Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. this week began shipping its first line of 3D Blu-ray Disc players, first unveiled at the 2010 CEDIA Expo. The line consists of the Pioneer BDP-430, and two models from the company’s step-up Elite brand, the BDP-41FD and BDP-43FD. All three models included steaming compatibility, are Wi-Fi ready through the AS-WL200 wireless adaptor (sold separately), and employ a BD-J resume feature when playing back discs authored with BD-J. For convenient integration of personal devices with a home theater system, Pioneer’s free iControlAV App turns iPhone™ and iPod touch™ devices into a fully functioning remote control for the new Blu-ray 3D players. When the players are connected via Ethernet to a wireless router, the app allows users to control basic functions of the players. Pioneer’s iControlAV App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch.
Additionally, the players support decoding of all the advanced codecs, such as DTS-HD (Master Audio and High Resolution) and Dolby TrueHD, and employ what Pioneer calls the “Precision Quartz Lock System” (PQLS) for jitter-free reproduction of Blu-ray Disc, DVD and CD content. When paired with a compatible Pioneer A/V receiver, PQLS precisely syncs the audio signals between the components for a true-to-life listening experience.
The players also supports streaming services such as Netflix and Pandora with YouTube scheduled to be added via a future firmware update.
The Pioneer BDP-430 is currently available for a suggested retail prices of $299. The Elite BDP-41FD, featuring an RS-232 port for custom installation access and control, is available for a SRP of $399. Featuring an armored chassis and high grade parts, the Elite BDP-43FD is currently available for a SRP of $499.
