Pioneer DVD-V7200 industrial DVD-video player

Emedia Professional, March, 1999 by Robert A. Starrett

Pioneer's optical drive offerings have always been a bit different than those of other companies in the field. While many manufacturers have concentrated on single drives, Pioneer has opted to take the lead in building high-end, robust jukebox systems for CD-ROM, CD-Recordable, and, most recently, DVD. Pioneer is also the only manufacturer that currently offers a DVD-R drive in its DVR-S101 recorder. Also in Pioneer's stable is its DVD-302 bulk package slot-loading SCSI DVD drive; its DRM-6324X 24X, 6-disc CD-ROM changer (based on the magazine design Pioneer originated in 1990); the DRM-1004X 100-disc CD-ROM jukebox; and the DE-H7101 series of multi-function combination MO and WORM drive. Pioneer's short foray into the CD-R drive market several years ago was a failure, even though its drive boasted 4X recording when only Yamaha had reached that speed plateau. While Pioneer's model arguably topped the Yamaha on reliability and robustness, the drive's high price and large external configuration predicated its near-total failure in the standalone market.

Another recent optical offering finds Pioneer standing alone again in producing a targeted product that no other manufacturer has yet attempted. The DVD-V7200 is a unique DVD player that allows users to take advantage of the power and flexibility of the DVD format in industrial, educational, and kiosk environments by adding such features as barcode support, mouse and keyboard control, serial interfacing for computer control, and a multiple function remote control. Industry pundits have long argued DVD-Video's real profit potential in high-end, installation-type applications rather than the consumer set-top market; as DVD-Video begins that vertical market charge, Pioneer's is the player best poised to blaze that trail.

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The first thing you notice that sets the V7200 apart from a standard DVD player is the multitude of ports and controls on both the front and the back of the unit. On the front, there is, of course, a power switch, a tray open/close button, and the standard controls for scan/skip, play/pause and still/step. Additionally, there is a connector for a mouse and keyboard which can be attached through the included PS/2 Y connector cable, a headphone connector, a volume control, and indicator lights for angle, GUI, and key lock. The included remote control boasts no less than 27 triple-function buttons to control the various features of the player.

The rear of the player, too, shows its versatility. Led by a serial interface connector for computer control, there are jacks for audio out, PCM/Dolby Digital out, external sync in, video termination, SVideo out, and connectors for a VHF adapter which allows for the player to be connected to televisions that do not have audio/video input jacks. The digital output allows the player to be connected to external recording devices such as a MiniDisc, DAT, or a component CD or CD-RW recorder.

The DVD-V7200 is about eight inches wide, just under four inches tall, and 16 inches deep, and it weighs in at 11 pounds. It is also designed for video rack mounting; two players can exist side-by-side in a standard video rack system. In addition to DVD-Video, the unit can also play CD-DA and Video CD discs.

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Designed to facilitate complex educational and training applications, the DVD-V7200 uses a mouse that can control the player's powerful video blackboard function. The video blackboard allows freehand drawing with the mouse and superimposition of characters or drawings on specified video frames. The player also serves kiosk applications effectively with a weekly timer that determines which title and chapter is started automatically at a certain time each day. Additionally, the tray can be locked and the blackboard function can be disabled. Support for the DVD barcode system can control the player's operation with a Pioneer barcode scanner and the LaserBarcode system, which allows current LaserDisc barcodes to be used with DVD-Video discs.

Other features include a frame search function that provides random access, frame-accurate search capabilities, a barcode stack, and command stack feature that gives the user the ability to store up to 300 commands that can be segmented into different video sequence groups that can be automatically displayed.

The serial control interface is compatible with Pioneer's LaserDisc mnemonic command protocol and thus the player can be controlled by a computer. Pioneer has added additional control commands to take advantage of DVD-specific features such as sub-picture and multiple camera angles. The large wireless remote control, compatible with Pioneer laserdisc players, is also designed for industrial applications, using a membrane keypad to protect the unit from spills and other environmental hazards. A wired remote control is also available.

All these functions and more are explained fairly well in a 52-page basic operation manual, which is complete and informative, but lacks clarity in some of the graphics. The 45-page advanced feature manual covers the additional features including the video blackboard and the barcode/ command stacks. The 69-page command protocol manual presents the necessary information for controlling the player through the serial interface.