Pioneer 275-s Any Thoughts??? Need advice

[Pure-Evil]

ok. i just went and returned my POS Phillips 642 for the Pioneer 275-s. here is what i wanted to know. Should i spend the extra money and get the 578a instead? it does sacd/dvda and seems to have higher specs, but i'm unskilled in how to know what specs mean what. here are the 2 descriptions..and what i need to know is if i should run back and get the 578a for 50.00 more or not. help?

i have a 5515w samsung 55" hdtv (no hdtv receiver though) it is 16x9 with 480p only on component, no dvi or hdmi hook ups.

Pioneer 275s

Slim. Silver. Stylish. The new DV-275 looks great, and delivers exceptional video and audio performance. It plays DVDs, DVD-R/RWs, CD/CD-R/RWs, WMAs, and MP3s, plus its new Disc Navigator feature makes it easier to browse and view JPEG picture files. For smooth, high-resolution video imagery, it features a 12-bit/54MHz Video D-A converter and our PureCinema 2:3 Progressive Scan system. For great audio, the DV-275 offers provides digital outputs for Dolby Digital and DTS® surround, plus a high-end 192kHz/24-bit D-A converter for superb musical performance.

Pioneer 578a

The DVD-578A-S is a high-performance movie and music machine. In addition to DVD movies, the slim DV-578A-S plays multi-channel, high-resolution DVD-Audio and SACD discs, plus all of your recordings on DVD-R/RW*, CD-R/RW**, MP3, and WMA. It even has a PhotoViewer feature for viewing JPEG still photos. For sensationally great video, the DV-578A-S features virtually twice the video processing power of previous models with a 12-bit/108MHz Video D-A converter, our PureCinema 2:3 Progressive Scan, and a component video output plus 7 video adjustments for maximum versatility and performance. For great audio, the DV-578A-S has builtin Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 decoders. Coaxial and Optical Digital Ouputs for Dolby Digital and DTS® surround allow for digital output to an A/V Receiver. A high-end 24-bit / 192kHz D/A converter ensures superb audio performance.

so guys, please give me your expert advice. also, if i do get the 578a wtih sacd...can i get the 5.1 surround using the optical or coax connections or do i HAVE to use the 5.1 separate plugs on the back to make this work and connec those to my reciever? TIA

[TonyS]

From all the research I did, the 275 and the 578 have the same video section. BTW, neither will pass blacker-than-black. I use a 275 as a second player in the family room. For what I paid for it, I think it is a great little player. It has a ton of features and very good build quality. That said, I wouldn't replace my Denon DVD-1600, Zenith DVB318 or Panny DVD-S97 with it. BTW, Wal-Mart carries the Pioneer DV-270, which is identical to the 275. I think Pioneer slaps a different model number on it just so it can't be price-matched. It is very inexpensive at Wal-Mart.

[Pure-Evil]

ok. first what is Blacker than black test??? also, i gotta say, i am VERY impressed with this 275s so far. just awesome video image compared to that POS phillips 642. but my question is this, do i need sacd/dvd audio capabilities? also, can i MAKE dvd audio or sacd cds? or only buy them? can i download them on kazaa or anything? im' against paying for music ever pretty much. thanks

[CCarncross]

I hope you're not serious about your comments about not ever paying for music. Thats deplorable. If you dont want to pay for it, dont listen to it.

[Pure-Evil]

ROTFLMAO...gimme a small break ok? sure, i'll start paying for music as soon as they charge an acceptable price, like $3.00 per cd. that is about right, not 30.00