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OFFICIAL "HELP ME CHOOSE A PLAYER" THREAD: Can't decide? Start HERE. - Page 487

post #14581 of 15133
1/1/13 at 4:34pm
The only part of the above post I can answer is: Your brother will be able to find the Panny and the Sony for something under $100 in NYC.
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post #14582 of 15133
1/1/13 at 7:11pm

Replace my Samsung BD-D5500 with Oppo BDP-103?

My current Samsung Blu-ray player does not have DTS HD decoding. I figured since many action Blu-ray movies are decoded with DTS HD Master 7.1 I am not getting the full audio experience. My speakers are setup in 7.1 and I"m running a new Onkyo TX-NR818 receiver.

Here's what I don't understand. In order for my receiver to decode in DTS HD master and Dolby True HD I have to set the Samsung Blu-ray player digital output to Bitstream (uncompressed). The receiver does display DTS HD Master on the screen and the audio works just fine. However, since the Blu-Ray player does not decode DTS HD Master does that mean the receiver is just artificially making it work? Or does the Blu-ray decoding features not matter since it is Bitstream and the Onkyo Receiver decodes everything itself?

Also, the Samsung Blu-ray player does do a pretty fine job in picture quality. The reason I'm considering an OPPO 103 is because it decodes all Dolby and DTS audio. Again, if my receiver is doing that for me from the bitstream data then perhaps that's a non issue?

My Onkyo receiver does come with Marvel Qdeo video processor so would it be redundant to purchase the Oppo BD 103 as it uses the same Marvel processor as well?

I'm trying to figure out what's the specific benefits of the Oppo for my needs. I heard the new Oppo 103 is the best on the market but I want to make sure if I purchase this player I will actually be using it's features as it seems my Onkyo receiver can do the same thing.

Thanks for the help!
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post #14583 of 15133
1/1/13 at 7:28pm
Does not matter. You're fine. You do not need a player that decodes. Your Samsung player is sending the audio directly to the receiver and the receiver is handling all of the decoding. Unless you do a lot more than playing movies, buying the Oppo would not be a good use of your money. Yes, I have an Oppo. If you want a newer machine for features like faster loading times and streaming apps like NF, you'd be just as well to get a Sony 390/590 or Panasonic 220.

S~
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post #14584 of 15133
1/1/13 at 8:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom_ca View Post

Hi all.
I'm from Argentina.
My brother is currently in NYC, so I'm thinking about asking him to bring me a budget 3D BD player.
These are the ones I found: Sony BDP-S590, Panasonic DMP-BDT220, Samsung BD-E5900 and LG BP62 (all $149.99 list price)
Besides picture quality, I'm interested that the player plays nice with all kinds of video and audio formats.
Also, I know all of them will be Region A, but what about DVD Regions? (I have lots of region 1 and region 4 discs)
So, what do you think? Which one do you recommend?
Thanks in advance.

PS: Any of those brands offer international warranty?

US players are set to region 1 DVD and are designed to output 60 Hz / 24 Hz video as per the NTSC standard. You should make sure your TV will accept a 60 Hz signal, as I believe Argentina uses PAL / 50 Hz.

Note : the US versions of the Sony and Panasonic players will not play PAL discs, even if they are region free. I would think you would be better off purchasing a player locally unless you are looking for a second player for region 1/A content.
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post #14585 of 15133
1/1/13 at 10:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by teachsac View Post

Does not matter. You're fine. You do not need a player that decodes. Your Samsung player is sending the audio directly to the receiver and the receiver is handling all of the decoding. Unless you do a lot more than playing movies, buying the Oppo would not be a good use of your money. Yes, I have an Oppo. If you want a newer machine for features like faster loading times and streaming apps like NF, you'd be just as well to get a Sony 390/590 or Panasonic 220.
S~

teachsac,

Thank you for the quick reply. I'm assuming I would be better off with a Sony 590 as I don't need the Marvel Qdeo in the player as my receiver comes with it?
Would there be any difference in using the the Marvel Qdeo processor from the Oppo as opposed to the one in my Onkyo? Would the picture quality be the same?

I would like to purchase a new Blu-ray player regardless as my current one does not have built in wifi, 4k upscaling, and does take a long time to load.
If it it not just the Marvel processor that gives the superior picture quality of the Oppo then perhaps I should look into one?

Thanks again!
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post #14586 of 15133
1/2/13 at 7:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoomMan View Post

teachsac,
Thank you for the quick reply. I'm assuming I would be better off with a Sony 590 as I don't need the Marvel Qdeo in the player as my receiver comes with it?
Would there be any difference in using the the Marvel Qdeo processor from the Oppo as opposed to the one in my Onkyo? Would the picture quality be the same?
I would like to purchase a new Blu-ray player regardless as my current one does not have built in wifi, 4k upscaling, and does take a long time to load.
If it it not just the Marvel processor that gives the superior picture quality of the Oppo then perhaps I should look into one?
Thanks again!

Another Oppo owner here. If you only watch blurays, the improvements you get in picture quality may not be worth the increased money.

The other improvements - being able to process signals from your cable box, game box, etc, really good 2d to 3d conversion, broad support of video and audio file formats from the network, very high quality analog audio outputs, SMB drive support and excellent DLNA support - all of these have to be worth it to you to make the step up (I haven't listed the great service, that's taken for granted). They are to me, but if you are just watching blurays, the Sony is a very good bluray player.

I think one thing that tends to be overly simplified is the presence of the latest video processor. The QDeo is a great processor, but it can only be used by well designed firmware. In other words, the software that drives and implements a lot of the functions is what makes the thing sing. I have a QDeo processor in my AVR (Pioneer Elite VSX-33), but I shut if off when my Oppo is running (an old BDP-83), since the PQ from my Oppo is superior to it when it's doing the decoding. I've tried both, the Oppo is better. Nothing against Pioneer, they do a great job, and when I feed a cable signal through, that QDeo is on, but it is an AVR company, and shouldn't be able to compete with a dedicated device like a bluray player.

As to 4K upscaling, that requires a 4K capable screen, until one is available within my means, it doesn't enter my calculations. I will be buying an Oppo 103 soon, and that does that conversion, but if it wasn't there, it wouldn't concern me. I think most players are fairly quick in loading time now.

So - if your needs are just blurays, I'd go with a Sony. If you want to get the best possible universal player (IMO), get the Oppo BDP-103 and keep it for a long time (I've had mine for 3.5 years now, and still very happy), but it is more than just a player - if you don't need that, go with something else.
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post #14587 of 15133
1/2/13 at 7:23am
Just wondering if anyone makes a blu ray that does not do streaming?

I don't need one that does streaming, I do all my streaming through my Xbox 360.

I ripped all my DVD's I owned and put them on my NAS, so i stream from there and watch netflix from the 360 too.

I just want a plain jane blu ray but with good quality.

connected to my yamaha A720 then to my LG 47LH55 (non 3d capable)
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post #14588 of 15133
1/2/13 at 7:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdnjeepin View Post

Just wondering if anyone makes a blu ray that does not do streaming?
I don't need one that does streaming, I do all my streaming through my Xbox 360.
I ripped all my DVD's I owned and put them on my NAS, so i stream from there and watch netflix from the 360 too.
I just want a plain jane blu ray but with good quality.
connected to my yamaha A720 then to my LG 47LH55 (non 3d capable)

I think that's like asking for a car without a glove compartment now. The bluray companies have decided this is a competitive advantage, and many players have it now. You might check for some used 2010 or 2011 models, but now, especially at the prices that some good players are available at, you may just have to bear having some extra features. Try the Sony S590 or Panasonic 220 for under $100.
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post #14589 of 15133
1/2/13 at 10:46am
I've used my PS3 for blu-ray playback and have been very happy with it, but I'm changing from a TV to a CRT projector that does have very many options for tweaking the picture. Basically, what you put into it is what comes out. So I'm looking into the possibility of getting a new blu-ray player. Here are the qualities I'm looking for:

- An extensive ability to modify the picture. In other words, it has adjustments for color saturation and tint, brightness, contrast, etc. I'd like to be able to tweak the picture before it gets to the projector.
- A very good upscaler for DVD playback. From what I've read, the PS3 isn't the best at upscaling, so I'd like something that will do a better job.
- Analog audio outputs that can output HD audio.
- A zoom/crop feature (this isn't a deal-breaker, but it would be very nice to have)

Are there any players out there that have everything I've listed?
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post #14590 of 15133
1/2/13 at 10:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by phillyguy83 View Post

I've used my PS3 for blu-ray playback and have been very happy with it, but I'm changing from a TV to a CRT projector that does have very many options for tweaking the picture. Basically, what you put into it is what comes out. So I'm looking into the possibility of getting a new blu-ray player. Here are the qualities I'm looking for:

- An extensive ability to modify the picture. In other words, it has adjustments for color saturation and tint, brightness, contrast, etc. I'd like to be able to tweak the picture before it gets to the projector.
- A very good upscaler for DVD playback. From what I've read, the PS3 isn't the best at upscaling, so I'd like something that will do a better job.
- Analog audio outputs that can output HD audio.
- A zoom/crop feature (this isn't a deal-breaker, but it would be very nice to have)

Are there any players out there that have everything I've listed?

Price range?

Do you need anamorphic stretch on your projector?

-Bill
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post #14591 of 15133
1/2/13 at 2:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wmcclain View Post

Price range?
Do you need anamorphic stretch on your projector?
-Bill

I've already had the anamorphic mod done on it, so it outputs at 16x9.

As far as price is concerned, right now I'm just trying to figure out what's out there that does what I'm looking to do. So I'm trying to collect a list of all the players that will do what I'm looking for and worry about price later.
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post #14592 of 15133
1/2/13 at 2:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by phillyguy83 View Post


I've already had the anamorphic mod done on it, so it outputs at 16x9.

As far as price is concerned, right now I'm just trying to figure out what's out there that does what I'm looking to do. So I'm trying to collect a list of all the players that will do what I'm looking for and worry about price later.

The OPPO BDP-103 is $499. It has various zoom modes but no cropping (apart from zoom).

-Bill
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post #14593 of 15133
1/2/13 at 2:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by phillyguy83 View Post

I've already had the anamorphic mod done on it, so it outputs at 16x9.
As far as price is concerned, right now I'm just trying to figure out what's out there that does what I'm looking to do. So I'm trying to collect a list of all the players that will do what I'm looking for and worry about price later.
The Panasonic 500 has extensive picture adjustments, very good scaling, and will output lossless audio with the analog outs. Can't speak for zoom/crop.

S~
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post #14594 of 15133
1/2/13 at 3:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by teachsac View Post

The Panasonic 500 has extensive picture adjustments, very good scaling, and will output lossless audio with the analog outs. Can't speak for zoom/crop.
S~

I'm assuming this is the player to which you're referring: link
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post #14595 of 15133
1/2/13 at 7:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hernanu View Post

Another Oppo owner here. If you only watch blurays, the improvements you get in picture quality may not be worth the increased money.
The other improvements - being able to process signals from your cable box, game box, etc, really good 2d to 3d conversion, broad support of video and audio file formats from the network, very high quality analog audio outputs, SMB drive support and excellent DLNA support - all of these have to be worth it to you to make the step up (I haven't listed the great service, that's taken for granted). They are to me, but if you are just watching blurays, the Sony is a very good bluray player.
I think one thing that tends to be overly simplified is the presence of the latest video processor. The QDeo is a great processor, but it can only be used by well designed firmware. In other words, the software that drives and implements a lot of the functions is what makes the thing sing. I have a QDeo processor in my AVR (Pioneer Elite VSX-33), but I shut if off when my Oppo is running (an old BDP-83), since the PQ from my Oppo is superior to it when it's doing the decoding. I've tried both, the Oppo is better. Nothing against Pioneer, they do a great job, and when I feed a cable signal through, that QDeo is on, but it is an AVR company, and shouldn't be able to compete with a dedicated device like a bluray player.
As to 4K upscaling, that requires a 4K capable screen, until one is available within my means, it doesn't enter my calculations. I will be buying an Oppo 103 soon, and that does that conversion, but if it wasn't there, it wouldn't concern me. I think most players are fairly quick in loading time now.
So - if your needs are just blurays, I'd go with a Sony. If you want to get the best possible universal player (IMO), get the Oppo BDP-103 and keep it for a long time (I've had mine for 3.5 years now, and still very happy), but it is more than just a player - if you don't need that, go with something else.

hernanu,

Thanks for that informative response. Makes sense. I heard that the Qdeo processor (and software) in the Onkyo was brilliant in its own. I do notice a better picture from my cable box since it also passes through my Onkyo. I'm not sure if i can shut off the Qdeo processor like you can with your Pioneer AVR. but I would be willing to give the Oppo 103 a shot as everyone keeps speaking great things about it. My Samsung BD-D5500 seems to do a good job right now so I will forget about the Sony and go with an Oppo as my next player.

Happy New year!
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post #14596 of 15133
1/2/13 at 8:03pm
I need some help with picking out a dvd player for me dad. He is looking for one that does streaming built in for both amazon and netflix. It will be going to a VT50. It seems like I see a lot for around $100 then around $250 then the Oppo for $500. I'm kinda lost of picking out dvd players.
Edited by bcarroll01 - 1/2/13 at 8:21pm
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post #14597 of 15133
1/2/13 at 8:45pm
If you get him a Panasonic he will be able to use his VT 50 remote to control the player. If he doesn't use an AVR, but just the TV's speakers, then Viera Link will switch inputs making life simpler for him. The new Panny remotes can't be programmed to control other brands of devices so there is an advantage for going with a Panasonic player.
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post #14598 of 15133
1/2/13 at 8:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by moxie1617 View Post

If you get him a Panasonic he will be able to use his VT 50 remote to control the player. If he doesn't use an AVR, but just the TV's speakers, then Viera Link will switch inputs making life simpler for him. The new Panny remotes can't be programmed to control other brands of devices so there is an advantage for going with a Panasonic player.
I should have mentioned he is using a harmony one remote and his av receiver doesnt have any hdmi inputs.
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post #14599 of 15133
1/2/13 at 9:27pm
nevermind
Edited by watcher6 - 1/2/13 at 10:28pm
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post #14600 of 15133
1/3/13 at 6:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by phillyguy83 View Post

I'm assuming this is the player to which you're referring: link
Yes.

S~
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post #14601 of 15133
1/3/13 at 6:57am
I'm actually in a similar boat, looking to replace an XBOX360 for streaming. Might as well get a BD player while I'm at it. I have an older receiver (Denon AVR1707) that doesn't do HDMI switching, so video will be going directly to an (older) Samsung DLP and audio to the Denon via coax or OPT in. My requirements in rough order of importance are:

- Streaming support for Netflix and Amazon (we may also get VUDU in the near future)
- Native support for MKV/AVI decoding
- BD quality

Things like load time don't bother me, but build quality and WiFi signal reliability do (the xbox has been fine in this respect). When the lamp finally blows on the Sammy we will probably get a 3D compatible set, so it would make sense to do that with the player now. We have a Harmony One that will be used to control the new device. I would love to spend under $200 if possible.
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post #14602 of 15133
1/3/13 at 7:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TedE View Post

I'm actually in a similar boat, looking to replace an XBOX360 for streaming. Might as well get a BD player while I'm at it. I have an older receiver (Denon AVR1707) that doesn't do HDMI switching, so video will be going directly to an (older) Samsung DLP and audio to the Denon via coax or OPT in. My requirements in rough order of importance are:
- Streaming support for Netflix and Amazon (we may also get VUDU in the near future)
- Native support for MKV/AVI decoding
- BD quality
Things like load time don't bother me, but build quality and WiFi signal reliability do (the xbox has been fine in this respect). When the lamp finally blows on the Sammy we will probably get a 3D compatible set, so it would make sense to do that with the player now. We have a Harmony One that will be used to control the new device. I would love to spend under $200 if possible.
US Panny won't do AVI at all. Sony will if you can change the headers to make them appear to be Xvid. LG and Samsung are probably your best options if you can't drop the native AVI requirement.
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post #14603 of 15133
1/3/13 at 8:18am
hi guys.

looking for a bluray player around 100 dollar that i connect my external harddisk to, for playback of MPEG2-HD streams. recorded either by camera or broadcasted from tv.

now i need to walk downstairs the whole time to check if it works. just like to add 1 cheap player upstairs to see if what i recorded works.

i have my eyes on the Samsung BD-E5300. it states it can play mpeg-2 but not mpeg-2 HD.

so if it is not possible with the samsung, any other cheap player will do.

thanks in advance.
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post #14604 of 15133
1/3/13 at 8:24am
The Samsungs don't do Amazon VOD to my knowledge, so they're out. I had looked at LG, but I'm worried about reliability. I was hoping there was something I'd overlooked. It may be time to just go the HTPC route which I've been thinking about anyway, but was hoping to keep the costs down and honestly wanted something a little more plug-and-play. Thanks for the input.
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post #14605 of 15133
1/3/13 at 8:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TedE View Post

The Samsungs don't do Amazon VOD to my knowledge, so they're out. I had looked at LG, but I'm worried about reliability. I was hoping there was something I'd overlooked. It may be time to just go the HTPC route which I've been thinking about anyway, but was hoping to keep the costs down and honestly wanted something a little more plug-and-play. Thanks for the input.
FWIW, changing the headers on my AVI's got most of them working on my sony. I forgot the name, but there is a freeware tool that will change all your files in one shot, so it's very easy. Some have reported their AVI's working on Sony without modification, but that wasn't the case for me, so YMMV. Sony does everything else very well and is less than $100. I have an HTPC as well but only use it as my cable tv DVR, web browser and for a few hard-to-get things like BBC via TOR. Also saves me a ton on my cable bill.

Good luck
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post #14606 of 15133
1/3/13 at 2:12pm

Help me choose a budget 3D Blue ray player!

Hello there people! Since I'm new to the world of 3D Blueray and a proud owner of a sony bravia kdl hx850 46'' i would like your opinion on what 3D blue ray player to buy. Interested in the best video quality that I can get for the money. Internet features and connectivity is not something that matters to me. I have in mind the following:
1. Sony bdp-s490
2. Samsung bde 6100
3. panasonic bdt 120

Any other proposal in the same money, accepted! Cant go beyond that price range... Which one of those has the best processor? Thank you very much in advance!
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post #14607 of 15133
1/3/13 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hatalos View Post

Hello there people! Since I'm new to the world of 3D Blueray and a proud owner of a sony bravia kdl hx850 46'' i would like your opinion on what 3D blue ray player to buy. Interested in the best video quality that I can get for the money. Internet features and connectivity is not something that matters to me. I have in mind the following:
1. Sony bdp-s490
2. Samsung bde 6100
3. panasonic bdt 120
Any other proposal in the same money, accepted! Cant go beyond that price range... Which one of those has the best processor? Thank you very much in advance!
My preferences would be to go with Panasonic or Sony. I personally prefer the Panasonic for straight Blu-ray and DVD. I also prefer the Panasonic for 3D and 2D->3D conversion. Panasonic also has slightly faster load times. Now if you were interested in streaming, then I would go with the Sony. No matter which of the two you go with, you should be happy. I would scratch Samsung off the list. Worst players I've ever owned.

S~

PS The Pansonic model would be 220. There is no 120. Sony would be a 590.
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post #14608 of 15133
1/3/13 at 7:42pm

Looking for streaming Blu ray that can use Plex...

So I decided to get a new Blu ray player for the living room and move the roku and older Blu ray to the bedroom. Are there any Blu ray players on the market that stream from the Plex client? Or will stream from my HTPC? I have various video files in MKV of HD content and would like one that does what the Plex client does, i.e. converts on the fly and uses thumbnails for the files. One of my friends bought an LG player that had Netflix and some Nero server software but it didn't stream some of his files and there were no thumbnails of the media. So I a basically looking for a player that will stream and has a nice interface. Or is that too much to ask for? Any suggstions would be appreciated. I'm looking to spoend no mmore than 100 or so. Thanks.
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post #14609 of 15133
1/3/13 at 8:17pm
No mistake in those model numbers. OP must be in or near the UK. In any case, I agree the panasonic seems like the best option due to speed and picture quality, especially since streaming isn't a concern.
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post #14610 of 15133
1/4/13 at 3:49am
Thanks very much for the reply! There are actually 490 and bdt120 models in my country. The question is if they share the same processors with their elder brothers. Most people i asked said yes. So my last dilemma is if bdt120 and 220 share the same processor and have the same features pq-wise.
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