Pioneer DV-C302D 3-Disc DVD Player

Pioneer DV-C302D 3-Disc DVD Player
Manufacturer: Pioneer
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Pioneer's DV-C302D is a surprisingly trim, three-disc DVD/CD changer that lets you line up a triple feature of flicks or spin more than three hours' worth of nonstop party music. Disc DVD/CD Carousel Changer allows you more flexibility in viewing, listening, and system configuration. It allows you to load up to three discs, and change two while one is playing. It's a great component for the space-challenged, because it makes a great CD changer, to boot! Dolby Digital Decoder allows you to experience the thrills of today's stunning Hollywood soundtracks right in your family room. Component Video Outputs provide the highest level of video signal transfer quality available today when connected to televisions equipped with compatible inputs. 10-bit Video D/A Converter delivers faster video signal processing than conventional methods, minimizing digital artifacts for enhanced digital video quality. The DV-C302D is equipped with a 650nm laser diode for playing DVDs and 780nm diode for playing CDs, Video CDs and CD-Rs. 96 kHz/24-bit Audio D/A Converter Maximizes DVD and CD audio performance capability, providing smoother, less digitized transitions, and richer sonic texture. Multiple Viewing Angle Capability gives you the ability to select viewing from various camera angles on DVDs encoded with the feature. DVD A-B Repeat allows you to program a "start" and "end" to a DVD segment that you choose, and continuously repeat as you determine. Random Play shuffles and randomly plays every track in complete random order without repeating a single track, until all selections have played. Parental Control provides a view timer so parents may determine when the television is accessible. Shuffle Play allows the player to select tracks for playback entirely at random, adding a bit of variety to your listening. Advanced Graphical User Interface simplifies control of a versatile range of operations, allowing all commands to be set up even as a disc plays.
Amazon.com Review
Pioneer's DV-C302D is a surprisingly trim, three-disc DVD/CD changer that lets you line up a triple feature of flicks or spin more than three hours' worth of nonstop party music. Since Pioneer has championed the cause of multidisc "combi" players since the species was born, we had high expectations for the DV-C302D.

With this player, you can program (or reprogram) the machine to play specific tracks or DVDs while the show is already in progress; just open the motorized drawer to add one or two titles. All the while, the third disc (out of sight) continues to play. Pioneer's automatic changeover cycles through from one disc's end to the start of the next in an impressive nine seconds.

We found no compromises in picture quality or sound performance, which is reassuring given the fact that multidisc players are more expensive than their single-disc cousins. Audio performance is typical of Pioneer: it's well balanced, with fine 24-bit audio digital-to-analog converters feeding the stereo output jacks. To test the DV-C302D's sonic range, we played an Arnold Schwarzenegger action film. We were blown away by the clarity of the sound--in one spot, the explosions nearly broke through our TV screen!

For improved image quality, we strongly recommend that you utilize this player's cinema mode, which darkens colors to improve contrast; and be sure to use the player's S-video or interlaced component-video outputs if your display is equipped to accept them.

The DV-C302D incorporates a built-in Dolby Digital decoder, so you can tap into a set of six outputs and feed the signals directly to an amplifier. Or if you prefer, feed the digital bit stream out of the player via optical or coaxial connections and into a Dolby Digital or DTS-decoding receiver of your choice.

We tested the DV-C302D's nonstop party entertainment ability with a lively Afro-pop music concert DVD and it offered excellent Dolby Digital surround sound imaging and detail. We relocated the troupe's polyrhythmic percussionists and tribal chanters to the rear channels, which helped suck us into the performance. The player spread the pleasure around our six-speaker system with strength and equanimity. Likewise, high-grade audio CDs of acoustic jazz, electric blues, and classical music were well-tempered and musically revealing.

The DV-C302D incorporates an intriguing blue light on the faceplate that blinks only when a DVD is spinning, but we had mixed feelings about the infrared remote control. The buttons are logically laid out, but in many instances they're small and cramped together. We missed not having a next disc button on the remote. Oddly, there is a next disc button on the player itself, along with individual disc call buttons that light selectively to indicate which of three trays are engaged for play. The front panel also includes a very useful row of buttons (numbered 1 to 10) for instantly summoning up individual tracks or chapters.

The DV-C302D delivers just one fast scan speed (in forward and reverse) that races along at a merry clip but may be a bit too fast when you're searching for a particular segment. The slow-motion function has variable speeds in the forward direction (1/2 to 1/16 normal speed) that result in grainy images.

For home-theater fanatics, the DV-C302D allows you to preset custom playback parameters for up to 15 DVDs and trigger an auto return to the last-played position with up to five titles.

All in all, the DV-C302D is an attractive machine that lives up to our expectations from Pioneer as a leader in multidisc players.

Pros:

• Good mechanical performance as a disc changer
• Excellent onscreen menu
• Clean, attractive cosmetics
• Good sound quality for movies and music

Cons:

• Crowded remote control
• Limited special play functions

Convenience features include a resume function that lets you stop the movie and resume playback from where you left off and a trilingual onscreen display (English, Spanish, and French). This player's memory recalls setup conditions such as language, subtitle, aspect ratio, and mode for up to 15 discs. The Pioneer DVC302D also offers selectable menu background color, digital output select (48 or 96 kHz), and an angle-mark on/off function. Pioneer backs this unit with a one-year parts and labor warranty.

Average customer rating:

Spanish <-> English Talking electronic dictionary and Audio Travel PhraseBook ECTACO SpeechGuard TL-2S plus 10-language travel translator ML320 for Free! Manufacturer: Product Group: CE Binding: Electronics ASIN: B000CRO534

Product Description

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