Anyone have a Sharp BD-HP16U?

[mev1205]

Just picked this up at Costco for around $200, and apparently it's a pretty new player (just came out in March) and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it. So far I set it up and it seems to be working well, but I've heard some things with others about incompatibility with certain discs and other assorted problems, so I'm a bit skeptical about it, especially because I can find almost NOTHING about it in the way of reviews on the internet...

edit: We also picked up a Samsung P1500 and the quality of the video looks about the same, although it's quite a bit older so I don't know which one would be better...

[SpHeRe31459]

Originally Posted by mev1205

Just picked this up at Costco for around $200, and apparently it's a pretty new player (just came out in March) and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it. So far I set it up and it seems to be working well, but I've heard some things with others about incompatibility with certain discs and other assorted problems, so I'm a bit skeptical about it, especially because I can find almost NOTHING about it in the way of reviews on the internet...

edit: We also picked up a Samsung P1500 and the quality of the video looks about the same, although it's quite a bit older so I don't know which one would be better...

The video quality for Blu-ray discs should be identical, I don't know about upscaling DVDs but I would imagine they'll be pretty similar. Both use pretty typical mid-range configurations of system on a chip solutions (given their price points).

The Sharp will likely be pretty decent, Sharp has been good about issuing firmware updates for their last player the BD-HP21U (it had firmware release last month).

[Scoob]

Originally Posted by mev1205

Just picked this up at Costco for around $200, and apparently it's a pretty new player (just came out in March) and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it. So far I set it up and it seems to be working well, but I've heard some things with others about incompatibility with certain discs and other assorted problems, so I'm a bit skeptical about it, especially because I can find almost NOTHING about it in the way of reviews on the internet...

edit: We also picked up a Samsung P1500 and the quality of the video looks about the same, although it's quite a bit older so I don't know which one would be better...

Thanks for posting that. I too saw that player at Costco for $199.00 dollars which is a really good price. As far as problems go, I know that the previous Sharp players had disc compatibility issues, but this is the newest player that you have so I don't think there is any reported issues yet as so few actually have the player. This generation of player could be much improved. Go ahead and put that badboy through the paces. We are interested to hear more about it! See if it plays Twilight. (a recent problem disc for several players ie: Magnavox, Panasonic, Sharp and Pioneer) Would love to hear more about your impressions of your Sharp player. (Load times, audio quality, user friendliness etc)

[Blu Titan]

This player should be pretty good. It is profile 2 capable and decodes the lossless audio formats. http://www.testfreaks.com/dvd-player...harp-bd-hp16u/

[Scoob]

There is a little bit of misinformation in that piece by testfreaks. It says the player "also features audio format with full decoding" when it ACTUALLY bitstreams DTS-HDMA and Dolby TrueHD to a capable HDMI audio reciever to be decoded by the reciever. That is an important piece of info as not everyone has a newer HDMI receiver.

[SpHeRe31459]

Originally Posted by Scoob

There is a little bit of misinformation in that piece by testfreaks. It says the player "also features audio format with full decoding" when it ACTUALLY bitstreams DTS-HDMA and Dolby TrueHD to a capable HDMI audio reciever to be decoded by the reciever. That is an important piece of info as not everyone has a newer HDMI receiver.

Ah yes there is some slight weasel wording going with description. Everytime I've read the PR for the models I've read it as decodes the formats but yep it says: "player outputs the most advanced lossless surround-sound formats including Dolby® TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio via HDMI digital output. The player also decodes Dolby Digital Plus, which provides optimum surround sound for appropriately equipped receivers. "

So it can only decode standard DD/DTS and DD+ (for whatever that's worth), that makes it slightly less exciting, but hey for only $200 it's pretty much expected that it won't decode the advanced formats.

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Looking forward to hearing your results mev1205 please do try and test Twilight and one of the James Bond catalog titles any will do (Goldfinger is gorgeous as is Thunderball), for a really hard test For Your Eyes Only is known to cause lots of problems.

[snootypoodle]

Originally Posted by mev1205

Just picked this up at Costco for around $200

Did you physically purchase this unit or just order it on the website? I want this player, but my local Costo does not have it in stock.

[Scoob]

Originally Posted by snootypoodle

Did you physically purchase this unit or just order it on the website? I want this player, but my local Costo does not have it in stock.

I bet you will see it soon. We have had it actually on the shelf for a week here in Boise................

[lebb]

I bought this unit and I'm happy with it except for HDMI problems....I don't know if the unit is causing these problems but it seems that when I have my dvd recorder and this unit hooked up together by hdmi neither one works...but if only one is hooked up by hdmi it works...I think I may have a problem with one hdmi port??? I don't know.

[lebb]

I also know I spoke to Sharp support concerning this player and they told me that it will not play Slumdog Millionaire, Australia, or Quantam Of Solace....He said they were working on a firmware upgrade for these movies but the Sharp website doesn't even have this player on the site....What's up with that??

[willjammer]

I also know I spoke to Sharp support concerning this player and they told me that it will not play Slumdog Millionaire, Australia, or Quantam Of Solace....He said they were working on a firmware upgrade for these movies but the Sharp website doesn't even have this player on the site....What's up with that??
lebb is offline Report Post Reply With Quote


Should have bought the BDHP21U, mine plays Quantum of Solace and Australia without problem cant comment on Slumdog Millionaire

[JewlzFire]

My wife and I purchased this player about 3 weeks ago from our local Costco. We have also had issues with playing Quantum of Solace. We haven't tried Slumdog Millionaire or Australia. Another movie that doesnt' play is Pride and Glory. From what has played, I've noticed that the audio is superb. I've never heard it this clear. Plus there's not the constant fluctuation between LOUD explosions and almost 'whisper quiet' dialogue. The video is better, but I was expecting "knock your socks off" improvement over upconverted DVD.

Sharp's support sucks, to put it lightly. We emailed and got the same reaction as above. They know it's an issue, a firmware update is in development, and there is no ETA whatsoever. The ETA is what bugs me. They can't even tell me if it's going to be in the next 30 days or not, and the player isn't even listed on their website.

We are currently considering returning this for another one, but are trying to be patient with Sharp. We have a 46" Aquos and have been very happy with that. Stay tuned.

[lebb]

Sharp support is non-existent for this new player. All I get is excuses and they blame the movie companies for discs that will not play on the machine. Quantam of Solace and Slumdog Millionaire will not play....I need to take this player back since Sharp has no idea when the firmware upgrade will be available. Does anyone have a heads up on Philips blu ray players???? I've seen a new model at Sams Club(model bdp5012/f7) but I can't find any info on ot on the web- or from Philips support...What is with these companies putting out product that they don't support yet????

[Sonny]

"We" should not be having compatibility issues this far along (3yrs) in the Blu game. It's frustrating & wards off potential buyers. People who are new to BD go out & buy a new player, then it won't play the new movie they just bought & end up returning the player cursing the darn thing all the way back to the store... The disc manufactures need to be on the same page as player manufactures. Is that to much to ask...?

[lebb]

I'm just upset about these companies putting out players that are not even on their web site....What's up with that??? There is no support, but they are loaded with excuses When I called Sharp I got a snarky rep who didn't really care....it didn't matter to her that I spent alot for a NEW blu ray player that wouldn't play discs that just came out(and the discs cost alot too). It's kinda turned me off to blu ray....I might as well stay with regular DVD. I'm wishing that HD was still the format...

[compunerdy]

Finally got it to take the upgrade and now it played "the day the earth stood still" fine.

[lebb]

There is a firmware update now available for this player....The only way I got it was to call someone at Sharp who was not in support...This person directed me to send an email to him, which he forwarded to someone...and then I got an email with a link for the firmware upgrade...The upgrade was made available on 4/17.

[compunerdy]

Yes..I tried to post the link to it but I guess the post had to be approved or something. Go to sharps site and search for this model number BD-HP21U and then click on software updates and it lists the one for BD-HP16U at the bottom.

[SpHeRe31459]

http://www.sharpusa.com/products/Typ...86,229,00.html

BD-HP16U | BD-HP22U Firmware Version PF9041300
Date released: 4/17/09

[Scoob]

Originally Posted by lebb

Does anyone have a heads up on Philips blu ray players???? I've seen a new model at Sams Club(model bdp5012/f7) but I can't find any info on ot on the web- or from Philips support...What is with these companies putting out product that they don't support yet????

That is disturbing that a new player has so many disc incompatibilities. As far as Philips goes, I have a Philips BDP7200 which is the previous model of the 5012. It has played every disc I have thrown at it. Even Twilight, which has given other players issues recently. I would bet that the philips would be a better player overall than the Sharp for the same price.