Home > Consumer Reviews > Pioneer DV-606D DVD Player

Being a newbie, I admit that I am not an expert in home theatre systems. But using this DVD player with the rest of my system, my neighbors threaten to file a noise complaint to the police unless I let them watch movies in my living room for free. Here are some things you should know when setting this DVD player up with your amp, TV, speakers, etc.

** Video Output **

This model also has three video outputs: Video output jack, S-video jack, and component video out jack. Of course you need three different types of wires for each one. Only the cord for the video output jack comes with the DVD. I recommend you buy Monster Cables for the component video out jack (relatively expensive, but worth it). You can definitely see the improvement in the picture quality. If you do go this route, then you must have a TV with component video in. Also, you must change the DVD player's settings (see pg. 42 in the instructions). If you don't, all you will get is black and white, and I seriously thought something was wrong with either my TV or the DVD. Took me a couple days to figure out that you need to explicitly change the settings.

** DTS & Dolby Digital 5.1 **

This model has a DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 decoder built in, so you don't need an amp/receiver with a DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 decoder (but you do need some sort of receiver with 2 front, 2 rear, center, and sub-woofer outputs to take advantage of DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1).

If you do already have a capable amp/receiver, read below for more details.

My ears couldn't tell the difference between DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1. However, you can definitely tell the difference between simple Dolby Pro-Logic and DTS/Dolby Digital 5.1. So it's definitely worth upgrading your system to handle DTS/Dolby Digital 5.1.

** Audio Output **

Read this if you have an amp/receiver with a DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 decoder, and you want to connect this DVD player with it:

You have two digital outputs: coaxial and optical, both use a different type of cord. Someone recommended that the coaxial was better than the optical, but I really don't think it matters too much. At least, I couldn't tell the difference between the two types. Of course the only cord that comes with this is the standard audio cord. If you want to take advantage of the digital outputs then you will have to spend more $$ to buy the appropriate cord.

** CD player **

This player also plays compact discs. I mistakenly bought a Sony CD player, so I could play CD's. This model is also capable of playing DTS encoded CD's! There are not that many DTS encoded CD's, but just like DVD's, the sound quality is tremendous. Listening to the Eagles "Hell Freezes Over", you can really place the instruments and you almost feel like you are listening to them live.

In summary: If you don't want to spend big $$, and you are a newbie, then this DVD player is worth buying because it has all the necessary video/audio outputs. The picture quality is good. The only bad thing is the relative slow access time, so loading up the movie and skipping to different chapters is slower than I would like.

Having finally decided to take the DVD plunge, I must say that I'm very surprised and happy with this player.

I had researced DVD, and being a Sony Person I assumed I would get a Sony, but with all the sound troubles (and more) that they've had, I decided to get the Pioneer. I have a Pioneer laser and it's great, and this Pioneer DVD player is just as great - if not better. This player has performed beautifully - no sound trouble, no picture trouble, easy to follow instructions - I could go on and on.

For people who are new to the DVD scene like me, but also have knowledge of most things pertaining to audio/visual - this player is perfect. I doubt you could get the name, quality, and ease of this player from some other company without spending more. That's not necessary! This player is priced great and is worth it!

Best of all, this was a higher grade model marked down to the medium grade - when Amazon has it back in stock - get it! It's great, and has the Dolby Digital Decoder built it. If you're not sure (like I was) what all the techno talk is about, suffice it to say that you need the decoder.

All the features you could want in a DVD are here, and more. Unless you have a home theater system that is so high tech that it's almost an actual theater - you don't need all the bells and whistles. This player has the bells and whistles you need for now and if you ever want to upgrade your system.

Don't get me wrong, this is not an entry level DVD player, but it's great for anyone who is new or is upgrading their entry level DVD they mistakenly bought a few years ago. Because it has everything you could want.

Take my advice for this player - you won't be disappointed!

I purchased this unit last year when it first came out. It has so many innovative features that until this year were only found on units costing hundreds more. Unit has Built-In Dolby Digital decoder (You must have a 5.1 Receiver to take atvantage of this feature)as well as regular Audio Jacks for Standard Dolby Pro Logic receivers. Some people mistakingly think that unit has a DTS decoder but it does not. It is DTS compatable which means that if you have a DVD with DTS sound it will play it in a standard way (This is no big deal for now believe me. It has a full compliment of inputs and outputs including Component Video (Color Stream) as well as S Video and Composite (Regular). It has an excellent full featured DVD only remote (Oh Well).

When I was researching DVD players, I came across this new model and didn't regret purchasing it. The sound and vision is great. It has a optical output and S-video output as well as Dolby5.1 & DTS decoders. It is the best buy for your money with no regrets for the near future because you might be lacking a feature--although I do wish it had slow-mo reverse. Buy one and you won't regret it. It's the best one between me and my home theater friends

Although I've only been into home theater for a couple of years, I must admit that this is one of the sharpest DVD players I've seen on the market. Quality and performance is excellent, and the only complaint I have about it is the fact that there are no cursor controls on the front panel. So if you can't find your remote at the moment, you can't control the feature selections of the DVD main menu. Also, another thing I wanted to mention is that even though this player has a built in Dolby Digital decoder, I would highly recommend that you get a receiver with the Dolby Digital and DTS decoder in it because everyday, more and more households are running either digital satellite or digital cable, which would be nice if you can decode those movies in digital 5.1, which you must have that capability in the receiver and not the DVD.