New Pioneer Divx DVD players - DV-383 and DV-686A

[natrap]

The DV-383 is a low-end model. See it at http://www.pioneeraus.com.au/home_entertainment/dvdplayersandrecorders/dv383/index.html

The DV-686A replaces the DV-676A so plays DVD-Audio and SACD. See it at http://www.pioneeraus.com.au/home_entertainment/dvdplayersandrecorders/dv686/index.html

They must be very new because they aren't listed at www.videohelp.com and there's practically nothing about them to be found by searching google.

Does anyone have any other info about them? I'd especially like to know if they play OGG/OGM. I was about to decide to buy a DV-676A because I read on this forum that with a hacked firmware of the DV-575 it can play OGM. Now I'm not sure if I should wait to hear more about these new models. Only thing is the Pioneer web site doesn't make it clear what is new about the 686A compared to the 676A.

[jokiin]

Keep in mind that if they play OGG/OGM it will likely be audio only.

[natrap]

OGM is video. OGG is audio. The 676A plays OGM with hacked firmware. I have now found out that the 686A is probably a copy of the 588A in North America and the 2850-S in Europe.

[jokiin]

All references I have seen of this to date have been that it will play the audio only and no video, have you seen anywhere that states they have video as well with OGM?

[natrap]

I've seen nothing stating it will play or will not play OGG or OGM.

[jokiin]

In that case I would suggest you see if someone can confirm first.

[wanka]

sweet, i just bought an LG DF8900P but don't really like it coz of the overscan problem plus its subtitles support isnt that great. I'll prolli get myself one of these soon, hope it will be better than the LG.

edit: is it region free?

[jokiin]

It will be region free, don't be surprised if the overscan issue is the same, the Pioneer uses the same chipset as the LG, previous Pioneer madels have had very poor subtitle support also.

[natrap]

Is it true that the LG can play files that use 'packed bitstream' but the Pioneer can't.

[bac]

Is it true that the LG can play files that use 'packed bitstream' but the Pioneer can't.
Yup. :D

[bac]

sweet, i just bought an LG DF8900P but don't really like it coz of the overscan problem

As I posted in another thread, I get around 90-95% of the source video frame as viewable picture on my 76cm widescreen TV. Given all CRT displays are set up for some amount of overscan, I think that's a pretty good result for the LG. :)

[bac]

It will be region free, don't be surprised if the overscan issue is the same, the Pioneer uses the same chipset as the LG.
True, but I believe the Pioneer uses external video DACs, so the result may be different.

[jokiin]

True, but I believe the Pioneer uses external video DACs, so the result may be different.

Chipset has onboard video DAC, not sure if they would go to the expense of outboard on what is essentially their entry level players, you never know though.

[bac]

Chipset has onboard video DAC, not sure if they would go to the expense of outboard on what is essentially their entry level players, you never know though.
I believe they must do, otherwise how could they claim 12 bit, 108MHz video DACs for all of the 676A, 383 and 686A?

[andw]

I believe they must do, otherwise how could they claim 12 bit, 108MHz video DACs for all of the 676A, 383 and 686A?
I'm looking at a PDF block diagram for the MT1389EE, it shows "108MHz TV Encoder" feeding straight into the "Video DAC" (on board) - no mention of how many bits though.

[bac]

I'm looking at a PDF block diagram for the MT1389EE, it shows "108MHz TV Encoder" feeding straight into the "Video DAC" (on board) - no mention of how many bits though.

That makes more sense - I thought Pioneer were using the DE or FE chip. The EE does have 12 bit 108MHz video DACs.

[andw]

I'm not sure if the DE or FE use the same or not, I only have a PDF for the EE.
They probably do, but I'm quite happy to be corrected if wrong.

[bac]

I'm not sure if the DE or FE use the same or not, I only have a PDF for the EE.
They probably do, but I'm quite happy to be corrected if wrong.
Unfortunately, the FE is only 10 bit/27MHz. :(

Not 100% sure about the DE, but I believe it's the same as the FE.

[jokiin]

Whatever it is it will likely not have a great effect on overscan issues with anime, it seems to be an extremely common problem.