[tman]

Well, after 2 years of service, looks like my multiregion Pioneer 575A is about to croak. Takes ages to read a disk, and will then sometimes stall while playing. I guess the motor is on the way out, as it makes some odd noises.

Therefore, I'm looking for a replacement, but I have some specific criteria due to my plans to move abroad this year.

I still have an SD plasma at the moment, so progressive analogue component is the best connection I can use. What's as good as or better than the 575 over component at the moment? I know everyone seems to have an HDMI fixation, and it would make sense for any player I get to also have HDMI for the future, but it's component only for now.

I need it to be multi-region with RCE (my 575 is chipped).

I don't want to spend a huge amount on this, something < £150 would be good.

Lastly, with my plans, I would like the player to work on 110/240v 50/60Hz without needing a stepup/stepdown transformer. This may be the tricky bit.

Any recommendations?

[simon194]

Originally Posted by tman

Well, after 2 years of service, looks like my multiregion Pioneer 575A is about to croak. Takes ages to read a disk, and will then sometimes stall while playing. I guess the motor is on the way out, as it makes some odd noises.

Therefore, I'm looking for a replacement, but I have some specific criteria due to my plans to move abroad this year.

I still have an SD plasma at the moment, so progressive analogue component is the best connection I can use. What's as good as or better than the 575 over component at the moment? I know everyone seems to have an HDMI fixation, and it would make sense for any player I get to also have HDMI for the future, but it's component only for now.

I need it to be multi-region with RCE (my 575 is chipped).

I don't want to spend a huge amount on this, something < £150 would be good.

Lastly, with my plans, I would like the player to work on 110/240v 50/60Hz without needing a stepup/stepdown transformer. This may be the tricky bit.

Any recommendations?

I've just replaced my 575A with a 696AV. It has all the features of the 575 plus an HDMI port.

It wasn't multiregion but it is easily made multiregion if you have a PDA or something like a Philips Pronto remote using thne info here, and plays RCE disks OK.

I paid £92 for mine from Pixmania whith their VIPix discount.

The voltage is a tricky one because the Region 2 version is 220V 50/60Hz, although Purely Gadgets have been/are selling multiregioned Region 3 models which should be 110/220V. The R3 models don't have a SCART but since you are interested in component output, it won't be a problem.

[unique]

you can get the 696 multiregion delivered for £110, there is another thread about the 696 with the link to buy it, i think it's from superfi.co.uk

i have the 696 and a 575, the 696 is the equivilent of the 575 with hdmi and upscaling, sacd/dvda/divx, plays everything like the 575

www.pioneerfaq.info has more details on it. you can MR it yourself with a programable remote

btw, are the pixmania models uk or grey imports? i'm sure i heard about someone getting one from them without a scart socket as it wasnt a uk model

[tman]

Cheers for the info. As I was happy with the 575, looks like the 696 could be a good buy, but looks like I would need an R3 model as I hope that has a 110/240 power supply. Don't care about SCART, will never use it.

The 696 on PurelyGadgets doesn't list SCART as an output terminal (!) so could this be an R3 model? I might email them and find out.

[ayrshiredude]

Tman another option why not have a look on ebay. I bought a 575A in perfect condition a month ago for £30 and it produces excellent pictures (as you know). Just an idea.

[nwgarratt]

I have seen the 696 and it is a very fine player. I mself have been trying to decide between it, the Panasonic S52 or the Sony NS76.

[tman]

Originally Posted by ayrshiredude

Tman another option why not have a look on ebay. I bought a 575A in perfect condition a month ago for £30 and it produces excellent pictures (as you know). Just an idea.

Thanks, never thought of that. I suppose there's a few 575's knocking about on ebay. Trouble is, I really need this 110/240 option now.

[simon194]

Originally Posted by unique

you can get the 696 multiregion delivered for £110, there is another thread about the 696 with the link to buy it, i think it's from superfi.co.uk

i have the 696 and a 575, the 696 is the equivilent of the 575 with hdmi and upscaling, sacd/dvda/divx, plays everything like the 575

www.pioneerfaq.info has more details on it. you can MR it yourself with a programable remote

btw, are the pixmania models uk or grey imports? i'm sure i heard about someone getting one from them without a scart socket as it wasnt a uk model

The Pixmania's 696's are European R2 models and they come with an International Warranty so there's no problem getting them fixed in the UK.