OFFICIAL "HELP ME CHOOSE A PLAYER" THREAD: Can't decide? Start HERE. - Page 346

id like to know this also. i have a sony n460 bluray, but hate having to go pre add to que to watch something. im looking at getting a second bluray and moving the n460 to my bedroom.

i want great netflix integration and pandora. the ability to access my itunes library via ethernet would be nice (not sure if this is possible). dont need wifi, scad, hi def music. 3d would be a bonus. my plasma is old and i wont get a tv for a year probably.

$250 max. $150 preferred.

thanks for suggestions.

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on one of these on Black Friday - any thoughts on which one has an edge? They look pretty equal on features & connectivity, prices are the same, Sony is slimmer but that's no big deal. Will probably be doing a fair amount of non-subscription streaming until I build up my disc collection - any advantage with one over the other? I've always been happy with Sony disc players over the years, but I've heard good things about the Pannys too.

Is there a clear winner among these 3 players that are sold at Costco?

Sony BD-BX57 $149.99
Samsung BD-C6800 $159.99
Panny DMP-BDT105 $189.99

Hi everyone...

Great forum! I don't post much, but I learn a lot here.

I was looking at ordering the soon-to-be-released Denon BDP-1611, but before I went for it, I did some comparison shopping.

I found the older Marantz BD-7004. And it sure looks good.

(I don't need streaming: I use Apple TV for Netflix, so I don't need it in a Blu-Ray player)

My questions, specifically:

Will the newer Denon have equal or better picture quality?

Will CD's sound better on one or the other?

Is the older unit truly a better built machine? Or would I be better off with the newer unit, with all the bells and whistles?

Thanks very much...I'm sure you've heard this debate before...is newer, always better?

Thanks

Steve

Looking at Sony S570, Samsung BD 6500 or Panasonic 85. Beyond the basics of pushing play and start, once you get into streaming, netflix etc what is the easiest or most intuitive?

Wife hates having to try and figure out what is what and likes it simple.

I look at that if it makes her happy, it's an easy purchase for me.

Thanks

Looking for a quick recommendation or two please. Have not researched since I bought my Denon 3910.
Looking for Bluray, great picture but also as high quality audio as I can afford. The two top of the line Denons seem too pricey. The Oppo looks good, but unsure if the audio meets or exceeds my Denon.

Any other players worth considering?

If it comes down to it, I'd rather spend more for performance than scrimp. So let's say $500 would make me ecstatic and maybe $1200 is not out of the question just for some boundaries.

Thanks.

Hi all... I'm looking to buy our first Blu-ray player. Actually, I just got a Sony BDP-s370, but I'm considering returning it for something else. One of my issues with the S370 is the need for either the Sony USB wireless adapter or a wireless ethernet bridge to connect wirelessly to the internet for streaming, etc. (The computer & TV/blu ray player are too far away to consider a hard-wire connection.) However, I'm wondering if there is any advantage to connecting via an ethernet bridge over built-in wi-fi... Does it make any difference? Does either type of connection provide for better/faster streaming capability? If they're pretty much the same, I will probably return the player I have for something with built in wi-fi, but of we can get a "better" connection with an ethernet bridge, I'll likely keep this player and do that.

I need something that plays them

Try a media player-say a Popcorn Hour A210.

I will be purchasing a Marantz AV7005 hooked up to a Emotiva XPA-5 and Paradigm Studio speakers all around. I simply want a Blu-Ray player to play SACD/DVD-Audio and regular CD playback very well. A good sounding, musical player that also plays Blu-Ray movies and upconverts etc. Is the new Oppo product the answer or should I be looking elsewhere? Thanks

That is a simple question! Yes, the Oppo BDP-93 should fit the bill perfectly, at least based on their previous model, the BDP-83, which I have. I've never had any problems with the 83, playing everything I throw at it without a problem. In fact, the 83 is used as the guts in some high-end (read: expensive) models costing much >$2,000 (somewhat controversially).

My understanding is you need the BD570 model.

I just bought 2 BD550's yesterday and all is working very well with them, but have not tested for .mkv files yet.

UPDATE: Yes...the BD550's play .mkv files...quite a surprise at this price point.

Thanks for ther response. I notice the Oppo 83 model also has the 83SE which has supposedly higher quality analog outs for music. I am not sure I will be using all of the networking abilities, etc of the new Oppo 93. What I do know is that I love to listen to SACD's, DVD-Audio, and 2 channel CD playback and music reproduction is very important to me. Would the 83SE make more sense and if so where do I buy one? Thanks.

If you want to use the 83 as a high-quality 2-channel CD player/decoder, then the 83SE comes highly recommended. If you intend to use it as a transport only for CD's (i.e. hooking it up via optical, coax, or HDMI and letting your receiver or pre/pro do the digital-to-analog conversion), then the 83 is just fine.

Keep an eye open on the classifieds here at AVSForum, as well as on audiogon.com and videogon.com for a used 83 or 83SE. I've seen quite a few 83's for sale lately as people get ready for the 93, but it's fairly rare to see an 83SE up for sale. It happens occasionally, though.

I am looking for a player that can stream m2ts/AVCHD with lossless audio and subtitles

Optionally: Can choose from multiple audio streams, MKV/AVI

I should probably be looking at a popcorn hour, but I am looking for something a bit cheaper, sub $200 if possible. Perhaps the LG BD570 would fit the bill?

I need help PLEASE! I'm buying blu ray players for my parents and in laws and I can't narrow it down between: Sony 370/570, Samsung 6500, LG 570, Panny 85

One house needs wifi, the other has ethernet. I'm mainly concerned with reliability / ease of use and dvd upscaling. Playing avi / mkv would be a plus as well.

Can anyone please give me a recommendation? I've been researching for the past two days and all I ended up doing was adding more blu ray players to select.

THANK YOU!

I'll jump into the "which one should I buy" fray...

I'm going to my local HH Gregg on Saturday for their Mits DLP WD-60638 (or 738 if they are aggressive enough on price). Not asking for much in a player: non-3D, relatively quick start up (I hear some really lag in this dept), and good output including standard DVD upscaling via the cheapest HDMI cable I can find.

If possible, I'd also like one that can be programmed as an all-region player.

Anyone care to point me in the right direction?

what about 1080p mkv files?

So now that you know, do you have any recommendations? There seem to be a few at this price point but I'm having trouble finding any comparison between: Panasonic BD85, Sony 570, Samsung 6500 for example. I'd love the new oppo, but the panasonic is literally 1/4 the cost today.

HH Gregg has the Panasonic BD-65 for $89. Good with my new DLP?

Panny BD 65 or LG BD 550? Which is more reliable and easier to use? My prerequisites are Netflix and Pandora for streaming. We have been using a PS3 for BluRay and for Netflix, but we want a pair of dedicated machines.

thanks!

Hi all,

I am looking for a blu-ray player to get my dad for Christmas. He'd like something with great PQ and good DVD upconversion.

He has no ethernet connection, so online features are absolutely not required. Just looking for something I can plug in, and play off-the-shelf blu-rays with, without screwing around with online crap.

He has been looking at the Sony models; are any of these applicable?

Thanks

Did not get any replies to this. Thought I'd give it one more try.

Any recommendations?

~Bob

OPPO will have an audiophile machine in 2011, the BDP-95. Unfortunately date, price and features are not yet known.

-Bill

That might be worth waiting for, if early enough 2011. Thanks.

Any others to check out?

~Bob

No, I don't keep up with that sector. You might try the OPPO BDP-83SE thread; they are likely to know about current and pending models, particularly as they compare to OPPO players: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1194011

-Bill

Looking at one of these and the research isn't going very far since all have faults and pros so which would you pick? 3D not important right now and will not be until the glasses are done away with but WiFi is.

1) LG BD570 Network Blu-ray Disc Player
2) Samsung BD-C6500 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player
3) Samsung BD-C6900 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player
3) Sony BDP-S570 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player

OK been reading and here is some info.
Hitachi 720p Alpha series HDTV
Kentech Labs Sound bar (only analog inputs)

I've been looking at getting my first blu-ray player for quite some time now, and had decided for sure on the LG BD550, however I have been reading tons of complaints about blu-ray movies skipping on the player, which has leaned me more towards the Sony BD S-370. I don't care about streaming or file support or wireless or 3D. All I want is a player that will reliably play Blu-rays and DVDs with a good picture at 1080p/60hz playback. Should I go for the Sony BD S-370?

I ended up ordering the Marantz BD7004.

It's a good match for my receiver, the older Denon 5700. No HDMI inputs, but full 7.1 analog.

Plus, the price drop of the 7004, down to $399 now, was a big factor.

Looking forward to it!