OFFICIAL "HELP ME CHOOSE A PLAYER" THREAD: Can't decide? Start HERE. - Page 438

I have 47" LG (LD520) paired with a Panasonic BDT-210 (built-in WiFi) and they work beautifully together. 47" is bigger than you want but there are smaller sizes (and other mfrs). I prefer to have a non-smart tv because it's one less thing to break or go wrong on your tv (you're without a tv during the repair period), the BD players with WiFi are easier to repair if necessary and usually have a richer feature set. Besides, it's cheaper to replace the BD player if newer features become available (streaming channels or services) than it is to replace the tv. There have been reports of Netflix issues with the 210 but I've never had any issues at all with mine when I've used it (I usually use my AppleTV2 for Netflix).

My take is the opposite. The Concerto speakers are excellent, the 307 is an excellent analog receiver. Both the 93 and the 95 provide 7.1 inputs if you ever want to take your system there. I think this is exactly the type of system that gets the most out of the 95.

Don't get me wrong, the 93 is no slouch as far as analog outputs, but with a system like yours, the 95 will make a difference. It provides all of the decoding of the lossless formats (HT and music) that your 307 lacks, and has very high end D/A conversion.

Post this same on the 95 thread and they'll be all over you on the goodness of the 95 for your setup. I have two systems, one based on a current AVR, which I use only HDMI on for all listening, then another that is analog with an older AVR. The HDMI system will be getting a 93, the analog system will get my current 83, but I will be upgrading it to an 83SE through Oppo's upgrade offering.

My 2 cents - go with the 95, drop into the 95 thread and talk to the folks there.

I've been using a PS3 but my son is taking the PS3 with him now. I have a HTPC that I can use for any streaming so really don't need streaming capabilities with my new player. I do want a player with 3D. It will connect to my Pioneer SC-35 and then on to my Panny VT30. I want a good quality player but I definitely don't want to waste money on frills I won't use.
After searching the forums I'm kind of leaning toward the Panasonic DMP-BDT210 right now.
Suggestions???

If you stream NF, go with the newer 220.

S~

I'm perfectly content streaming Netflix on my HTPC unless there's some advantage of doing it through a BR player I'm unaware of.

220/320 offer 1080p, DD+ 5.1 audio, and 24p.

S~

And subtitles, if you care about that. I'm very glad that I upgraded to my new 220. The 1080p Netflix streaming looks GREAT !! Noticeably better than my BD65.

I ended up purchasing the oppo 93. I am very impressed with the build quality, sound, and picture quality. For those of you thinking of attaching this player through the analog inputs of an older receiver, i would highly recommend it.

The 93 has base management built in. In my case this is important because I run my sonus faber fronts in "large" mode so the base is sent to the speakers and to the rel sub. (The front left and front right speaker outputs on my receiver are connected to both my speakers and sub) With the 93, I can adjust the crossover down to 40hz, something I could only do before when using the receiver's DAC's. (I hope this setup is correct, I am not an expert on how crossovers work and just copied the settings from my receiver, which was set up by an audio professional) Now I get lossless audio and still have an accurate speaker set up with bass management. (If my setup is correct ???)

When you consider the cost of replacing the B&K avr 307 with a something of similar quality, this player has saved me a fortune.

I also like the downmix feature (7.1 to 5.1). With this feature, the audio to the surround back is passed to the surround speakers. I assume there is some processing to give a phantom effect, but I like the effect better than just running in 7.1 and missing the audio to the surround back altogether.

Hope this helps someone in a similar situation and I would appreciate any feedback on my speaker setup.

Thanks for the input. I ended up buying the 93. These Oppo units seem to hold their values well, so I will probably get a couple of years out of it, and then upgrade to the 95. It was hard to think of spending $1,000 on the 95 when my receiver is selling on ebay at the sub $400 mark.

For any one reading this, the B&K avr 307 matched with the oppo 93 is an amazing deal for less than $1000. In my opionion it will sound better and have equal picture quality to units that cost 3 or 4 times the price. Of course you will need good speakers and will have to program the RC to do the hdmi switching on the tv.

I did a side by side comparison with the oppo supplied hdmi cable and a 1.4 compliant cable of a different brand. The oppo cable is better so I would recommend using the supplied cable.

So what's the current thinking about a good inexpensive BD? I have an Oppo SD player and it's nice but I'm not spending $500 for an Oppo 93. The Panasonics always seem good. Have not seen a lot of info on what I believe are new models: DMP-BD77, DMP-BD755, DMP-BD87. Any suggestions? btw--I don't need 3D. Would like a region-free hack but that's not critical.

With the sub 150-450 players you buy all have basic features...

the only player i know that is region universal on bd is toshiba via code unlock to change regions..

looking sony everything is universal on dvd and bd unless the disc itself has a regiona/b lock hardcoded into it..

I found it best to have a sony it will play everything you have though for stubbon titles I would have a toshiba set to the region in question, however I don't know how many changes you can do before perma-lock activates and region locks the player to 1 region for bd's..

I own both r1/rA dvd/bd titles, and r4-2/rB dvd/bd titles, so far the only bd disc i've had issues with region hard code lock was with a region A devil may cry disc's..

i have yet to see a hidden code option for sony bd players, I would also say if you currently use the ps3 as a primary bd playback transport i would suggest looking at a standalone bd option and keep the console as a gaming machine as sony consoles tend to be the most region locked consoles you can buy, and modding them can lead to seeing the console banned from the sony network..

my opinion region locking is archaic and the practice needs to stop..

Insignia is also region free BD with a simple hack. Those run about $40 on eBay.

yes that was true.. until there was a firmware to fix that problem.

the oppo can be made region free. its a mod that you can add either internal or outside. it will change the regions for blu rays. there is a super disc for dvds only. I have that and it works great.

Jacob

We're going off on the region-free tangent. Can someone help me decide on a good BD player that's NOT $500? Thanks for any ideas.

try the 2012 panasonic models.

Jacob

I have HD equipment that is pre-HDMI, using component video and 5.1 analog audio connections.

Without the HDMI interface I understand I cannot view CMI/HDCP protected programing above 420p, or possibly at all.

I'd like a good quality, reasonably priced Blu-Ray player with profile 2.0 WIFI streaming capability, DLNA and component 5.1/7.1 audio... I figure I can solve the HDMI-> Component video issue with an HD fury converter.

Any recommendations?

I'd look at 2010 models rather than drop a lot of coin on an HD fury. On those, you'll still get 1080i on BD plus analog audio. They should be really cheap as well. I sold my last 2010 player with all those features for about $40 not long ago.

My concern is about the idea that without the HDMI interface handshake I understand I cannot view HDCP protected programing above 420p, or possibly at all.

I understand not everything is HDCP protected yet, but if the disc is encoded the componenent video outputs are dummied down severely to NTSC or turned off completely.

Any experience with this?

HDCP applies only to HDMI. Component video is controlled by different licensing.

Before 2011 players could produce 1080i over component. You can still find new "pre-sunset" players that were introduced before that deadline. We have a thread on this here.

Player models introduced 2011 and after cannot produce high definition video over component. (Technically, the final output resolution is not restricted, but the image must be reduced to 1/4 it's original resolution first. It could be upscaled thereafter. Most likely vendors will just produce 480i because its easier).

Soon new players will not be allowed to produce video from Blu-ray over component at all.

Your choices:

• Find a pre-sunset player. You can still get newly manufactured and currently supported models.
  
• Try the HDFury gizmo, in which case any HDMI player will work.
  
• Put your component display in the dumpster and buy something with HDMI. This is what the industry wants you to do.
  

Copy protected DVDs may not be upscaled over component at all.

-Bill

Thanks Bill- could you tell me what the name of the thread is for those pre-sunset Blu-Ray players?

See:

2011 model with component outputs and 1080i?

Analog Sunset Begins..

-Bill

No worries, the 93 is an excellent analog player, it does hold its value (check the 83 prices) and you'll get years of enjoyment out of it. Really like your setup, by the way.

I just picked up a 2011 Panny 55 st30 plasma for my bedroom.

Can someone suggest a decent player for mainly Blurays? Are the Panny 2012 units out yet? I think I saw a BDT100 on sale at Sears but not sure if that's 2011 or 2012?

If you con't mind could you tell us what you paid for the st30 55" plasma? Thank you.

The BDT100 is a 2010 model. I wouldn't bother with something that outdated unless it was really, really cheap because it won't be getting any more updates to support the latest titles. The 2012 panasonics are 220, 320, etc. Any player will be fine for bluray.

Come to think of it I think it was a Bdt110 which is 2011 model right? Think it was 80 on sale from 100

Are you telling me I have to buy a new Bluray player every 2 years if I want to watch a current movie?

Never thought of it that way, but I have to say yes, if you want 100% compatibility. Fact is firmware updates are few and far between for older players, and studios are constantly releasing incompatible discs. It's not like the good old days of DVD when we actually had standards so any player would play any disc.

Just look at the firmware history of your own BD60 (LINK). You got a new firmware every few months for "Blu-ray disc playability" for 2 years, then they suddenly stopped. You haven't had an update since 2010 and never will have another. And I don't think that's because every disc in the future will magically be compatible.

I learned this a long time ago. I've actually never kept a player more than 6 months (except my PS3). I'm just grateful I can unload these soon-to-be doorstops on ebay and get most of my money back.

I have a Samsung UN46D6300 TV and a Denon 2112ci receiver. Would appreciate if you guys could suggest a bluray player. I don't think I need a networking bluray player as my TV and receiver have networking capabilities but I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!

I haven't run into a disc playing problem since I first got the unit. I guess until this is clear I will rent a movie before ever buying one. I'm not buying new players every couple years to line the pockets of these pukes. I already buy very few blurays because of all this security crap with HDMI. What a ****ing mess.