Blu-ray Player Recommendation Please

[boojiboy]

I lurk in these forums often, but I must admit, I'm not much on the technical specifications of the players. So I'd appreciate advice on which Blu-Ray player to buy. I'm aiming to purchase around Xmas time.

I currently have a Integra DTR 4.6 receiver, a 5.1 speaker system and a Sony SXRD 60 inch TV. My HD-DVD Player is obviously obsolete. However, I really like the sound I have, I believe I'm using TrueHD with analog outputs. When I dumped HDMI and went analog outputs I noticed a very significant improvement in sound.

So obviously picture is important, but sound is also very, very important to me. I'm a PC gamer, so I'm not interested in the PS3. Also willing to spend $400-$500 if need be, but it looks like prices are dropping nicely.

Thanks in advance!!

[RIPSeanTaylor21]

Originally Posted by boojiboy

I lurk in these forums often, but I must admit, I'm not much on the technical specifications of the players. So I'd appreciate advice on which Blu-Ray player to buy. I'm aiming to purchase around Xmas time.

I currently have a Integra DTR 4.6 receiver, a 5.1 speaker system and a Sony SXRD 60 inch TV. My HD-DVD Player is obviously obsolete. However, I really like the sound I have, I believe I'm using TrueHD with analog outputs. When I dumped HDMI and went analog outputs I noticed a very significant improvement in sound.

So obviously picture is important, but sound is also very, very important to me. I'm a PC gamer, so I'm not interested in the PS3. Also willing to spend $400-$500 if need be, but it looks like prices are dropping nicely.

Thanks in advance!!

If you Max Budget is $500 then :



Pioneer - BonusView Blu-ray Disc Player with 1080p Output
Model: BDP-51FD | SKU: 8894609
Price: $599.99
Brilliant video and dazzling audio are delivered with equal facility by this Blu-ray Disc player, thanks to its full 1080p upconversion, Wolfson Audio DACs and an exclusive jitter-reduction circuit that ensures high-quality audio and video performance from all your entertainment media.

What's Included

Pioneer BonusView Blu-ray Disc Player with 1080p Output
Remote with 2 AA batteries
Composite video cable
Analog audio cable
Power cord
Owner's manual


In my opinion fastest Loading Blu Ray next to PS3

[RIPSeanTaylor21]

• Pioneer BDP-51HD- $599.99
• Sony BDP 350- $299.99
• Panasonic BD-35K- $299.99
• Sony BDP 550- $399.99
• Samsung---STAY AWAY

[kpkelley]

According to the specifications on this site the Pioneer does not decode the DTS-HD MA internally, so if you go for that one it would have to be over hdmi.

The Panasonic DMP-BD55 can internally decode both or bitstream them to an equivalent player. Since you preffered analog audio over the hdmi alternative I would suggest this player, it's also cheaper.

Panasonic DMP-BD55

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by RIPSeanTaylor21

• Pioneer BDP-51HD- $599.99
• Sony BDP 350- $299.99
• Panasonic BD-35K- $299.99
• Sony BDP 550- $399.99
• Samsung---STAY AWAY

hello -- not sure where you are seeing that price, but Amazon has had the S550 for pretty much $329 the last 2-3 weeks at least. (maybe you had "List" prices for each?)

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by RIPSeanTaylor21

• Pioneer BDP-51HD- $599.99
• Sony BDP 350- $299.99 - no analog audio
• Panasonic BD-35K- $299.99 - no analog audio
• Sony BDP 550- $399.99 - good alternative to the Panasonic

udpdated.

[RIPSeanTaylor21]

Originally Posted by aerodude73

hello -- not sure where you are seeing that price, but Amazon has had the S550 for pretty much $329 the last 2-3 weeks at least. (maybe you had "List" prices for each?)

best buy.com

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by RIPSeanTaylor21

best buy.com

well, that's why I guess! i'm sure the S350 is lower as well at Amazon than BB or CC, or any local stores in one's area. it'd be nice if they could price match, but I don't think they do that from what i've heard or read.

[boojiboy]

Thanks for all the great responses already.

So if I'm not mistaken, with my preference for analog outputs (don't know the technical reason why, but I can certainly hear the difference), going with a player that internal decodes the signal is the why to go? I assume there is an advantage to the player decoding the signal over my Integra DTR 4.6 receiver?

I'm also planning to redo the ISF calibration since my High Def player will be a completely new source. Just double-checking because someone told me it doesn't need to be redone.

[RIPSeanTaylor21]

Oh BTW The Samsung BD 1500 will be on sale for 199.99 for Black Friday at Best Buy

[rmackay]

I'll jump in on this thread as I am looking for a recommendation as well. I'll probably purchase from Costco and they have the Sony BDP-BX1, which as I understand, is the same as the s350. They also have the Samsung BDP1500C, which I believe is the same as the 1500. There is also the Philips BDP700/F7, which I haven't read much about.

It will be hooked up to a Yamaha RXV661 receiver so does that mean that I want the decoding to be done by the receiver and not the player?

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by rmackay

I'll jump in on this thread as I am looking for a recommendation as well. I'll probably purchase from Costco and they have the Sony BDP-BX1, which as I understand, is the same as the s350. They also have the Samsung BDP1500C, which I believe is the same as the 1500. There is also the Philips BDP700/F7, which I haven't read much about.

It will be hooked up to a Yamaha RXV661 receiver so does that mean that I want the decoding to be done by the receiver and not the player?

You want a player that can decode the hd audio and send it over hdmi by lpcm, since the receiver cannot decode TrueHD or DTS-HD MA.

[rmackay]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

You want a player that can decode the hd audio and send it over hdmi by lpcm, since the receiver cannot decode TrueHD or DTS-HD MA.

Ok - which would be a good player for that?

[SkillzthatKillz]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

You want a player that can decode the hd audio and send it over hdmi by lpcm, since the receiver cannot decode TrueHD or DTS-HD MA.

and on that note i'd go for the panasonic DMP-BD55 or the Sony BDP-S550, as they can both internally decode the HD audio codecs and send them over HDMI

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by rmackay

Ok - which would be a good player for that?

Sony 350/550
Panasonic 35/55

Any of these four will be able to supply your reciever with all the hd audio glory.

[Zman2k2]

Originally Posted by boojiboy

Thanks for all the great responses already.

So if I'm not mistaken, with my preference for analog outputs (don't know the technical reason why, but I can certainly hear the difference), going with a player that internal decodes the signal is the why to go? I assume there is an advantage to the player decoding the signal over my Integra DTR 4.6 receiver?

I'm also planning to redo the ISF calibration since my High Def player will be a completely new source. Just double-checking because someone told me it doesn't need to be redone.

Yes, going with a player that internally decodes, you would need the Panasonic BMP-BD55 or the Sony BDP-S550. Personally, from reading the reveiws, I would recommend the Panasonic, because of the slight improvement in video processing over the Sony.

Originally Posted by rmackay

I'll jump in on this thread as I am looking for a recommendation as well. I'll probably purchase from Costco and they have the Sony BDP-BX1, which as I understand, is the same as the s350. They also have the Samsung BDP1500C, which I believe is the same as the 1500. There is also the Philips BDP700/F7, which I haven't read much about.

It will be hooked up to a Yamaha RXV661 receiver so does that mean that I want the decoding to be done by the receiver and not the player?

You will also need a player that internally decodes and sends the signal to the receiver either through the analog outputs or via LCPM over HDMI. My recommendation for you would be the same, go with the Panasonic. However, you could also use the PS3 for your system, and set it up to send signal LCPM over HDMI. The BX1 and the 1500C won't work for you, as you won't get the decoding of DTS HD-MA.

[rmackay]

So one of you say that the BX1 won't decode DTS HD-MA and another one of you says that the 350 will decode it. The BX1 is the same player as the 350 but the model # is different for Costco isn't it?

[rmackay]

Well according to the specs, the 350 does not decode DTS HD-MA but it does decode TrueHD. Same thing for the Samsung 1500.

So is there any major difference with TrueHD and DTS HD-MA?

[Zman2k2]

No, there's no difference between either TrueHD or DTS HD-MA. They are two different ways to get lossless audio. But if a disc has one type, it doesn't have the other (save for a few titles).

The BX1 is the S350, but it doesn't have TrueHD decoding, comes with an HDMI cable and has a backlit remote. The BX1 will ONLY bitstream the HD audio codecs. I still feel for you, the Panasonic BD55, Sony S550 or PS3 are your best choices.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by rmackay

Well according to the specs, the 350 does not decode DTS HD-MA but it does decode TrueHD. Same thing for the Samsung 1500.

So is there any major difference with TrueHD and DTS HD-MA?

There's no difference. But, very few discs have both formats, just one or the other. So, if your player doesn't decode dts-MA, you will be limited to DTS core on those discs. Fox uses dts-MA exclusively for its lossless releases. I believe there are couple of other studios, as well.