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