OFFICIAL "HELP ME CHOOSE A PLAYER" THREAD: Can't decide? Start HERE. - Page 494

Didn't rank the Oppo third. Just said it wasn't my all-around favorite. It is my main player for my HT setup. Each player I have has its own pros and cons. Oppo has great PQ/AQ, universal disc playback, and is the best DLNA streamer. Sony is my favorite app streamer outside of my ROKU (NF, Amazon Prime, etc). Panasonic BD playback and scaling is excellent, has fast start-up times, etc. It just depends on what features you need in a player. Depending on how much streaming you do, the Panasonic 500 is another option.

S~

Hi all,

My main priority is 3D playback and easy playback via USB for a wide assortment of video (most notably AVCHD, MP4, MKV, DIVX/XVID) and audio (X264 is an absolute must). I have a late 2010 LG 3D player that never seemed to play certain Audio and I don't want to come across this issue again.....Upconverting is an asset.

Add WIFI/DLNA as a must and my options are probably slim.


It appears LG and Samsung are getting a terrible rep (I'm seeing good prices on Samsung BDE5900 and 6500 and LG BP620)......what am I left with for $200 or less???



help is greatly appreciated

The Sony players are your best option for DLNA in this price range. The BDP-S590 is a good budget 3D player, or you could wait for the BDP-S5100, it's sucessor, coming out any time now. If you want heavy duty upscaling, you could upgrade to the BDP-S790.

The US Sony players do not support DIVX, but they do support XVID. I never use DIVX files myself, but my understanding is that they're easy to convert with a FourCC changer. Download a manual for a complete list of the supported file containers and codecs. They do not support everything, but they do offer the most common formats other than DIVX and most importantly, they're reliable, well tested players. I'm a former LG BDP user myself and in my case, losing support for a few file formats was more than worth the peace of mind I got from moving to Sony. In particular, the DLNA implementation is much more reliable and full featured than either of the LG players I owned (BD-570 and BD-670)

Any thoughts?

Panasonic DMP-BDT-220 or Sony BDP-S590 are both well regarded and fit that price range. Panasonic is regarded to have a slight edge in upscaling whereas Sony has better DLNA and streaming app options.

Note that both players are about to be discontinued. Successors are DMP-BDT-230 and BDP-S5110, but much less information is available for the new players at this time.

I have the Sony S590 and the S770. Both are fine players and have wi-fi. Typically, when Sony brings out new models, one can find the existing ones at discount. I paid $99 for the S590, and I consider this a bargain for its performance. Both are nearly omni-players, handling CD, SACD , CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and Blu-Ray, among others.

I may have paid close to $300 for the S770, which is now replaced by S780 and S790, I believe.

I was in the same boat, I asked on here but got zero responses so decided to just research and research.
I have no need for 3D, streaming, wifi or any of that other foof and I have well over 400 DVD's but have started buying 5.00 BR movies.
With that came the need for a player that is as basic as I could find with a good reputation.
I settled in on a Panasonic DMP-BD871 from Wal Mart @ 88.00.
So far, so good!

Panasonic DMP BDT200 for 89

Sony 590 for 95

I bought the Sony for my daughter for her first apartment, she loves it. She doesn't get cable (doesn't want it), just internet access but loves movies so streaming and good DVD and bluray play is important for her.

Thanks to all who responded. There is no negative to connecting a 3D BD player to a 2D HD TV, correct? I know that he would be future-proofing but I want to make sure that he doesn't suffer any in the interim. I can't see him ever getting a 3D TV.

No, there is no negative. 3D players will play 2D discs (both BluRay and SD DVD) just fine.

OK, here's a question for you experts. Are there any bluray players that will play a .mov file generated by my canon dslr? I am too lazy to do the mp4 conversion. Thanks in advance for the advice...

I didn't try, but Oppo will be most likely option. Download user manual from their web site an look there.

MOV is supported on the OPPO, but the A/V codecs in the container must also be supported. In the case of cameras we've seen instances where they aren't.

There is a free utility called "mediainfo". Run that on one of your files and post the result to the owner's threads for any player you are looking at and ask it the container and contents are supported.

-Bill

I believe most Canon cameras use MOV files with H264 video. The Oppo Wiki seems to suggest that this format is not supported.

http://wiki.oppodigital.com/index.php?title=BDP-93_Media_Files_FAQ#What_kind_of_user_created_media_is_supported.3F

Hi, just wondered if someone could recommend a player, but here's the wish list -

-- Ideally will play MKVs via Network
-- Doesn't need Wi-Fi
-- Most reliability at this present time with no glitchyness in terms of it operating(I've coming off an LG BD670 as it's pretty shite
-- Able to send PCM Multi-CHannel through to the amp - biggie
-- Reasonably decent BBC I player and Youtube
-- 3d not needed nor wanted since I have strabismus and the effect doesn't work
-- Reasonable dvd upscaling


Ideally I wouldn't like to go above £120 but any suggestions would be welcomed (just not LG)

Thanks in advance

Hmm I've noticed quite a few people suggesting the Panasonic 220 or Sony S590 but those seem to get so-so reviews on other sites (e.g Cnet)
Edited by Treguard - 2/21/13 at 12:57pm

I just bought and prepped a VT50 thanks to a great sale price and have used D-Nice's custom settings and the set looks amazing! I can only wonder how much better it is going to look after several hundred more hours and a professional calibration. My wife and I were noticing colors that had never really stood out to us previously during our viewing last night. What a beautiful TV.

We plan on buying an all-new receiver and speakers (7.1) in the upcoming months to help complete our A/V system. Now I'm absolutely torn about which DVD player to get to pair with this TV.

Obviously I need a player that supports 3D. I'm really interested in quality of picture and responsiveness as well.

I can't think why I would use Hulu/Netflix/Amazon Instant Video/etc. capabilities on a DVD player when they're already on the TV itself though. I can only think the quality would be worse, correct? Unless of course the DVD player enhances the product from Hulu/Netflix/Amazon Instant Video/etc. and then sends on the enhanced picture to the TV. Perhaps someone can clarify that for me.

Someone mentioned in the Oppo 103 owner's thread that if you're just worried about picture quality, don't bother spending the extra money on the Oppo and just get something along the lines of the Panasonic 230. I also saw something about "lip-syncing" issues in the thread.

While I don't have a problem dropping $500 on a DVD player, I am not sure if the benefits of this player are worth it (is the speed THAT much better for instance).

I've tried searching and reading numerous posts, but I think in doing so, I have only confused myself further at the moment. I basically want a great quality DVD player that properly pairs with my current TV and will go well with a decent audio setup as well. I don't want to make the error of getting something and then realizing I can't utilize something because I bought a subpar component somewhere along the line.

My wife and I have spent far too many years watching a crappy TV with numerous problems and this is our first "good" setup and we want to do it right. Thanks in advance for any and all help and advice!

Best regards,
Einskaldir

Well, that's not necessarily true. The Oppo 103 does apply some enhancement to the data stream on its HDMI1 output (there are two) to enhance the PQ of streamed video. Depending on the TV and on the player, you may get much better performance. The Oppo has the QDEO processor as its HDMI1 processor, the Mediatek, which is no slouch for its HDMI2 output. People can choose according to their taste which is better for them.

Lip syncing issues do exist with some folks, some are tied to specific inputs from the HDMI inputs that are unique to Oppo. You can hook up the output of your cable box to one of the Oppo HDMI inputs, for example and use the Oppo to upscale a TV signal from SD, 720p to 1080i --> 1080p. Some people have found this to be a great feature.

There hasn't been, IMO lip sync issues with bluray. Bluray performance is equivalent or at least near enough among the different manufacturers not to matter to many. The larger or better your display is, the more likely it benefits from the Oppo's processing. The real difference comes with DVD upscaling, streaming video from your network, audio performance, audio disk formats, features and the incredible service from Oppo.

Oppo is known for fixing any issues that come up and updating the firmware seamlessly. I've had my Oppo BDP-83 for four years now, and not a single issue with it. It plays reliably, every single disk I've thrown at it. I expect to have it for a while. Oppo still provides firmware updates for it despite it having been eclipsed twice in the evolutionary chain.

You need to gauge whether those are worth the extra for you.

My advice is if you want the best, get it. If you don't like it, return it within the 30 day return window.

Thanks hernanu for taking the time to reply. I wasn't aware of some of the benefits of the Oppo you mentioned. One that is possibly overlooked is the commitment to providing prompt firmware updates for a long period of time. I've experienced this with routers in the past and some companies are certainly better than others about supporting their products well after they no longer sell them.

I didn't know about the trick of upscaling the TV signal to 1080p. That makes me wonder if I'd be able to do that with my HD cable DVR... I also read that Amazon's Instant Video app specifically for the VT50 (Panasonic) does not yet include 5.1/Dolby Digital audio so I suppose that would be one benefit of using the same app on the Oppo instead.

Thanks again for the advice and if you have any more advice as to what else it might offer over the cheaper DVD players that may not be readily apparent, I'll be "listening".

No Amazon app on the OPPO. It does support the Roku Streaming Stick which has Amazon and others.

-Bill

Hello guys,

I'm in my next endeavor: Blu Ray Player hunting!

I narrowed down my selection to two items: the Sony S590 / BX59 and the Panasonic BDT BDP-220. I've heard good thing from both units but I need some advice for the final decision.

My main criteria are: 2d Picture Quality/Sound, Reliability and Load Times. As for media, I go to Youtube sometimes and considering Netflix. I don't stream much media from my PC, but I'd like to show family vids and pics if I wish, although I do this from my TV, as well. I like the remote controller Android App from the Panny, it gives you th qwerty keyboard. I'm almost sure i red the sony has it too. Also, I still have a few DVDs from my kids, but main content are Blu Rays discs.


Picture and Audio is from a Sammy un46c6400. I'll upgrade my audio maybe in December.

I can get the Panny for $15 dollars less than the Sony. Don't know if it's a deal breaker.

Thanks for all the advice!
Edited by chico_pr - 2/25/13 at 11:10am

We've compared these two players extensively. You won't go wrong with either based on your criteria. I find the slightly Panasonic faster loading, better at scaling DVDs, and better at 3D and 3D conversion. I find the Sony to be a better streamer for both apps and DLNA.

S~

I had the Sony and liked it alot. Since everyone likes the Panny 220 also, I took the Sony back and tried it. I must have had a bad Panny or possibly a bad blu ray disc because to me the Panny loads slower the Sony. I will be going back to BB to exchange the Panny 220 for the Sony 590 I had originally. For anyone who wants the Panny 220, if you take a copy of the Panny on Amazon for $89 with free shipping to the store, BB new policy will match the price. The sony is on sale for $99 right now also. Just my .02 cents

Thanks!

Many thanks! I've decided in favor to the Sony.

Personally, I would wait since the new Sonys just came out and the new Pannys are coming out the end of this month. Both brands add web browsers, and likely will be even faster.

Just wanted some input. I had the Pioneer bdp-51 and just bought the OPPO-103 about 2 weeks ago. I was buying it to take advantage of the hdmi input. I connected my directv hr23-700 to the input and started having the sync issues that have been thoroughly discussed in the OPPO thread. I wasn't that impressed with the video conversion either. I have a pioneer SC-05 receiver going to an ISF calibrated Pioneer pro-151 plasma. (calibrated by Jeff M from accucal which is awesome!) I was also considering the new Pioneer elite bluray player which is the 62 model I think. Anyone had experience about the Pioneer compared to the OPPO and if you would recommend keeping the OPPO or sending it back and getting the Pioneer? I haven't seen very much discussion about this particular player. The bdp-51 I had was great but just wanted a newer one with faster loading and the streaming capabilities as well as an awesome player to go with my plasma. The OPPO does seem to do a better job with audio than the bdp-51 did. I've got (4) Klipsch RF-82's and the RF-62 center with (2) Mb Quart QLS-830's as back for my 7.1 setup with (2) Rythmik f12SE" subs and a Klipsch RSW-10D sub just for the sake of the full lay out. And the audio was calibrated by Jeff M. also.
Thanks for any recommendations.

Thanks, although I already purchased the s590 for $84....

Thanks for the post. Even though our Sony is only 2 or 3 years old and works perfectly in playing discs and Netflix and Pandora - I would pay $100 to browse the web and display anything we can "see" and "play" on a computer by browsing. I assume that's what you mean by browsing.


...mike

Don't know if this is the right place to ask:
Is there any 3rd party keyboard that can "talk" to a Panny or Sony deck the way the remote does? It is a pain to type in letters on the remote when doing searches on Netflix, yotube, etc. I would like a full qwerty keyboard that can talk to the player.

I was curious about this too, so I plugged my Logitech K400 into my Sony 390 and it worked great. iPhone remote app works too.

If you want to browse the Web on your TV, get an HTPC or a plug a laptop into your TV. Sony has browsers on their current Blu-ray players, but they are very basic, less capable than a smart phone, no Flash Player, etc. and very difficult to navigate with a remote. I would expect the same with other players coming out.

Sony at one point made a Google TV + Blu-ray player with a more capable browser, but that device has been discontinued.