New BD-Live Blu-ray Disc Players

Three new BD-Live Blu-ray Disc players will be available across Europe from the beginning of June.

The high-end BDP-LX52, the mid-range BDP-320 and the entry-level BDP-120 offer a cinematic-quality performance and premium user experience. Integrating advanced features, the new players ensure the highest quality playback of Blu-ray discs, DVDs and CDs.

The higher class models, BDP-320 and BDP-LX52, support a KURO LINK Video Adjust System, which automatically adjusts the preset settings of the player depending on the type of Pioneer display connected. For other displays you can simply select the type of display connected from a list to benefit from the presets defined by our display and video experts.

Another key feature is the Precision Quartz Lock System (PQLS), which aims to rid jitter when connected to a PQLS-compatible AV receiver. Both players provide a jitterless transmission of uncompressed LPCM audio over HDMI from compatible Pioneer Blu-ray players, resulting in strikingly clear sound.

With a solid front aluminium panel, ice blue illumination and an aluminium pre-set remote control, the BDP-LX52 represents the best in both form and function.

The entry-level BDP-120 supports BD-Live and is equipped with a USB-port for connecting external devices and ships with a two gigabyte flash drive. The model supports playback of 1080p high-definition video as well as advanced audio standards Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential. With its Quick Start function the BDP-120 is able to switch from standby mode to an active state in just 0.8 seconds.

With their ability to handle 1080p 24 frames per second (fps) reproduction rate, the new models guarantee a lifelike cinematic experience on a compatible display. Taking advantage of HDMI connectivity, they provide pure, natural images to deliver the full emotional impact of Blu-ray disc films as the director intended.

By improving subtle colour gradations, 36-bit Deep Colour support for the BDP-120, and 48-bit Deep Colour support for the BDP-320 and BDP-LX52 result in lively colours and smooth transitions between different gradation steps on 48-bit/36-bit capable displays.

Both higher class models come with a Video Adjust mode that allows users to tweak 13 video adjustments to create a finely tuned image. Among those 13 the Triple HD Noise Reduction offers three modification options to upgrade the image quality by removing various artifacts that may have been induced during the digitization of the video images .

Studio-quality sound at home

In addition to exceptional picture quality, consumers will benefit from the highest quality audio. Vibrant colours and refined picture reproduction are reinforced by true-to-the-original digital audio formats DTS HD Master Audio Essential and Dolby TrueHD, which all models can either output as native bitstream or decode internally and output as uncompressed multi-channel LPCM on HDMI.

The use of professional-grade digital audio decoders (DAC) in the BDP-320 and BDP-LX52 has also contributed to great improvements in audio quality.

Our Precision Quartz Lock System ( PQLS) offers jitterless transmission of uncompressed LPCM audio over HDMI to compatible Pioneer AV receivers. The BDP-320 is able to utilise the PQLS technology for jitterless sound processing for 2-channel LPCM sound sources such as an audio CD, while the BDP-LX52 features the world’s first multi-channel PQLS, operating between the Blu-ray Disc player and a multi-channel PQLS-equipped Pioneer receiver by synchronising both components’ digital clocks for optimal audio playback.

Optimum integration

In addition to regular KURO LINK (featured on all models), which allows you to easily control Pioneer devices connected via HDMI to a KURO flat screen TV with the KURO remote, the BDP-LX52 and BDP-320 will optimise video reproduction to match the type of flat screen TV connected, thereby compensating for the weaker points common for that particular display type.

Moreover, both models feature an attractive-looking Graphical User Interface (GUI) with HD graphics that will undoubtedly enhance user pleasure even further.

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Published: 4 June 2009