This player has arrived within 5 days, relatively fast delivery, no problem.

As someone mentioned before that it has voltage capability up to 220 volts, and the one I received fixed only to 110 volts, I got it for Australia and there we have 220 voltage. For those who is buying this player to use outside of U.S. and Canada, you also would need to get step down voltage converter from you 220v to 110v.

You will not fix the problem just by changing power cords, it won’t work. The other option you can perhaps look for the same model on the internet and they do sell international version, and it ables to handle both 110v, 220v and 240v. It may cost 10 bucks more though. Also DV 410 model gives chance to swap cables (compare to dv 420), with no problems, just look the back side pictures of it on the net and compare yourself.

The player it self looks quite big, they made it look like a blu ray but it is only a conventional dvd player with up scaling capabilities, and I am sure they could fit it in a much smaller portable box. If you open the cover you realise that there is not much stuff inside, it is almost empty. And the case of this model is identical to DV 610 dvd player, DV 420 is a simplified version of dv 610 and even older model dv 410, dv 420V-(k) does not have outputs for 5.1 speakers and DTS sound, only if you connect to the receiver via coaxial or HDMI cable to your TV, which must support DTS output or you will not get any DTS sound whatsoever!

It will give you DTS 5.1 sound only, if you plug it in to your receiver which has got coaxial digital input, and has got function to output 5.1 DTS on your speakers. If you connect with component cables to your ordinary TV with two speakers, it only gives you stereo sound. But for those who want to get DTS 2-Channel Decoding to TV with two speakers, you can get Pioneer DV 410 model it is an older version but more advanced, it does give you DTS 2-Channel Decoding, but it will cost you a bit more as well.

This time Pioneer decided just to cut down on cost and give exactly the same player as the older version but with less functions, what a genius! Corporations have one purpose to make more money and save on production and licensing costs and get more money from us. So with every new model they introduce every year, they cut on something and make sure you gadget become liter and thinner.

And other functions on DV 420 such as virtual surround and sound retriever are hopeless and useless, they will not make difference at all; even if there is some improvement to the sound it does not make almost not improvement at all. If you want to hear good music you still would need to play CD quality music or if it is MP3 make sure it has got the highest bit rate, as the provided enhancing sound functions will not bring any benefit at all.

Now in regards to video and region playability!!! As you may feel by now, I would suggest you instead to buy DV 410, the only difference they made to DV 420 is they made it possible to rip your CD’s to USB that’s all but they cut it down DTS 2-Channel Decoding, which probably cost them around 3 dollars as the license per player. To me if I really want to rip I’ll do it on my computer with greater speed and control. In my opinion you do want to get good damn sound out of your TV at the end of the day anyway, especially for those who don’t want to spend extra money on additional receiver, speakers or theater sound systems. Just give me my DTS for my damn TV with two speakers and I am happy.

Back to video… ok. Multiregional playability… Now you need to know that all players are set to one specific region by manufacturer either 1, 2 or 5, depends where you buy it. Such rule not set by the company but they do require obeying the international law of copyright. What I’m trying to say is that that all players which sold as multi region are been set up that way buy distributors themselves and they put 20 and even extra 100 bucks on top, and make heap of stories about extra chips been put inside and so on…. So please don’t fall in that trap. I actually saw on the net some fellows selling this player for $250, crazy! Saying that it is been fitted with a super fast mode chip, stupid…

My advice would be try to find a non multi region version on Amazon it cost 70 bucks, and then search on Google: Pioneer dv 420v firmware upgrade, you will come up with a link or a forum, then just follow up with a guide, once you see: “pioneerfaq” you got it right.

The DVD player I got was not from any kind of Japan or anything like that it was an American version clear stated on the box, black and white. And the box was opened from the bottom side, by local distributor who did the patching for me and then sealed it back with a tape again. The bottom side has two layers of tape as a result pf patching, and then charged extra 20 bucks on top. For those who have no clue how to use internet and does not have an idea fixing and patching things themselves, just pay extra dollars and they’ll do it for you.

Now the most interesting part!!! Now days with super fast internet and P2P network most of the people do not buy dvds any more, most of us rent from blockbuster or from the library. The big debate among like me was if this damn player can play Xvid format. Don’t get confused with Divx they are similar but not the same. Divx is a registered as pay per license format. Most of the videos you get online are Xvid format only and there is no smell of Divx whatsoever. Xvid is a free decoding and no licence required and you get same identical outcome as Divx decoding format. So it makes Divx obsolete format, why you need to pay if you can get free Xvid. You may use Divx in case if you want to decode your weeding or something like, I mean those who like pay for everything.

Usually most big well branded companies always put Divx playability and never promise you to play Xvid format as it considered to be grey market format. If you want to make sure playability of Xvid always try to see and check before you buy. The good news is that this DV 420 does play Xvid format, as long resolution stays with in 720*480 pixels it will play, and above that it will not, same applies to Windows Media Vedio (WMV). As far as I know some players which are sold in Europe do not play Xvid format!!! It is something to do with the Mediatek chip which is fitted for the European market.

Comparing to dv 220 model, dv 420 and 420 identical to dv 220, except that they play WMV and ITunes as well, and DTS 2-Channel Decoding (for dv 410 only), CD ripping to USB ( for dv 420 only). Here I’m talking only among 220 420 and 410. (The more you pay the better you get). Also if you want to play multi formats other than Xvid and don’t care much about dvds itself try to consider getting WD TV live Plus or Xtreamer Sidewinder which supports even more formats even like blu ray!

This player fitted with Medeatek chip MT 1389FE. Over all, start up and browser is tooo slooow… trust me it is slow… it is ok when you pay 60-70 bucks once you above that you do feel that you over paid a bit. If yo consider to find more info try to go on: avsforum.com and search for dv 420 thread. But it maybe fast enough I may think for someone who is over 60. But not for me though. The overall clarity of the picture is very good. The remote control is very simple, it would be much better if it could have TV control as well, from the same remote.

So… over all it is a very good solid dvd player (dv 420) as long as you pay 70 bucks for it. If you want to get better sound consider getting dv 410 or dv 610 (current price $180). For those who wants to get a real bargain dv 420 region 1, (castrated version), then just pay $70 and do multi region patching yourself. And those who want to use it abroad consider finding international version which has got 240 voltage capability or you would need to get step down voltage converter. And don’t forget to get HDMI and coaxial cables if you want to get DTS sound. On Amazon HDMI cable you can get for $3 (make sure it is 1.3 standard or you will not get full resolution) and coaxial for around $5-$10. Please don’t pay $100 at you local shop. Instead save money and give $10 to your local church…

Also remember that your dvd browser, once you connect your external hard disc is going to be slow and will be jamming once in a while, so be prepared! The other good news is that Pioneers DVD players usually last longer compare to Philips and Toshiba: these will break down within 15 months just after your warranty gets expired, they’ll die. I’m feel sorry that these brands getting almost on all forums very bad publicity around the world (that their DVD players die quick) and it is spreading like a hell. Pioneers are usually famous for its longevity especially in Europe.

Don’t follow in trap with futures like sound extractor or surround sound, these are good for nothing and you will switch to the original sound format anyway at the end, trust me! Consider to upgrade its firmware just search on Google you will find all, just try to learn and read more before you do it yourself, as it will void warranty; this is only for those who love DIY!

And don’t forget Oppo they are the best choice to grab, for those who don’t care about the price tag, and you will get everything with Oppo DVD players, and only the best.

At the end I am giving only good rock solid 3 stars (for $90 I paid) and 5 stars I give if I would pay $70. As this player is worth $60-$70 and no more than that.

Happy playing!

Pioneers…

Rating: 3 / 5

It play code 3 Pal disc very well. Video output very good.

The most Annoying is the blue bar (play) remain on screen when playing the movie. You have to press Pause or Fast Forward then press play again to make this Annoying blue bar disappear. I deduct 2 stars because of this Annoying flaw.

You can goto setup and turn off the Display function and this Annoying blue bar won’t appear on screen but then you can not view sub-title and audio track selection on screen.

The USB port will play divx, wmv files but not the MKV or Mpeg 4. It will read my jump drive but not the WD and segate esternal hard drive.
Rating: 3 / 5