Pioneer DV-F727 301-Disc DVD Changer

• Plays a total of 301 DVDs and CDs
• Easy disc sorting with 20 custom files
• Optical and coaxial digital-audio outputs
• Burr Brown audio digital-to-analog converter
• DTS and Dolby Digital output

Should your collection really bulk out, it's even possible to double the system's capacity by linking two DV-F727s. All the while, you'll still maintain easy control over the whole kit 'n caboodle via a single, fully-featured and user-friendly remote control (supplied), or using an optional, plug-in PS/2 style computer keyboard or mouse.

One of the most elaborately featured DVD players we've ever encountered, the DV-F727 also takes care of the basics quite well--delivering pristine pictures and sound with component-video (interlace), S-Video, and composite-video outputs. Sound-wise, its optical and coaxial digital-audio outputs definitely deliver the Dolby Digital, DTS, and PCM stereo (up to 96 kHz, 24-bit) soundtracks. The player's Burr-Brown audio digital-to-analog converter and conventional analog jacks also proved quite fine.

Handy jog-shuttle dials on both the front panel and the remote make it a pleasure to manipulate the multispeed forward and reverse trick-play options.

Customizable settings let you vary picture parameters to taste or adjust the audio dynamic range for late night listening--so that soft sounds such as dialogue can be heard more clearly without making loud sounds even louder.

Given its immense disc storage capacity, this changer is remarkably compact--measuring about 16.5 inches wide, 17 inches deep, and 7.75 high.

The holding slots are accessible, one at a time, behind a motorized opening/closing Plexiglas "hood." Of course, there's also the option to quickly install and then remove a single disc--via the dedicated 301st slot--with its operation complemented by special "single loader" access and play keys.

Entering menu text and numerical data about stockpiled titles is reasonably easy. Information can be added using the onscreen soft keyboard in tandem with the cursor control joystick on the remote, or with the selection dial on the front panel. To speed up the process, there's also the option of plugging in and entering text on a conventional PS/2 computer keyboard.

Making life easier still, some music CDs now contain and automatically stream their own album and song title info (CD Text), which this changer will conveniently read, display, and automatically integrate into its program menu memory. If implemented, DVD text information is also downloadable. (A front-panel display lights up to indicate the presence of such text on a disc.)

A couple of bummers: you must abbreviate text entries when a title or artist's name exceeds 12 characters, the max this changer's memory will store and display. CD Text titles longer than 12 characters, while not memorized, will scroll across the LCD screen. Also take note: when a disc is playing, you can't enter data, or add or remove other discs.

Once program data is entered into the megachanger's memory, titles can be sorted and accessed by format (DVD or CD), disc title (alphabetically), or disc number.

Another option: you can create and name 20 custom files (10 DVD/Video CD and 10 CD) for automatic playback. However, there's still no avoiding the mandatory setup menus and unskippable FBI Warning before DVD play commences.

All in all, the DV-F727 represents a remarkable piece of engineering and entertainment prowess from the folks at Pioneer.

Pros:

• Immense storage capacity neatly organizes your disc library
• Easy entry of data via remote control, keyboard, or mouse
• Fine video and audio performance
• A host of customizable programming and performance parameters

• Discs can't be exchanged or text entered while a disc is playing
• Text entries can't exceed 12 characters
• Menu system doesn't accommodate filing by genre or theme