system links...samsung tv samsung blu ray, pioneer tv pioneer blu ray...question

[plopez12]

I currently have a samsung LN46B750 and am looking to get a blu ray player. I keep reading about system links, like how a samsung blu ray has the bd link so it optimizes the quliaty of the blu ray with a samsung tv...and how the pioneer kuro has a system link with the pioneer bdp-320 to optimize its picture...in the opinion of people that have the same brand for tv and blu ray or that have different brands for their equipment, do you see an advantage in running a system with the same brands because of these "links"? I am asking because I have narrowed my blu ray choices to the Samsung 3600, LG 390, and the pioneer 320...which would be the best blu ray player out of these? or if you could recommend another in the same price range please let me know

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by plopez12

I currently have a samsung LN46B750 and am looking to get a blu ray player. I keep reading about system links, like how a samsung blu ray has the bd link so it optimizes the quliaty of the blu ray with a samsung tv...and how the pioneer kuro has a system link with the pioneer bdp-320 to optimize its picture...in the opinion of people that have the same brand for tv and blu ray or that have different brands for their equipment, do you see an advantage in running a system with the same brands because of these "links"? I am asking because I have narrowed my blu ray choices to the Samsung 3600, LG 390, and the pioneer 320...which would be the best blu ray player out of these? or if you could recommend another in the same price range please let me know

These "links" are not for video quality - they're for operational control, so you can control your player through your TV, or vice versa. It will allow for adjustments using a single remote, and a menu visible on the screen to adjust the player itself.

It's not really an advantage for your picture - more of an "ease of use" thing, that turns out not to be very important.

The best (easily available) major brands - Pioneer, Panasonic, Sony, and Samsung - don't really need this stuff. I use Sony Blu players, but they're all pretty good. My players are connect to a Sony LCD, and to a Pioneer plasma - again, no picture quality difference, due to the brand, or the method of connection.

Just be sure to use HDMI to connect video to the TV, and audio either by HDMI or 5.1 component cables to your receiver, for the optimum performance.

For ease of use, stick with the four brands I mentioned, so you can get player updates if any of the firmware used to access Blu discs changes over time. There are some very good deals out there, but buy with quality and support in mind. You can definitely get an excellent player for under $300.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by plopez12

I am asking because I have narrowed my blu ray choices to the Samsung 3600, LG 390, and the pioneer 320...which would be the best blu ray player out of these? or if you could recommend another in the same price range please let me know

And of these three choices...Pioneer, hands down. Not that there's anything wrong with the Samsung, but Pioneer seems to be giving up killer deals lately.

Stay away from LG, they seem to have screwy firmware update situations going on.

[Engineer63]

Originally Posted by plopez12

I currently have a samsung LN46B750 and am looking to get a blu ray player. I keep reading about system links, like how a samsung blu ray has the bd link so it optimizes the quliaty of the blu ray with a samsung tv...and how the pioneer kuro has a system link with the pioneer bdp-320 to optimize its picture...in the opinion of people that have the same brand for tv and blu ray or that have different brands for their equipment, do you see an advantage in running a system with the same brands because of these "links"? I am asking because I have narrowed my blu ray choices to the Samsung 3600, LG 390, and the pioneer 320...which would be the best blu ray player out of these? or if you could recommend another in the same price range please let me know

You have probably already purchased a blu ray player by now since it's been 2 months since your original post. But in case you haven't I recently purchased the Samsung 3600 blu ray player to go with my Samsung 42" Plasma TV and I love it. I get a great quality picture, it loads discs in about 8-10 secs, and it also has the Netflix (wireless) instant streaming movie feature and Pandora internet music feature. The Netflix feature does require a paid monthly subscription, (@$12 with blu ray disc upgrade), but the Pandora is free. I have not had to do any firmware updates yet so I can't comment on that. As far as the convenience of being able to use one remote for both the TV and the blu ray player, I do like that feature as well. I'm currently looking for a home theater receiver and speakers to run my blu ray player through to get a high quality surround sound to go with the high quality picture. Less than $1000 preferrably. Any suggestions?