Quote:
Originally Posted by Phase700B 
That's what I figure on also. There are new units with 7.1 analog outputs and street prices probably will be lower. And I would guess new units may decrease the load to start up times. Plus, the economy isn't out of the duper yet. Come summer, I'd bet new units will be available with a healthy discount.
That's what I figure on also. There are new units with 7.1 analog outputs and street prices probably will be lower. And I would guess new units may decrease the load to start up times. Plus, the economy isn't out of the duper yet. Come summer, I'd bet new units will be available with a healthy discount.
I'm betting that they the 320 will give up something from the 51fd... the only things that set apart the 51fd and its elite counterpart (05fd) are (as far as I can tell): 1) the better video DACs on the elite, 2) PQLS, 3) touch rather than 'hard' buttons and 4) a backlit remote. From the press release and pics what appear to be differences of the 320 and the 23fd are: 1) stereo PQLS on the 320 vs 7.1 on the 23fd, 2) backlit remote on the 23fd, and 3) the buttons are now 'hard' buttons on both, but illuminated indicators just above them on the 23fd.
What is unknown to me is what DACs will be on the 320 vs the 23fd. I've seen the 23fd advertised as having the wolfson DACs for analog audio (as in the 51 and 05), but have not seen same advertised for the 320. If I had to venture a guess, I'd be inclined to think they are dropping the nicer DACs on the 320 now that they have a lesser model with which it can share components (just to draw a little more distinction from the 23fd). That would delineate their line a little better: 120 is the full-feature (all codecs, profile 2) entry level player to compete with the pannys, sammys and sonys... the 320 is the enthusiast player that adds 7.1 analog outs and stereo PQLS... the 23fd is the premium player with multichannel PQLS and better styling, and the 09fd is the reference equipment.
If they drop the nicer DACs with the 320, I'm inclined to go with the 51fd, as it would be a decision of nicer DACs vs bd-live (don't they both have the renesas chip? and wouldn't load times be the same with both???).
I was trying to bury my head in the sand about internal components. The latest models don't always mean better , or even as good performance. I bought a Mitusbish LT-46231 HDTV 2 years ago for some of the same reasons. This HDTV has more inputs on it's back panel than most TVs have today. Yes, "only" 2 HDMI, but what about legacy devices I like to keep around. The same goes for older standard DVD players. Some have outstanding DACs in them for superb audio reproduction. I have a Denon and Pioneer I can't bare to part with for that reason alone. Although my Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD player has very good sounding audio performance. And, so now, start all over again in the blu-ray equipment area.
Sears has it for $299
Am I missing something?
