Best Available BD Player

[BBCAN]

I just recently invested in a LCD TV as well as a surround sound system and I wanted to jump into HD. I wasnted to get some advise on what is the best BD player (Brand and model) currently available or to be available this year.

Please advise what you know and from your experience. I have heard that the PS3 is a great bet, but I do not game alot and I would sooner make a choice based on BD capabilities.

Please advise
Thanks
B

[Jimbo976]

Even if you don't game at all it is the best Blu-ray player to get. It is the fastest and gets constant updates.

[Eagle_23]

I was in the same boat as you before last friday. Did a lot of research and posted a lot of questions on this board and others asking about all sorts of stuff. In the end I went and bought a PS3. Which I believe to be the best choice just like the above poster. So my recommendation is to go out and buy a PS3 now, I waited for forever trying to decide what player to get (was going to get the 350) but am glad I can finally watch my movies in glorious 1080p.

[mike1977]

Originally Posted by Eagle_23

I was in the same boat as you before last friday. Did a lot of research and posted a lot of questions on this board and others asking about all sorts of stuff. In the end I went and bought a PS3. Which I believe to be the best choice just like the above poster. So my recommendation is to go out and buy a PS3 now, I waited for forever trying to decide what player to get (was going to get the 350) but am glad I can finally watch my movies in glorious 1080p.

Yeah, I was going to get the 350 too, but saw the 40gb at the same price...so I cancelled and ordered a ps3.

[johnsmeets]

hdmi isn,t the best way to connect a blu ray player with your receiver/tv
i tought it was
i,m in the need of upgrading my system too
receiver will be onkyo sr 905
blu ray i want all formats thinking of the sony 350 or 550
new 7.1 surroundspeaker set will probaly come from "teufel" germany
thought about ps3 as a blu ray player but to many cons(the noise of the van, hate that can,t stand it if anything makes noise, other than the movie

[SkillzthatKillz]

Originally Posted by johnsmeets

hdmi isn,t the best way to connect a blu ray player with your receiver/tv
i tought it was
i,m in the need of upgrading my system too
receiver will be onkyo sr 905
blu ray i want all formats thinking of the sony 350 or 550
new 7.1 surroundspeaker set will probaly come from "teufel" germany
thought about ps3 as a blu ray player but to many cons(the noise of the van, hate that can,t stand it if anything makes noise, other than the movie

the ps3 is very quiet. just keep it well ventilated and the fan wont come on. i have a 40 gb model btw

[sg2386]

The PS3 is an excellent Blu-ray player. It loads so fast compared to most standalones and the firmware updates are great. Its a great machine overall.

From what i read the Sony BDP-S350 and BDP-S550 look like awesome players if you don't want the PS3.

[RUR]

Yes, the PS3 is a great player, provided you don't need 5.1/7.1 analog outs.

[bhampton]

Ps3 is my choice and has been since Nov 06.

I don't think anyone "needs" analog output. Those new-fangled HDMI cable thingies can send the audio with the video to the rest of your gear.

Time to ditch the pro-logic AVRs.

-Brian

[Entertainment72]

If most people are upgrading their SD TV's to HDTV's and DVD players to BD's chances are they will eventually upgrade their archaic analog out receivers to HDMI receivers.

Thus I allow my "zeal" for the PS3 to come into effect and recommend it.

Choose the reason Blu-Ray is even on the map.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Ps3 is my choice and has been since Nov 06.

I don't think anyone "needs" analog output. Those new-fangled HDMI cable thingies can send the audio with the video to the rest of your gear.

Time to ditch the pro-logic AVRs.

-Brian

Must....................resist.................... bashing................

Do you suggest he dumps his $10k+ pre-amp also?

[mightymike]

Hi, everybody.
This is in reply to bhampton's post of yesterday.
I need analogs out! I don't play any games so I wouldn't be interested in a PS3. But I do have a Denon 5800 reciever that doesn't have HDMI, I know that the PS3 can't process any of the new codexes, so yes, I need a stand alone player that will decode and pass analog 7.1 to my 5800.
In a perfect world where I was rich I may think about investing another 3 or 4grand just so I could get HDMI in's but I don't live in that world!
If your saying to yourself, 3 or 4 grand? I take my movie veiwing and my music very seriously.
mightymike

[prerich]

Originally Posted by RUR

Yes, the PS3 is a great player, provided you don't need 5.1/7.1 analog outs.

+1 Wise and noble counsle!!!!

[clownface]

Originally Posted by Jimbo976

Even if you don't game at all it is the best Blu-ray player to get. It is the fastest and gets constant updates.

Yes Sir!!!

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by BBCAN

I just recently invested in a LCD TV as well as a surround sound system and I wanted to jump into HD. I wasnted to get some advise on what is the best BD player (Brand and model) currently available or to be available this year.

Please advise what you know and from your experience. I have heard that the PS3 is a great bet, but I do not game alot and I would sooner make a choice based on BD capabilities.

Please advise
Thanks
B

Here is a great article direct from CE Pro on why professional installers should be placing the PS3 as the BD player of choice in their customers' custom-built home theater rooms. CE Pro is the leading trade publication for the consumer electronics home theater and whole house networking solutions industry.

If the PS3 is good enough for custom home installers, where they could be working on $100k plus projects, there's a good chance it'll probably work for your needs too. Of course everyone's situation is different, so it may not be right for you. The PS3's biggest drawbacks are lack of traditional I/R remote support, no multi-channel analog output for non-HDMI gear, and lack of bitstreaming for people who feel a need for it. However, the PS3's positives far outweigh the negative, and it brings a whole lot of great features and future proofing together in one inexpensive box.

Here's the article:

http://www.cepro.com/article/10_reas...lu_ray_player/

[dew912]

Use PS3 as blu-ray on pioneer elite TV. What exactly am I losing by the PS3 not being able to "bitstream audio" i have a fairly high end system (10kish, powered by vsx82txs, focal 826vb, matching center and rears, velodyne minivee), but never had an issue with sound. using optical cable b/c my receiver does not support hdmi audio - all audioquest wiring.

[The Guardian]

Originally Posted by dew912

Use PS3 as blu-ray on pioneer elite TV. What exactly am I losing by the PS3 not being able to "bitstream audio" i have a fairly high end system (10kish, powered by vsx82txs, focal 826vb, matching center and rears, velodyne minivee), but never had an issue with sound. using optical cable b/c my receiver does not support hdmi audio - all audioquest wiring.

What you are losing is sound. The most quality you can get for surround sound over an optical cable is I believe 1.5 Mbps. If you were to get a player with analog outs you would notice an immediate and obvious change for the better in your sound quality. Even the Sharp -20 would do it, except it doesn't do DTS-MA, but you'd hear it on PCM and TrueHD tracks.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by dew912

Use PS3 as blu-ray on pioneer elite TV. What exactly am I losing by the PS3 not being able to "bitstream audio" i have a fairly high end system (10kish, powered by vsx82txs, focal 826vb, matching center and rears, velodyne minivee), but never had an issue with sound. using optical cable b/c my receiver does not support hdmi audio - all audioquest wiring.

Being limited to only optical means you are currently not and will never get any of the HD audio formats.
While I'm sure with that system DTS and DD sound great, HD audio will blow you away.
The difference is like that of DVD vs Blu on the visual side.

If you had a Blu player that internally decoded all HD format and passed 7.1 analog out to the 7.1 input of your Elite AVR you would be enjoying HD audio right now.
The PS3 cannot and will never be able to do that and that is its bigest downfall in a highend system.

EDIT:
Whoa, you have a vsx82txs?! This one right?
That model does have HDMI 1.2 inputs!
If so, why are you using optical for blurays?
The PS3 can send decoded HD Audio through HDMI.
Any HDMI 1.2 capable AVR should be able to play the converted PCM output.
It is the digital equivilent to the analog situation stated above.
In your case make sure the HDMI is set to AMP and not THROUGH.

[SkillzthatKillz]

ps3 ftw!!! allah ackbar!!!

[Streaker76]

Originally Posted by SkillzthatKillz

ps3 ftw!!! allah ackbar!!!

???? not sure what you mean....