Okay...Based on This Site's List of Players, Which Would You Recommend?

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Took members' advice and went to the "Players" tab on the top of the page, so graciously provided by the administration and staff...based on THIS list:


Daewoo DBP-1000 2.0 1.3 5.1 5.1
Daewoo DBP-2000 2.0 1.3 5.1 5.1
Denon DVD-2500BT Panasonic UniPhier 1.1 1.3a 7.1 0
Denon DVD-3800BD Panasonic UniPhier+Realta 1.1 1.3a 7.1 7.1
Insignia NS-BRDVD Panasonic UniPhier 1.1 1.3a 7.1
LG BH100 Broadcom BCM7411 1.0 1.3 5.1 5.1
LG BH200 Broadcom BCM7440+QDEO 1.1 1.3 7.1 2.0
Magnavox NB500MG9 Panasonic UniPhier 1.1 1.3a 7.1
Marantz BD8002 Panasonic UniPhier+Realta 1.1 1.3 7.1 7.1
Panasonic DMP-BD10 Sigma SMP8634 1.0 1.1 7.1 7.1
Panasonic DMP-BD30 Panasonic UniPhier 1.1 1.3a 7.1 5.1
Panasonic DMP-BD50 Panasonic UniPhier 2.0 1.3 7.1 5.1
Philips BDP7200 Panasonic UniPhier 1.1 1.3 7.1 5.1
Philips BDP9000 Broadcom BCM7411 1.0 1.2 5.1 5.1
Pioneer BDP-05FD +VQE 1.1 1.3a 7.1 7.1
Pioneer BDP-51FD +VQE 1.1 1.3a 7.1 7.1
Pioneer BDP-94HD Sigma SMP8634 RevA 1.0 1.2a 5.1 5.1
Pioneer BDP-95FD Sigma SMP8634 RevA 1.0 1.3a 7.1 5.1
Pioneer BDP-HD1 Sigma SMP8634 RevA 1.0 1.2 5.1 5.1
Pioneer BDP-LX80 Sigma SMP8634 RevA 1.0 1.3a 7.1 5.1
Samsung BD-P1000 Broadcom BCM7411 1.0 1.0 5.1 5.1
Samsung BD-P1200 Broadcom BCM7411+Reon 1.0 1.3 5.1 5.1
Samsung BD-P1400 Sigma SMP8634 RevC 1.0 1.3 5.1 5.1
Samsung BD-P1500 Broadcom BCM7440P 1.1 1.3 5.1 2.0
Samsung BD-P2500 2.0 7.1 7.1
Samsung BD-UP5000 Broadcom BCM7440+Reon 1.1 1.3 7.1 7.1
Samsung BD-UP5500 Broadcom BCM7440 1.1 1.3 7.1 7.1
Sharp BD-HP20 Sigma SMP8634 1.0 1.3 5.1 5.1
Sharp BD-HP50 1.1 1.3 7.1 5.1
Sharp DV-BP1 1.0 1.3 5.1 5.1
Sony BDP-S1 Sigma SMP8634 RevA 1.0 1.2 7.1 5.1
Sony BDP-S2000ES Sigma SMP8634 1.0 1.3 7.1 5.1
Sony BDP-S300 Sigma SMP8634 RevA 1.0 1.1 7.1 5.1
Sony BDP-S350 Sigma SMP8634 RevC 1.1 7.1 5.1
Sony BDP-S500 Sigma SMP8634 1.0 1.3 7.1 5.1
Sony BDP-S550 Sigma SMP8634 RevC 2.0 7.1 7.1
Sony PLAYSTATION 3 (40GB) Cell Processor 2.0 1.3 7.1 2.0
Sony PLAYSTATION 3 (80GB) Cell Processor 2.0 1.3 7.1 2.0
Sylvania NB500SL9 Panasonic UniPhier 1.1 1.3a



Region B

Denon DVD-2500BT Panasonic UniPhier 1.1 1.3a 7.1 0
Denon DVD-3800BD Panasonic UniPhier+Realta 1.1 1.3a 7.1 7.1
Goldmund Eidos 20 BD
LG BH100 Broadcom BCM7411 1.0 1.3 5.1 5.1
LG BH200 Broadcom BCM7440+QDEO 1.1 1.3 7.1 2.0
Loewe BluTech Vision 1.1 1.2a 7.1 5.1
Panasonic DMP-BD10 Sigma SMP8634 1.0 1.1 7.1 7.1
Panasonic DMP-BD30E Panasonic UniPhier 1.1 1.3a 7.1 5.1
Panasonic DMP-BD50 Panasonic UniPhier 2.0 1.3 7.1 5.1
Philips BDP7100 1.0 1.3 5.1 5.1
Philips BDP9000 Broadcom BCM7411 1.0 1.2 5.1 5.1
Pioneer BDP-LX70 Sigma SMP8634 RevA 1.0 1.2a 5.1 5.1
Pioneer BDP-LX70A Sigma SMP8634 RevA 1.0 1.3a 5.1 5.1
Pioneer BDP-LX71 Sigma SMP8634 RevC 1.1 1.3a 7.1 7.1
Samsung BD-P1000 Broadcom BCM7411 1.0 1.0 5.1 5.1
Samsung BD-P1400 Sigma SMP8634 RevC 1.0 1.3 5.1 5.1
Samsung BD-P1500 Broadcom BCM7440P 1.1 1.3 5.1 2.0
Samsung BD-P2500 2.0 7.1 7.1
Sharp BD-HP20S Sigma SMP8634 1.0 1.3 5.1 5.1
Sigmatek SBR-1000 1.3
Sony BDP-S1E Sigma SMP8634 RevA 1.0 1.2 7.1 5.1
Sony BDP-S300 Sigma SMP8634 RevA 1.0 1.1 7.1 5.1
Sony BDP-S500 Sigma SMP8634 1.0 1.3 7.1 5.1
Sony PLAYSTATION 3 (40GB) Cell Processor 2.0 1.3 7.1 2.0

...which would be top suggestions for "excellent" or "premium" BLU-RAY picture quality performance? I'm not worrying about DVD upscaling for the moment as I just ordered an Oppo 983 to handle that, so what would be my best bet for good Blu-ray performance AND bitstreaming capabilities from this list?

Also what is the difference between the "region" codes?

[Blu Titan]

Choose the PS3 40GB (because it is quieter). With the PS3 you will have an AWESOME 2.0 profile Blu-ray player that is future proof. BTW the PS3 does a great job upscailing DVDs.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Oh no...do we really need to go over this again? ...

I am looking for a standalone player, not the PS3, that bitstreams all the codecs including TrueHD and Master Audio...

[kingofgrills]

Since you didn't mention a budget, I assume price is no object. Look no further than the Denon DVD-3800BDCI.

• 10-bit Realta HQV™ video processor for advanced i/p and scaling
• 1080p/24fps output and Multi-Cadence Detection for accurate i/p conversion
• HDMI v1.3a output for 36 bit Deep Color support
• Latest Analog devices Video DACs
• Denon D.D.S.C.-HD Technology decodes new, higher-quality surround
• Dual 32-bit floating point DSP, Burr Brown PCM-1796 audio decoders for all channels and Advanced AL24 Processing for greater dynamic range
• Master clock design for accurate processing and reduced jitter noise

Pick it up and enjoy incredible movies and music.

[krisjan]

I have three BD players from your list: Samsung 1200, Sony 300 and Panasonic BD30. Of these, I very highly recommend the BD30 (it's the only profile 1.1 player of the three I have if that matters to you). Since you have the same decoding AVR as me, with the BD30 you'll get all the hi-rez audio formats plus the BD PQ is excellent. Also, Panasonic has been good about regular FW updates to ensure that BD's will play and to fix issues with the performance (like the low LFE output via HDMI issue that was fixed with FW 1.6). That would be my recommendation.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Since you didn't mention a budget, I assume price is no object. Look no further than the Denon DVD-3800BDCI.

• 10-bit Realta HQV™ video processor for advanced i/p and scaling
• 1080p/24fps output and Multi-Cadence Detection for accurate i/p conversion
• HDMI v1.3a output for 36 bit Deep Color support
• Latest Analog devices Video DACs
• Denon D.D.S.C.-HD Technology decodes new, higher-quality surround
• Dual 32-bit floating point DSP, Burr Brown PCM-1796 audio decoders for all channels and Advanced AL24 Processing for greater dynamic range
• Master clock design for accurate processing and reduced jitter noise

Pick it up and enjoy incredible movies and music.

Thank you for the reply...

Perhaps I should re-edit my original question...yes, price isn't an object to a certain point...how about Blu-ray players that bitstream the new codecs -- all of them -- and exclude the $2000 Denon player which is a bit out of my budget...

Being that you mentioned the Denon, would this player PERFORM better with Blu-ray than players in the $500 or so range? I never could get a straight answer on that.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by krisjan

I have three BD players from your list: Samsung 1200, Sony 300 and Panasonic BD30. Of these, I very highly recommend the BD30 (it's the only profile 1.1 player of the three I have if that matters to you). Since you have the same decoding AVR as me, with the BD30 you'll get all the hi-rez audio formats plus the BD PQ is excellent. Also, Panasonic has been good about regular FW updates to ensure that BD's will play and to fix issues with the performance (like the low LFE output via HDMI issue that was fixed with FW 1.6). That would be my recommendation.

Thank you for your thoughts and input.

I think I would like to go with another brand other than Panasonic this time around because I would be replacing my 'BD10A with one of these new players, and I'm not that crazy about the picture quality the '10A puts out over 1080p...I would like a much more razor-sharp image from my discs and looking for better, higher performance...

That's why I am wondering if decks like the Denon and Marantz actually OUTPERFORM other Blu ray decks at lower price points...

[krisjan]

BD30 owners who also have/had the BD10 have siad the 30 has a superior BD PQ. Apparently, the BD10 is a bit soft. That is definitely not an issue with the BD30.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by krisjan

BD30 owners who also have/had the BD10 have siad the 30 has a superior BD PQ. Apparently, the BD10 is a bit soft. That is definitely not an issue with the BD30.

Thank you very much for the info. It's strange -- I am finding the same thing about my '10A...that the image is just soft and just doesn't look like high definition -- but I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong. I didn't know this was an "issue" with other '10A owners; most reviews of this deck are positive except for one online guy who found what I found -- playing back Blu rays on this player exhibits a strange "dithering" or "twitchiness" that shouldn't belong on high definition discs...

This is the essential heart of what these posts are about...what exactly is making the "technology" inside the new players like the BD30 or new BD50 or perhaps the $2000 Denon "better" and better-performing than decks like the BD10/10A? What is being implemented in these new players that's allowing the circuitry inside to make the discs look better? Shouldn't it all be the same inside? Isn't it all Blue Laser technology for all intents and purposes?

That's why I need to find this out now before I buy a new deck...will players like the $2000 Denon or the Sony ES or the new Marantz or Pioneer Elite REALLY out perform players in the Panasonic's price range? Will I see obvious differences in the way these players output a picture at 1080p?

[krisjan]

Originally Posted by ClinicaTerra LTD

Thank you very much for the info. It's strange -- I am finding the same thing about my '10A...that the image is just soft and just doesn't look like high definition -- but I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong. I didn't know this was an "issue" with other '10A owners; most reviews of this deck are positive except for one online guy who found what I found -- playing back Blu rays on this player exhibits a strange "dithering" or "twitchiness" that shouldn't belong on high definition discs...

This is the essential heart of what these posts are about...what exactly is making the "technology" inside the new players like the BD30 or new BD50 or perhaps the $2000 Denon "better" and better-performing than decks like the BD10/10A? What is being implemented in these new players that's allowing the circuitry inside to make the discs look better? Shouldn't it all be the same inside? Isn't it all Blue Laser technology for all intents and purposes?

That's why I need to find this out now before I buy a new deck...will players like the $2000 Denon or the Sony ES or the new Marantz or Pioneer Elite REALLY out perform players in the Panasonic's price range? Will I see obvious differences in the way these players output a picture at 1080p?

Instead of asking people for their opinions, you need to go get demos of the newer players and then you can see for yourself. All players use decoding chips and they can use various ways to implement them which would account for subtle differences in playback quality. It's my opinion however that the PQ differences for Blu-ray discs are really very slight if present at all. Keep in mind that most players have picture adjustment controls so comparing them becomes more difficult (i.e. how do you know the various PQ settings represent the optimum for an individual player?). You will end up going around in circles.

There are threads for all of the players on this and other forums. By perusing them, you can learn a lot about the various issues people have had with their players. For example, I would never buy another Samsung player after owing the 1200 - Samsung just doesn't seem like they fully understand how to implement BD technology. Even their latest offering (1500) has been showing problems with playback in some setups. On the other hand, my Panasonis BD30 and Sony 300 players have performed extremely well and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either though the BD30 takes pride of place in my home theater. PQ on all three of these players is equivalent - and all are excellent.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Krisjan,

Instead of asking people for their opinions, you need to go get demos of the newer players and then you can see for yourself.

...but I respect everyone's opinions on this site and thought that's what these sites are all about, essentially -- to ask opinions, share opinions, garner information, transmit that information to folks that may not be that in the know...if I get a demo in a certain retail outlet, how do I know exactly how these stores have the players set up? Most outlets -- and I'm sure you know this -- are so clueless in terms of their staff requirements that 90 percent of them are not even connecting their Blu ray players to a display using HDMI cables; I fear that even more of them are utilizing red and white RCA stereo cables for audio feed too and telling their customers "LISTEN! HIGH DEF AUDIO!"

So I would rather get the opinions from prospective members in here who may have some insight as to which players make a visual picture difference compared to others, etc., especially based on the discussion we were having about the Panasonics' tendency to spit out softer images at 1080p than other brands...

All players use decoding chips and they can use various ways to implement them which would account for subtle differences in playback quality.

THOSE are the kinds of details and opinions/insight I was looking for; if there are differences between them, just how "vicisously radically different" would the images be between decks? I don't want to spend two grand on the Denon (not in my budget anyway, but...) to discover it looks "the same" as my Panny '10A. If there are different methods to deliver BD video, I wanted to know it...and you address this below:

It's my opinion however that the PQ differences for Blu-ray discs are really very slight if present at all. Keep in mind that most players have picture adjustment controls so comparing them becomes more difficult (i.e. how do you know the various PQ settings represent the optimum for an individual player?). You will end up going around in circles.

Indeed; I know BD players have individual "picture adjustments" like a TV which I think is a ridiculous notion anyway, but that concerned me in a different thread I started -- I keep my BD and DVD playback on the '10A on "NORMAL" mode but is this really "the best" for the "best punch" from these discs? I don't know...

There are threads for all of the players on this and other forums. By perusing them, you can learn a lot about the various issues people have had with their players. For example, I would never buy another Samsung player after owing the 1200 - Samsung just doesn't seem like they fully understand how to implement BD technology. Even their latest offering (1500) has been showing problems with playback in some setups.

Agreed: Based on what I've read, I am eliminating Samsung from any list I would make of players to consider.

[Sith]

I would just go to a place like frys that has all of these in a room and watch
a real crisp movie like maybe I robot or Cars....And see what you like better...


Personally though if your really looking for the best blu ray player and your
closing your mind to a ps3 your not doing yourself justice....Load times and
upgradability alone should be a factor, and the pq is top notch....

But if you just won't consider it, most people consider the panny 30 your best bang for the buck.....like your 605(i own a 605 to and it rocks )

[crackinhedz]

Pioneer BDP-05FD

my vote.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

I would just go to a place like frys that has all of these in a room and watch
a real crisp movie like maybe I robot or Cars....And see what you like better...

The Frys near me is a joke, but I will take what you say into definite consideration...when I was shopping for a Blu-ray player and receiver originally, and had questions about whether or not the player and receiver would "talk" to each other via HDMI, it took SIX salesmen at Frys to swap out cables, ask each other a million questions and then come back to me with "I just don't know...." I gave up on Frys.

But again the issue becomes how do I know how these stores have the players set up? And then there's the issue of how the DISPLAYS are set up -- how can I get an accurate test if a TV is set to VIVID mode?

Personally though if your really looking for the best blu ray player and your
closing your mind to a ps3 your not doing yourself justice....Load times and
upgradability alone should be a factor, and the pq is top notch....

Thank you, but again I just don't want the PS3 -- just a personal preference. I don't mean or wish to jump into the ridiculous swarm fight that's going on in the other thread about the PS3. Just want opinions on every other standalone deck. Thank you again.

But if you just won't consider it, most people consider the panny 30 your best bang for the buck.....like your 605(i own a 605 to and it rocks )

Well, taking Bang for the Buck out of the equation -- as well as Panasonic players because I'm not happy with my '10A -- what else should be considered outside of the $2000 Denon and the Samsungs?

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Pioneer BDP-05FD

my vote.

Thanks, Crackin!

Would this deck offer very, very good BD performance? And it does bitstream the codecs, yes?

So...we have the Sonys and now this recommendation of the Pioneer; what about the $1000 Denon?

Something interesting about the new Sony lineup that I just saw in the new Crutchfield...

Aside from the entry level model, ALL the Sony Blu ray players now -- including the top of the line ES model -- seem to be able to bitstream the TrueHD and Master Audio streams...so what's the difference between them? Why are some $400 and the ES is $1200?

And another thing that bothered me about the descriptions of these Sony players in Crutchfield: According to their "stellar" editors most of these machines, they're saying, only INTERNALLY DECODE legacy Dolby and DTS codecs to MULTICHANNEL PCM -- not native bitstream...this concerns me because some Blu rays come with a legacy Dolby Digital track (like Michael Clayton) and I need those to be sent bitstream as well...

Is this true? Do these new players that bitstream the NEW codecs also just send the legacy codecs only as internally decoded PCM?

[crackinhedz]

yes, the Pioneer can bitstream TrueHD and Dts-HD MA.


as for the comments on the Sony's not bitstreaming the audio...they can. Even the legacy codecs. (every bluray player can bitstream legacy codecs....do you have a link to these comments?)

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

like your 605(i own a 605 to and it rocks )

...oh and yes, I WILL agree with this wholeheartedly...the 605 is probably the best bang for the buck in the entire home theater world...I love Onkyo's products...solid, serious build quality...reputation for acceptable reliability...clean aluminum faceplates...I mean, where else can you get in the door with the latest TrueHD/Master Audio onboard decoding for a list price of...what...$500? I paid less for mine on sale, but still...sure, it's only got two HDMI inputs, but they're HDMI 1.3a -- almost unheard of at this price point before Onkyo came out with it. Sure, it's not THX certified...and sure, it has "90 watts per channel" but this thing is PLENTY loud and kicks ass in most average theaters unless you have a ridiculously sized room.

It really is a great product.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

yes, the Pioneer can bitstream TrueHD and Dts-HD MA.


as for the comments on the Sony's not bitstreaming the audio...they can. Even the legacy codecs. (every bluray player can bitstream legacy codecs....do you have a link to these comments?)

No, Crackin, I got this information direct from the new catalog that just came to my door yesterday -- in the description of each of the models, they listed "Dolby Digital and DTS converted to multichannel PCM..." so I was worried that legacy codecs were not bitstreamed over...

So, every Blu-ray player CAN send Dolby and DTS over bitstream? Whew...thanks for the info!

U Rock...

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by ClinicaTerra LTD

So, every Blu-ray player CAN send Dolby and DTS over bitstream?

to my knowledge yes.

but crazier things have happened. This just does not sound right to me.


what models were they for?...i'll see if I can get a user manual to look at.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

to my knowledge yes.

but crazier things have happened. This just does not sound right to me.

I'm not sure that's what will actually happen on these players and I could have interpretted it wrong -- but you are most likely right.