Pioneer BDP51FD as CDP?

[cnh]

I was wondering if anyone who owns this BDP has any experience with using it as a dedicated CDP....it has Wolfson DACs and anti-jitter features....and it seems to me that it would make an adequate CDP...especially for less than 200 dollars on clearance?

Any thoughts. I know the BDP standard is old and firmware updates (are in order) and other BDP limitations may be a problem but this player seems of have a lot of the audio features of an Ellite player? And I use a PS3 as my main BDP in any case...

I should add, that I've generally liked the Elite CDPs I've heard.

Thanks..

cnh

[Conradicles]

Where did you see it for that price?

[cnh]

Some Best Buys have it on clearance....I'm up in N.England though? You can check your stores....

cnh

[Grimster74]

I just picked one up yesterday B.N.I.B. for a dedicated BD player until I can pull the funds together to get the Oppo. Everyone complains of the slow load times on this unit and when put up next to my Panny BD30 the 51 is actually 3 seconds faster. BB had the unit priced as $200.37 on the shelf and I figured for that price I can move it upstairs when I get the Oppo. To my surprise, when I got up to the counter, not sure if it was BB mistake or what but it rang up as $124.99, I nearly passed out. As far as using it for a dedicated CDP, another reason why I purchased the unit but until my SC-07 gets back from Pioneer (hopefully this week) I have no experience with it just yet. I already loaded the latest 1.32 FW and its ready to put through it's paces as soon as my 07 returns. In my opinion, if you can snag one of these units while they are on sale, you better grab it quick, they are going fast.

Rob

[Vette C6.r]

I too saw the 51 at best buy for 2 bills.

[leroyjr1]

I just picked one up yesterday B.N.I.B. for a dedicated BD player until I can pull the funds together to get the Oppo. Everyone complains of the slow load times on this unit and when put up next to my Panny BD30 the 51 is actually 3 seconds faster. BB had the unit priced as $200.37 on the shelf and I figured for that price I can move it upstairs when I get the Oppo. To my surprise, when I got up to the counter, not sure if it was BB mistake or what but it rang up as $124.99, I nearly passed out. As far as using it for a dedicated CDP, another reason why I purchased the unit but until my SC-07 gets back from Pioneer (hopefully this week) I have no experience with it just yet. I already loaded the latest 1.32 FW and its ready to put through it's paces as soon as my 07 returns. In my opinion, if you can snag one of these units while they are on sale, you better grab it quick, they are going fast.

Rob



How's the picture and sound quality?

[mantis]

The 51 after you get past the load times is a fantastic player. As a cd player it's top notch. The Wolson DAC's I believe make a difference. I prefer them to Burr Brown I have in my DV58av. The SC-07 has the same DAc's 8740's if I remember correctly.

For 200 bucks it's a steal. I can't see anyone being unhappy with it.

Dan

[Grimster74]

How's the picture and sound quality?

Keep in mind I only messed with it briefly due to not having my SC-07 back from Pioneer repair so I only had it hooked up with HDMI straight to my JVC projector. All I can say was it had jaw dropping picture quality compaired to the BD30 I had in my H/T room. Blu-Ray's just seemed to have more depth and looked more life like compaired to the Panny. I think where this unit really stood out compaired to the Panny was the SD upconversion. One of my favorite SD's disk to check out is Gladiator, to me I would say this unit was on par if not as good as my XA2 doing the upconversion. I caught myself flipping through many chapter's of this disk just to compair the quality of the upconversion and before I knew it I had gone through the entire disk with no sound. For $125-$150 bones at BB, I can't see where one could go wrong with the purchase of this player, hell, thats much less than I paid for my Panny BD30 when it first came out and for an additional $20 I snagged the additional 4-year warranty through BB. If you can still find them, you better snag one quick, apparently they are going fast. As soon as I get my SC-07 back I plan on doing a full review as I do with all my new gear.

Rob

[millerman 3732]

. All I can say was it had jaw dropping picture quality compaired to the BD30 I had in my H/T room. Blu-Ray's just seemed to have more depth and looked more life like compaired to the Panny. I think where this unit really stood out compaired to the Panny was the SD upconversion.

Now why did you go and have to post that? Putting on my pants and headed out BB now, damnit, I was pretty convinced I was happy with BD player to. Does this player have an internet jack?

[obieone]

Y'all SUCK! I just checked BB, newegg, and amazon, no one has it for less than $285! Hell, BB isn't even LISTING it, and I checked the local circular online?!

[Grimster74]

Now why did you go and have to post that? Putting on my pants and headed out BB now, damnit, I was pretty convinced I was happy with BD player to. Does this player have an internet jack?

Nah man, no LAN connection so FW updates still need to be done via burning a cd which is what I feel more secure with doing anyways. Make sure you update to the latest 1.32 FW as soon as you get it.

Rob

[Grimster74]

Y'all SUCK! I just checked BB, newegg, and amazon, no one has it for less than $285! Hell, BB isn't even LISTING it, and I checked the local circular online?!

None of the BB are posting it online or on the website, in store only. Better get down to the nearest BB ASAP though if you are interested or better yet, call them, thats what I did.

Rob

[obieone]

10-4. I'm heading out now!

[leroyjr1]

Just pick one up from BB for $149.99. They only had three left.

[cnh]

Update on the Pioneer BDP51-FD.

The clearance price has now dropped to 149.99! Get them while you can at your local store! BB.

Thanks to Mantis and Grimster for the reviews. It' pretty much a NO brainer NOW!

cnh

[Grimster74]

Just pick one up from BB for $149.99. They only had three left.

Make sure you do the 1.32 FW update. Let us know what you think of the unit as well. Damum, wish my SC-07 would hurry the hell up and get back. Guarantee the damn thing will be back this Thursday and I'm leaving for Nashville early Friday morning for the weekend for a car show.

Rob

[obieone]

I picked one of these things up, the problem is, the owners manual DOESN'T say how to set-up thru the rcvr.??? T.V. only. I tried hitting the 'home menu button, but nothing happens? I've got the SC-05, and can't figure out where to start set-up?
I hope I don't regret this purchase:(

[danz1906]

Just pick one up from BB for $149.99. They only had three left.

Great price!

[leroyjr1]

Watched a couple minutes of different movies just to compare it to my PS3. IMO the PS3's picture quality is a little better but I like being able to have my Elite sc-07 do the decoding. Also played a couple CD's via HDMI and didn't like the PQLS Being on. Music sounded weird fading in and out at times so I ran my MIT analog cables to 2 ch audio and it sounded great. The bass was better than my previous cd player I was using.

All in all $149.99 well spent.

[millerman 3732]

Ran in and picked up one before the wife and I went to see the new Harry Potter, a waste of time BTW, got home and got it hooked up and updated. I think I'll try Miracle out on it tonight, HD Digest gave high marks for PQ and AQ

[danz1906]

Watched a couple minutes of different movies just to compare it to my PS3. IMO the PS3's picture quality is a little better but I like being able to have my Elite sc-07 do the decoding. Also played a couple CD's via HDMI and didn't like the PQLS Being on. Music sounded weird fading in and out at times so I ran my MIT analog cables to 2 ch audio and it sounded great. The bass was better than my previous cd player I was using.

All in all $149.99 well spent.

Congrats!

[cnh]

Watched a couple minutes of different movies just to compare it to my PS3. IMO the PS3's picture quality is a little better but I like being able to have my Elite sc-07 do the decoding. Also played a couple CD's via HDMI and didn't like the PQLS Being on. Music sounded weird fading in and out at times so I ran my MIT analog cables to 2 ch audio and it sounded great. The bass was better than my previous cd player I was using.

All in all $149.99 well spent.

Thanks leroy....

That's EXACTLY what I was waiting to hear and why I started this post above. Just got mine same price...downloaded the ISO 1.32 firmware update from Pioneer site onto a CD-R (they were pretty specific about that). I know Grimster has done the upgrade already. Tomorrow for me. Also, the reviews on this unit put picture quality ahead of the PS3 and ESPECIALLY the SOUND...I guess I'll compare the two as well.

But what I'm really looking for is that CD sound...through the analogs and Wolfsons...So I am delighted to hear your report on that!

Also, for those purchasing...I doubt if any of these models are still around but Pioneer listed serial numbers for units that need manufacturers attention.

Here is the link:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Support/HomeEntertainment/Blu-rayDisc+DVD/Important%3A+Notice+of+Free+Update+for+Pioneer+BDP-51FD+%26+BDP-05FD+Blu-ray+Disc+Players

The OUTSIDE of your BOX does list the serial number...check for it.

cnh

[Grimster74]

Keep in mind also that there are only about 90-100 units affected in North America that have this issue and need to be sent back to Pioneer to have updated according to AVS Forum. It's a good thing to check just to make sure but chances of someone getting one of these units this late in the game may be slim to none. Once again, never hurts to double check as cnh has stated.

Rob

[Toolfan66]

I thought my Samsung was slow loading, This unit is slow to load even CD's are slow to load.

[Grimster74]

I can't believe how many people went out and jumped all over this deal, even at $150 its a no-brainer.

Rob

[leroyjr1]

I thought my Samsung was slow loading, This unit is slow to load even CD's are slow to load.

Not the fastest but I'm in no hurry. I usually turn on all my electronics with one touch of a button on my Harmony remote and while everything is turning itself on I'm getting ready for the movie. (Beer, Popcorn, Blanket). Everything is ready to go before I sit down.


Pioneer 51FD times

Power on till it accpets CD/DVD: 20 seconds
Time from Blu-ray load till menu: 80 seconds


Sony PS3

power on till it accepts CD/DVD instantly ( has no tray)
Time from Blu-ray load till menu 40 secs



I used THE HULK because it has no previews before the menu comes up. I also haven't downloaded the new firmware yet.

[leroyjr1]

I can't believe how many people went out and jumped all over this deal, even at $150 its a no-brainer.

Rob

Thanks

Grimster74 and cnh, wouldn't have known if it wasn't for you guys.

[Grimster74]

Ran in and picked up one before the wife and I went to see the new Harry Potter, a waste of time BTW, got home and got it hooked up and updated. I think I'll try Miracle out on it tonight, HD Digest gave high marks for PQ and AQ

Sooo.... what are your thoughts on this unit so far? I sure as hell wish Pioneer would hurry up and get my unit back to me ASAP.

Rob

[millerman 3732]

Sooo.... what are your thoughts on this unit so far? I sure as hell wish Pioneer would hurry up and get my unit back to me ASAP.

Rob

Gimma another day or two to play with it, I ran Miracle through it last night and it did look really good, the colors seem to pop alittle more than the Panasonic but I still need to re run my calibration disc, that may be the reason for the colors being brighter, as far as being and sharper than the panny I don't know yet I'll have to run some more familiar material through it. I can't really say that the audio is any better with the Pioneer yet, I run everything through HDMI to my Onkyo so if I had to guess there probably won't be alot of difference there.

[Vette C6.r]

Just went to the local BB and they were sold out.

If you want one try to get there soon.

[Toolfan66]

Well I put this unit in my 2 channel setup yesterday,

I will just say that I will be getting another one so I have one for both setup's.
I figured my weak point was my CDP in my 2 channel setup, and for the price of this unit right now you can't go wrong using this as a BD or CDP.

Very Nice!!!!

[obieone]

Slight derail: I'm playing Jeff Beck on here now, and I've got DTS-HD Master Audio selected, and the SC-05 is showing the 8 ch. configuration, but the display is saying PCM?

[WilliamM2]

Slight derail: I'm playing Jeff Beck on here now, and I've got DTS-HD Master Audio selected, and the SC-05 is showing the 8 ch. configuration, but the display is saying PCM?

Is it connected by HDMI? If so, there is a setting in the 51's menu to select PCM or Bitstream. Looks like you have it on PCM.

[obieone]

WTF?! It's connected via hdmi 1.3, I've gone thru the set-up menu, and the audio menu, and keep selecting DTS HD MA, but keeps showing PCM?

Do you think it has anything to do with the fact that I'm not using the SB channels? I'm only running 5.1?

[WilliamM2]

WTF?! It's connected via hdmi 1.3, I've gone thru the set-up menu, and the audio menu, and keep selecting DTS HD MA, but keeps showing PCM?

Do you think it has anything to do with the fact that I'm not using the SB channels? I'm only running 5.1?

Are you talking about the disc menu, or the player menu? On the player's "tools" menu, make sure HDMI out is set to AUTO, not PCM. PCM is the default setting.

I run 5.1, and had no issues with DTS HDMA, so that's not it.

[obieone]

Well, I've put the SW back in the configuration, thinking that it might have been that, but NOPE!
The hdmi is set to auto on the player, and I've gone thru both the set-ups on both components?
It's saying that it's putting out DTS HD MA, but the rcvr is displaying PCM!
And I did the f/w update last weekend so...???
I'll have to email Pio and ask them wtf?

[WilliamM2]

No idea then. The firmware was never needed to bitstream DTS HD MA over HDMI, it's been able to do that since it's release. The firmware was for internal decoding for use with analog outputs, or sending LPCM over HDMI.

[obieone]

I listenend to this BRD when I first got it set up, and I remember it displaying DTS when I selected it in HD.
Now, AFTER the update it won't, so I think the update MIGHT have had something to do with it?
I checked the player, and for SOME reason, it isn't illuminating the HD led?
I'll find out from them I guess?.

[BlueFox]

Reported