I need responses within minutes of this post because I have to buy one quickly because sale runs out where I am. I can get brand new samsung one for 399.99 or open box lg for about 369.99 which is a good deal.

I heard that the LG one is better for now... but if the samsung firmware comes out which will be better? quick responses needed.

I would say get the LG. There's no guarantee that Samsung is even going to release the firmware you're mentioning. In fact, I'm pretty sure that it was going to be released in April...you can see how that turned out. Honestly I think as long as the LG is in pretty good shape as an open box, you should get it.

Just my $.02

yah thats what im thinking... plus the guy said he'd go down to 359-369 for open box. I dont mind that as long as its a working player. I hope the open box one isnt one that needed to be serviced or something. But you say the BH200 then right?

what is the return policy? Try both and return the one you like the least.

LG BH200:

1. Lossless Audio support
2. Ability to output TrueHD as Full-rate Legacy DTS over SPDIF
3. PAL support
4. SD DVD Region Free support
5. Ability to switch between Blu-ray regions A, B or C - Making it effectively BD Region Free!
6. No sign of Samsung releasing their Lossless Audio firmware
7. Samsung stopped manufacturing their Combo in February, LG won't stop until the end of the year - Meaning the BH200 should in theory be supported for longer
8. Better customer services - Subjective but they have given us better firmware so far

yah thats what im thinking... plus the guy said he'd go down to 359-369 for open box.
Would it still have the same warranty and does it look the same? If so I'd go for that.

I heard that the LG one is better for now... but if the samsung firmware comes out which will be better? quick responses needed.
It depends what you're after:

* Both have roughly the same bugs/disc problems.
* The Samsung has a better upscaling chip and 7.1 Analogue outputs.
* The LG can be made SD DVD Region Free, support PAL and effectively BD Region Free.

My money is on the LG BH200 no contest, but then it's multiregion capabilities greatly interest me and it's lossless audio support (which Samsung should be fixing).

I curtainly would not wast my time with samsung if you want the full deck....

I would and did go with the LG. I am very happy with it.

One other thing in favour of the LG is the availability of discrete power codes. The Samsung does not have them.

LG no question!

Dont count out the BH100 if you dont mind not having the HD-DVD extras, Mine is Region free for BD right out of the box, confirmed it with Breaking and Entering disc last night.

Athanasios

Is the movie region coded though? Although a disc may be from a different region, sometimes they are not region coded.

Mine is Region free for BD right out of the box, confirmed it with Breaking and Entering disc last night.
I get the impression all BH100s are BD Region Free out of the box but not SD DVD Region Free, that can be easily fixed though. There was that UK owner who said the same thing too.

Personally I wouldn't buy a BH100 because it uses old hardware that may mean disc problems later on, even before we look at it's inability with Lossless audio and Profile 1.1 discs (I think?).

Is the movie region coded though? Although a disc may be from a different region, sometimes they are not region coded.
Breaking & Entering is a Region B locked Disney BD:

http://bluray.liesinc.net/index.php?region=b

Personally I wouldn't buy a BH200 because it uses old hardware that may mean disc problems later on, even before we look at it's inability with Lossless audio and Profile 1.1 discs (I think?).



Did you by chance get your players backwards? My BH200 is 1.1 and handles lossless audio via bitstream. :(

Oops BH100 not BH200 :D. I'll correct my post.

Personally I wouldn't buy a BH100 because it uses old hardware that may mean disc problems later on, even before we look at it's inability with Lossless audio and Profile 1.1 discs (I think?).

Mine plays lossless out the analog out no problem, just not dts losless (ithink) as i never tried it. but LCPM lossless is an option on discs that have it I am almost 100%
sure, I'll double check though.

Athanasios

I meant TrueHD/DTS-HD MA ;). PCM should always work, but sorry for not being clear.

true HD also plays out analog as thats all i use, i have an older reciever.

Athanasios

yeah i just got my BH200... Although it was open box, it says manufactured in february 2008, it had all the manuals, the cloth was never opened, even the batteries were in their casing, not a fingerprint, protective clear paper over the front protected against scratches. Its like the guy who returned it never even used it. Im thinking he mustve bought it for over 500 dollars and then when he heard Toshibas leaving in march he returned it.

I got it for 359.99 canadian and total came to something like 403. Im only wondering if i should pick up another one. Theres another open box one still at the futureshop near me but im all cleaned out at the moment. SD discs are amazing. Because i was a red supporter I dont have any blu-ray yet, but I popped in my Cars DVD and upconversion looked great. I cant wait to see how the blu-ray would look.

The firmware 1.3 for BD-UP5000 just came out. Not sure if that would have affected your choice. :)

Yeh, BD-UP5000 is now officially the top dog in this section with 7.1 analog out, Reon upconversion and lower price.

Yeh, BD-UP5000 is now officially the top dog in this section with 7.1 analog out, Reon upconversion and lower price.

Good luck finding a new one at most stores, now, though :(. Amazon no longer stocks it as it is sold by a 3rd party for 699$ (LG, too, but at least it's 200$ cheaper from the 3rd party). Best Buy has taken it completely off their site. Circuit City at least still lists 499$ for either of them. I think either are viable now that Samsung has held up their bargain to bring a lot of the nagging issues and bump to 1.1 in this FW update just as LG did in April. It's just getting much harder to get a new one :(.

Good luck finding a new one at most stores, now, though :(. Amazon no longer stocks it as it is sold by a 3rd party for 699$ (LG, too, but at least it's 200$ cheaper from the 3rd party). Best Buy has taken it completely off their site. Circuit City at least still lists 499$ for either of them. I think either are viable now that Samsung has held up their bargain to bring a lot of the nagging issues and bump to 1.1 in this FW update just as LG did in April. It's just getting much harder to get a new one :(.New under $499 on ebay. cheaper for used.

Yeh, BD-UP5000 is now officially the top dog in this section with 7.1 analog out, Reon upconversion and lower price.
Likewise the LG BH200 is the top dog for ;) -

1. PAL support
2. SD DVD Region Free support
3. Ability to switch between Blu-ray regions A, B or C - Making it effectively BD Region Free!

It's swings and roundabouts. Is it cheaper?

My usage for REON chip upconversion is a lot higher than for PAL/Region free. :D But I love both!

Get the LG, and save the Samsung for me. I need (want) a 2nd one now.

:)

I wonder how they measure up to each other Audio wise. As I recall,the Sammy outputs deeper blacks. I know this because I had the sammy before returning it for the bh200. At this point I feel the BH200 is a more versatile player and could possibly be profile 2.0 in a few months that's a big plus! Still I am tempted to get the sammy for a second player for the main and/or bedroom set up.

My usage for REON chip upconversion is a lot higher than for PAL/Region free. :D

+1

I wonder how they measure up to each other Audio wise. As I recall,the Sammy outputs deeper blacks. I know this because I had the sammy before returning it for the bh200. At this point I feel the BH200 is a more versatile player and could possibly be profile 2.0 in a few months that's a big plus! Still I am tempted to get the sammy for a second player for the main and/or bedroom set up.

Was this before or after the firmware update fixed the gamma issue?

My usage for REON chip upconversion is a lot higher than for PAL/Region free. :D But I love both!


Actually, the chip for upconvering in the BH200 is quite excellent. Ofcourse, If I can get my paws on the sammy this weekend I will definitely let you guys know which one is better.:D But I will say this , the bH200 blows my PS3 and HDA 20 away as far as upconvertion, PQ and AQ!!!

Was this before or after the firmware update fixed the gamma issue? For the BH200?? The blacks are not deep> I have the latest F/W. I had to bump up/turn on the black level
of my TV to compensate. Just FYI I have 52" XBR4 (ISF calibrated) which has one of the deepest blacks of all LCDs:cool:

For the BH200?? The blacks are not deep> I have the latest F/W. I had to bump up/turn on the black level
of my TV to compensate. Just FYI I have 52" XBR4 (ISF calibrated) which has one of the deepest blacks of all LCDs:cool:

OK, there was a post that said the gamma issue was fixed with the March (and supposedly carried over to the April) firmware so was wondering if your comparison was done with that fix in place.

OK, there was a post that said the gamma issue was fixed with the March (and supposedly carried over to the April) firmware so was wondering if your comparison was done with that fix in place.
When I returned the sammy and got the LG, I immediately downloaded the March firmware and yes the blacks are not deep. Especially with sunshine!

For the BH200. Have guys you noticed that the black level option in the menu reverts back to OFF as a default all the time??

For the BH200. Have guys you noticed that the black level option in the menu reverts back to OFF as a default all the time??

Does changing that make a difference with HDMI? The manual says that only affects 480i component signals.

Does changing that make a difference with HDMI? The manual says that only affects 480i component signals.

I think you're right! I doesnt change the black level output. Thanks.I am your typical caveman that does not read the manual:D:D:D

I think you're right! I doesnt change the black level output. Thanks.I am your typical caveman that does not read the manual:D:D:D

Guess it was not unreasonable to expect it would have an effect when other players seem to have no such restrictions.

With the latest firmware, both players will likely do just what you need. Not sure you can go wrong...

With the latest firmware, both players will likely do just what you need. Not sure you can go wrong...
I'd agree with that. It comes down to Analogue outputs/Upscaling chip vs. Hacks.

Not that the Upscaling chip in the LG is any slouch. I just hear it's better in the Samsung. The bugs with each seem roughly the same.

Actually, the chip for upconvering in the BH200 is quite excellent. Ofcourse, If I can get my paws on the sammy this weekend I will definitely let you guys know which one is better.:D But I will say this , the bH200 blows my PS3 and HDA 20 away as far as upconvertion, PQ and AQ!!!

Completely agree with the QDEO in the LG vs the Toshiba A20's ABT. I thought the A20 was excellent vs the PS3 but it is not nearly as good as the LG unit. I still don't see direct comparisons between QDEO and REON. It seems they are both the top tiers (at least for now) and I do believe you can't really go wrong with either. I'm just glad both of these are now favourably priced vs just regular Blu-ray players, especially when you consider the upconversion in both are top notch. It also doesn't hurt that we just had a huge 5.99$ HD DVD sale to get some cheapies before the candle burns out. I'm holding my breath for a Blu-ray BOGO or something similar during Amazon's HD week they keep touting...

I have no need for hacking... im all about the picture and sound only. The only reason i didnt get the sammy was because everyone on this forum, the sales guy said the sammy was trash for audio but now its supposedly better?

Should i return it? I can get a brand new bd-up5000 for about 379.99 canadian. Is this definitely the better player from the bh200 now?

Nobody (in their right mind) claimed it was necessarily trash, just that it was in need of a firmware update to bring it up to the level of the BH200, a firmware on which we'd been waiting since December. Samsung did ultimately fulfill their obligation and there are still some bugs that need addressing. They *do* respond to customers, just at their own pace...so I think we will see the remaining widespread bugs ironed out eventually.

Between the bh200 and the bd-up5000 with updated f/w, which one is least problematic?

Completely agree with the QDEO in the LG vs the Toshiba A20's ABT. I thought the A20 was excellent vs the PS3 but it is not nearly as good as the LG unit. I still don't see direct comparisons between QDEO and REON. It seems they are both the top tiers (at least for now) and I do believe you can't really go wrong with either. I'm just glad both of these are now favourably priced vs just regular Blu-ray players, especially when you consider the upconversion in both are top notch. It also doesn't hurt that we just had a huge 5.99$ HD DVD sale to get some cheapies before the candle burns out. I'm holding my breath for a Blu-ray BOGO or something similar during Amazon's HD week they keep touting...

I saw a few owners who owned both posted a while back. From their posts, it seems that Reon is still slightly better than Qdeo.

Should i return it? I can get a brand new bd-up5000 for about 379.99 canadian. Is this definitely the better player from the bh200 now?

If you have no need for hacks, and it's just picture and sound that you are interested in, than both the Samsung and the LG will serve you well. With the latest firmware, Samsung has brought the 5k's audio abilities up to par with the BH200 by all accounts. In regards to video, it's really just your personal taste that should dictate. Both the HQV Reon in the Samsung and the Qdeo is the LG are excellent upscalers.

But, by no means, would I say the Samsung is now "the better player." It really just depends on which you prefer.

Samsung did ultimately fulfill their obligation and there are still some bugs that need addressing. They *do* respond to customers, just at their own pace...so I think we will see the remaining widespread bugs ironed out eventually.

I agree with Vinnie. Samsung did ultimately come through with the firmware upgrade, they just took quite a while to do it. And, they'll hopefully keep updating and getting bugs ironed out, too! Personally, I still feel more comfortable with the LG just because, as a company, they seem a little better at customer service and also seem to be a bit less ambivalent about the HD DVD format in general.

That being said, those are just my feelings and it certainly doesn't make them right or wrong. We also can't forget the bottom line ... HD DVD is a dying (dead) format and eventually every company out there, including Samsung and LG, will abandon it.

Between the bh200 and the bd-up5000 with updated f/w, which one is least problematic?

I hesitate to even say this, so again let me stress THESE ARE JUST MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS ... as of right now, the BH200 still seems to be slightly less problematic. Granted, that is by no means a scientifically tested or proven statement; but is just based on many months of reading through thread after thread and post after post here on the forum. And, to be fair, the Samsung firmware update is only about 24 hours old. So, with more use and testing to come, it will prove itself to be either more buggy or, hopefully, more stable.

I'd suggest you check out the tracking thread for the Samsung here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=931634) and the one for the LG here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1027202) and then decide for yourself.

I saw a few owners who owned both posted a while back. From their posts, it seems that Reon is still slightly better than Qdeo.

Agreed. As a former owner of the Samsung and a current owner of the LG, I'd say the Reon is still slightly better, though still stressing that the Qdeo is no slouch either. All in all, the Qdeo's upscaled video looks a bit "softer." Either way, at this point, I think both machines offer excellent feature sets and most anyone should be happy with either.

-C.

FWIW, the March issue of Playback Magazine has reviews of both players (pre firmware updates) where the reviewer compares and contrasts the BH200 and the BD-UP500.

http://magazine.playbackmag.net/playback/200803web/

FWIW, the March issue of Playback Magazine has reviews of both players (pre firmware updates) where the reviewer compares and contrasts the BH200 and the BD-UP500.

http://magazine.playbackmag.net/playback/200803web/

I remember that. I still want to know how they think the LG BH200 decodes DTS-HD.

who cares about reon and qdeo!!! HD content is what these players are all about, I personally will not buy any more sd discs and really cant watch them anymore either, just like i cant watch SD tv anymore...but is do still love my Vinyl LP's ;)


Athanasios

I have no need for hacking... im all about the picture and sound only. The only reason i didnt get the sammy was because everyone on this forum, the sales guy said the sammy was trash for audio but now its supposedly better?

Should i return it? I can get a brand new bd-up5000 for about 379.99 canadian. Is this definitely the better player from the bh200 now?


I have both players. Ive always thought the Samsung had a little bit better picture quality, but the negative was the audio limitations. Now that the firmware addresses the audio, Id rank the samsung just a little bit higher.

Neither players have given me any problems, I just think the picture is a little bit better on standard dvds than on the LG.

I also like how the Samsung looks a little better than the LG-not that that would have any bearing on returning the player though.
Im not sure its enough to return your unit though, IMO.

who cares about reon and qdeo!!! HD content is what these players are all about, I personally will not buy any more sd discs and really cant watch them anymore either, just like i cant watch SD tv anymore...but is do still love my Vinyl LP's ;)


If you don't care about upscaling, then you should buy one of those Funai clones that can't upscale or de-interlace properly. You are truly cheating yourself. Most content (even the new stuff) is still being released on SD DVD rather than Blu-Ray. I watched The Diving Bell and the Butterfly upscaled via my BH200. It was *cough* tolerable video-wise. That said, it was a fantastic movie.

I would rather watch DBB 500 times upscaled than watch Jumper even once on Blu-Ray. (I saw it at the theater. I'm sure the audio is waaaaaaay better at home, but that doesn't make up for a horrible movie.)

I have no need for hacking... im all about the picture and sound only. The only reason i didnt get the sammy was because everyone on this forum, the sales guy said the sammy was trash for audio but now its supposedly better?
Well the hacks enable you to play much more discs so it's not entirely disconnected.

As to your main point, both the Samsung and LG are now the same audio wise, not better.

who cares about reon and qdeo!!! HD content is what these players are all about, I personally will not buy any more sd discs and really cant watch them anymore either, just like i cant watch SD tv anymore...but is do still love my Vinyl LP's ;)


Athanasios

Again, it's all just preference. Personally, I still watch 90% of my movies on DVD because I can't freaking get netflix to send me a high def disc for like two months. But anyways, each to their own. :)

who cares about reon and qdeo!!! HD content is what these players are all about
I completely agree, the upscaling capabilities of any player is overrated but when you need to pick one, you need to be nit picky.

As to buying DVDs, I've mostly stopped but there is still a significant number of DVDs being released that just aren't being released in HD for me to not right DVD of yet, not for years in fact.

Hence the upscaling chip is important.

I just compared black level of the BH200 to my XA2 using my Digital Video Essentials HDDVD disc and they are exactly the same levels with the pluge pattern on the HDMI output.

I just compared black level of the BH200 to my XA2 using my Digital Video Essentials HDDVD disc and they are exactly the same levels with the pluge pattern on the HDMI output.

That was my feeling when my 200 replaced my XA2. I did make sure to recaliberate using the DVE disc when the LG went it, which I always do for new components.

So after the Sammy5k update -which addresses primarily audio - does it separate this LG vs Sammy comparison any?

I too am looking for an all in one player with the fewest issues with picture on all 3 formats being 50% & HD audio as the other 50% of the equation.

So after the Sammy5k update -which addresses primarily audio - does it separate this LG vs Sammy comparison any?


Read this thread starting from post#19 (when new firmware for Sammy showed up).