Looking to go Format Neutral with some Extra Cash - Blu-ray Forum

HDAllTheWay · 12-26-2007, 04:36 PM

Hi All -

I ran into some extra holiday cash from Santa and have Wife approval to spend it on home theatre goodies. My setup currently conists of the following -

Samsung 50" 1080p DLP
Onkyo HDMI 1.3 TX-SR605
XBOX 360
360 HD-DVD Add-On.
Harmony 720 Universal Remote

I'm interested in going format neutral so I can enjoy BD movies as well as lossless sound and the new high-rez soundtracks that I've been missing since my Add-on downcoverts everything to DD.

Any advice on a good Blu-Ray player that will give me access to the TrueHD,DD+ sound tracks?

I actually DO game, but honestly the size of the PS3, as well as the lack of IR that would break my single remote functionality sucks. Otherwise it would be a good contender. If someone told me a firmware update in the future would provide something other than PCM, I would be more interested. Any guesses if the PS3 will ever be upgraded to support HDMI 1.3 bitstream?

I've been hearing alot of about new Panny player.

Budget is around 4-$500.00. Oh, I also have $100.00 in gift certiffates for Best Buy. Advice on which route I should go?

Marcusarilius · 12-26-2007, 04:43 PM

Yes. Get the Panasonic BD30. Best player for the money right now. An Awesome player. What do you mean by format nuetral? Also buying into HD DVD? If so, you could not pick a worse time for HD DVD investing.

OK.. I see your set-up. Format nuetral by buying into Blu. Good choice. Getting on board at a pivital time. Welcome to the site. Many here will answer your questions and we all love a lively discussion. Enjoy the movies and the Panny!

tiger roach · 12-26-2007, 04:45 PM

If you have ruled out the PS3, then the BD30 seems like the clear choice to me.

blueblood · 12-26-2007, 04:46 PM

Guessing he already has an Add on....

Imakida · 12-26-2007, 04:47 PM

You could also take a look at the samsung bdp-1400. I think it bitstream also DTs-HD MA and Dolby True-HD

sj001 · 12-26-2007, 04:48 PM

Well, it looks like you already have invested in HD-DVD, judging by your list of equipment. Congrats on jumping into the Blu-side! The Panasonic is a good buy, and can convert and bitstream all formats, I would definitely recommend that one.

There never has been an actually OFFICIAL word that the PS3 WILL NOT EVER bitstream, but even if it would eventually, it will be down the road a bit I think.

MasterXeus · 12-26-2007, 04:48 PM

I say go with a PS3, even if you don't play any PS3 games, it's a great Blu-ray Player.

Whytewash · 12-26-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

Yes. Get the Panasonic BD30. Best player for the money right now. An Awesome player. What do you mean by format nuetral? Also buying into HD DVD? If so, you could not pick a worse time for HD DVD investing.

OK.. I see your set-up. Format nuetral by buying into Blu. Good choice. Getting on board at a pivital time. Welcome to the site. Many here will answer your questions and we all love a lively discussion. Enjoy the movies and the Panny!

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueblood

Guessing he already has an Add on....

he said in his post he has a 360 add on...

If you werent down with the PS3, I would go for the new BD30

It is a wicked player and IMO, the best ones out right now...

We dont hate on format neutral supports here but we do ask that if movies are released on both formats, you buy the Blu side!

Marcusarilius · 12-26-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imakida

You could also take a look at the samsung bdp-1400. I think it bitstream also DTs-HD MA and Dolby True-HD

You will get the same with the Panny BD30 without the Samsung reputation.
(Go with the Panny!)

HDAllTheWay · 12-26-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whytewash

he said in his post he has a 360 add on...

If you werent down with the PS3, I would go for the new BD30

It is a wicked player and IMO, the best ones out right now...

We dont hate on format neutral supports here but we do ask that if movies are released on both formats, you buy the Blu side!

Thanks for the advice and welcoming everyone.

I do hope that people's first priority is the love of high definition and movies in general, and then a format. I have about 15 HD-DVDs, just took a time machine back to 1986 with Top Gun last night. Awesome. Anyhow, At this point I'm very torn between the PS3 and the new Panny. The good news is that I have about $100.00 in BestBuy gift cards. From what I have seen -

PS3 Pros -

Media Center Capabilities
Ethernet Port for future firmware upgrades (BD 2.0)?
Games
Fairly fast load times on BD discs

PS3 Cons

No IR Port (sucks because I have a Harmony 720)
Resembles a BBQ Grill,
Can't take advantage of my Onkyo 605 decoding. (perhaps not a huge deal)

Panny Pros -

Fast Load Times

Panny Cons -

No Ethernet Port

Am I missing anything?

MATTYBLU2 · 12-26-2007, 05:02 PM

PANNY BD30 all the way!!!!!!!

this player rocks!!!!

would go great with your onkyo 605 receiver.

good luck

xtop · 12-26-2007, 05:06 PM

why does the way the ps3 look affect your decision at all?

SpikesBluBlooded · 12-26-2007, 05:11 PM

Welcome to the forum!!! In the end, I think I agree with just about everyone else out here: go with the Panny. Unless you are absolutely in love with downloadable content (never had it myself, so I'm not missing anything), you can't go wrong. That's really the only thing it will be missing.

You did say that you are a gamer, though, and in that respect, maybe the PS3 wouldn't be a bad way to go, either, as you'll probably see the 2.0 players some time in '08. That way, you'll still have a kick-ass gaming system, and still be able to enjoy the PS3 as a secondary blu-ray player in your home. I'm in the opposite boat: I don't have a receiver yet that can play the lossless audio and am waiting to save up the funds to upgrade. In the meantime, the incredible video is more than compensatory...

Whichever way you go, I don't think you'll be disappointed. And again, welcome to the forum, our new "purple" brother!

McLovin · 12-26-2007, 05:12 PM

My sig says it all

stockstar1138 · 12-26-2007, 05:22 PM

my 2 cents. both players are great, but u will never b able 2 go with bd 2.0 with the panny, my guess is the ps3 will get an update for better hd audio functions. why not just use the ps3 controller as a remote. u said u game so u obviusly dont have anything against controllers

mikem471 · 12-26-2007, 05:23 PM

Changed your mind in a couple of months, huh?

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...288#post256288

What happened to hoping we didn't invest a lot in blu ray??

McLovin · 12-26-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikem471

Changed your mind in a couple of months, huh?

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...288#post256288

What happened to hoping we didn't invest a lot in blu ray??

Busted

Marcusarilius · 12-26-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAllTheWay

Thanks for the advice and welcoming everyone.

I do hope that people's first priority is the love of high definition and movies in general, and then a format. I have about 15 HD-DVDs, just took a time machine back to 1986 with Top Gun last night. Awesome. Anyhow, At this point I'm very torn between the PS3 and the new Panny. The good news is that I have about $100.00 in BestBuy gift cards. From what I have seen -

PS3 Pros -

Media Center Capabilities
Ethernet Port for future firmware upgrades (BD 2.0)?
Games
Fairly fast load times on BD discs

PS3 Cons

No IR Port (sucks because I have a Harmony 720)
Resembles a BBQ Grill,
Can't take advantage of my Onkyo 605 decoding. (perhaps not a huge deal)

Panny Pros -

Fast Load Times

Panny Cons -

No Ethernet Port

Am I missing anything?

Panny BD30. Can't go wrong. We all love HD movies as much as you do. The problem is that currently corporations are dictating to the consumer what we are allowed to watch at this time on either format. BD contains more information to process better PQ and SQ overall than HD DVD. Yes, HD DVD looks and sounds good. No question. But take a look at the lower standards in PQ and esp SQ that Blu gets with Warner releases because of duel format support. BD has to eat what HD DVD gets for dinner. We are having a stoffers TV dinner when it could have been Mom's home cooked dinner. BD is getting screwed in DD 5.1 only releases left and right when the capasity for blu could have been DD 5.1 HD lossless audio track, PCM, or DTS HD uncompressed from the master. Get the Panny, and try some excellent DTS HD movies out and hear the difference! Welcome again!!!

Whytewash · 12-26-2007, 05:27 PM

The biggest deciding factor for me was the fact that the PS3 loads very quickly and it has an ethernet port for FAST firmware updates.

The only cons that I can think of that the PS3 might have is the fact that it cant decode all audio and it is a little louder than most standalones...

If that doesnt bother you than it is a great player.

However I have noticed that they Panny does seem to have slightly superior picture...

Marcusarilius · 12-26-2007, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLovin

Busted

Be nice. It was from August. The path has become much clearer in the last 3 months alone. The title selections for BD are amazing now. Opinions change all of the time.

12-26-2007, 04:36 PM	#1
HDAllTheWay Junior Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Seattle, WA	Looking to go Format Neutral with some Extra Cash Hi All - I ran into some extra holiday cash from Santa and have Wife approval to spend it on home theatre goodies. My setup currently conists of the following - Samsung 50" 1080p DLP Onkyo HDMI 1.3 TX-SR605 XBOX 360 360 HD-DVD Add-On. Harmony 720 Universal Remote I'm interested in going format neutral so I can enjoy BD movies as well as lossless sound and the new high-rez soundtracks that I've been missing since my Add-on downcoverts everything to DD. Any advice on a good Blu-Ray player that will give me access to the TrueHD,DD+ sound tracks? I actually DO game, but honestly the size of the PS3, as well as the lack of IR that would break my single remote functionality sucks. Otherwise it would be a good contender. If someone told me a firmware update in the future would provide something other than PCM, I would be more interested. Any guesses if the PS3 will ever be upgraded to support HDMI 1.3 bitstream? I've been hearing alot of about new Panny player. Budget is around 4-$500.00. Oh, I also have $100.00 in gift certiffates for Best Buy. Advice on which route I should go?

12-26-2007, 04:43 PM	#2
Marcusarilius Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Seattle, WA. Blu-ray reviews:52 Trading Score:1	Yes. Get the Panasonic BD30. Best player for the money right now. An Awesome player. What do you mean by format nuetral? Also buying into HD DVD? If so, you could not pick a worse time for HD DVD investing. OK.. I see your set-up. Format nuetral by buying into Blu. Good choice. Getting on board at a pivital time. Welcome to the site. Many here will answer your questions and we all love a lively discussion. Enjoy the movies and the Panny! Last edited by Marcusarilius; 12-26-2007 at 04:47 PM.

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12-26-2007, 04:45 PM	#3
tiger roach Special Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Houston, TX Blu-ray collection:141 Blu-ray reviews:1	If you have ruled out the PS3, then the BD30 seems like the clear choice to me.

12-26-2007, 04:46 PM	#4
blueblood Member Member since:Aug 2007	Guessing he already has an Add on....

12-26-2007, 04:47 PM	#5
Imakida Active Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Quebec, Canada	You could also take a look at the samsung bdp-1400. I think it bitstream also DTs-HD MA and Dolby True-HD

12-26-2007, 04:48 PM	#6
sj001 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Rochester, NY Blu-ray collection:317 DVD collection:17 Trading Score:5	Well, it looks like you already have invested in HD-DVD, judging by your list of equipment. Congrats on jumping into the Blu-side! The Panasonic is a good buy, and can convert and bitstream all formats, I would definitely recommend that one. There never has been an actually OFFICIAL word that the PS3 WILL NOT EVER bitstream, but even if it would eventually, it will be down the road a bit I think.

12-26-2007, 04:48 PM	#7
MasterXeus Power Member Member since:Mar 2007	I say go with a PS3, even if you don't play any PS3 games, it's a great Blu-ray Player.

12-26-2007, 05:02 PM	#11
MATTYBLU2 Banned Member since:Sep 2007 Location:NH Blu-ray collection:60 Trading Score:21	PANNY BD30 all the way!!!!!!! this player rocks!!!! would go great with your onkyo 605 receiver. good luck

12-26-2007, 05:06 PM	#12
xtop Blu-ray Count Member since:Oct 2007 Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- Trading Score:3	why does the way the ps3 look affect your decision at all?

12-26-2007, 05:11 PM	#13
SpikesBluBlooded Special Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Orlando, FL Blu-ray collection:719 Trading Score:1	Welcome to the forum!!! In the end, I think I agree with just about everyone else out here: go with the Panny. Unless you are absolutely in love with downloadable content (never had it myself, so I'm not missing anything), you can't go wrong. That's really the only thing it will be missing. You did say that you are a gamer, though, and in that respect, maybe the PS3 wouldn't be a bad way to go, either, as you'll probably see the 2.0 players some time in '08. That way, you'll still have a kick-ass gaming system, and still be able to enjoy the PS3 as a secondary blu-ray player in your home. I'm in the opposite boat: I don't have a receiver yet that can play the lossless audio and am waiting to save up the funds to upgrade. In the meantime, the incredible video is more than compensatory... Whichever way you go, I don't think you'll be disappointed. And again, welcome to the forum, our new "purple" brother!

12-26-2007, 05:12 PM	#14
McLovin Active Member Member since:Sep 2007 Blu-ray collection:202 Trading Score:21	My sig says it all

12-26-2007, 05:22 PM	#15
stockstar1138 Banned Member since:Apr 2007	my 2 cents. both players are great, but u will never b able 2 go with bd 2.0 with the panny, my guess is the ps3 will get an update for better hd audio functions. why not just use the ps3 controller as a remote. u said u game so u obviusly dont have anything against controllers

12-26-2007, 05:23 PM	#16
mikem471 Banned Member since:Jul 2007	Changed your mind in a couple of months, huh? https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...288#post256288 What happened to hoping we didn't invest a lot in blu ray??

12-26-2007, 05:27 PM	#19
Whytewash Special Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:'Couve, WA Blu-ray collection:60 Blu-ray reviews:1	The biggest deciding factor for me was the fact that the PS3 loads very quickly and it has an ethernet port for FAST firmware updates. The only cons that I can think of that the PS3 might have is the fact that it cant decode all audio and it is a little louder than most standalones... If that doesnt bother you than it is a great player. However I have noticed that they Panny does seem to have slightly superior picture...

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