Was the DVL-909 the last model player made by Pioneer? Did it come after players like the HLD-X9 and R7G? If so, I’m guessing that’s why they gave it a champagne color (at least in Japan) copying the great players , to make it look better than it really is. Any input ?

The DVL-919 & the DVL-919E were the last I believe.

Sure others will confirm or correct.

CLD-R5, DVL-919, DVK-900, DVL-K88: https://global.pioneer/en/news/press/index/1380/

The DVL-K88 was also released in the US as the DVL-V888. Same specs. The 919 and 888 are pretty similar as well.

I’m surprised the 909 isn’t there . I guess it was released earlier than the models listed. Maybe some think these models are high end because of the champagne color that matches the X9 or R7g .

The DVL-909 and DVL-919's MSRPs were much higher than the CLD-R7G. The DVD playback on these machines was valued more than it is now.

In general, the look of a player can sometimes be a poor indicator for quality, especially in 2020.

The issue of MSRP came down to marketing in the early days of introducing dvd. The R7G is a better unit based on the advanced circuitry. The pq far exceeds the 909 and 919. The specs are almost equal with the Ld-S9 from what I read (plus I have one). The look of a player is definitely a poor indicator of quality, that I agree with. My point about the aesthetics was that Pioneer probably put the champagne color on these last units in Japan to try to make them appear like the earlier better players such as the HLD-X0 or R7G.

It’s true. In a rare twist the US market won something. The “Elite” design scheme is vastly more appealing and enduring than that tacky played out champagne color that was on so many things back then. Regardless it did seem to be reserved for the higher end stuff, 959, etc. I do seem to remember it being on some so-so machines though...

The DVL-K88 and DVL-V888 are based on the DVL-909, specifically they won't support DTS DVD playback. The 919 variants are newer.

How big i wonder was the LD/DVD karaoke game was at that time.

I know LD karaoke was big in japan, so justifies that release i guess.

Was DVD karaoke just as big?

You see a 959 as high end?

The CLD-959 is pretty much a CLD-97.

Nah, you can't find much karaoke on DVD. After LD died, karaoke mostly moved to CD+G. Which is why the later karaoke LD and DVD/LD players also supported CD+G.

Even though when you go to a bar or restaurant that has a karaoke night and the host is using a PC/laptop with karaoke software, he/she most likely ripped those karaoke tracks from CD+G's.