I have about 200 HD DVDs and have started aacquiring a bunch of BDs now and want to buy about 3 combo players for my home. I really only care about the movie playing ability (CD is unimportant) and decent upscaling as these will be used on smaller TVs (two 32" and one 40"). For all of the other stuff like extras, etc. I have a dedicated XA2 and PS3 in my Media Room. Can someone summarize the positives and negatives among the three models available at these prices:
BH100 @ $299
BH200 @ $399
BD-UP5000 @ $399

I had been holding out for at least one BH300, but that is not to happen with the latest news.

Thanks

BH100 -- Blu-Ray profile 1.0 only, doesn't play extra PiP or Internet features of HD DVD, does not bitstream high res audio, internally decodes Dolby TrueHD
BH200 -- bitstreams high res audio, rock solid Blu-Ray profile 1.1 (except for random audio dropouts -- usually when bitstreaming to a receiver via HDMI) playback, plays most mainstream US HD DVD's including PiP and Internet, problems with smaller studio and certain European HD DVD titles, stretches 4:3 SD DVD's when upconverting, good image processing via QDEO, (expandable and) upgradable via USB (not just CD-R and Ethernet), does not have multichannel anallog outputs -- This is arguably (one of) the best profile 1.1 Blu-ray standalone on the market if multichannel analog outs are not needed
BD-UP5k -- 7.1 multichannel analog outs, (currently) does not decode multichannel Dolby TrueHD, does not (currently) bitstream high res audio, playback problems with various discs on both formats, stretches 4:3 SD DVD's when upconverting, STELLAR image processing via Reon

There's already a thread here, if it helps:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=902977

From my perspective, the differences are:

LG BH100 - Old and it doesn't support HDi. While I could believe it works fine it's still old.
LG BH200 - It supports all HD Audio formats: DTS-HD MA Bitstream, TrueHD Bitstream, TrueHD On-Board. SD DVD Multiregion support, PAL support, the ability to switch between BD Regions A, B or C. It also has a USB Port too.
Samsung BD-UP5000 - Analogue outputs (currently only of use for Lossless PCM) and better Upscaling chip. The LG BH200 one is good but by all accounts this one is better. It's likely when the firmware comes DTS-HD MA will be Bitstream only, so won't work over Analogue outputs. TrueHD should though.

IMO the LG BH200 wins hands down and will continue to do so when Samsung release their Lossless Audio format at the end of this month. I'm sure both are decent though, so it depends what features you want.

Both roughly have the same number of problem discs.

he three models available at these prices:
BH100 @ $299
BH200 @ $399
BD-UP5000 @ $399

I had been holding out for at least one BH300, but that is not to happen with the latest news.

ThanksI was in the same boat as you, wanting to wait for the BH300, but today I picked up the BH200 at Circuit City for $499, which was the lowest price I could find. I'm curious where you found it for $399? I have 30 days to return the BH200 to Circuit City ...

Just guessing the $400 price is a reference to the current sale price for either unit at Future Shop in Canada (national big box electronics chain). That's $100 off what's been the recent "regular" price. Of course both prices are much lower than a few months ago when $800 was a "sale" price.

Maybe that price will travel south of the border too (other than eBay I mean).

I was in the same boat as you, wanting to wait for the BH300, but today I picked up the BH200 at Circuit City for $499, which was the lowest price I could find. I'm curious where you found it for $399? I have 30 days to return the BH200 to Circuit City ...

Open box, full warranty at my local BB yesterday- they had two. Guy told me these get returned quite often due to needing upgrades and issues with some discs. I am savvy enough to wait on updates.

Which company has been more proactive with updates?

Which company has been more proactive with updates?
LG without a doubt.

I actually checked out FutureShop, but they don't ship to the U.S.

I've also been looking for 'open box' specials, but haven't seen any locally.

I have to say, I like the LG much better than the Toshiba HD-A2... The LG starts up much faster, the GUI is nicer, the remote is better, it's got the feature to play music and show photos from USB ... I'm very happy with it.

BD5000 for sure,"STELLAR image processing via Reon".

just remember that image processing has the biggest effect on SD material...after all you are buying this for HD, no?

I have used both the Reon and Qdeo chips on my 100" screen and it is hard to tell a difference on SD material....although I compressed some TV shows to 40% of their original and could see a slight difference...however, the show wasn't watchable blown up that big...so who cares.

As an owner of both the BH200 and the 5000 I would highly recommend the 200. The 5000 is a very quirky machine. I find that the number of problem discs is much greater with the 5000. Not to mention I have already had to bring the player in to get serviced because it quit playing HD-DVD's. Then there is the audio support issue. Samsung says that there is going to be an upgrade in May, but this may never happen. The LG already has the capability to bitstream the advanced codecs, and the LG firmware upgrade process is much easier and quicker than the Samsung. I don't care much about the upconversion with the Reon chip because my Onkyo 875 already has a Reon chip in it, and all of my SDDVD's are in my 400 disc Sony Megachanger. Lets put it this way, when I heard there was not going to be a BH300 I rushed out to buy a second BH200 at CC on sale for $499. :D

just remember that image processing has the biggest effect on SD material...after all you are buying this for HD, no?

I have used both the Reon and Qdeo chips on my 100" screen and it is hard to tell a difference on SD material....although I compressed some TV shows to 40% of their original and could see a slight difference...however, the show wasn't watchable blown up that big...so who cares.

I bought the HD5000 for HD AND SD.So I care.How many BD's are there compared to SD?

BD5000 for sure,"STELLAR image processing via Reon".


Yes of course, yet the BH-200 has "stellar" image processing too. :)

Marvell's QDEO may not have the most "stellar" name, yet the image processing is also top notch, no doubt about that. Both player are among the finest available. Here is a little youtube presentation of the QDEO capabilities that can be found in the BH-200: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIC59TH0-F0

http://www.clearlyqdeo.com/
http://www.siliconoptix.com/products/ReonVX.cfm

The difference between those is in my opinion not worlds apart.

Marvell's QDEO may not have the most "stellar" name, yet the image processing is also top notch, no doubt about that. Both player are among the finest available.

I have both the UP5000 and BH200 and the QDEO is quite good but more soft on the edges it seems. Personally, I still think the REON has the edge although the BH200 is a more complete player at this moment.

Another vote for the BH-200. I own almost equal numbers of HD DVD's and Blu-ray's. I bought the BH-200 last week and I love it. Plays both formats well, bitstreams all audio to my receiver, and the picture is as good as the BD-30 and A30 it replaced.

Well, I just bought another BH-200 (will likely end up with 3), so that gives me two votes, both for the BH-200. It has been, to this point, absolutely flawless. Flawless. Some 5 or so HD DVDs played, some 25 BD's played, nary a skip, jump, drop, or flakeout.

Hope I didn't just jinx my second unit with that...

yea well, I didn't know we could vote twice...so, since I have 5000s, count me in with 2. ;) I really like this player...just needs the fugging update.

im in the same boat... everyone said the bh200 but now after the firmware i feel like returning it to get the 5000...

Personally I wouldn't unless you want analogue outputs.

Samsung's customer service should scare every1.

For those of you who have both, which player is louder? I heard complaints about both and I'd rather not have a DVD player louder than my projector. Also, I assume both upconvert SD-DVD's better than the Tosh HD-A2?

The 5000 is loud on startup but once the movie starts playing, you don't really hear anything.

Count me in as a BH200 owner who is pleased with his player. :D

My LG BH200 is super quiet. I've not stuck my lug holes up to it but I cannot hear it at all.

Especially since the price of both is $399.00 (Canada) now.

I have both, having recently obtained a UP5000

As stand alone blu-ray players, they have to considered top tier at the very least for their video processing. Add in full HD-DVD ability (and those discs are sure inexpensive these days), and good updates and these are big winners.

To bad both are being discontinued.

I have found the connectivity (both video and audio) is better on the Sammy.

According to CNet, the BH200 loads faster.

I have found the connectivity (both video and audio) is better on the Sammy.

What does that mean? You can connect both the same way. Don't they have the same video outputs? Audio I can see different (if you need analog outs).

i have no clue what windsorite means when he says video connectivity is better on the samsung... they both use component and HDMI. S-video was just a waste considering this is a HD player and i doubt anyone will hook it up with s-video. However, audio -wise connectivity, the samsung wins hands down. It has analog outs and a digital coax audio connector whereas the bh200 only has the toslink optical.

Both have amazing upscalers, the Qdeo passed the HQV benchmark disc with flying colors however, the slight edge still goes to the reon.

Sivartk and The_Madness:

The Samsung will connect to my Panasonic L500u projector by HDMI through DVI (DVI and HDCP compatible) and show a picture (and a very nice one at that). The LG will not provide a picture through the Panny projector. I wanted HDMI connection so that I could access upscaled SD DVD.

I note in the LG manual it does say that not all DVI and HDCP devices will be recognized. I guess the Panasonic projector is one of them.

Sound is fed by optical to a Pioneer Elite 74. No problems there.

so,which one to buy then ???

circuit city near me has the sammy up5000 for 449.99 vs the l/g bh200 for 499.99

with sammy finally coming out with the 1.3 patch (catch up to bh200) which one would you guys buy ???

so,which one to buy then ???

circuit city near me has the sammy up5000 for 449.99 vs the l/g bh200 for 499.99

with sammy finally coming out with the 1.3 patch (catch up to bh200) which one would you guys buy ???

Unless I needed analog outs, I would still buy the BH200. The BH200 will be discontinued. The BD-UP5K already is. We all know how well manufacturers are willing to add extra features like DTS-HD MA internal decoding and profile 2.0 to discontinued products. The BH200 is easily modified to have region free playback and the fastest loading time of any standalone. The BH200 "appears" to have fewer problem discs than the BD-UP5K. IMHO, until the Panny DMP-BD50 comes out, the BH200 is the best BD standalone on the market.

Unless I needed analog outs, I would still buy the BH200. The BH200 will be discontinued. The BD-UP5K already is. We all know how well manufacturers are willing to add extra features like DTS-HD MA internal decoding and profile 2.0 to discontinued products. The BH200 is easily modified to have region free playback and the fastest loading time of any standalone. The BH200 "appears" to have fewer problem discs than the BD-UP5K. IMHO, until the Panny DMP-BD50 comes out, the BH200 is the best BD standalone on the market.

The only report I have seen show the Sammy as faster than the LG - personally I don't have any idea. Most give the Sammy the edge on SD playtback due to REON. Most say that the Qdeo of the LG is very good as well though. As far as the BD-50 being the standalone to beat - CNET reviewed it and wasn't very impressed, especially considering the price tag.

I had a bit of trouble finding a 5K to work properly. I have installed several and 2 of 6 failed out of the box (of course one was a refurb). They are easily returned BUT it can be a hassle. Maybe I've just had bad luck, and I don't know how problematic the LG's can be but it might be worth looking into. LG has also been quicker about fixes.

All that said, the 4 (of 6) 5K's I have installed have worked flawlessly. I use one at home and it replaced my Panasonic BD-30 because it have better PQ on SD (and I thought HD). Heck, I don't even use HD-DVD's!

One other thing, if you have and HDMI receiver - you have to weigh your options (LG vs. Sammy). If you don't have an HDMI receiver and you need analog outs though, the 5K is your only option.

my av reciever doesn't have hdmi ,i have the audio connected via optical cable
does this mean the sammy over the l/g ???

my av reciever doesn't have hdmi ,i have the audio connected via optical cable
does this mean the sammy over the l/g ???
Does your receiver have 5.1 analog inputs? If so, then you can have the Samsung do lossless conversion to analog and send it to your receiver. If it does not, then it won't matter which you choose as both will covert to DTS over the optical...

I go with what I know, which is my LG 200s have been great (almost put fabulous, geh...).

MEC2

so,which one to buy then ???

circuit city near me has the sammy up5000 for 449.99 vs the l/g bh200 for 499.99

with sammy finally coming out with the 1.3 patch (catch up to bh200) which one would you guys buy ???

You're seeing the same thing I am... I was looking and it seems the Samsung can be had for cheaper than the LG. In my case analog output would be cool. Also, if the LG doesn't have COAX for audio out that would be a negative for me too as my audio receiver has COAX default for the DVD player input so I've had to use trickeration to run my current DVD player through it using TOSLink.

That makes 2 + marks for the Samsung to me. Ordinarily I would strongly consider longterm support as a + when buying something... but considering both products have been discontinued I gather... I don't expect much future support for either, so my main concern is over whether they work now or not.

I'm starting to lean more Samsung now, especially based on how it will suit my audio needs better.

I have the LG BH200, but for $50 with same features...I would go with the less expensive one...I'm cheap that way :)

which of the players is better for blu and which is better for hd dvd
how will profile 2.0 on blu affect both of these players if they don't upgrade to them in the future

I've had both units. There's no difference in the picture quality for the HD-dvd and blu-ray. I like the Samsung better. Never had any problems with the two Samsung players that I have right now. The LG is rock solid too...but, get the cheaper one and don't look back. Use the difference in the price to upgrade your receiver, because you're missing a great part of the whole HD experience.

Use the difference in the price to upgrade your receiver, because you're missing a great part of the whole HD experience.

Ditto...

I concur, good advice (unless you require region-free/region switching over analog outs/REON or vice versa).

Re: 2.0 discs, there are a few available already and these players seem to handle them well enough with their respective latest firmwares. Hopefully, Samsung (and LG) will stay on top of the compatibility issue with firmware updates. Rambo is a 2.0 disc and some are reporting audio dropouts (and some jittery motion in one scene) with it on the 5000, which may or may not be related.

I believe Profile 2.0 discs will work fine, the Profile 2.0 extras either won't appear or you'll get a message. So far the Profile 2.0 extras have been so utterly rubbish. If they don't get much better I really won't miss the feature.

The Rambo 4/Rambo (2008) USA BD being a fine example. The sole Profile 2.0 extra is some utterly dumb feature (unless you're 14 or under and you shouldn't then be watching Rambo anyway) whereby you leave comments for others to read while you watch the movie.

I really hope this isn't the future of Profile 2.0!

^Some fanboys disagree! (http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=56429) :D

Would Best Buy price match Circuit City and allow the use of a 10% off coupon at the same time? I've been thinking about getting the BH200.

Would Best Buy price match Circuit City and allow the use of a 10% off coupon at the same time? I've been thinking about getting the BH200.
Very unlikely. I only think it would be one or the other. HOWEVER, if you buy it at full price at Best Buy and then come back for a price adjustment, they should match it at 110%.

amazon just reduced there price on the sammy 5000 to 399.99 !!!

That's if you don't mind refurbished, along with ordering from one of their marketplace members (not direct from Amazon).

yeah,i just saw that :mad:

i guess c/c is still the best deal a 449.99 brand new

you can now get it for 427

http://search.live.com/cashback/products/offerings/5050/8503336

the l/g is on there as well when you search but the discount is much smaller (2%)

you can now get it for 427

http://search.live.com/cashback/products/offerings/5050/8503336

the l/g is on there as well when you search but the discount is much smaller (2%)

Or use live.com link to search on ebay so you may get up to 35% off. :)

Or use live.com link to search on ebay so you may get up to 35% off. :)

just did it and found the l/g for 489+24 shipping -35% or 171 dollars = 342 shipped :)

awesome deal for lg superblu bh200 :)

Wait a minute, how the heck do you search Ebay with live.com and still get the cash back?

go to live.com and do a search like "cheap wii" or "xbox 360" with the word ebay. A link/button next to it should popup that brings you to ebay. then you can change your search to anything as long as the 35% off logo is still on top of the page. It should stay there throughout your transaction phases and it only works for buy it now items.

didn't work for me, i see no discount. Probably doing it wrong but it was worth a shot!

If we could knockoff the non-retail posts & get back on topic...
which one?

Now that both are discontinued; which is better today & which has the best 'chance' too be better tomorrow?
Thanks.

yeah,i just saw that :mad:

i guess c/c is still the best deal a 449.99 brand new

Says 469.99, but I'll be doing a price match over at Best Buy ASAP since I just paid $599.99 (minus 10% for using a Best Buy credit card), so that leaves me with about $75 to collect.

By the way, I bought both machines (the Samsung also) over at Best Buy yesterday. I got the last Samsung even though they had just got in about a half dozen of them on Thursday last week. Lucky I got it. Selling very fast.

c/c has the l/g now for 469.99

Says 469.99, but I'll be doing a price match over at Best Buy ASAP since I just paid $599.99 (minus 10% for using a Best Buy credit card), so that leaves me with about $75 to collect.

By the way, I bought both machines (the Samsung also) over at Best Buy yesterday. I got the last Samsung even though they had just got in about a half dozen of them on Thursday last week. Lucky I got it. Selling very fast.

^Some fanboys disagree! (http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=56429) :D
It never ceases to amaze me what dross some people love :D.

It never ceases to amaze me what dross some people love :D.

LOL. That post over there is the most retarded post with nearly 5 consecutive defending arguments that made no sense except it was based on limited personal knowledge in that subject.

That is TRULY the reason why I pretty much abandoned HDD forum. :D

Anyways, to keep my post on topic. I love both machines, but lately, I've only been using the 5k and the bh200's just been sitting there. I noticed that I barely ever use the hack for anything. :( I need to find some time to watch more movies.

6k
What are you, a beta hardware tester? :p

If we could knockoff the non-retail posts & get back on topic...
which one?

Now that both are discontinued; which is better today & which has the best 'chance' too be better tomorrow?
Thanks.

Both are excellent choices, it will depend on which specific features you need and how much of a price difference there is between the two. For me, the biggest differences have been:

1. BH200 has "helicopter" or "motorboat" issue when bitstreaming DD+ or DTS-HD (DTS-MA is fine) from HD-DVD's (don't have any BD's with DD+ or DTS-HD to test).

2. UP5000 has occasional (ie. does not happen every time; cannot easily duplicate problem) "crackling" or "popping" sound from speakers when bitstreaming DTS-MA (all other formats are fine) from HD-DVD's (so far all BD's have worked flawlessly).

3. UP5000 is a lot faster booting and loading discs, even faster than the XA2 (which is pretty fast). This is very impressive epsecially considering the fact that there is added time required for any combo player to first detect the format (BD or HD).

4. UP5000 also has multi-channel analog output, BH200 does not.

Both are excellent choices, it will depend on which specific features you need and how much of a price difference there is between the two. For me, the biggest differences have been:

3. UP5000 is a lot faster booting and loading discs, even faster than the XA2 (which is pretty fast). This is very impressive epsecially considering the fact that there is added time required for any combo player to first detect the format (BD or HD).


CNet said the BH200 is the fastest loading standalone they've ever tested. Of course, maybe they haven't tested the BD-UP5000.

CNet said the BH200 is the fastest loading standalone they've ever tested. Of course, maybe they haven't tested the BD-UP5000.

Who knows, maybe they didn't test the UP5000, or maybe there's something wrong with my BH200, or maybe my UP5000 is faster than it's supposed to be?

All I know is that my UP5000 is a lot faster booting (15sec vs 35sec to FULLY eject tray from power off state) and loading discs (41sec vs 55sec from beginning of tray retraction until you see the first FBI warning from "300" HD DVD).

FWIW, the BH200 took ~38sec to retract the tray and detect the format and then another ~17sec to display the first FBI warning. Perhaps CNet did not include the initial 38sec detection time...

What are you, a beta hardware tester? :p

5k!!! fixed. hehhe. it was way too early in the morning at 6am west coast time. :D

Part me, cannot still believe we're debating this. Surely the differences have been done to death? Pick whichever has the best differences for you and go with it :).

CNet said the BH200 is the fastest loading standalone they've ever tested. Of course, maybe they haven't tested the BD-UP5000.

Not a full review:

http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-recorders/samsung-bd-up5000/4505-6463_7-32553618.html

Both are excellent choices, it will depend on which specific features you need and how much of a price difference there is between the two. For me, the biggest differences have been:

1. BH200 has "helicopter" or "motorboat" issue when bitstreaming DD+ or DTS-HD (DTS-MA is fine) from HD-DVD's (don't have any BD's with DD+ or DTS-HD to test).

2. UP5000 has occasional (ie. does not happen every time; cannot easily duplicate problem) "crackling" or "popping" sound from speakers when bitstreaming DTS-MA (all other formats are fine) from HD-DVD's (so far all BD's have worked flawlessly).

3. UP5000 is a lot faster booting and loading discs, even faster than the XA2 (which is pretty fast). This is very impressive epsecially considering the fact that there is added time required for any combo player to first detect the format (BD or HD).

4. UP5000 also has multi-channel analog output, BH200 does not.

Thanks for ur input!
I agree w/ur assessment (from other post I've read). Just w/potential updates, I'm wondering which one will win: best & last combo?

Part me, cannot still believe we're debating this. Surely the differences have been done to death? Pick whichever has the best differences for you and go with it :).
The differences change w/each update.
Haven't u been following along?

BTW:
Why did you stop by?
Since u believe this : "have been done to death?".
To post on the 'differences' thread, the "deferences" don't matter?
Silly!
Of coarse they matter. Ur on the AVS forums!!!

Right now its the Sammy 4 me.
It started w/the Sammy; just thought the 5500 was coming (no such luck).

Only thing holding me back is which one will end up handling the most advanced version of BD profile (I think it will be the LG), 24p output stability, proper framing of non-anamorphic widescreen SD DVD's, & multi-channel HD Mater audio output.
Butt hay, no'thing's perfect!!! :p

I can't find the Sammy in stock around here. I've checked various sites including LG's and can't determine if the BH200 has 24fps playback. Is this important? I have a Panasonic AE900U projector as my display device. I've had good luck with both brands over the years so I'm not partial as to which I purchase as it seems both are getting decent reviews here. Thanks.

I'm wondering which one will win: best & last combo?
I cannot see the Samsung ever support SD DVD Region Free, PAL Playback or the ability to change BD Regions. So for me the LG BH200 will always be the best and last. Likewise the LG BH200 will never have Analogue outputs, so if you want them it will be the best and last.

I guess unless one of the companies fixes all each ones bugs and makes it perfect. Which I cannot see happening.

I guess unless one of the companies fixes all each ones bugs and makes it perfect. Which I cannot see happening.
Maybe if we send them handsome corporate donations with earmarked requests, they'll push along the rest of the fixes (and undo the new bugs in some cases:mad:)? :p

^^^ Thx Brad,
I guess unless one of the companies fixes all each ones bugs and makes it perfect. Which I cannot see happening.
Yeah, hence my:
Butt hay, no'thing's perfect!!!
I think LG has the upper hand on updates.
Sammy surprise me! :D

another plus for the LG could be its ability to go profile 2.0...

Samsung have confirmed the UP5000 is only profile 1.1 ready and that only the bd-p1500 will go profile 2.0

"To be able to take advantage of Profile 2.0 content, the player must have specific software and hardware capabilities. Samsung’s BD-P1000, BD-P1200 and BD-P1400 comply with the Profile 1.0 requirements. The BD-UP5000 is Profile 1.1 ready and firmware to make it a Profile 1.1 player is available now. The BD-P1500 meets the Profile 1.1 requirements and comes Profile 2.0 ready. Firmware to upgrade the player to Profile 2.0 will be available this fall. "

The LG still lists the bh200 as profile 2.0 ready in the future so it may be upgradeable.

Thanks Madness. That doesn't specifically say the BD-UP5000 cannot be made Profile 2.0 though.

I know it matters to some, but I'm not completely convinced I care about profile 2.0 anyway. I never use the "interactive" features on the HD-DVDs I've bought either. I'd have to compare a list of what Profile 2 has over 1.1 or even 1.0 to see if I care.

For the same price, I'd buy a 2.0 device... but if I save money and other features more important to me are in play, then I may not care.

I don't give a monkeys about Profile 2.0, so far. All it amounts to is some utterly pants quizzes and some dumb social networking features.

Profile 1.1 is much important IMO. So far Profile 2.0 is a completely wasted opportunity. The technology is there but they're doing naff all with it.

I don't think I've ever seen "pants" used as an adjective! :p

It's a Brit thing :)

I currently have the A3 but now I want to get the dual player just in case my A3 goes. I don't have big collection of HD DVD movies but I dont want to have them sitting around if my A3 will go, at least I will have a back up player...

I have been checking out Future Shop and Best Buy if they have some clearance stuff...

I currently have the A3 but now I want to get the dual player just in case my A3 goes. I don't have big collection of HD DVD movies but I dont want to have them sitting around if my A3 will go, at least I will have a back up player...

I have been checking out Future Shop and Best Buy if they have some clearance stuff...

I think Best Buy carries the Samsung and it is still on line.

Future Shop has or had both the Samsung and the LG. Not on line, but stores have in store stock. London South had one Samsung and two or three LG units about two weeks ago. Suggest you give a call to individual stores.

I don't think I've ever seen "pants" used as an adjective! :p
:D. British slang: Rubbish, Trash, Crap. I like to throw the odd curve ball in to confuse you guys :D.

Of course it works much better when you use Pants in the British sense of the word, than the American (Male underwear, usually of the Y-Front type). It does usually make me chuckle in a child-like manner when I hear Americans say they're putting their pants on. I'd hope so too :D.

You learn something new every day :cool:.

I thought pants was long outerwear as opposed to shorts. Then there's boxers and underwear. I never hear people refer pants as the Y-front underwear in America. :)

Yup, pants is pretty generic. Depends on your locale as to how it is referred, I guess...and the use of "pants" in British slang was no mystery to me, Brad, so better luck next time in tripping me up. :p

You're a hard man to trip up Vinnie :D. Had you ever read Pants being used to mean trash before though?

In Britain pants are underwear, trousers (and jeans obviously) are what you guys call pants. I believe they use Trousers in Ireland too, Australia and New Zealand they use Pants. Confusing, or what!

I thought pants was long outerwear as opposed to shorts.
If you ever visit The UK, don't be surprised to be pointed to the underwear section of a shop, if you ask for pants then :D. Thankfully we use Boxers (and shorts) too.

The one which always cracks me up is: Thong. To British and Americans it means skimpy underwear but to Australians it means what we call "flip-flops". It's hilarious to see thongs advertised with an item of footwear :D. Thong technically meaning a strip of leather.

It helps I've been to the UK twice and regularly visit and participate in forums based there. ;p

I think Best Buy carries the Samsung and it is still on line.

I haven't looked today... but last I looked at the Best Buy Web site, the Samsung was nowhere to be found online. The LG was, however. Curiously, in a local Best Buy store I did find an "open box" Samsung for which they wanted $479.99... while the nearby Circuit City had none in stock, they can be ordered from the Circuit City Web site for $449.99 brand new.

I haven't looked today... but last I looked at the Best Buy Web site, the Samsung was nowhere to be found online. The LG was, however. Curiously, in a local Best Buy store I did find an "open box" Samsung for which they wanted $479.99... while the nearby Circuit City had none in stock, they can be ordered from the Circuit City Web site for $449.99 brand new.

I saw a new Samsung sell for $550 on E-bay this week! :eek:



Before the May update they were going for just over $340.

while the nearby Circuit City had none in stock, they can be ordered from the Circuit City Web site for $449.99 brand new.
Actually, no, they can't. They're OOS online but if you can find a store within your area that carries one, you can do an in-store pickup.

I saw a new Samsung sell for $550 on E-bay this week! :eek:



Before the May update they were going for just over $340.

There's an amazon seller (Pavilion Electronics) that seems to have no trouble getting $999.99 for them. I've seen where they get down to 1 or 2 left, then get more in, so they must be selling.

Its amazing how much ppl/stores are selling the Samsung 5000

Finally found a Samsung in a Best Buy not too far away from here (they actually had 2 on the shelf before I bought one of them). Their clearance price was about $487, and I was able to use this weekend's 12% discount coupons to shave some more off of that.

So I now have a purple machine in the house. Tested a couple of HD DVDs. This one doesn't like scratched discs any better than my Toshiba HD player did, but that's to be expected... the Samsung does recover a bit better though. My Toshiba would lock-up on a couple of scratched movies I have and I had to reset the player and skip the scene entirely. The Samsung pauses and glitches a bit but will eventually (within a few seconds) resume play and skip past the scratches.. so that's progress.

Also, I notice that the bitstream now seems to be passing Dolby Digital 5.1 EX from Dolby Digital + HD audio as well as DTS 6.1 ES from DTS-HD. My HD player used to downconvert those to Dolby 5.1 or DTS 5.1 for HD DVDs. I could only get 6.1 from my SD DVDs before.

Still trying to figure out if my analog audio is going right or not. I updated to the 1.3 firmware tonight, and the speaker test does properly test through all my speakers... but in some quicky tests I was not sure if the analog outputs were any better than the bitstream ones.

I don't have any Blu movies to test yet... and only have a couple of HD-DVD movies that claim 6.1 sound... so too early to be sure.

Any recommendations (or is this the wrong thread) of a good Blu ray movie to be able to test not only picture quality but differences in analog vs bitstream audio? I basically want something that should sound better through the analog with the player decoding than my "legacy" audio receiver which will not decode the newer digital encodes. I am also unclear as to whether the latest firmware update for the Samsung decodes all of the HD audio encodes or not.

There's an amazon seller (Pavilion Electronics) that seems to have no trouble getting $999.99 for them. I've seen where they get down to 1 or 2 left, then get more in, so they must be selling.

I just bought an LG BH200 from Pavilion for 479.00, It will be here Thursday. :)

Thanks too everyone on this thread for helping me out.
I didn't listen too any of you.

I did appreciate the LG guys for advocating the 200 do to superior potential for BD Profile, multi-channel HD, good for its own reasons propriety scaling, etc.
I did enjoy all the pro-Sammy posts; such as analog out, faster load times, etc.

I was a Samme (w/the HQV no less!) , not an LGuy just cause, from the get go (although I was a BIG fan of LG plasmas back in the '90's (60"). Still wanted to be sure, as this was going to cost me about five hundred bucks. So, yesterday on my wkly dance night in The City I decide to stop by BB to check on open-boxes. No such luck. I'm about a month short for that. Butt, low and behold a 200 on the shelf (one). Open box price of...
$224.95US
I GRAB it!
Rip the tape open too see what's missing. It's perfectly wrapped. The battery aren't even open. The remote doesn't have a fingerprint. In fact is new; its BRAND NEW!!!
(some one must have brought it back in a panic B4 opening it)

Good luck too all!

I'm combo people now.
(I've been pro-combo since spring of '06)

Wow thats a steal of a price. Lowest I found one was 315 but the the knucklehead on the phone who said he reserved it for me (didnt). I ended up paying 479.00. But Im ok with that, I got it today and hooked it up and did all the updates. And am really excited. :)

Finally found a Samsung in a Best Buy not too far away from here (they actually had 2 on the shelf before I bought one of them). Their clearance price was about $487, and I was able to use this weekend's 12% discount coupons to shave some more off of that.

No clearance prices here in Utah. They're still $599.95 but I did get 10% off using a coupon that's in the USPS moving packet. I don't seem to receive those 12% off coupons anymore. Even back when I did get them they would seem to expire before use anyway.

No clearance prices here in Utah. They're still $599.95 but I did get 10% off using a coupon that's in the USPS moving packet. I don't seem to receive those 12% off coupons anymore. Even back when I did get them they would seem to expire before use anyway.

Amazon has them listed at 499. through another company (which is where I got mine).

No clearance prices here in Utah. They're still $599.95 but I did get 10% off using a coupon that's in the USPS moving packet. I don't seem to receive those 12% off coupons anymore. Even back when I did get them they would seem to expire before use anyway.

CircuitCity has this on-line for $469.99. Over a month ago I bought one at BB and they matched CC's internet price of $499.99 (CC's price at that time).

CircuitCity has this on-line for $469.99. Over a month ago I bought one at BB and they matched CC's internet price of $499.99 (CC's price at that time).

Yes, that's what I paid for the LG.

I was responding to someone's post about the Samsung 5000. That's the one that's $599.95 at Best Buy. Circuit City seems to be out of them.

Exactly, Circuit City doesn't have any of them actually available online. They're only listed to reflect the existing remaining stock of the brick and mortar locations. I have to go 90 miles to find one, for instance.

CircuitCity has this on-line for $469.99. Over a month ago I bought one at BB and they matched CC's internet price of $499.99 (CC's price at that time).

Just picked up the BH200 there yesterday(walk-in) for that price- they had it listed as 499 in the store- but I told him, and he looked it up and gave it to me without question.
VG deal IMO, I really like this player- it powers/loads reasonably quickly, it looks better than it does in the ads, and I haven't had a problem using 10 discs so far( both BD and HD DVD), and thats bitsreaming THD-DTS-HD MA, AND DD+ (no helicopter noise so far to my Denon 988).
I have also used PCM Multi without issue.

Smooth operation and menu system, easy to navigate.
Updated to XXXXXXXX402F via USB drive, and it took like 5 minutes !!:eek:

This is a nice player IMO.