0304wv12 Pioneer NS-DV1000

14/2/2003

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PIONEER NS-DV1000

dvd home cinema system

THING OF BEAUTY
Pioneers NS-DV1000 not only boasts mouthwatering looks, it plays DVD-A and SACD discs, is packed with features and performs to an impeccable standard. Danny Phillips is bowled over

A work of genius

Accepts both high-resolution audio formats and DVD-Video
Every now and again, a piece of kit comes along that doesnt just ask for your attention it downright demands it. The latest all-in-one system from Pioneer is a perfect example. The NS-DV1000 is a flamboyant and feature-packed home cinema solution, designed to bring a grown AV reviewer to his knees. It plays back high-resolution DVD-Audio and SACD discs making it the first universal all-in-one system and pumps out 75W per channel (powerful by home cinema system standards). That, ladies and gents, amounts to one tempting proposition. Then again, it should do for 1,300.

DESCRIPTION

The NS-DV1000 is made up of the XV-DV1000 DVD/tuner, S-DV1000ST sats and the S-DV1000SW sub. The XV-DV1000 is a sophisticated, esoteric unit, tantalisingly clad in brushed aluminium. At the touch of a button, the front panel slides down to reveal the disc tray and a few controls. As if that wasnt flashy enough, it comes with a separate screen that takes the place of a front-mounted display panel. Attached to the main
A decent selection of sockets but no component video out
unit with a cable, it houses an OEL (organic electroluminescent) colour panel, capable of displaying complex animations/information in a bright, easy-to-read fashion. The twirling logos and flashy screensavers are sure to impress onlookers in the showroom. The S-DV1000ST speakers are also classy, sporting the same brushed aluminium as the main unit. The walnut wood-effect panels on top are slightly dubious, but fear not fashion fans they can be turned upside down to reveal a more contemporary silver design. The walnut panels on the sides of the main unit can also be removed. The dark-grey sub is hefty. Thats because it shoulders all amplification duties, indicated by the springclip terminals on the rear. These are joined by two sockets for the control cables that send power and audio signals between the sub and the main DVD unit. Connections are too numerous to discuss in full (see Specifications), but worth noting are the two-way Scart socket which outputs RGB and accepts audio from your TVs Scart plus two digital audio inputs. The chief disappointments are the lack of an electrical digital
audio output and a component video output (featured on the US version). Rounding off this incredibly attractive package is the remote. This weighty, aluminium-styled zapper is a work of genius, using a dual function key system. A switch (under a slide panel at the bottom) lets you change from one set of controls to another. All of the other buttons are intelligently placed.

OPERATION

The unusual connectivity makes the NS-DV1000 quite complicated to set up, but the speaker cables are helpfully colour-coded. The onscreen displays are extremely informative, and all the details are simultaneously replicated on the OEL screen though this information can be simplified if required. Pioneers excellent menu system includes the standard DVD options along with Video Adjust mode. This lets you tweak every aspect of the picture. Three user-defined presets can be created, or you can select one of Pioneers own optimised for a CRT TV, plasma or professional video monitor. As well as Dolby Digital, DTS, DVD-A and SACD playback, the
A P R I L s W H AT V I D E O W I D E S C R E E N E N T E R TA I N M E N T

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SPECIFICATIONS

FEATURES DVD/DVD-A/DVD-R/DVD-RW (Video and VR modes)/DVD+R/DVD+RW/CD/SACD/CD-R/ CD-RW/VCD/SVCD/MP3 playback; DD, DPL & DTS decoding; DD & DTS bitstream output; 24-bit/192kHz audio DAC; FM/AM radio tuner with 30 presets & RDS; Disc Navigator; Room Setup; Advanced Surround modes; P.Bass; Quiet and Midnight listening modes; Video Adjust with 3 presets and 3 memory positions; line signal level attenuator; speaker setup; trickplay modes; wakeup timer; sleep timer; parental lock; 3 screensavers and dimmer for OEL display SOCKETS DVD/CD tuner: 1 Scart (RGB out, audio in); 2 S-video outs; 3 S-video ins; 2 composite video outs; 3 composite video ins; analogue stereo audio out; 4 analogue audio ins; optical digital audio out; optical/electrical digital audio ins; FM/AM antenna ins; control sockets for sub/display device Sub: front, centre, surround springclip speaker terminals; control sockets TEST DATA Video jitter: 3ns (very good) Signal-to-noise ratio: -70.6dB (good) Chroma AM/PM: -73.3dB/-63.6dB (excellent/good) Chroma crosstalk: -60.8dB (very good) Frequency response (S-video) at 5MHz: -5.15dB (excellent) composite video at 5.8MHz: -4.97dB (very good) Audio jitter: 326.6ps (good) DIMENSIONS DVD/CD tuner: 380(w) x 71(h) x 299(d)mm CONTACT Pioneer www.pioneer-eur.com

NS-DV1000 offers Pro-Logic and Pro-Logic II decoding. Seven Advanced Surround effects are on hand to further enhance multichannel and stereo audio. If you dont fancy configuring the speakers manually, a simple setup mode asks the size of your room (large, middle or small) and where youre sitting. However, delay (set in metres) and channel level settings are provided. An LFE attenuator keeps tabs on bass levels, but if you want more rumble then P.Bass boosts the low end. Quiet and Midnight modes adjust the general dynamic range so you dont wake the neighbours. With all this going on, its easy to forget about MP3 playback and the FM/AM RDS radio tuner with 30 presets.
The NS-DV1000s sizzling detail resolution is also the reason why every strand of Gandalfs beard is visible, and why the CG scenery of Rivendell looks so majestic. And theres no MPEG-related nastiness to complicate matters.
the most attractive home cinema system ever created

PERFORMANCE

Peter Jacksons epic The Fellowship of the Ring is the perfect test of DVD playback, and the images produced are (excuse the pun) absolutely spellbinding. The way this system delivers the dark, detail-packed battle scenes near the start is unbelievable every rushing Orc and raised weapon is resolved effortlessly amid the gloomy backdrop of a ravaged Middle Earth.
It also delivers perfect colour, demonstrated by the luscious green New Zealand scenery. The warm, vibrant hues draw you in, but theres something about their solidity and authenticity that keeps you transfixed. Sonically, this system excels. The key to its success is the calibre of speakers; they can muster plenty of bass (stooping to a low 100Hz), speech isnt thin or grating, and theres a general richness to their output. The subwoofer stamps its authority on proceedings, but doesnt overwhelm the sats a common flaw with all-in-one systems. With movies, the soundstage is spacious and forceful. The score, dialogue and surround effects
are beautifully expressed and placement is spot-on. Its not troubled at loud volumes, either. Break out the SACD/DVD-A discs and further treats are in store. A two-channel live recording of I Cant Get Started by Benny Waters (from the Opus 3 Showcase SACD) really sparkles, thanks to this systems sharp, textured delivery. The excellent 5.1-channel DVD-A mix of Missy Elliotts Miss E So Addictive has the required punch, with a funky bottom end and engaging surround contribution. It doesnt sound as detailed or well separated as Pioneers DV-757Ai standalone deck through a better sound system but its mightily impressive all the same.

VERDICT

WHATS GOOD Picture; sound; features; looks WHATS BAD No component video output; a bit pricey OVERALL An extravagant system with exceptional performance and astonishing features PICTURE.77777 SOUND.77777 FEATURES.77777 EASE OF USE.7777 VALUE.777 OVERALL.77777

CONCLUSION

Pioneers NS-DV1000 is the most attractive home cinema system ever created, with an incredible features roster. Refined picture and sound performance with any of its compatible formats completes a hugely impressive package. While 1,300 is pricey, you definitely get what you pay for and if you buy before the end of March, you get a free BBC comedy DVD into the bargain. But after buying this stunning system, we reckon youll already be laughing s