Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD - Blu-Ray disc player - upscaling

• BD-Live Compliant With 1GB Internal Memory
• PQLS For Jitter-Free 2-Channel And Multi-Channel Playback
• BD-R/RE, DVD-R/RW, CD/CD-R Compatible
• Dimensions (WHD): 16 9/16 X 3 1/4 X 11 In.

Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BGXP1M/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

I decided on another Pioneer Elite DVD player because the DV-45A that I've enjoyed for several years has worked flawlessly (and still does). The Blu-Ray Elite Player is more than I require... (I will not likely use the Ethernet or USB ports). I have not found a flaw with the BDP-23FD (as I expected, from experience with the DV-45A, which I think is the best "quality/price" for a DVD-A + SACD player glad I have it !).

Picture quality, Audio quality are superb, regardless of media format (plays the home-made variety DVDs just as well as the store bought varieties).

Although it's nice to have 'controllability/customization' features found on this player, the default set-up "out-of-the-box" is perfect for me. It's just a really nice player!

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Unfortunately, this player is not offered at too many places and it seems to mark one of the last of the "true" original Pioneer Elite Blu-Ray models. Apparently Sharp has bought Pioneer and their newer models tend to represent the Sharp styling and internal workings moreso than Pioneer. This is one of the reasons I bought this player as I already own a Pioneer DVD 49-AV which is awesome for a standard upscaling dvd player in its own right. The DV-49 is possibly better at upscaling than the 23FD is, but that is not what I bought it for. I bought this player for its outstanding Blu-Ray picture and quality sound and that is exactly what I got. Let's get the negative out of the way immediately. It does take some time to load, and that is even with CD loading as well as standard dvd and blu-ray. Right out of the box I upgraded the firmware (as directed by Pioneer Elite was simple and painless), and part of that upgrade mentioned faster loading times. Since I didn't compare and upgraded immediately, I wasn't able to measure but I will say that if this upgrade fixed loading times then I can't imagine how long it took to load initially. That being said, the load time is well worth the wait.

I can compare this model for you to the following brands and models that I own or have onwed: Oppo DV983H standard, Panasonic DMP-BD60 blu-ray, Denon BDP-1610 blu-ray, and the Pioneer DV-49av standard dvd player. In the standard / upscaling mode, can this 23FD measure up against the Oppo and the Pioneer players ? Yes to both, although I'd have to give the best upscaling nod to the Pioneer Elite DV-49av player for best overall upscaling player I've ever seen, and I still use this player for upscaling standard dvd discs to this date. I thought the Oppo was the best ever until this player came along. Compared to the other Blu-Ray players, the Pansonic is probably among the best I've ever seen video wise, but in audio, this Pioneer 23FD cannot be beat. The Denon had great sound, but no match for Panasonic or this Pioneer Elite in video quality.

Since the player is no longer manufactured or hardly found anymore, I won't go into the spec comparisons. Suffice it to say that this player is among the best Blu-Ray player I've ever seen or heard, and it upscales wonderfully. The user choices to tweak it alone make this more than worth the price not to mention the gorgeous Blu-Ray picture it provides. I have thrown every movie that has been known to give players problems, and this machine played them with no problem at all. I have the unit hooked up via analog to play my CDs, and HDMI for Blu-Ray / standard DVD. The sound is warm, rich and full. The unit itself is fairly heavy, and lets you know that this is a quality machine outside as well as inside. Pioneer Elite has always been about classy looks as well as performance and this machine excels in both. It is a shame that Pioneer Elite allegedly doesn't make their own players anymore, and that this is one of the last of the "true" Elite players. If you can find one of these players, don't hesitate to grab one. I have not seen or heard a better Blu-Ray player and I can't imagine anyone not being happy with the audio / video quality of this player. If you are an avid fan of great quality, look no further. This Pioneer Elite machine offers it all.

Update: 11/7/12 My unit has developed an error message when you turn the power on that reads "SD Not Found". It flashes and you can't shut it off, you have to unplug the power cord to reset it and hope that it turns on again. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. This problem seems to be common but no one has answers to it. Pioneer never heard of it, and they want me to ship the unit to California at my expense. FIX: Use the remote to turn the power on; works every time. It must be the power button itself that has the problem. Unit still plays fine and gives outstanding picture, I didn't expect it to malfunction this soon.

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Stylish, beautifull design, tray opens in silence quietly, gently like a queen. Video and music reproduction is superb, but you must hook it up to a monster receiver like Pioneer Elite SC27 to fully enjoy its own potential. Over the years I learned that every piece of you equipment must be of equal quality, otherwise something will be missing.

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I just bought one of these players refurbed for 125.00 and they are still available brand new from J&R for 299.00 delivered.

This player easily beats my Samsung 1600 and PS3 for picture quality especially for blacks and contrast which makes the picture look sharper and more accurate.

It also beats the Samsung AND ps3 for audio quality using HDMI to the matching Pioneer Elite SC 35 I recently purchased both with and without PQLS turned on.

This player is quiet , and I have yet to have a playback issue before or after upgrading the firmware via online.

This player has a far better build than the Samsung , and is the best looking BD player I have owned out of 6 players including 1k players from Samsung , Sony , and Phillips first gen players.

If you can get one new or refurbed grab one while you can.

I am very happy with the picture quality on this set. It definitely has the best picture of any of the Blu-ray players I have seen recently. Audio is good as well, though not as good as a Cambridge blu-ray player I heard recently. Of course the Cambridge goes for twice as much.

Very happy with the unit.

I believe this unit was made by Pioneer before they started letting Sharp make them.