Pioneer BDP-150: Blu-Ray Player
Pioneer
BDP-150 offers a Blu-ray player with no exceptional frills but a hi-def
playback experience with quality audio-visual duet
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| World Technology Update News |
Overview
The BDP-150 is a cheaper version of
BDP-450. This edition does a heavy borrowing from BDP-450 in some real estate
segments, however, does not fail to register its own presence on the strength
of some improved add-ons. With a £119.99 price tag, it does not scare away the
budget buyers while allowing them to enjoy hi-def video power from Pioneer’s
den.
Likes
·
Rock-Solid Performance
·
Slick Streaming of DNA
·
Support for Wider Format
Dislikes
·
Absence of Built-in WI-Fi
·
Limited Web Content
·
Overlapping Video Adjustments
Build and Design
At
58mm height, its deck is a slimmer beauty as compared to the 90mm BDP-450.
However, build quality is not impressive and does not even get close to 90mm BDP-450 into
this aspect. The front panel is made from plastic instead of aluminum. However,
material matters very little when it comes to an appealing look at the model
reflects a classic style which is the brand signature of Pioneer, with the
fascia featuring a low price button and a touch of brushed finish. An LED
display panel along with a disc ray sits at the center. And yes, a USB port is
not also missing for playing media files from the storage devices.
Despite
being a slim set, this version feels sturdy. The real panel is way different
from what we have witnessed on BDP-450. The step-up edition makes room for
plenty of connection options. You will find two HDMI ports and these will
enable you to send audio and video signals separately to a receiver and a TV.
However, this device ships with a single HDMI output. Pioneer has taken a right
step by specifying the HDMI port as v1.4, which clearly shows that BDP-150 is capable of
sending 3D signals to a TV.
The BDP-150
houses sockets which are missing on its set-up brother. These sockets include
analogue and composite stereo outputs, which Pioneer has thought that the
high-end users would not require. The line-up of connections is rounded up by
an Ethernet port, a coaxial digital audio output and a second USB port.
Display and Audio
Apart from
functioning as a second port for BD Live storage and media playback, this rear
USB port serves another important purpose – it integrates Pioneer’s WI-Fi
dongle, though it is an optional feature. However, the biggest flaw with this
Pioneer make is missing of built-in WI-Fi connection, especially when other
star players in the market are providing this option at more or less same price
slab. What is more, you have to cough out additional £50 for WI-Fi dongle (AS-WL300), which is definitely not what the buyers
would like.
Now if that add-on puts strain on
your wallet, set up a connection to your router via Ethernet. It will make
everything a little bit messier but function as a more reliable connection.
It’s worth using one way or another. For example, BD Live content is worth a
watch and you can also have an access to YouTube, Netflix and Picasa through BDP-150
player. It provides you with limited choices as there is no catch-up TV
services such as BBC iPlayer though Netflix and YouTube will always have an offer worth
watching.
There are other advantages of web
connection too. First of all, it allows you to stream your own music, video and
photo files from the networking servers, for example, PCs, NAS drives and also smart
phones. There is an alternative option to play media from the hard drives and
USB sticks attached to the USB ports. Pioneer has garnered spiking popularity
for providing solid support to universal format and this feature is not a
missed point here too. For wider compatibility, Pioneer has come up with a
prolix list of compatible files including DivX HD, AVCHD, WMV, MP3, MKV, AVI,
FLV, AAC, WMA, 3GP, FLAC, JPEG along with conventional CD, Super Audio CD and
DVD.
Performance
With the signature AV heritage,
it hardly springs any surprise that the younger sibling offers a top notch
quality of picture. The screen does not pick up any glitch or errors while the
pixels are sent to a TV and you are left with an amazing viewing experience as
the pictures come sharp and crystal clear. The model finely adjusts itself to
trickier materials such as Silicon Optix HQV Blu-ray by providing a smooth
texture of the disc’s cadences and text patterns and you won’t be an unlucky
chap to experience any serous artifacts with it. The 3D performance of BDP-150 is equally flawless, offering you an
immersive visual delight while enjoying Thor in 3D.
Pioneer rightly takes pride in
its host of most engaging audio chaps. It packs in some serious advantages over
others in the same league for its SACK playback. The feature sails with
truckloads of immaculate and multichannel expansion. The same intoxicating
feature also makes a clapping-worthy duet with CDs, outputting music via its
analogue stereo channel, airing a sense of transparency, balance and openness.
Who is it for?
This blue-ray player is especially
designed for those who are more interested in build quality and movie playback
and not finical with finest fitness apps and flashy web portals.
Value for Money?
Whether it gives you back a good value for money
depends on why you are looking for a Blue-ray player. At the £119.99 price
point, Pioneer can do some serious business as budget buyers are the
preponderant majority of the consumers’ bracket. However, lack of built-in WI-Fi
connectivity can be a good ground for the buyers to switch their attention
elsewhere as there is a slew of devices coming within almost the same price
range but offering much more up to or beyond your expectation.
Final Thought
BDP-150
is a skilled player, offering a good range of feature sets including internet
content and DLNA. It is Mr. dependable if you consider the image quality of 2D
and 3D pictures. Format support is quite exciting and better sound quality will
be up to what you expect from a video-centric device.
However, there are other players
like Sony and Samsung which throw in much better features like WI-Fi, more
immersive onscreen designs and improved internet content. No doubt, its build
quality is really impressive but that does not make it an enviable position of
the potential buyers, though Pioneer devotees are obviously an exception.
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