I bought my chipped Pioneer 525 DVD player over a year ago now and ever since I have been incredibly pleased by its performance. At the time of purchase I was looking for a machine around the 300 pound mark which not only had excellent video playback, but also excellent sound quality, as I ... Read review
No Setup - Just put your batteries in and off you go. Our remote controls are generic ... more
replacements 100% guaranteed money back if not entirely satisfied. Put-Batteries-In-And-Go (This remote has been made for this Tv / Dvd / Freeview box etc, only,so no...
Postage & Packaging: £3.00 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
No Setup - Just put your batteries in and off you go. Our remote controls are generic ... more
replacements 100% guaranteed money back if not entirely satisfied. Put-Batteries-In-And-Go (This remote has been made for this Tv / Dvd / Freeview box etc, only,so no...
Postage & Packaging: £3.00 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Excellent sound and vision reproduction, plays CDRs Disadvantages: Remote control, frame reverse
I bought my chipped Pioneer 525 DVD player over a year ago now and ever since I have been incredibly pleased by its performance. At the time of purchase I was looking for a machine around the 300 pound mark which not only had excellent video playback, but also excellent sound quality, as I was keen to incorporate it into my hi-fi system as a CD player. The CD playback is smooth and easily comparable to a player of around the 200 pound mark. The only ... ...you would expect from a Pioneer DVD player, though avoid the composite output at all costs and if you have the oppurtunity use the S-video output for the best image. I did find though that when using the RGB Scart output, that the tv picture was too dark and I had to continually readjust the tv's brightness controls when using the player.
The player itself has most of the features you'd expect from such a player, audio, subtitle, multi ... more
I bought my chipped Pioneer 525 DVD player over a year ago now and ever since I have been incredibly pleased by its performance. At the time of purchase I was looking for a machine around the 300 pound mark which not only had excellent video playback, but also excellent sound quality, as I was keen to incorporate it into my hi-fi system as a CD player. The CD playback is smooth and easily comparable to a player of around the 200 pound mark. The only problem I've found is that of the unit when spinning, as it occasionally tends to be quite noisy, which although isn't a problem most of the time can be annoying when the unit is played at very low volumes.
The video playback is also top-notch as is what you would expect from a Pioneer DVD player, though avoid the composite output at all costs and if you have the oppurtunity use the S-video output for the best image. I did find though that when using the RGB Scart output, that the tv picture was too dark and I had to continually readjust the tv's brightness controls when using the player.
The player itself has most of the features you'd expect from such a player, audio, subtitle, multi angle, navigational aids, frame advance, slow motion at various speeds, memory facilities and the like, though no zoom function. All work fine, though frame reverse takes you back 5-6 frames instead of the usual one, but hey, when do you really use these features anyway? This brings me to my one major gripe about the system, the remote control.
Why oh why oh why did they have to include the worlds smallest remote control with this player? It feels flimsy, is easily lost and the buttons are tiny, it is probably the least sexy remote control I have ever owned. There is no excuse for this, for example take the Pioneer 717, it has a beautiful weighty remote, with a huge jog-dial and good sized buttons, why couldn't Pioneer have included something like this? Even the remotes of sub 150 pound players are better.
If you can get around this small but niggling problem the Pioneer 525 is an excellent all round machine at a reasonable price, not the worlds most attractive machine but functional and a good build quality. I have had mine chipped since purchase and it has worked perfectly with every disc I have used on it. None of the lip-synching problems experienced by some players or disc incompatablities experienced by other budget brands. It is also one of the few players that plays CD-Rs, no use for me as I prefer MD, but its good to know all the same.
Although is has now been superceded by the excellent Pioneer 626 don't rule this player out, if you shop around you can find some great deals at the moment. I have seen it as low as 150 pounds from Richer Sounds, and only slightly more expensive to have it chipped. You will not find a better player around at a price like that, especially from such a quality producer of DVD players as Pioneer.
Advantages: Cheap, good picture and sound, multi region(if chipped),Plays all CD's Disadvantages: None for me
...place to write about the Pioneer DV-535, but as the only difference between the two models is that the DV-535 is black and the DV-525 is silver & doesn't have an optical out. This seemed as good a place as any.
I have read some reviews on this site and others, and like most people did a fair bit of research on forums etc. This is a very good DVD player for the money. I brought a multi region one from richer sounds for £207 including 3 years warranty. ... ...cd's (both shop bought and those i have ripped on the computer). The remote is easy to understand and the whole thing is a cinch to set up. The player is automatic in detecting most region 1 DVD's, but if it doesn't then it can be remote hacked as well
I have heard a lot of people talk about the noisy DVD drawer when ejecting or loading up, but to be honest I havent noticed this, and I wouldnt expect anything remotely mechanical to be whisper quiet. ...
groomoid 12.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pioneer DV-525
Advantages: Cheap, Very good looking and wonderful picture Disadvantages: None
I have spend a lot of time listening to and evaluating the latest DVDs on the market. After looking at around 10 Market Leaders from companies like Yamaha, Panasonic, Sony, and the like, I finally settled on this DVD player. I thought the sound and Picture quality and in particular the features on this DVD were very impressive. Everything about it looks and feels right. The quality of the construction matches the quality of the picture even the remote ... ...with their 808 amplifier match up perfectly. I paid £320 for this DVD but it can be purchased for less in the back of Hi-fi Magazines. My advice bet a demo at a local electrical store, and the buy it for a bargain price from a magazine, be sure to use you credit card for security and insurance cover. ...
Andyroo007 28.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pioneer DV-525
Advantages: Plays CDRs Disadvantages: Size, Noise from Player, Remote control
I bought this player on the premise that it could play VCDs recorded onto CDR's and I've not been disappointed. The playback is fine from pretty much every type of media I have tried.
As for DVDs, its very well specced, and doesn't have problems with any of the more tricky titles such as Matrix or Something About Mary (region 2).
The player has multiple ports for SCART, and S-Video with outputs for Dolby Digital and DTS (although you need a DD/DTS ... ...player as I can see. First, the unit is HUGE (compared to most modern players, esp. Sony DVP-F11 - see my Ciao opinion! ;-). Secondly, the drive makes a humming noise whilst playing, thought that might be unit, I can't check.
The final downside is the remote control. Its disgraceful. Its about the size of 3 match boxes stuck end to end, and its the most uncomfortable thing EVER. Yeuk. Replace it with a One for All immediately! ...
debug 26.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pioneer DV-525
Advantages: full feature, VCD playback Disadvantages: noisy disk drawer
...your video recorder) as the Pioneer doesn't have a UHF output. However this is the norm with DVD players as it is a digital standard and not really designed for use with ropey televisions!
The picture quality is as good on many of the more expensive machines. It has none of the green tint you get on some of the budget machines such as the Proline.
All in all the Pioneer represents excellent value for money. It is a nice looking machine, and a bargain ...
andyev 18.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pioneer DV-525
Advantages: Beats video by far Disadvantages: None
...the extra and got the PIONEER DV-525 it plays every DVD the picture quality is excellent as is the sound. Having seen the difference it makes to the picture quality and sound I would choose it over a video player anyday.
I will not question my husbands need for the best ever again this has proved to me it is worth it. ...
sue 19.11.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pioneer DV-525
Picture Playback
Sound Level
Range of Features
Durability
Value for Money
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Advantages: Plays almost anything Disadvantages: Expensive
I bought this to replace my PioneerDV525 which, like all Pioneer CD/DVD players do, had died with a duff spindle motor. I was therefore trying to avoid Pioneer this time. But the Pioneer was a tough act to follow, it cost around £300 and was always renowned for outstanding pictures.
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