At the sound, however, there is no mistaking: The BDP-450 is crumbling the Panasonic 364. The Pioneer peels great sound from any silver disc. Here I would love to try to arrive at a comparison with much more expensive equipment let (z. B. Marantz UD5007 or the Denon 3313). I am firmly convinced that these devices the Pioneer BDP-450 can not sonically outperform really far.
Where there is light, there is also known shade. Largest shadow is the remote control. The most important buttons like "Play", "Stop", etc. are too small and do not differ significantly from the rest of, anyway very small, little buttons Army. The pressure point is spongy and delays the command transfer. Furthermore, one must always aim very accurately. On the device are only the most essential buttons, but what I like to vote neither positive nor negative, because the vast number of devices is the case on the market today. He has only sparse network applications. Me personally does not bother, generally offer the best rate current device classes but more. Perhaps Pioneer could implement more choice here for product maintenance.
The BDP-450 is for me an absolute "secret tip". Also because of its form-factor and the aluminum front. He looks valuable and feels like that. Of course, he holds the comparison with my 17-years old Pioneer DVD players did not stand. The cost at that time about 800 marks, is "thick" as many AVR nowadays and gives you the feeling that one could sharpen a machete on him. This "diet" can be experienced but today almost all manufacturers. The Panasonic BDT-364 I mention not in this discipline at best. Here you can get such a light and thin plastic case, which one gives you the feeling to break it with a firm grip for accidentally 140.- Euro. Nevertheless, the Panasonic BDT-364 in its price class is a damn good device. Maybe even the best. That should not embezzle all comparisons.
Conclusion: The BDP-450 is measured by the price an absolute top player! For (much) more money to safely receive sometime more. Do I need more? How much I have to spend about (yet) to get more? For the average user with superior quality of the Pioneer offers more than enough features and a truly outstanding picture and sound quality. The equipment leaves no questions unanswered.
Advanced audio and home theater enthusiasts will be the face of this excellent picture and sound quality make the above formulated questions (like me) and should make the comparison to more expensive devices. I went to my (IMHO very good) ear and told me that I should save my charge. ;-)
