OFFICIAL "HELP ME CHOOSE A PLAYER" THREAD: Can't decide? Start HERE. - Page 101

Any thoughts about a BD player if one wants to use it as their CD player as well. Im thinking of using the Denon 2500 to match my AVR 5308, but i would just as well use the Pan BD35, if there isnt much difference. Looks like the Denon transport is a better unit for CD audio, but I wondered if any one else had an opinion.

I think I'm down to choosing between the Panny BD55 vs. Sony BDP-S550 vs. PS3

I have a 5.1 setup, with 720p Sharp dt-510 front projection setup in theater room. So will not be doing full 1080p yet

I would like to be able to upconvert my old dvd's, play Divx and have ability for Networking(BD-Live or Netflix?), all in one unit? Not that much of a gamer, but if PS3 is a good option I would go for it to be able to play games occasionally in my Theater

What is my best bet of these 3 plus any other suggestions? Thanks for any help, much needed.

Sorry in advance for the newbie-ish post

I am looking at buying my first BD player and have chosen three players in three price ranges based on info gather from this forum: the Panasonic BD35K (~$230), Panasonic BD55K (~$330), and the Pioneer 51FD (~$420).

Here is my setup:
Kuro 5010 plasma (it is awesome IMO) - speakers not attached
Kef 104/2 speakers (2 speakers only - no 5.1 or 7.1)
Denon DVD2800 DVD player
Comcast HD DVR
Panasonic SA XR57 Receiver

Connections:
Comcast video to Kuro via HDMI (video only due to lack of speakers on Kuro
Comcast audio to XR57 via optical
Denon DVD to Kuro via component cables (no HDMI on Denon)
Denon DVD audio to XR57 via coaxial

The HD video with the Comcast and Kuro is truly awesome. Audio is fine also. DVD's are not as crisp as the HD channels, but very good.

Questions:
(1) I read some posts saying the two Panny BD players (35 and 55) are not as good at playing DVD's (as decidated DVD players). Is this true with all BD players? Would the more expense 51FD play DVD's better? Even if it does, should I get the cheaper BD and continue to use Denon 2800 for DVD's?
(2) If you recommend the less expensive BD35K, should I connect it directly to the Kuro via HDMI, then use a coaxial or optical output for the audio (remember, I am only using a 2 speaker set up)?
(3) If I get a new receiver (possibly the Integra 5.9), would you recommend one of the more expensive BD players to get better audio? If so, should I use HDMI for both audio and video, or HDMI for video and coaxial or optical for audio? I've been doing a little reading about DTS-HD audio but don't really understand it.

Again, sorry in advance for all of the questions.

Called Onkyo today about my TX-SR803 A/V receiver and asked about whether or not it would do "tru" 7.1 true-hd and master audio codecs and the product support specialist said that it doesn't matter if the decoders were in the Blu-ray player or not because once the signal gets to the receiver it is only going to decode whatever decoders the receiver came with originally, and he said it doesn't matter if you use HDMI or ANALOG 7.1.

This does not make since to me because i was told that I would get "tru" 7.1 with true hd or Master Audio if I got those decoders built into the blu-ray player and would use either HDMI or 7.1 analog the way my receiver was set up. I am really confused because some say one thing then Onkyo says another.

Please Help because If I need 7.1 analog it matters which Blu-Ray player i need to purchase, the Panny 55 or the Sony 550 or can I save money and get the Panny35 or Sony 350. I just want the real answer to get true 7.1 so I can futue-proof myself and enjoy discrete 7.1 movies even there are not too many on the market but hopefully there will be in the future.

You got bad info from Onkyo CS. Surprise. If your AVR processes audio over HDMI, then you don't need analog outs, and the BD35 will be fine. The S350 does not decode dts-MA, though, so you'd be limited to the lossy DTS core with that player. The player will do the decoding and send the resulting PCM to your receiver. The one thing you need to check is whether your Onkyo supports 7.1 over HDMI. Some receivers only do 5.1.

BIslander on page 36 of the manual it state that the "supported audio format" are:

2 channel linear PCM (32-192Khz, 16/20/24 bit)

mutltichannel linear PCM (5.1 ch, 32-96 khz, 16/20/24 bit)

Bitstream (Dolby Digital, DTS)

There is other info on this page if you happen to look at to help me......so am I good for 7.1 or not? Thank you thank you thank you

While the manual says 5.1 PCM, not 7.1, others with lesser Onkyo AVRs than yours have reported getting 7.1 PCM over HDMI just fine. I'd go over to the Amps & Receivers foum and post a inquiry in the 803 owner's thread.

Thanks again for your help

Saw a massively discounted Sony 2000ES today. Gorgeous player - obvious quality. Discounts mean it is now competitively priced with the Panny DMP55 and Pioneer BDP-51. The Sony 550 is actually cheaper. Money not really a concern; just looking for the best player in this general price range.

I'm not someone who is going to connect my player to the Internet. I never watch "bonus material" on DVDs and don't care about any of the additional features of BD-Live. Profile 2.0 therefore should not matter. I simply want the best picture and sound for the movies or concerts I'm watching. I understand the knock on the Sony 2000ES is that it does not decode DTS-MA onboard, whereas its 550 sibling does. I also understand that the Pioneer also does not decode this format onboard. Every review I've read of the Panasonic DMP55 has been spectacular, but What Hi Fi? says that the Pioneer outperforms it slightly. The Sony 2000ES is regularly 3 times the price of these other players, so I'm interested, even if it is an older unit.

Best picture and sound is the most important. With an emphasis on sound. My receiver does not decode HD codecs, but is a higher-end HDMI equipped Marantz. Do I really need DTS-MA capability? Is the Sony 2000ES really worth 3 times more than the others? Probably leaning toward the Panasonic otherwise. Would I be making a tremendous error in buying a last-generation Blu-Ray player if I don't care about interactive features at all?

Thanks.

What's the best BD player to plug into a new 52" 1080p LCD TV (no reciever) ? Would like it to upscale DVD too. I don't need interactive anything... in fact, the less I have to interact with the better. I just need something that plays movies and takes advantage of the higher resolution of the TV.

Are there any blu-ray players that I would be able to stream movies to from my computer or from an NAS? Or does anyone know if it is possible with the Panasonic dmp-bd35k?

OK I have been considering purchasing a blue ray player - amazing eh .
Anyway I have been thinking that streaming netflix would be a nice feature. I see the Samsungs and an LG player stream netflix are there anymore?

I really want a good Blue Player / DVD up converter transport. I have a Panasonic 50" 1080p plasma and have been using a Denon 2900 dvd player. I am going to purchase a new receiver or pre/pro so analog out is not important to me. Although analog out might would be nice at least to I pick a receiver.

I would be willing to purchase a separate netflix streaming device if it means I get better video/audio quality in a blue ray player/

I was considering Panasonic but I have been doing some reading and it seems like maybe sony offers better DVD up convert.

What player plays the most movies without trouble?

Thanks
Blaine

Hi Everyone,

I need to pick up a blu-ray player ASAP and it seems the Panasonic DMP BD 30 or 35 would be the best options. I have 2 questions though:

1)Do either of them do any scaling to DVDs other than upconvert them to 480P? I DO NOT want the player doing any upconverting of DVDs to 1080P as my Onkyo 906 will do a better job. I want the the player to output DVDs at 480P and thats it. If they do upconvert DVDs to 1080P, can I disable that? I see words on the website such as "noise reduction" and that scares me - I just want it to send 1080P off of a blu-ray totally unmolested to my receiver, and I want it to send DVDs out at 480P only.

2) What are the differences between the DMP 30 and 35? I know the 35 is newer but thats about it. If the answer is in this thread, I simply do not have the time to read over 100 pages of replies haha.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

The search tab is your friend

Don't worry, Mark; many of us here don't have anything else to do but perform searches for you.

I'll get started right now...please watch your email for my bill. It will include my Paypal account.

Sheesh!

He has no time to read, but apparently has time to wait for an answer.

Regarding posts #3005, 3007, 3008, 3009: I guess we should rename this thread The read Official "Help the guy pick a Blu-Ray Player" but only after he has spent hours researching the question first Thread.

IMO - if you don't want to answer a question don't - but don't be rude to someone asking for help on this post!

hey fellas... what do you think.. samsung bd-p1500 or the pana dmp-bd35? and why

Overwhelmingly people favor the BD35. It has much faster loading times, very good upscaling, and little to no issues with special features.

The only thing the 1500 has going for it is netflix streaming rentals through a possible future FW update.

Thank you! I am leaning that way, and I should have specified. I don't care at all about special features! I just want good sd pq and obviously a good blu-ray pq

The Panasonic 35 is currently the best BD player on the market at around the ~250 price point. Some people have been lucky enough to get one for ~150 which is an incredible price on a very good BD unit.

Upscaling is above average and if you don't need analog audio output I can't see any reason not to go with this player unless you need the absolute best upscaling available in which case you should wait for the Oppo unit coming out next year at a very steep $600 price point.

What about the integra blu-ray player? Im pretty sure they don't make it. but they do offer a 3 year warranty?

It doesn't have anything special from what I've seen. Get a BD35 or BDPS350 from Costco and you get a lifetime warranty, which beats 3 years in my book.... not to mention both of those players are less than 1/2 the price of the Onkyo.

wow lifetime huh? I have seen alot of mention about costco but didn't know that they offered that!

i just tried to search costco and didn't find a bd35? do they have limited availabilities?

I have looked through reviews about the LG BD-300 and the Panasonic DMP-BD35 and still can't make up my mind.
I can buy the LG for about $50 less than the Panasonic but do any forum members seen what the two players are like in video quality with Blu-Ray disks.
I'm not really interested in DVD ability as I allready have a standalone upscaling DVD player and the Netflix option on the LG I will not be using, at least not yet.
I will be using this Blu-Ray player through a Denon AVR-1909.
My TV is an LG 50PG60UD
Each have their pros and cons but I would like an honest opinion.
Thanks.

They have boxes of them at the store, not online. I read somewhere the BD35 is going on sale soon.

Also, Costco does NOT have a lifetime warranty on electronics anymore. It's now one year I believe. Too many people were breaking items on purpose and then returning them.

If I was Costco I would have changed it too. Nothing lasts forever.

My Costco normally carries the Sony BX1 aka S350.

I don't believe you get lifetime warranty on any electronics sold at Costco. Got a link?

http://www.costco.com/Service/Featur...uctNo=11204333

Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund.