillar-box at either the TV or the DVD player? My Sony SXRD & A10 does. Its a real PITA!

it's a V32XBR1. With 720p/1080i it says "Full" but it automatically recognizes the format and pillarbox it whenever necessary. My old panasonic plasma is also "Full" but everything is stretched. I'm running a pio59avi to that plasma and fortunately it has a 16:9(Compressed) mode.

If you wanna take a peek at the European versions of DV-393 and Dv-490V
and brush up on your German, take a look at this 4 page in depth review of the players:
http://www.areadvd.de/hardware/2006/pioneer_dv_490_393_1.shtml

Does anyone own this DVD player? I can't find much information on it. I saw these at Futureshop and the price is pretty nice considering it has Divx support and +RW support.

I'm very interested too... reviews would be greatly appreciated...

Audio quality compared to the new Oppo would nice. I'm afraid it will be a rather tall
order for the Pioneer to best the Oppo video quality wise.

C Snyder

is there upconverting through component on the 490? or is there a way to hack hat feature?

No.

Does anyone own this DVD player? I can't find much information on it. I saw these at Futureshop and the price is pretty nice considering it has Divx support and +RW support.

Pioneer DV490VK HDMI upconverting player

Yes! I have this player. I use it with my Samsung 5053 Plasma. It replaced an older standard DVD player. Im really happy with the quality of the player using the HDMI and upconverting. Its alot better then my older Zenith.

I was able to get this unit in either Black or Silver (Saw this mentioned earlier)
I took black to match my gear...

Anyways, IM very happy with the player, does everything I want it to do... picture quality is great! If you have any more specific questions let me know... Not sure what else to add, kinda a noob with this stuff =)

S.

My Pioneer 490V-S is made in Thailand. Is that a good thing? Where is your made?

My Sony NS75H is made in Malaysia.

I aquired one of these players yesterday, and i find it very good especially for the price, which was $199 australian dollars. It has been years since i owned a player which can give a picture which is well worthy of the price and this player does just that. I have the pioneer 717 which is old hat now and this player leaves it for dead, even running through component and standard video.I have not seen the image blur that i have seen with my 717, which is terrible in most cases. I am running this player through a pioneer vsxax10aig reciever and a Yamaha dpx530 projector and this player does me justice. It also plays divx which is good for my current needs and plays discs that my 717 will not play. I will miss the 717 for its brilliant construction and double layer chasis and so on but the picture is far superior on the later 490v. Thanks Pioneer Grassy...

Just got this player, and have a simple question about its operation. Seems to me it takes about 3 seconds to power up, which can be annoying since this unit doesn't have a power-on led indicator. Only indication is drive noise and lettering in the display. Does this power on delay seem normal to other owners? Maybe I notice it more only because there is no audible/visual cue that I pressed the power button, know what I mean :) Just looking for other owner feedback to make sure my unit isn't defective. TIA.

Same with other Pioneer DVD players and recorders. Same when powering off, it takes a few seconds to indicate this action.

I had a problem, but it turned out to not be a problem with this player - or if it was, it has fixed itself. I'll get back to it here if it turns up again.

Any one have any opinions on the DV490v vs the new Elite DV-46A?

On paper they look very similar... except the DV46A supports SACD and DVD-A..

History review. Does this thing play ALL REGION dvd's after a hack?

To my understanding, yes.

I recently bought this one - hooked direct hdmi to viewsonic 3752 - hooked digital out to pioneer 517 AV receiver.
Can someone tell me what "default" settings I should be changing to go with this setup.
Is 1080i better than 720p
Recently got into the high def thing and find it quite confusing.

thanks for help