OFFICIAL "HELP ME CHOOSE A PLAYER" THREAD: Can't decide? Start HERE. - Page 53

cpcat,
I guess I didn't understand the six channel analog input part. I have front (L&R), center, surround back/muliti zone (L&R), surround A (L&R) and B (L&R), subwoofer.
Thanks.

It sounds like you have 7.1 analog inputs. You could use a player with either 5.1 or 7.1 analog outs to take advantage of the advanced audio but with the caveats regarding BM as noted in my previous reply. This means the Denon 3800 (expensive!), Panny BD50, Pio 51, upcoming Sony s550 would be candidates. You'll also get HDMI bitstreaming/multi PCM capability in all of these players for when/if you do upgrade your AVR. Be prepared to deal with longer load times and more sluggish responsiveness even in this current crop of standalone players (compared to what you're used to with DVD).

The other option is to upgrade to an HDMI 1.3 AVR now and go with the PS3, then eventually get a standalone after they've matured further in their functionality.

cpcat,
Thanks for the clarification and recommendations. I knew I came to the right place and appreciate your help.
Tim

I have this same combination going and it's been working great.

hey guys
I jsut bought a Samsung 46A650 and a Ps3. I also have a 2.0 music system with Cambridge A. Azur 640 int. amp. I want the 1080p video but I want the audio from my speakers. I am a beginner in this and I am not sure how; so I thought I would ask you guys. Thanks for the help.

Your receiver needs HDMI inputs and one HDMI output to your TV. Your PS3 would then plug into your receiver and the receiver to the TV. Then, sound would come out of your sound system.

Connect the PS3's HDMI output to the TV for video. For 2.0 audio, you can connect analog stereo RCA cables directly to a line input of the amp. Select the highest quality soundtrack option on whatever disc you're playing, and you'll hear a stereo downmix through your amp and speakers.

Read the online PS3 manual for details on how to configure your PS3 for this.

http://manuals.playstation.net/docum...ent/index.html

Does anybody know of a player that will output 1080i over component while also outputting 1080p over HDMI? I know several of the players will do 1080i at the same time over both, or 1080p via HDMI and 480i over component.

Hey Guys,

I am currently in the market for a Blu-Ray player. I have no idea what would work well with my system. This is what I currently have.

HK AVR240 Receiver
Toshiba Regza 52XV540U

With that receiver, if you want to hear the advanced audio from BD you'll have to use the multichannel audio ins, meaning you need a player with multichannel analog audio outputs. I'm not sure if that receiver cvan apply any processing or bass management to the analog MCH inputs; if not you'll need to make sure the player you select has good bass management and speaker setup features.

Without HDMI, your receiver has no other options for HD audio.

There are a couple of extensive threads on the topic of players with MCH analog outs.

If you forgo the HD audio, you can still achieve very satisfying sound using an optical connection from the player to the receiver; you'll hear the "core" DTS or DD 5.1/7/1 audio which your receiver can decode. Any player will provide this functionality.

Your TV will work fine with any BD player.

Personally, I suggest that you don't worry about advanced audio right now, and don't worry about analog outs. IMO that's a legacy feature that will be obsoleted by any receiver upgrade, and receiver upgrades usually arrive soon after BD players, HD DVRs, and other digital video sources start showing up.

So get a PS3 or one of the new Sony models, hook up optical audio to your HK for now, connect the HDMI to your TV, and enjoy the awesomeness.

If you aren't planning on upgrading your audio system, then yes, the 30K should be just fine. I think the big thing you'll lose is the "Online features" of Blu-Ray disks, but I can't say I find those very useful anyway.

Hello people on this great forum, wich blu-ray player will fit my needs i am looking for a blu-ray player with a great image from COMPONENT output because my projector is VPL-VW12HT it has no HDMI input so guys any help would be great

Hi Guys,

I need help as well with purchasing a BD Player. I am finally crossing over from HD DVD. I'm stuck between the BD30, PS3, or BD50. I'm looking for as many bells and whistles as my current system can handle within a reasonable price.

I currently have a Panasonic 58in 1080p Plasma - TH58PZ700U
My receiver is a Denon AVR-2808CI
I also have a Toshiba A35 HD DVD Player, that has pretty good SD upconversion.
All of the above have HDMI 1.3

Thanks

If it's bells and whistles you want, then you can't beat the PS3. That's as long as you're okay with internal decoding of HD audio. If you're hellbent on bitstreaming, then you'll want to look elsewhere. If you want a standalone, both the BD30 and BD50 look good, depending on what your budget can handle.

The PS3 is (still) the only BD player if you ask me until the standalones mature a little more.

If your current avr/processor lacks at least HDMI multichannel capabilty and neither can it redigitize its multichannel analog inputs for proper bass management, you need to upgrade your avr/processor.

The only reason to get a standalone at this point is if you need analogs because your current avr/processor can redigitize BUT doesn't do at least multi channel PCM over HDMI.

I sound like a broken record.

Considering you are coming from the HD-DVD camp I would highly recommend the LG BH-200 as it will play both HD-DVD and BluRay as well as bitstream the HD codecs to an advanced AV receiver - both things the PS3 cannot do.

It has the hardware to be 2.0 compliant and LG has stated that there will be a firmware release to make it so. They have been very responsive to consumers requests/complaints and have issued several updates this year, one just a few weeks ago! The QDEO upscaling of SD movies is top notch.

It sells for just a few bucks more than the PS3, fits in your AV rack much better and can be controlled by a Harmony remote. Of course it can't play games so if that's important to you just forget everything I just said

Okay my old relic DVD player (Pioneer 414) is dying a slow death, now won't even play Ratatouille and my 3yo is all bent out of shape about itlol I've been putting off getting a new player until the war was over. Currently my TV is the WS-55711 Mitsubishi so I only have component connections at this point and no up converting until I change out the TV to a model w/ HDMI. I do plan on upgrading my TV but that won't happen for a bit and the fact my DVD is failing is the most vital component to replace. Alternatively, should I just go get a cheap progressive scan model? I do have access to reduced cost players but Denon but haven't found if their Blurays are up to snuff so to speak.

Other models I'm looking at:
Pioneer BDP-51FD
Panasonic DMP-BD50

Other models I should look at for $500 or less? I assume the prices will keep coming down as all manufactures are now producing them.

You didn't outline what, if any, AVR you've got. If that does HDMI then you're good there, otherwise that's one more item on your list for upgrading.

To be honest, if you're not chomping at the bit for Blu Ray and don't have a deep pocket, I'd go spend a few $$$ on a decent upconverting DVD player and wait for the TV to die before looking at this again. BD players may be a bit more reasonable and disc prices may be a bit more realistic then.

Just my 2p's worth.

Seggers

Hey guys,

What i have:
Pio PDP-5010FD plasma
Pio VSX-92THX receiver
I got a PS3 already but i want a standalone player so

1. My wife can use that to watch SD DVD & Blu-ray
2. Be able to control with Harmony One remote
3. Supports bitstream output of all advanced audio formats.
Want to see Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD light up on my receiver
My 2 choices are the Sony BDP-S350 and Pioneer BDP-51FD.
Im open for any other options.

Thanks.

I’ve got a non HDMI AVR the Denon AVR 3300. Why upgrade that when I would just connect the HDMI from the DVD player directly to the TV set, unless I’m missing something that would improve by doing so?

TV isn’t going to die anytime soon.

at that price point my personal opinion would be to get a PS3.


otherwise ~$100 should get a decent upconverting player. check out the Best Buy website.

+1

Buying the player is always a good investment, you will have to upgrade sometime. PS3 is a decent upscaling player.

Not having an HDMI imput, there will be no upscaling. With the PS3, he will not be able to take advantage of advanced audio codecs either. Of those choices I would go with the BD50. You will be able to output either 480i or 480p over component for SD DVD. I believe the the 711 acually deinterlaces superbly. It's been a while. You will also get a nice improvement with BDs over SDDVD as the horizontal resolution is 1200. The BD50 will also let you take advantage of Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master using the analog 5.1 connections on the Denon 3300. Should you upgraade later on you'll be set. Until then you will be able to take full advantage of your setup.

S~

I bought the LG BH200 and I just love it as it handles everything I put into it and my wife doesn't have to worry about anything technical. Great Player In My Opinion!!!

Is DVD playback important? If so, the 51fd will provide 480i via HDMI to your Kuro. The s350 will not. If we're talking BD only, then it really comes down to loading times since you'll be bitstreaming. The 51fd SHOULD be faster, but also more $$.

Panny BD50 is a popular and solid choice.

-Splints

I rented the Good Luck Chuck anamorphic dvd, and it sure looked like HD to me in my upconverting dvd player. Are any american anamorphic dvds 720x576?

I'm just starting to shop for a BluRay player and so far what I've read isn't looking very promising. I simply want to play my music CD's, my current DVD movies, and BluRay movies for better picture quality in the future.

I've been reading reports or really long boot times and long delays before the movie starts. Up to 2 minutes? Are you kidding me?

And what's all this stuff about Java and internet connections? Jeez, I just want to watch a movie. DVD previews and menu's are bad enough, now they've added even more complexity to the discs?

Is it too much to ask to pop in a disk and watch my movie by the time I get back to the couch?

I have a new Pioneer 1018 receiver on order, so I need a Bluray player with HDMI output (maybe they all do?).

Is there any player under $400 that loads QUICKLY, can play my old DVD's and music CD's, and is black to match the rest of my audio/video components?

Thanks,

Anthony

Most BD players can load and play a movie in less than a minute. If I'm going to sit and watch a 2 hour movie, 1 additional minute isn't going to kill me. The PS3 will do all you ask for, if you have a minute to spare that is....

No. NTSC DVD is maximum 720x480; I also see 704x480 now and then, usually on 4:3 letterboxed titles.

-Bill