What Blu-ray player should I get, and NO PS3 please?
Posted by: Jono 13 on 01 March 2008
Any suggestions on a Blu-ray player, other than a PS3?
I don't want too spend too much money, but I do want good DVD upscaling, 1080p 24fps and a blinding picture.
Jono
Posted on: 01 March 2008 by djftw
There isn't really a lot of choice yet. Also, "too much money" is a relative concept £300 is a weeks wages to some people, loose change to others. If you can afford to be patient I'd sign up for RicherSounds VIP mailings. I've seen a few fairly decent machines at very reasonable prices crop up in there, then go in and dem when you see one that has the specs you mention at a price you regard reasonable.
Regards,
Dom
Posted on: 01 March 2008 by Jono 13
Thanks Dom,
I will do that.
Jono
Posted on: 01 March 2008 by djftw
no problem
Posted on: 01 March 2008 by matt303
There's a whole bunch of profile 1.1 players out in the next few months in the £200 - £300 (hopefully) price range. A lot of the machines being sold at around £200 at the moment are only profile 1.0 like the BDP-1400, personally I'd wait a little longer and get a profile 1.1 or even one of the new profile 2.0 Sony decks.
Posted on: 01 March 2008 by Vaughn3D
I watched a Panasonic DMP-BD30K with a 42" Panasonic 1080p recently...stunning picture..that's the one I'm getting, or maybe I'll wait for the next generation later this year.
Posted on: 02 March 2008 by Hardy
Hi,
what is the difference between a 1.0, 1.1 or 2.0 blu-ray player?
I am thinking about buying a blu-rayP this year, too, but am still hesitating as this format is hardly more than a year on the market.
Also hope that the prices of disc will go down a bit. 30€ for a blu-ray vs. 4-12€ for a DVD is still an argument, especially as I own only a 1024*768 Plasma.
Posted on: 02 March 2008 by BigH47
Posted on: 02 March 2008 by Adrian F.
Here you go...
Blu-Ray profiles explained (The PS3 is the only player that was software upgradable to profile 1.1. At the CES 2008 Sony already showed a prototype with 2.0. Because of the fewer efficient hardware, I doubt this will be possible with others...)
So I think you want to go for for at least a 1.1 profile machine. Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, ect. have announced some.
If you want 1080p/24, you'll get dvd upscaling too I guess. If it has to be cheap, you can wait for the sell-out of the 1.0 players.
Adrian
Posted on: 04 March 2008 by Jono 13
One of mates still suggested a PS3, but to hide the game controllers from the wife and kids.
This would work for the nippers but not SWMBO.
Jono
Posted on: 04 March 2008 by Frank Abela
Jono, you can put the games controller through the grinder. Buy a standard PS3 DVD remote control and you're sorted.
I must admit I have fallen into the PS3 trap. It's software upgradeable and has a fine picture. The audio isn't anything to write home about since I'm using a toslink cable to my AV9 but it's OK. When I get a decent screen I'll look at a processor that can do uncompressed PCM.
Posted on: 12 March 2008 by John M
I recently bought a Panasonic DMP BD10A for US$200. It is a vesion 1.1 player, not upgradeable (I think) but I am not really worried, because I think all 1.2 has to offer is access to downloadable extra trailers an other online content. Not of interest to me.
I really bought this player for its audio flexibility. I find that a huge part of what I like about bd format is the vastly improved and "uncompressed" audio in Dolby True Digital or DTS Master HD. I don't have a new fangled processor or ht receiver that can decode these formats so the digital stream via HDMI or other digital (Optical, Coax) outs do me no good. To me the unique value of the DMP-BD10A is that it can decode the HD Audio and then send it out over analog (RCA high bandwidth) output for 6 channel aka 5.1 audio tracks. Thus I can still use my HT receiver that has high bandwidth analog 5.1 inputs (which most have). Awesome sound! What about the soundtracks that are 7.1 (extra rear surrounds?) Have not come across anything more than 5.1 yet. This player also plays DVD Audio - which is nice although I still prefer my vinyl.
So, if you are like me and still have a 5.1 receiver with no HD Audio decoders, this is the only player that I know of that can decode HD Audio in the box and send out an analog 5.1 or six channel signal. Otherwise you are listening to a downsampled and, IMO, greatly inferior soundtrack, that your receiver will likely spit out as a Dolby Pro Logic or some other DSP'd matrix. Yuk is all I can say! NOTE: For DVD soundtracks in normal DTS or DD, the player automatically switches to a bitstream audio feed over digital coaxial, and lets my HT receiever do the rest!
Or you can get caught up in the excitement and go out and buy a new receiver with your new bd player and enjoy!!
Posted on: 12 March 2008 by john R1
SJB i thought the panasonic BD10 was only 1.0 profile, thats why people are waiting for the BD30 which is supposed to come out this week ?
Posted on: 13 March 2008 by nini
Sorry to hijack the thread for a moment, but the answer may be of use to the other posters.
Does anyone know if the current crop of BD players are multi-region compatible for standard DVDs?
Thanks
Posted on: 13 March 2008 by tonym
quote:
Originally posted by John M:
I recently bought a Panasonic DMP BD10A for US$200. It is a vesion 1.1 player, not upgradeable (I think) but I am not really worried, because I think all 1.2 has to offer is access to downloadable extra trailers an other online content. Not of interest to me.
I really bought this player for its audio flexibility. I find that a huge part of what I like about bd format is the vastly improved and "uncompressed" audio in Dolby True Digital or DTS Master HD. I don't have a new fangled processor or ht receiver that can decode these formats so the digital stream via HDMI or other digital (Optical, Coax) outs do me no good. To me the unique value of the DMP-BD10A is that it can decode the HD Audio and then send it out over analog (RCA high bandwidth) output for 6 channel aka 5.1 audio tracks. Thus I can still use my HT receiver that has high bandwidth analog 5.1 inputs (which most have). Awesome sound! What about the soundtracks that are 7.1 (extra rear surrounds?) Have not come across anything more than 5.1 yet. This player also plays DVD Audio - which is nice although I still prefer my vinyl.
So, if you are like me and still have a 5.1 receiver with no HD Audio decoders, this is the only player that I know of that can decode HD Audio in the box and send out an analog 5.1 or six channel signal. Otherwise you are listening to a downsampled and, IMO, greatly inferior soundtrack, that your receiver will likely spit out as a Dolby Pro Logic or some other DSP'd matrix. Yuk is all I can say! NOTE: For DVD soundtracks in normal DTS or DD, the player automatically switches to a bitstream audio feed over digital coaxial, and lets my HT receiever do the rest!
Or you can get caught up in the excitement and go out and buy a new receiver with your new bd player and enjoy!!
Interesting. I've also got a DMP-BD10A and like yourself use the uncompressed analogue out channels which I feed into my AV2 processor. But mine's got 7.1 audio outs!
Either they've used a different spec. for the UK models, or you haven't looked closely enough at the rear panel... (OK, probably the former!)
Also, the player can't decode DTS HD Master Audio. It downsamples this to core dts.
Incidentally, the standard-flavoured DD/dts digital output from BD/DVD HD players has a greater sampling rate than that on SD DVD players. And sounds excellent!
I've got "5.10 to Yuma", a pretty good cowboy film that also happens to have uncompressed 7.1 audio. The sound is really terrific!
Personally, I'm only interested in watching movies, not all this interactive stuff, so the new profiles hold no great appeal for me.
quote:
Sorry to hijack the thread for a moment, but the answer may be of use to the other posters.
Does anyone know if the current crop of BD players are multi-region compatible for standard DVDs?
Thanks
Yes, I think many are. My Panasonic certainly is (easy remote hack). Go to AV Forums.com where they've got a list of multi-region fixes.
Posted on: 13 March 2008 by Jono 13
The Panasonic DMP-BD30 is out now which will partner my Panasonic TV just fine, so I will just wait 5 minutes for the price to drop like stone to around £200 and then I will get one.
Thanks for all the advice chaps.
Jono
Posted on: 13 March 2008 by matt303
I've seen one place claiming the DMP-BD30 they sell is multi-region for DVD playback (BluRay region B only).
Posted on: 13 March 2008 by djh1697
I was speaking to someone who works for "Richer Sounds" he advised to wait for 6 months and see what happens, the price is going to tumble he claimed.
Posted on: 13 March 2008 by Exiled Highlander
quote:
....he advised to wait for 6 months and see what happens, the price is going to tumble he claimed.
Is this the same forum where many individuals drop $000's ($0000's sometimes) on new CDP's, amps and speakers and even pay $600/$700 for an old, used Nait 1 and yet are waiting for the price of a $400/$500 Blu Ray DVD to tumble?
It would make an interesting study for a psychologist as to why.
Just an observation - not a dig at anyone.
Cheers
Jim
Posted on: 13 March 2008 by John M
quote:
Originally posted by tonym:
Either they've used a different spec. for the UK models, or you haven't looked closely enough at the rear panel... (OK, probably the former!)
Also, the player can't decode DTS HD Master Audio. It downsamples this to core dts.
Tony -
Thanks - You are quite right about that, mine does have 7.1 audio outs, and actually my receiver has 7.1 ins as well. I just got caught up in trying to write coherently. And thanks for the correction about DTS master HD - I realized that after I wrote it.
And to bring back the original point that I think we are both making - the analog outs on the BD10A - are quite an important/useful feature on this currently very inexpensive player although they may only have tangential relevance/importance to this thread. The BD30 does NOT have these analog outs! I am quite sure the video performance is quite comparable on these two players, or on most players at this price range for that matter.
I dont know about the 5:10 to Yuma, but I caught it about two hours earlier and I loved that movie
Posted on: 13 March 2008 by neil w
Posted on: 13 March 2008 by John M
Great list Neil! Very helpful. Too late to edit my post, but what I meant to say about the bd30 is that although it does have the 5.1 analog outs (presumably for DVD-A), it does NOT decode the HD audio formats internally, and thus you can not hear the True HD and DTS HD soundtracks unless you have a compatible receiver that can decode the hi-res bitstream via hdmi.
Posted on: 14 March 2008 by nap-ster
Posted on: 14 March 2008 by tonym
quote:
Originally posted by Exiled Highlander:
quote:
....he advised to wait for 6 months and see what happens, the price is going to tumble he claimed.
Is this the same forum where many individuals drop $000's ($0000's sometimes) on new CDP's, amps and speakers and even pay $600/$700 for an old, used Nait 1 and yet are waiting for the price of a $400/$500 Blu Ray DVD to tumble?
It would make an interesting study for a psychologist as to why.
Just an observation - not a dig at anyone.
Cheers
Jim
An interesting point Jim!
If you look through the various posts I think you'll find most folk who post on this section are primarily interested in stereo and have only dipped their toes into the wonderful world of Home Cinema!
Note the numbers of members who just use stereo for their Home Cinema sound.
Posted on: 14 March 2008 by Exiled Highlander
Tonym
I have a 42" LCD (yes I know Plasma is better) 1080p unit in the family Room outputting audio to a Yamaha receiver in two channel mode to a pair of Castle speakers. It sounds mediocre but it is all I need for general viewing.
In the basement, I have a 65" Mistsubishi 1080i RPTV outputting to a NAC 62/NAP160 driving a pair of Castle Howard's. It sounds superb and any friends who have heard it are astounded by the sound (and picture to be honest). They have only heard the mass market surround sound systems in places like Best Buy or Circuit City and mine, although only two channel, blows them away - easily. I use this system when I want a more immersive viewing and listening experience for movies (oops films!) and big sporting events for example.
So I am firmly in the two channel HT camp as well but when it comes to picture quality I would personally would never consider dropping large sums on an SD DVD when the PQ from Blu Ray is simply light years ahead. But, we all have different priorities and make choices based on that so no problem there.
After all, how many "normal" people in this day and age would think I am mad for owning a turntable/arm/cartridge combo that would cost around $8000 to replace from new...
Cheers
Jim
Posted on: 14 March 2008 by tonym
I agree Jim, most people's experience with multichannel sound is of the mediocre cheapo stuff that comes from Comet and the like and is perhaps included with their widescreen TV.
In comparison, a good quality two-speaker sound system will sound significantly better. In the same way, a high-quality, properly set up surround system will knock spots off a stereo system for films and sports watching!
