Good looking, reliable, nice clear picture, good sound.

The menu could be better, remote is to big for my taste, but very well workning none the less.

I bought this unit to replace my DV-505, mostly to get DTS and also because the DV-505 was very slow on layershifts. I must say, that I have had no problems with the DV-717 whatsoever. I use it in connection with a Sony DB940 reciver and a Sony CX29 television via S-VHS. It does the job very well and I have not noticed any problems with lip-sync or DVD's it could not play. The menu is a bit strange and parts of it will only work with a DVD inserted (you will have to push the stop button with a DVD inserted, then you can access the menu). It was the same thing with my DV-505, and may actually be the same on other players, I don't know, however it is a small thing. I think the remote is a bit clumsy, but it is workning very well and easy to use, especially compared to the one belonging to the DV-505.

I don't use the unit as a CD player, but I have tested it with several CD's, also CDR's and it worked out fine. However I think the sound is a bit dark though, and I prefer my Sony DB930. In Denmark the DV-717 has a retailprice of approximately 850 $ should you be able to find it in a store. (It is quite an old model by now) Retail price has been up as high as 1100 $, my value rating is in comparison with the price I paid. For 1100 $ you can hardly call it a bargain.

I see no reason not to buy this product and can highly recommend it.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer DV-505

-DVD Picture and Sound
-Outputs
-DTS
-Gold finish
-CDR Compatible

-Musically lifeless-Overdefined for music looses character
-Disc Navigation
-Low Analog Output

Audio on this player will virtually "tight up" about any speaker
and will give it a Really Defined Sound with a Strong Stage and
Clear Image wich is all Excellent for HomeTheater.

But, this aint no "musical experience", it aint got that "life" in it
and is virtually a bad replacement for a "lively" CD player in regards of music-

Picture is all i wanted, not seriously better than other
DVD players in this class but its up there on the top and
what more could you ask for? The best? doesnt exist :)

Disc Navigation, OSD and Menus aint up to par and feel of the
rest of the player wich draws back on the Overall Rating.
The Remote is good enough and got BackLit and a Jog and does the job just fine.

-

Gold Finish stands out and you are willing to
replace better equipment for looks alone to match it :)


I WOULD RATE THIS PLAYER A FOUR IN VALUE IF IT HAD THAT MUSICAL TOUCH AND A HIGHER OUTPUT-
BUT I DONT BELIEVE THERE IS SUCH A PLAYER TO BE RATED A 5, MAYBE IN AN ADVERTISEMENT :)

Has anybody tested this product I have seen it on pioneer's website and I am thinking about getting it but I havent tried it? It got all the good features:DD out, DTS out, RGB out, S-VHS out (and the only other european dvd player with DTS out is the denon dvd 5000 i think, it costs about $2400)

Excellent player. (My first.)
Likes (Not nescessarily sorted):
Great picture (and displays Blacker than black.)
Great sound (Audio Part in particular).
Bitrate meter
Repeat A-B
Last memo. (Press at 44:31, switch disc, watch, return to disc, press, and you're back to 44:31. Also works at any other location on any disc!!)
Gold plated almost everything in back
DTS

Dislikes:
Remote is a bit on the large side and a bit confusing, but OK.
Menu on player is weak, as in poor graphics. Clearly beat by Panasonic.
FF/FREW not very smooth (big surprise).

All in all a winner from Pioneer. FF/REW not an issue as picture/sound quality is #1. (As in rather have better picture than better FF/REW.) Can't believe how cool DVD is, how the whole home theatre experience changes! It rules!

-Nils

-Nils

Does anyone know how to open the player for all Regions? (Pioneer DV-717)Great player!!

This is one of the best around in Europe. Picture and sound is very good. Almost as good as a CD player in the same price range. Altough the Pioneer PD-S06 CD player sounds better.
The player is a bit slower than the Sony players but has a much sharper picture. The slomo and scanning is the weaknes.

Other than a few operational things it's a truly great player! And at that price I can't think of anyother player to have.

Liked the look of the 717 so i bought it. This is a truely superb player,DD,DTS S-video. Hacked to be region free, i'd recommend this to anyone, black blacks top pictures and great sound. Did notice slight lip sync problem on lock stock and two smoking barrels (region 2)hope its only on this disc.Nice lighting touch on the remote eat those batteries!

This is the best around in Europe. Picture and sound is very very good. Great picture and even great great audio.
And at that price I can't think of anyother player have.
My Player is codefree an all functions are ready !!

I think this is one hell of a player . The picture is top notch and has every feature your ever gonna need. I have watched 53 discs on the pioneer and have not see any sync problem!The picture has much more clarity and color. I don't use the 5.1 outputs on this player, as my receiver has both DD and DTS processing . DTS DVDs are excellent on this player. The DV-717 play CD-Rs perfectly !Audio CD's are perfekt on this Player !!

Mike, I do think that there is an US equivalent to the 717. If you look at the specs and pricing, the 717 looks pretty much like the THX-certified DV-05 US-model. There are just problems with the European THX certification, so I believe it is essentially the same as the DV-05. Can anyone confirm this thought?!
Jazzy