The Elite BDP-HD1 Blu-ray player, Pioneer’s first and the industry’s most advanced to date, just arrived along with the Elite PRO-FHD1` 50” 1080p Plasma monitor, which served as the review display. The BDP-HD1 incorporates a number of exclusive Blu-ray player firsts, including an Ethernet jack for downloading future firmware updates and a built-in Home Media Gallery that when interfaced with your home network allows PC-stored content playback on your HDTV.Unlike the Sony BDP-S1’s unusual reflective blue faceplate, the Elite sports the line’s traditional piano black gloss finish. Like the Sony, Pioneer locates the transport controls on the front panel (play, stop etc.), duplicating all major remote functions underneath a pull down door—a convenience feature the Sony lacks. The Sony and the Pioneer share identical rear panels save for the presence of the Pioneer’s RJ-45 Ethernet jack and the Sony’s fan vent.

Commencing set-up made clear that there were more similarities between the BDP-HD1 and Sony’s BDP-S1 than just the rear panel, as the two share identical on-screen instruction graphics, looks, placement and some fonts. The open drawer revealed the two players use the same disc drive as well, leading me to ask a Pioneer representative who builds its player. I was assured that Pioneer builds its player, including the drive, which makes it clear that Pioneer also builds Sony’s player.



The BDP-HD1’s 1080p/24 frame output was selected. Timing the boot-up time from off (with a disc already inserted in its drawer), took a 1 minute 25 seconds to play. With the BDP-HD1 powered on (using the same Blu-ray disc) play commenced in 34 seconds, an identical time to the Sony.


Comparing features of the Pioneer against the Sony revealed every function was duplicated. The Pioneer adds its Home Media Player allowing video content located on your PC to be viewed via connection to your home network. The BDP-HD1 accepts standard and high definition video files (Mpeg 1, Mpeg 2 and Windows Media Video HD/VC-1).


The Pioneer also plays from music content stored on your PC, (.wma, .mp3 and .wav files) using your audio system connected to the BDP-HD1. Photos may viewed as well if they are in the JPEG, PNG or GIF formats. Time constraints did not allow the HD Guru to sample the Home Media system; any issues or comments will be reported in an updated blog entry.


The BDP-HD1 will play the same DVD format discs the Sony Blu-ray player handles (see the list in the Sony BDP-S1 review) and will play (according to a Pioneer spokesperson) BD-R/RE recordable discs, a feat the Sony can not currently perform.


Playable Blu-ray audio formats are identical to the Sony’s as well; it too will not play CDs. The Pioneer BDP-HD1 owner’s manual clearly states DTS-HD (lossless format) is played as regular DTS and Dolby TruHD and Dolby Digital Plus is played as normal Dolby Digital, facts that the Sony BDP-S1 manual woefully omits.


The BDP-HD1 and the Sony BDP-S1 were connected to the Pioneer PRO-FHD1 via HDMI, with both players set for 1080p/24 fps output. User settings on the plasma were adjusted to the SMPTE standard with a Sencore 403 signal generator (output set to 1080p/24). This was followed by displaying the SMPTE color bars found within the Easter egg on Talladega Nights Blu-ray disc (accessed from the disc menu by pressing top menu on the remote control followed by 7669 + enter). The players’ video controls (white level, black level, color and hue) were adjusted to the SMPTE standard. (It should be noted to the videophiles reading this; both players will pass blacker than black once adjusted).


Identical Blu-ray discs (The Fifth Element and Memento) were played on the machines and paused in the same point. Switching back and forth, while viewing the plasma screen at a two-foot distance, the images appeared identical, with the same color and sharpness. This came as no surprise. The images looked as fantastic on the Pioneer as it did on the Sony.



The bottom line, Pioneer’s ability to connect to the internet to add the inevitable product updates to its player is a big plus. The alternative (as with all other freestanding Blu-ray players) is to register with their respective companies and wait for an update disc to be mailed to you. The HD Guru prefers its more conventional appearance. Add the Home Media capability, its two-year warranty (double its competitors) and potential buyers may justify its $500 price premium ($1500 retail) over the Sony BDP-S1. The Pioneer Elite BDP-HD1 earns the top ♥♥♥♥ HD Guru rating.

Playable Blu-ray audio formats are identical to the Sony’s as well; it too will not play CDs. The Pioneer BDP-HD1 owner’s manual clearly states DTS-HD (lossless format) is played as regular DTS and Dolby TruHD and Dolby Digital Plus is played as normal Dolby Digital, facts that the Sony BDP-S1 manual woefully omits.