Video quality of Blu-ray players you have owned

[carbuff]

I am interested in opinions from those who have owned more than one blu ray dvd player regarding video quality.

Please rate the players you have owned numerically with #1 being the best quality and higher numbers thereafter indicating diminishing quality.

I am not interested in additional blu ray features or audio quality.

[Sy-]

1. Panasonic BD30
1. Samsung BDP-1400
1. PS3-60

All tie! Though 1 and 2 can bitstream DST-MA so, even though they all look same they don't all sound same!

[bootman]

You are splitting very fine hairs when it comes to different PQ among Blu players.
Most don't have the proper gear to even tell the difference between them reliably.

[jibucha]

I wrote up a very long reply, which included some detailed information regarding the differences in the picture quality of these players, but decided to simply list them and leave it at that.

One important thought though; the differences between these players is quite profound.

Players:

1 l Sony l BDP-S1
2 l Pioneer l DBP-94HD
3 l Sony l BDP-S300
4 l Panasonic l BMP-BD30

[syncguy]

The blu-ray PQ that PS3 renders is excellent. If you have a good quality transfer, e.g. Pirates of the Caribbean, it would deliver an excellent picture. I feel that it is driving my display to it's maximum. However, if you have a not so good transfer, the PQ would be slightly worse but still very good.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by jibucha

I wrote up a very long reply, which included some detailed information regarding the differences in the picture quality of these players, but decided to simply list them and leave it at that.

One important thought though; the differences between these players is quite profound.

Players:

1 l Sony l BDP-S1
2 l Pioneer l DBP-94HD
3 l Sony l BDP-S300
4 l Panasonic l BMP-BD30

You say "profound" differences and then leave us hanging with no examples?
Come on!

Need to know display, viewing distances, where tests done with all players side by side or is this from memory?
Is the differences in color presentation, noise?
I don't doubt that differences exsist but profounds implies that the differences are easily seen through laymen's eyes (and gear).

Example: A profound difference will be easily seen on a 42" display at 10 feet.
I don't consider differences profound if you can only see it on a 100' screen at 5 feet.

[TheRealBob]

Originally Posted by bootman

You are splitting very fine hairs when it comes to different PQ among Blu players.
Most don't have the proper gear to even tell the difference between them reliably.

I don't even know if it's splitting hairs.

They're decoding a picture to the same values and sending it digitally over HDMI to your TV. If everything is set up the same, the exact same values are probably being transmitted to the TV, so the picture quality difference would be nil.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by TheRealBob

I don't even know if it's splitting hairs.

They're decoding a picture to the same values and sending it digitally over HDMI to your TV. If everything is set up the same, the exact same values are probably being transmitted to the TV, so the picture quality difference would be nil.

But many players have picture controls that can fine tune the picture to your particular set.
The new Denon even processes 1080p through their implementation of the top of the line silicon optix chipset to give their players a more "film like" quality.

So what you say may be scientifically possible, in practice it rarely happens thus leading to perceived picture quality difference among players.

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by bootman

But many players have picture controls that can fine tune the picture to your particular set.
The new Denon even processes 1080p through their implementation of the top of the line silicon optix chipset to give their players a more "film like" quality.

So what you say may be scientifically possible, in practice it rarely happens thus leading to perceived picture quality difference among players.

In addition to post processing differences, there could be fundamental differences in picture decoding and scaling. BD video is compressed and mpeg encoded. This has to be uncompressed and decoded before sending to the display. The efficiency of decoding algorithms and available processing power will contribute to picture quality. Also, if the player is required to scale, for example 720p to 1080p, the scaling algorithm will significantly influence the picture quality.

[carbuff]

I thank all who have responded. I am a novice regarding the Blu-ray technology and seeking enlightenment from you with experience.

What I am trying to determine in this thread is whether the great cost difference between brands such as Denon and Pioneer is because of build quality and features or because these makers install components that actually provide a higher level of PQ than say builders of lower cost players such as Panasonic and Samsung.

I did not intend for my question to be complicated. I simply wanted to know, all things being equal, if a person who had owned different Blu-ray DVD players could determine a difference in quality from one player to another.

It is a given that the person would be viewing the same Blu-ray disc from these players sitting in the same chair at the same distance from the TV display, in the same ambient light. It is also assumed the Blu-ray player and TV display was calibrated and cabled the same for all players.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by carbuff

I thank all who have responded. I am a novice regarding the Blu-ray technology and seeking enlightenment from you with experience.

What I am trying to determine in this thread is whether the great cost difference between brands such as Denon and Pioneer is because of build quality and features or because these makers install components that actually provide a higher level of PQ than say builders of lower cost players such as Panasonic and Samsung.

I did not intend for my question to be complicated. I simply wanted to know, all things being equal, if a person who had owned different Blu-ray DVD players could determine a difference in quality from one player to another.

It is a given that the person would be viewing the same Blu-ray disc from these players sitting in the same chair at the same distance from the TV display, in the same ambient light. It is also assumed the Blu-ray player and TV display was calibrated and cabled the same for all players.

Then the simple answer is yes there can be differences that depending on the viewer and/or equipment can be determined to exist between different players.

Now this doesn't answer the question, (which is what I think you want to find out) if these differences (if perceived) are worth the premium price.

Unfortunately this is a difficult question to answer since it really depends if you value the differences enough to warrant the extra expense.

I know you want a simple answer but the truth is rarely simple.

Here is my advice. Keep your system components balanced.
This is true regardless of what individual component you are considering to buy.
In HT the whole experience counts. If you have a great display but a poor audio system, your experience suffers. (and vice versa)
Why buy $500 cables to hook up a $50 DVD player?
Why buy a $2000 Bluray to watch it on a 32" analog TV.

Balance is the key and sometimes the right balance takes a long time to achieve.
Let some common sense (instead of outrageous claims) be your guide and you will do ok.
After all it is you in the end who needs to be happy with your system.
You are not trying to make anonymous forum posters happy. (unless they are paying you. )

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by carbuff

I thank all who have responded. I am a novice regarding the Blu-ray technology and seeking enlightenment from you with experience.

What I am trying to determine in this thread is whether the great cost difference between brands such as Denon and Pioneer is because of build quality and features or because these makers install components that actually provide a higher level of PQ than say builders of lower cost players such as Panasonic and Samsung.

I did not intend for my question to be complicated. I simply wanted to know, all things being equal, if a person who had owned different Blu-ray DVD players could determine a difference in quality from one player to another.

It is a given that the person would be viewing the same Blu-ray disc from these players sitting in the same chair at the same distance from the TV display, in the same ambient light. It is also assumed the Blu-ray player and TV display was calibrated and cabled the same for all players.

Yes, there would be differences. I haven’t personally tested blu-ray but have checked DVD. In some cases the difference could be significant and well worth the extra cost in my opinion. The best person to decide whether the quality gain is worthwhile for that price difference is yourself. The best way to find out is to demo few options before making the decision.

You would pay a premium for name brands and also, wish to note that some brands could be more reliable (better components, better build etc.) than others.

[jibucha]

Hello Again

I just wanted to briefly follow up with regards to the following player's that until recently, I had and compared.

Players:

1 l Sony l BDP-S1
2 l Pioneer l DBP-94HD
3 l Sony l BDP-S300
4 l Panasonic l BMP-BD30

I have returned the following as being unacceptable with regards to picture quality, which is certainly the primary quality issue for players: Pioneer l BDP-94HD, Sony BDP-S300, and the Panasonic l BMP-BD30.

Additionally, today I purchased an additional three Sony l BDP-S1's; which now brings my total of this player to five units.

I only mention this as purchasing five units is as strong of a recommendation of this particular Blu-ray Player for consideration; especially, as I easily concluded that the other player's considered were unacceptable.

Certainly, there will be considerable disagreement, but it only seems the responsible thing to do, to point out the outstanding picture quality of the Sony l BDP-S1 here; to at least draw attention to the outstanding picture quality of this remarkable player, that it will be evaluated by anyone with an interest in Blu-ray Picture Quality, along with any other player of individual interest.

I do hope that this is helpful information; especially to the original poster of this thread.

Thank You