Pioneer BDP-LX71

The basics

The Pioneer BDP-LX71 is a Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player (1080p, 24fps) capable of playing the full range of DVD formats, DivX and AVC-HD. Up-scales to 1080p, progressive scan, digital filters, pixel scaler and deep colour.

The good

What’s a Blu-ray player doing in a DVD round-up? Perhaps because this double-height dynamo can do more to increase the enjoyment of your existing movie collection than a popcorn machine, an EZ-Boy recliner and a smartly-dressed young lady with a torch. The LX71 flaunts a range of digital filters, processors and systems to reduce noise, sharpen edges, spruce up colours and generally give movie discs the visual equivalent of an hour-long deep tissue massage followed by a nice sauna. It has Wolfson DACs for audiophile level sound, and a full complement of 7.1 analogue outputs.

The bad

You’ll need a Pioneer amp and, naturally, a Pioneer Kuro plasma to get the most from the LX71’s auto-everything integration – all of which means the best part of a few grand. Pioneer reckons the whole internet thing is a bit over-rated, too, leaving the LX71 as just an unconnected Profile 1.1 player.

The bottom line

Treat your DVDs to this powerhouse of a Pioneer and they will worship you as a deity, leaving tiny offerings of deleted scenes and directors’ commentaries by your bed each night. And verily shall they tremble before your mighty remote control!