Everyone,

I thought I would start on thread on these two players. I am interested in the 490, but there is very little chatter on the web about them. The 490 is for sale at J&R and B&H, but the 696 is due in June. The manuals have not made it onto the pioneer website also. I think either of the pioneers or the oppo 970h will be great companions to the DVDO VP30 w/ ABT102 using 480i over HDMI.

Anyone have the 490 yet?

Thanks,
DR

People have been talking about these, but I can't find the thread....

larry

People have been talking about these, but I can't find the thread....

larry

Here's the (pre)sale page (http://www.avland.co.uk/pioneer/dv696/dv696.htm) from AVLand (UK). And--for what it's worth--here's Pioneer's Japanese page (http://pioneer.jp/dvdld/player/dv-696av/index.html).

Is the dv-696 essentially a dv-588 with HDMI?

Larry, is this thread what you had in mind?: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6880095&highlight=dv696#post6880095

Existing thread with some 490 info....
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=674462

I'm VERY interested in the Pioneer 696. (Also, just trying to keep the thread alive).

Anyone heard/seen anything else, got anymore information on release date? We're into June now?????



Good listening/viewing!

I'm VERY interested in the Pioneer 696. (Also, just trying to keep the thread alive).

Anyone heard/seen anything else, got anymore information on release date? We're into June now?????

I'm waiting for the 696 as well. Was hoping it would be out by now. Hope they are on track still for release this month.

-- Rich

I too am waiting for the 696. I did a thread on here (can't find it now), that asked about a new player with HDMI and everyone highly recommended this player. It has HDMI, doesn't have that Fuj. chip that causes Macroblocking, and is relatively cheap (good choice until they work out the HD format wars/prices come down). Just wish they would release it already.

I currently have the 588a and it has been the best player I've owned thus far. I'm also very excited about the new 696AV. I wonder if the HDMI will increase picture quality as compared to the 588a. My Philips LCD does a great job of upconverting on its own and so far I haven't seen any difference between a upconversion player and the 588a. It is worth noting that I've only tired 2 upconversion players, LG and Samsung (I forget the model #).

Here's some previews of Pioneer's new products, which includes the 696AV

I'm very excited that it looks like it will be offered in black

http://www.pioneer.se/files/brochures/2006/HE_Pre/06_Home_Preview_EN.pdf

I currently have the 588a and it has been the best player I've owned thus far. I'm also very excited about the new 696AV. I wonder if the HDMI will increase picture quality as compared to the 588a. My Philips LCD does a great job of upconverting on its own and so far I haven't seen any difference between a upconversion player and the 588a. It is worth noting that I've only tired 2 upconversion players, LG and Samsung (I forget the model #).

Here's some previews of Pioneer's new products, which includes the 696AV

I'm very excited that it looks like it will be offered in black

http://www.pioneer.se/files/brochures/2006/HE_Pre/06_Home_Preview_EN.pdf
Please note that those are European models which might differ to the US models.
For example, the European DV490 does not have optical out which the US DV490 seems to have.

Please note that those are European models which might differ to the US models.
For example, the European DV490 does not have optical out which the US DV490 seems to have.

I'm a bit confused. Is "DV-696AV-K" the US version or the Euro version? I got an email back from Pioneer that the DV-696AV-K will be released in black.

I'm a bit confused. Is "DV-696AV-K" the US version or the Euro version? I got an email back from Pioneer that the DV-696AV-K will be released in black.

Don't know that, but did they say when it was going to be released?

Anyone hear anything on an ETA for availability in the US for the 696? I can't find even a pre-order, anywhere...

I REALLY WANT TO BUY THIS DVD PLAYER!! DOES anyone have any idea when its going to be released??????????

I REALLY WANT TO BUY THIS DVD PLAYER!! DOES anyone have any idea when its going to be released??????????

I do a google search every day and still can't find any place in the USA that is even taking pre-orders. D'oh...

why dont you just get the 490v do you really NEED dvd audio??

@standard141
does 490V has position memory when playing divx files?

why dont you just get the 490v do you really NEED dvd audio??
because I can't seem to find one of them locally either.... (Sorry, not a fan of mail order)..

@standard141
does 490V has position memory when playing divx files?


yes it does and divx playback is quite amazing by the way.


because I can't seem to find one of them locally either.... (Sorry, not a fan of mail order)..


i dunno if its available locally yet but i know you can order from the pioneer website i ordered my player from abt came within a week

Hi Everyone:

I am in the market for a new DVD Player as well. I currently own the Samsung DVD-M301, and it's starting to give me a hard time playing things I record on my Pioneer DVR-640H-S (DVD Recorder with a HDD).

I narrowed it down to three models:

Pioneer DV-490-VS
Panasonic DVD-S52S
Sony DVP-NS55P

What I want it to be able to do is play my "finalized" DVD's that I recorded on either my Pioneer DVR-640H-S, my Toshiba D-R1, or Toshiba D-R2 (single disc recorders with no HDD).

Also anything made from my computer with my old Sony DRU-500AX, or my current Sony DRU-810A.

The following formats would be great as well: DVD-R/RW/DL, DVD+R/RW/DL, CD-R/RW, and Video CD (VCD). DVD-Ram is not necessary.

I feel pretty confident that the Pioneer player I listed above will certainly play discs I recorded in the Pioneer 640 Recorder, but I just have to make sure it will play stuff I "finalized" on other equipment (like the many DVD's from my Toshiba D-R1/D-R2).

My Samsung (current) player has played everything I have ever thrown at it, just now the Pioneer 640 recordings are giving it a hard time.

Any suggestions?

I would like my new player to be under $120.00, which seems pretty easy these days.

I'm a bit confused. Is "DV-696AV-K" the US version or the Euro version? I got an email back from Pioneer that the DV-696AV-K will be released in black.
DV-696AV-K is the black version.
DV-696AV-S is the silver version.
There nothing in the model names that differ the US model from the Euro version.
The Euro versions are now listed on Pioneer's website:
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_overview.jsp?category_id=222&taxonomy_id=45-64
And the instruction manuals are also there in English, pdf-format.
http://www.service.pioneer-eur.com/peeservice/RegistrInstrMan.nsf/search?openform

umm, That balck Pioneer DV-696AV-K looks really nice. Why is Pioneer torturing us here in America. Please give us some information already on the release date. I have a feeling that this player is going to be wonderful with my 1014 reciever. Cmon ALready!!! I wonder if its better then the opp universal 970.
Please Pioneer, give us some info!!!!

ok, i've been waiting for the 696 to come out, but after reading the comparisons on Pio's website, it looks like the major differences between the 696 and 490 are the the extra audio options with the 696 and a better audio DAC. this is going to be a player that will tide me over until the HD/BR wars subside (or at least until the price comes down) i have no use for the DVDaudio or SACD stuff. it does appear that the 696 does however output interlaced and progressive and have extra audio management options such as bass adjustment and an optical audio out. BUT the DD decoder 5.1 out sounds like a nice feature to have. the 490 doesn't have this, but if i connect via digital coax to my 1015, will it matter if the player doesn't support it?

for someone that just wants to replace their aging 10 year old sony player, would the 490 be a good choice since down the road i'll purchase the HD/BR player? i don't have a home theater setup...yet. just my Pio plasma 4360. this looks like a great little upconverting player i can use to feed the pdp via HDMI.

ok, i've been waiting for the 696 to come out, but after reading the comparisons on Pio's website, it looks like the major differences between the 696 and 490 are the the extra audio options with the 696 and a better audio DAC. this is going to be a player that will tide me over until the HD/BR wars subside (or at least until the price comes down) i have no use for the DVDaudio or SACD stuff. it does appear that the 696 does however output interlaced and progressive and have extra audio management options such as bass adjustment and an optical audio out. BUT the DD decoder 5.1 out sounds like a nice feature to have. the 490 doesn't have this, but if i connect via digital coax to my 1015, will it matter if the player doesn't support it?
No. If you feed it digitally through coax, you have no need for 5.1 analogue
output. It is only needed for SACD and DVD-Audio discs.
Also, the bass management is also just for SACD and DVD-Audio output
from 5.1 analogue output.
If you don't need SACD and DVD-Audio, the DV-490V is ok.

well i think most of the people interested in the 696 want the sacd dvd audio capabilities. i think thats pretty much a gimme. ANY RELEASE DATE!!!!

I would say at this day and age the Pio 490v comes out on top, upon the panny and sony, but what is sacd dvd audio? >.<

I would say at this day and age the Pio 490v comes out on top, upon the panny and sony, but what is sacd dvd audio? >.<

Are you joking? :( :eek: :mad: :confused:

no the panny s52s SUX trust me i purchased that and the sammy to test against this and neither one of them did well. i dont know about the sony but it probably is on par with this

Here's the (pre)sale page (http://www.avland.co.uk/pioneer/dv696/dv696.htm) from AVLand (UK). And--for what it's worth--here's Pioneer's Japanese page (http://pioneer.jp/dvdld/player/dv-696av/index.html).

Is the dv-696 essentially a dv-588 with HDMI?

Larry, is this thread what you had in mind?: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6880095&highlight=dv696#post6880095

Thanks for reposting that thread! :)
I'm still waiting for the DV696 to come out too. Its nearing the end of June already. I see it for pre-order on the UK Amazon site, but not here in the States!?
Would like to see some benchmark test on it before I buy though.

Here's the Pioneer UK spec page on the DV-696AV available in black (K) or silver (S).
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_detail.jsp?product_id=12547&taxonomy_id=42-84

Here is the manual for the 696 (UK model)...
http://www.service.pioneer-eur.com/peeservice/instrmanuals.nsf/0/28180A795A07B904C125718E004E6F05/$File/VRD1213_DV-696AV-S.pdf

and the 393/490 (UK model)...
http://www.service.pioneer-eur.com/peeservice/RegistrInstrMan.nsf/(CountDownloadinInstructionManuals3)?openagent&ID=C09A368B3CB6DE26C12571450029116C&Attachment=VRB1442_DV-393-S.pdf

After checking the 696 manual it looks like this is yet another HDMI player that doesn't have a setting for pillar-boxing 4:3 material when using 720p or 1080i over HDMI!

It appears the 696 is not going to make the June release, anyone hear anything?

-- Rich

I hope that the DV-696 does not turn out to be just a glorified DV-393. The latter scored lower on Secrets' Benchmark (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all&type=&manufacturer=21&maxprice=0&deInt=0&mpeg=0#PioneerDV-393-S) than last year's DV-588a; the comments were not positive.

This is just conjecture at this point, but I have a hunch the 696V uses the same Video DAC as the Oppo 970HD.

On a side note... I don't get why companies put their digital audio outputs directly next to the power supply. All this does is create jitter.

I'm Japanese user of Pioneer DV-696AV. Here are pictures inside DV-696AV posted in BBS in Japan.

http://para-site.net/up/data/12822.jpg
http://para-site.net/up/data/12823.jpg
http://para-site.net/up/data/12824.jpg

Found this site with some good info and internal pictures of the DV-696
http://www.pioneerfaq.info/english/dv696.php

This is just conjecture at this point, but I have a hunch the 696V uses the same Video DAC as the Oppo 970HD.

Since the 696 release has been so delayed and all the info in this forum on the 970HD, I am seriously considering the 970HD. I was hoping the 696 would have been released so I could get some comparitive reviews.

-- R

I have been searching google and still haven't found a release date. Has anybody had better luck?

Bought the 696AV yesterday.

I connected it to my Optoma H27 using an HDMI-HDMI cable with a non-optoma DVI to HDMI adaptor. The Projector finds the DVI source but the HDMI light on the 696 remains off indicating that the DVD player did not recognize any HDMI device connected to it. No picture comes out of the screen.... am I messing something?

Its a great player, the component using 480p is great! As compared to the 490v, f 30 dollars more, gets an optical out put, surround, center and sub outputs and plays SACD and Audio DVD.

I'm just frustrated about the HDMI Handshake.

Where did you buy it?

Bought the 696AV yesterday.

I connected it to my Optoma H27 using an HDMI-HDMI cable with a non-optoma DVI to HDMI adaptor. The Projector finds the DVI source but the HDMI light on the 696 remains off indicating that the DVD player did not recognize any HDMI device connected to it. No picture comes out of the screen.... am I messing something?

Its a great player, the component using 480p is great! As compared to the 490v, f 30 dollars more, gets an optical out put, surround, center and sub outputs and plays SACD and Audio DVD.

I'm just frustrated about the HDMI Handshake. You may want to ask in the PJ forum and see if other Optoma owners have had problems with HDMI DVD players. It's odd that you don't get any picture, I would have thought 480p would work. And it can't hurt to carefully read the owner's manual (again) in case you missed something.

larry

Bought the 696AV yesterday.

I connected it to my Optoma H27 using an HDMI-HDMI cable with a non-optoma DVI to HDMI adaptor. The Projector finds the DVI source but the HDMI light on the 696 remains off indicating that the DVD player did not recognize any HDMI device connected to it. No picture comes out of the screen.... am I messing something?

Its a great player, the component using 480p is great! As compared to the 490v, f 30 dollars more, gets an optical out put, surround, center and sub outputs and plays SACD and Audio DVD.

I'm just frustrated about the HDMI Handshake.

In Japan, there are a lot of HDMI connection problems reported in several BBSs.
696 seems very HDMI cable sensitive. Someone reported that changing HDMI cable resolve connection problem.

Thanks guys, I returned the cable and now enjoying crisp component-p connection. Will try to borow another HDMI cable tom and try again.

One other thing, checked my region setting and mine is set at Region 3 (I'm in asia). I was playing a region 1 DVD when I didn't get a picture using the HDMI. I find it strange because it works with component-p. Are region settings just for HDMI?

One other thing, checked my region setting and mine is set at Region 3 (I'm in asia). I was playing a region 1 DVD when I didn't get a picture using the HDMI. I find it strange because it works with component-p. Are region settings just for HDMI?
No, it should be the same as for all processing,
Could you tell us what this displays when you do enter these on the remote:
press "HOME MENU", select INITIAL SETTINGS,go down to OPTIONS (dont enter the submenu), press "DISPLAY" on the Remote Control.
It should show you the region setting and firmware version.

DV-696AV Test (http://www.hdtvpraxis.de/Tests/DVD_Player2006/Pioneer/696/696.htm) it's in German but seems to be a large test!

DV-696AV Test (http://www.hdtvpraxis.de/Tests/DVD_Player2006/Pioneer/696/696.htm) it's in German but seems to be a large test!.
From the other review it seems like the Panasonic S52 is much better. The reviewer said it's even better than the Marantz 7600, which was my favorite so far for image quality! I have to check on it:).

But the Pioneer 696 has nonscaled interlaced HDMI output, and a menu and remote more to my like.

I'm buying an Elite plasma and a VSX-80TXV receiver which both have SR+ connectivity allowing one unit to transmitt IR signals from a remote control to the other (my receiver will be in a cabinet out of sight).

I'm looking for a Pioneer or Elite DVD player that has 480i over HDMI and also offers SR+ connectivity. The 490 does not have it. Anyone know if the 696 will?

Thanks!

DV-696AV will not have SR+ control , at least the European version dont have it.

I wrote an email to Pioneer asking when the DV-696 would be released in the USA and they said that it was an overseas model only. :mad:

I wrote an email to Pioneer asking when the DV-696 would be released in the USA and they said that it was an overseas model only. :mad:

Nonsense.

Pioneer's right hand needs to talk to its left:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/press/release/detail/0,,2076_310069593_291832567,00.html

I have seen that press release before. I just got antsy and thought I would write them and ask and their reply was that it was an overseas model only. I hope you are right because I have had my eye on this one for a while.

If the DV-696V is an overseas model only, does anyone know if the DV-588a will be replaced with another 'universal' player? The DV-588a is not listed as a current player on Pioneer's website so I'm thinking it's been discontinued already.

Thanks!

Peace...

sadly it looks like pioneer desided not release it here in north america as there already working on the new models and it look like there going to keep there top model out of north america again as there only the DV-200 and DV-400 models to be released here

Believe it or not, Pioneer did release the DV-696AV in the US as they mentioned in their January 2006 press release. They even released it in June as promised. However, what no one observed was that they released it under a different name--the Elite DV-46AV. It's the same thing in pure flesh and blood, except it's housed in a double-layer chassis and includes a bigger remote. They even doubled the MSRP from $150 to $300. They did the same thing with the DV-600AV and DV-48AV in 2007, as well as the DV-610AV and DV-49AV in 2008. To this day, I don't understand why Pioneer did this in America. I don't think it's fair to pay double if there is nothing in AV performance to be gained from it. Regardless, Pioneer's low-end and mid-end players are well built and I highly recommend them. I just wish they sold their last three mid-end players as standard Pioneer models like the DV-588A. I think they might have been best sellers then.