ON TEST / DVD/HDD SYSTEM

Verdict Approx price 1,600

Pioneer LX01

A stunning high-end system with Dolby True HD decoding
BSensational performance and features EExpensive; no DVD-A or SACD

The rivals

/ Sony DAV-IS10
Surprisingly powerful sound from its ve golfball sized speakers, but lacks SACD and 1080p support a shame for 600. Reviewed: Issue 331

/ LG HT902TB

IF YOU OWN one of Pioneers gorgeous Kuro plasma TVs and need a home cinema system to match, this is just the ticket. It comprises a DVD/HDD recorder, a 400W subwoofer receiver, four compact satellite speakers and a display unit that accepts commands from the remote control, enabling you to hide the other components out of sight. The speakers feature a unique shape, which allows them to deliver an omni-directional sound. This is why there are only four channels as opposed to ve the centre channel is integrated into the front pair.
This system offers a decent feature list for the money and looks great. Reviewed: Issue 330

Features

Behind the style lies a supertalented system with a phenomenal features list, which is inevitably reected in the price tag. The DVD/ HDD recorder boasts a 250GB hard disk, built-in Freeview tuner and the ability to record onto every DVD format plus 1080p upscaling.
That huge hard disk not only lets you pause live TV, simultaneously play/record and edit recordings, but it also holds your collection of compressed audio and photo les, turning the system into a multimedia jukebox. You can transfer these from disc, a /// USB ash memory device or PC running Windows Media Player 10 or later. You cant transfer DiVX video to the hard disk, but you can play les from CD or via the USB port. Impressive, too, is the ability to rip CDs directly onto the hard disk in lossless LPCM, and, thanks to the built-in Gracenote database, track information is automatically updated. There are seven recording modes ranging from the highest quality XP down to SEP, offering up to 711hr of HDD recording time plus 32 manual modes that enable you to record using bitrates in between the
seven presets. You can edit chapters, delete parts of a recording, copy them onto DVD at high-speed and much more. There are two EPGs: the regular Freeview version and Guide Plus, both of which allow you to set the
The systems 1080p upscaling delivers some of the sharpest pictures this side of hi-def///
timer simply by selecting the relevant programme from the list but stick with the Freeview guide, which is much easier to use. The systems audio talents are remarkable. It decodes Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio piped from a Blu-ray player, as well as Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks, while Dolby Pro-Logic and DTS Neo:6 are also present.
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handling is further reinforced by outstanding colour reproduction, with both strong and subtle tones, while the tightly contained edges and lack of noise also play their part in an excellent picture performance. Hard disk and DVD recordings look similarly stunning, particularly in the highest quality XP or nextbest SP mode. The deck captures strong colours and ne detail from Freeview broadcasts without compromise, resulting in rich, engaging images that look identical to the source. Thankfully theres very little noise, and the deck keeps pace with fast movement without excessive breakup or pixellation. Inevitably the picture quality drops in the lower bitrate LP, EP and SEP modes, but not to the point where they become unwatchable.

Fact le

/ 720p, 1080i, 1080p upscaling / Dolby True HD & DTS HD MA decoding / 250GB hard disk / Multiformat DVD recording / CD ripping with Gracenote
/ Time in Lab: 2 weeks / Serial No: 866179 420mm

Sound

With a Sony BDP-S500 Blu-ray player plugged into the LX01s HDMI input and Spider-Man 3 in the drive, we were blown away by the quality of Dolby True HD playback. The crispness and purity of the sound has to be heard to be believed, offering crystal-clear reproduction of even the most subtle effects, while other sonic elements from dialogue to explosions are handled with the same spellbinding clarity. But lower resolution soundtracks dont get overshadowed by the newfangled formats. Regular Dolby Digital playback is sensational, thanks to the effective omnidirectional speakers, which deliver a cohesive soundstage with enough punch to get you leaping from your seat. You also wont notice the absence of a centre channel, as the front speakers do a great job of projecting dialogue into the relevant space in between. This is all topped off by forceful bass from the agile dual-drive subwoofers, which complement rather than dominate the other channels.

Playback Test Reading Rating Video jitter: 3.0ns Audio jitter: 4300.7ps S/n ratio: -67.3dB Chroma am: -73.7dB Chroma pm: -69.1dB Chroma N/A Crosstalk: Frequency response at 5.8MHz S-video: N/A Composite: -0.95dB Component: N/A
Power consumption: Standby: 28W Idling: 35W Playing: 36W Lab notes: Unimpressive audio jitter gures, but good video jitter, picture, if indifferent sound

Spec check

Hard disk capacity: 250GB Recording formats: DVD-RW/-R/+RW/+R/+R (DL) Recording modes: 6, plus 32 manual modes Max recording time: 711 hours (HDD); 14hr (DVD+R DL) Non-linear editing: Yes TV tuner: Digital & analogue Guide Plus/Video Plus: Yes/no Set-top box control: Yes (G-Link) HDMI/DVI output: Yes/no Prog scan output: Yes DVD-A/SACD: No/no Audio formats: Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS HD Master Audio, DTS HD, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro-Logic II, DTS Neo:6 Dimensions: Main unit: 420(w) x 80(h) x 286(d)mm Weight: 5.5kg / Other Features: 192kHz/24-bit audio DAC; 108MHz/12-bit video DAC (CVBS), 216MHz/12-bit video DAC (component) / Disc Playback: DVD/-R/-RW/+R/+RW/+R (DL)-R (DL); CD/-R/-RW; SVCD; VCD; DiVX; WMV; MP3; WMA; MPEG4 AAC, JPEG (hi-res) / Sockets: HDMI; component video; RGB Scart; S-video; composite video; optical and coaxial digital audio; 5.1-channel analogue / Contact: 789 www.pioneer.co.uk

Ease of use

The set-up procedure is unusual, but doesnt take long, and the entire system is controlled using a remote that features an intuitive backlit touchscreen with different button arrangements according to function. This is also easy to learn. The menu system lives up to Pioneers high standards by boasting a logical layout, attractive design and lightning-fast response. The most user-friendly feature is the MCACC mode, which automatically sets audio levels to suit the layout of your room.

Value

This is an opulent, full-on system aimed at the style conscious with money to burn. But even taking its generous feature list, sexy looks and top-notch performance into consideration, the LX01 is still a few hundred quid too expensive, which makes the lack of DVD-Audio or SACD support all the more galling. But if you can afford it, you wont be disappointed Z

Picture

True to form, the Pioneers picture quality is stunning. With DVD playback, the systems 1080p upscaling delivers some of the sharpest and most striking pictures this side of hi-def, easily picking out the ne detail on our Armageddon DVD, even during its many dark scenes. This delectable detail
It may be expensive, but it looks amazing and delivers a knock-out performance
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