The SONY BDP-S5000ES Owner's Thread - Page 8

Originally Posted by Woodshed

Or the 9000ES!!

Originally Posted by Woodshed

The Pio has a nicer analog section to be sure, and Ruined has a severe slant toward Pio products.

As to build quality, IMO a 5 year warranty speaks much more to a great build quality that a 2 year warranty (or at least the manufacturer's confidence in the product anyway). *shrug*

Originally Posted by RWetmore

In what way is the analog section better or "nicer"??

Originally Posted by Woodshed

Umm, I guess I should say "repotedly better" the info is in the 09 thread, dedicated DACs per channel, etc.

I am a shocked that particular level of analog section cannot decode DTSHDMA out of the box AND that it has fixed crossover points.

Originally Posted by Ruined

Just by looking at the three, the design of the BDP-09FD is at the top in terms of build (analog section gets special mention as you did, dual HDMI is nice also, back panel is ultra-impressive), Denon 3800 i #2, and Sony BDP-5000ES looks the least impressive of the three. As for warranty, all the build quality in the world is not going to save the still relatively immature blue lasers that can fail in these products; the warranty is definitely a nice thing, but I don't feel that speaks to build.

I have a slant towards Pioneer? No. I have a slant towards the best product for the money.

Just for reference:
Blu-ray player: Pioneer BDP-51FD
Pre/pro: Integra DTC-9.8
Power Amp #1: Rotel RB-1090
Power Amp #2: Parasound HCA-2205A
Display: Sony KDS-60A3000
Speakers: PSB Stratus Gold setup

Kind of hard to have a "slant towards Pioneer" when I only own a single Pioneer product.

Originally Posted by Ruined

Looking inside the player as well shows a much more impressive design for the analog section than what I've seen from the competition.



Pioneer used a brand new custom SoC while Sony used an older off the shelf one. Understandable that it will take longer to get the new Pio SoC up to speed. Denon uses their receiver chips for DTS-HDMA.

Originally Posted by Woodshed

Sorry, I should have said a "severe slant toward the new Pio BR players".

There is nothing wrong with that, people should just know it when they are reading your recommendations on BR players.

If a 5 year warranty doesnt speak to build quality, what does it speak to?

Pioneer makes receivers too.

Originally Posted by Ruined

Spending $2000 for a player that does not have a well known name-brand highend video processor is a waste, and that is my opinion. Maybe it is as good as Realta in some cases, in other cases joerod has not tested it may fail miserably - who knows, I'm sure he didn't run through his entire SD DVD collection & all of the 1080i BDs on both players. Not having a known quality VP means you don't know what you are getting.

Originally Posted by Ruined

Right, again they are clearly best for the money in their category. There is nothing under $500 that works well with an external video processor, hence they get my clear recommendation.



Well in this bracket it is really looks like it will be a close call between the Pioneer 09FD and Denon 3800. Both have great build & great video processors. Pioneer looks to be a bit better on build and has a bit more on the featureset so it would probably get my nod, but I would be happy to own either. The Sony, on the other hand, I feel is a notch below both of these units due to its lack of a name-brand highend video processor. If Pio/Denon can do it for the price, so can Sony. Therefore in this range I'd def. recommend the Denon 3800 over the 5000 currently, and when the 09FD comes out I will include that with the Denon in recommendation.

Bigger companies have more money.

Right, but why duplicate something that your SoC is capable of doing? That would drive up costs for no reason. It just requres a month of patience for something you are buying as a 4-5yr long term investment.

Originally Posted by RWetmore

I agree it's overpriced, but it will soon be available online for probably less than $1500. I could also care less that the video processor is not a "name-brand," especially when coming from Sony, which has had a reputation for years producing disc players with outstanding picture quality.

Originally Posted by joerod

So I spent a good part of the afternoon doing a few tests and calibrating the S5000ES. I used HQV Blu-ray, AVIA pro and DVE for most of my work. I also want to point out that I use a Sencore OTC1000 to help with keeping my VW200 looking nice. I will just say that I was very impressed with how the S5000ES handled the tests. It passed them with flying colors. Especially the film resolution (football stadium) test. The stadium seats looked better than any player I have ever tested. I am not going to compare all the players here because I do not want to start anything with any owners of other brands. I am not a fanboy of any particular brand and it should be pointed out that I own almost every one out there (at least the current generations). The S5000ES did an excellent job with SD dvd layer change as well. Hardly noticable. I have to agree with TheBland, this is the ultimate player and if I had to choose one I would pick it. Actually if you look at my first pic I already did. I am also working on a review of the new Onkyo 886 PRO which should be done sometime this weekend. You gotta love electronics. Always something new coming in (at least here ). I would also like to add I just tested my final Blu-ray title that I own and every single one has loaded and played without issue. It is nice having a fast stand alone. Especially if you are testing its reliability factor. Of course Band Of Brothers just cane today along with the Star Wars cartoon so it will get the new release test tonight. I also want to point out again that is connects to my wireless network using Linksys easy. I thought I would never care about BD live 2.0 but I have to admit it is pretty cool looking for online extras. My family has become quite taken with some of the Disney titles and the games. I know I am supposed to be reporting on the tests so I will just add that it did excellent with the Jaggies tests to. I know many are on the fence and many are waiting for a MSRP drop but I will just conclude by saying this player is worth it to me. I wanted reliability, fast ass loading (either like or close to the PS3), great sound and above all superior pic Q. The S5000ES fits the bill. I like the ES3 nickname and should add it into the title of the thread...

Originally Posted by Woodshed

Those familiar with Sony know that they ALWAYS do their own thing when it comes to processing, video or otherwise. They just don't use terranex/Qdeo. IT is what it is.

Originally Posted by echo7

I have yet to see an ES player come down in price in its first year, at least from an authorized dealer. If anyone finds out otherwise, please PM me. A Google search for this player brings up very few results, and the only retail option beside SonyStyle is Crutchfield. I think OneCall will stock it too, but I won't support them due to their return policy (you mean you actually opened your unit and put it through its paces? Sorry, that's a 15% restocking fee...).

I'm on the fence because I am doubtful the 5000 will be a $1600 improvement over my S550.

Originally Posted by Woodshed

Yeah, I havent seen them drop immediately. I am hoping there are a few outside factors that "help" lower the price.

1. Competition
2. Economy
3. BR penetration

Originally Posted by Woodshed

Those familiar with Sony know that they ALWAYS do their own thing when it comes to processing, video or otherwise. They just don't use terranex/Qdeo. IT is what it is.

So out of 3 players you don't have, one that isn't even released you would recommend the 1 that is > a year old, no ethernet updates, slower, has had reported laser failure issues, and a 1 year warranty. Then you would recommend the one that NOONE has ever used and is being released by a company whose most recent BR offerings have taken approx 6 months to iron out and STILL can't decode DTS HDMA?

That makes a ton of sense.





Then why arent there 5 year warranties on the 350 and 550?






Drive up costs?? They can't afford a receiver DAC section in a $2200 player? Denon could.

4-5 year investment? At least your Sony would be covered by the factory during that time.

Pardon my sarcasm, but if you are in this thread, don't own the player, and are attempting to tell people NOT to buy it....................

Is that trolling?

Originally Posted by Woodshed

As Public Enemy so eloquently told us "Don't believe the hype"

Originally Posted by MovieGuruJeff

That's why sites like this can be useless in terms of getting bog down by fanboys. Not saying you are, but you "joerod" and a select few certainly have your own slants on making sure the outcome is pointed to anything Sony. As I said, buy what you want and read the reviews from all the professional magazines or sites and see what the majority of owners think.

Right now the Pioneer 09 BD is not a fact better since it is not shipping. My dealer still expects to get a demo unit from Pioneer at least 1 month before shipment. I will post my review at that time and compare them. However, the specs and those that saw the Sony and Pioneer at CEDIA can say the build quility is superior to Sony and the analog audio sections.

Right now, the best for build quality BD, SDDVD and CD playback is the Marantz BD8002. It beats the Denon 3800 but the reason it does not beat the current gen player like the Sony or Pioneer is due to it being profile 1.1 only. Otherwise it would hands down be the winner.

At this time, I just got the Sony on Friday and can say the Pioneer build should be on par with the SD version DV-09 some 10 years ago. If it is, then it will be a tank and easily beat this Sony in that area. I have not tested at length the audio yet on the Sony, but the Marantz BD8002 beats it so far and it also beats the Sony in terms of SD DVD playback by a fairly LONG shot. But, if you go with the Marantz then it does not have profile 2.0 so that is the main drawback there.

Since most has been covered already here about the new Sony I won't repeat but I would say so far I would give it overall a *** 1/2 out of 5 stars. When the Pioneer comes in I will compare them head-to-head and hope it is on par with the Marantz in terms of SD upscaling, BD and analog audio (which I think will beat it).

Enjoy.

Originally Posted by joerod

Making sure the outcome is anything sony? I only own two sony products (3 if u count the PS3). I own panasonic, pioneer, denon, toshiba, onkyo, samsung, etc... I am 100 percent unbiased. If anything it reads like you have a thing for marantz!

Originally Posted by EWL5

I'm curious. What gives the Marantz 8002 the edge over the Denon 3800? The specs are nearly identical (even the manuals).

Originally Posted by MovieGuruJeff

Right now, the best for build quality BD, SDDVD and CD playback is the Marantz BD8002. It beats the Denon 3800

Originally Posted by jackox

Waow ! I never thought that just changing the cosmetics of a unit would improve its perfs too ....

Originally Posted by joerod

He lost me when he claimed the Marantz is "hands down" the best. The Denon 3800 is equal to it "hands down." I will say if I already owned the Denon or I guess the Marantz I would not sell them to get the S5000ES. If I was buying one today then I would definitely lean towards the Sony. And again as for his Marantz comments I will again say all the players are very close doing 1080p/24. If he is seeing an alarming difference then that could be considered making a "slant" toward the Marantz. Oh and please let me know where else I have "slanted" the outcome to favor Sony.

Originally Posted by MovieGuruJeff

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Right now, the best for build quality BD, SDDVD and CD playback is the Marantz BD8002. It beats the Denon 3800 but the reason it does not beat the current gen player like the Sony or Pioneer is due to it being profile 1.1 only. Otherwise it would hands down be the winner.

~