Pioneer DV-400V DVD Player

Pioneer brand not withstanding it setup easily for my 10 yr old. He has problems with it stalling and going to black screen occasionally with sound still there. Works well otherwise. Came as new with all items included but without warranty card. Seller was a NIGHTMARE, multiple purchase was paid for on time and in full. Sat on my money for a week then filed non pay dispute against me. With Paypal receipt and e-mail to ebay the items finally got sent out...2 weeks later, no discount of shipping or handling, no apology from seller. Buyer beware and read their reviews, sometimes a power selling company is not the best way to go. Much of this experience smelled like bait and switch fraud while I was helplessly wondering where my money was. Made ebay less attractive for the coming season.

The Pioneer DV-400V is a top contender in the world of Mid-Budget Upconverting DVD players. At any resolution you will receive a stunning picture and the sound quality is outstanding even if you don't have a DD or DTS system.

The DV-400V offers Component and HDMI video output. Both provide an excellent video experience.

If you are using a standard Definition Television the only option would be to use the Component connection, but don't worry about picture quality because it has the potential of sending a 480i/480p/720p signal.

For HD viewers you can use either connection. The HDMI connections will give you the opportunity to select the resolution the suits you Television best. The resolution option range from 480i/480p/720p/1080i/1080p. Make sure to review your Televisions owners manual to confirm the maximum resolution is can handle. Picking a resolution to far above the maximum will cause a loss in video signal, but that can be easily fixed by connecting the Component cables and resetting the HDMI resolution.

Audio signals can be passed by either RCA/Digital Coax/HDMI Audio. The connection you use will depend on the Television and or Audio Receiver you own.

The RCA connection will pass 2 Channel Analog Audio to your Television or Audio Receiver, which may convert the signal to Simulated Surround if applicable.

The Digital Coax will send a Multi-Channel Digital signal to your Television or Audio Receiver, which can then broadcast true DTS 5.1 or 6.1 depending on the video/audio source.

The HDMI audio connection will send the same signal as the Digital Coax, but with less wires. This give you the option of running only one cable to your Television. The signal can then be passed on to an Audio Receiver if your Television is equipped with a Digital Audio out.

There are numerous video/audio adjustments that can be made to improve your video experience. The video adjustments should only be used when calibrating with a respectable calibration disc such as DVE, Avia, ect.

Also included is a USB 2.0 port. This allows you to play WMA/MP3/JPEG/DIVX files from a flash stick. It is not recommended to use a USB hard drive because of incompatibility issues.

The remote has a well planed layout that is easy to handle. The only negative is that it is not backlit. This can sometimes make it hard to find a button in a dark room.

The DV-400V is an all around excellent addition to the budget minded audiophile. For $100 or less, this player is a steal of a deal!