Pioneer's lowest model exceeds my expectations!
Written: Nov 17 '02
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Pros: Great Unit for the price, excellent quality
Cons: Might be lacking features for some people.
The Bottom Line: I was very impressed with Pioneer's DVD-525. So I recommend this unit to anyone looking for a DVD player under $300.
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| Wisky's Full Review: Pioneer DV-525 DVD Player |
The Pioneer DVD-525 was and still is a great DVD player. I bought it when the crowd of budget DVD players came flocking into Costco, these $250 units has basic features, however at the time of my purchase, DVD Players have just gotten mainstream and popular, so I had to have one.
The Purchase
I went to Costco to look for a DVD player that suits my needs (and at the time, those were to simply play DVDs, nothing else). And my eyes came across the Pioneer DVD-414 model, which Costco was advertising to be the $250 model that I thought I was going to get. It was superior to all the other budget $250 DVD players Costco had up on display, so without thinking twice, I baught the unit. When I reached home I discovered that in the box was not the full-featured DVD- 414 which I thought I purchased, but instead it was the obviously lower model, the DVD-525. I was outraged, and angry that Costco advertised the wrong product (a better one), in place of a cheaper model. As mad as I was, I still was lazy, so I kept the DVD-525 and hoped for the best.
The Big Picture
My first DVD movie that I purchased was There's Something About Mary, I was startled at the quality of the picture, and I really couldn't notice a difference in my quality and my friend's $500 model (his was a higher-model Sony). I also rented many more DVDs, including Saving Private Ryan, and again, I was amazed at the quality of the picture. What can I say, for $250 this VHS replacement is working wonders, and to this day is still working strong, playing DVDs with the crispest of image that my 24in. Sony Wega TV can produce.
Features and Accessories
The First thing I noticed in this unit was the included remote control. It looked as if you can fly a plane with it. With over 43 buttons, the average person might need an hour or two to learn how to use this thing. But the basic features are clearly marked (ie: Power has red surrounding it).
The back of the unit has some basic connections, Component Video Out, Digital Out, and S-Video out (I suggest buying an S-video cable for greatly improved picture quality). Since, I don't have a nice stereo system to compliment my DVD player's ability, I do not use either Digital out, or Component Video Out. So already the features have surpassed my using ability.
The Pioneer DVD-525's on-screen-menus are top notch. You can adjust the TV screen ratio (4:3/16:9 widescreen), change the Picture Darkness/Quality, as well as change and adjust Many other things.
Final Notes
Theres not much more to say about the DVD-525, It is Pioneer's lowest model, but I really wouldn't be able to notice the difference with my video and audio equipment, so I am very, very happy with this purchase. I recommend this unit to anyone who just wants something to play DVDs, with an average TV, and an average stereo. Oh, and I think that the unit looks very solid, it will compliment any stereo rack, or system, it has a brushed black anodized aluminum look, which is very eye pleasing.
I hope if you purchase this item, you will be as satisfied with it as I am.
Thank you for reading.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 250
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Epinions.com ID:
Wisky
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: David Wilinsky
Location: moonachie, nj
Reviews written: 155
Trusted by: 45 members
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