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Several months ago when reviewing a hardware MPEG-2 encoder (Canopus StormEncoder review, February, page 72), I encountered problems burning discs. From reading dozens of anguished posts from folks having problems burning DVDs, I learned I was not alone.
When I encountered Pioneer's PRV-9000 at NAB, it looked like the perfect solution. The PRV-9000 is a standalone unit that can make a DVD-Video disc in realtime at the press of a button. Although expensive ($2,000 MSRP), it has an impressive list of features. Naturally, it can record both 4:3 and 16:9 video. Its IEEE 1394 port can output as well as input DV or Digital 8. It also has a very complete set of audio output options, including DTS, Dolby Digital, and 96kHz/48kHz PCM via both optical and coax connectors. Video is output from one composite (BNC), one Y/C, and YPrPb analog component (BNC) jacks.
The component output can supply either interlaced or progressive (480p) video. When driving a 480p HDTV or projector, Pioneer's PureCinema circuit performs reverse 3:2 pulldown on film material played from a commercial DVD. Unfortunately, PureCinema cannot be applied to film sources from the TV tuner or external inputs. Inputs include composite (BNC), Y/C, but not YPrPb analog component video. (And also no "dream" YPrPb input for 1080i from my HDTV cable box so I could record downconverted 16:9 HD programming to DVD.)
DVD recordings are made using either write-once DVD-R or re-recordable DVD-RW discs. The unit can also play DVD-Video discs recorded on DVD-R and DVD-RW media, as well as audio CDs and video CDs recorded on CD-R and CD-RW media.
The PRV-9000 provides sophisticated proc amp control for both outputs - and for each of the three analog inputs. Output control includes three presets (TV, plasma, and professional) and three user-defined settings, each offering YNR, CNR, QNR (MPEG-2 noise reduction), high-frequency sharpness, mid-frequency sharpness, detail, white level, black level, black setup (0 or 7.5IRE), chroma level, and hue. Input control includes three presets (TV, VCR, and LDP) and three user-defined settings, each offering 3D Y/C separation for composite inputs, YNR, CNR, white AGC (on/off), white level, black level, black setup (0 or 7.5IRE), chroma level, and hue.
Marketing material for any DVD recorder will promise you many exciting features....