Blu-Ray and definition. - Blu-ray Forum

BOF · 12-03-2008, 10:07 AM

Hi guys

First post so please forgive my ignorance.

I do not yet have a Blu-ray player.However, I would like to buy one for a Xmas present to myself.

I have two TV's,both have built-in HD tuners :

A Sharp 32" LCD. Resolution 1360i x 760p

An LG 42" Plasma. Resolution 1024i x 760p

Would use the player on the plasma

My questions: Is it worth my while to get a Blu-ray player? I'm thinking of a Sony 350 (?) which I can get for about $350 + about $50 for the HDMI connection.

Will I notice significant differences in (a) standard DVD discs,and (b) Blu-ray discs,given the relatively low resolution of my sets?

Be also interested in opinions of better sets in the same price range.

H9k_ · 12-03-2008, 10:42 AM

Yes.

Maybe not a giant leap in resolution but you will get better colors and low or close to zero pesky compression artefacts. I have seen plenty of smaller 720 sets benefit from BD in all areas, how mutch is up to the person that sees.

You did not mention sound so im not sure if you are hard of hearing or what

. If you have normal heaering you will greatly benefit from lossless sound thats real good. And if you are into extras Blu can offer alot there too.

Once you get used to Blu-ray you dont really feel like going back to DVD.

Check it out

Blu Jacket · 12-03-2008, 01:11 PM

I think the 350 is usually only around $300 and was marked down to about $200 for Black Friday sales. And DO NOT spend $50 on HDMI cables. You can get them for $5 or less on Monoprice.com.

DeadDog · 12-03-2008, 01:30 PM

Yes, you will notice a dramatic improvement. The step up from standard dvd to blu-ray on a 720p set is still extremely impressive. As much as most like to push 1080p (and I understand the reasoning) it's not entirely necessary, especially if you already have a TV and aren't looking to purchase another.

The naked eye can only detect so much detail from a certain distance. I will guarantee that you will be happy with a blu-ray player. As someone else said don't spend $50 on an hdmi cable. Monoprice.com has worked well for pretty much everyone on here as far as I can tell.

Samsang · 12-03-2008, 04:35 PM

I second Blu Jacket's suggestion of monoprice.com. Also surf by firefold.com for low prices on quality HDMI cables. Compare prices at both for the cable length you need.

Do not let retail store salesmen convince you that there is any difference in cable quality whatever the price point. The big box stores heavily discount the TV's, receivers, and other expensive items. The store's strategy is to beef up the profit on a sale by overpricing the accessories. The good news is that these accessories are small and light so shipping cost from an online source is low.

The stores aren't evil for doing this; they're just trying to make a buck. But you aren't evil for ordering your accessories online. Don't buckle from the intensity of the hard sell. Order online and stretch your budget.

BOF · 12-03-2008, 07:52 PM

Thanks guys,exactly the information I was after. I think I'll go shopping today. I've been thinking about this for over a year,waiting for a resolution of the Blu0ray/HD bunfight and prices to come down.

I asked about the Sony BDP 350 because the reviews on line are pretty good.I've looked at Panasonic DMP BD35,and some of the top of pricier players but I think I'll go with the Sony.

The price I quoted is the best I can do here in South Australia.

Monoprice? I gather that's US?

I will look around more here.--if it's $5 in the US,if I order it,the cost will be closer to $20 by the time I get it-but still, a lot better than $50.

PS: I'm 61; I have some hearing loss in the higher range.

00000000000000000000-------------------------0000000000000000000000

Another question; Does a Blu-ray player play the same range of DVD discs as a standard player?

BOF · 12-04-2008, 10:05 PM

I bought my player yesterday.

A Sony BDP S350

It lists here for $425.Several stores had a it 'on special' for $398. The best I could was $370.

The guy who sold it to me wanted to sell me an HDMI connection for $75.I declined and used the one I already had. I will look online for another..

I then went and hired a Bu-ray movie .'Hancock' (the selection at my local shop is not large) The quality is superb the sound stunning.Pity about the movie.

I also played some from my own library. A noticeable improvement.Sadly it would not play one of my home made jobs.

Yes, I'm aware I probably "could have" bought the player cheaper online.However,I only buy stuff on line much over $20 from trusted companies. E Bay has a rotten reputation here,as does PayPal.

PLEASE, no comments about what I SHOULD have done after the fact.It's one of my pet peeves, and my reaction can be quite rude, not to mention downright churlish.

Thank you to those who answered my post.I used the information you provided and from other threads to help me make my decision. I feel I did everything I reasonably could to make an informed decision.

H9k_ · 12-04-2008, 10:45 PM

Congratulation and welcome to blu

QwikSand · 12-05-2008, 12:21 AM

That's great, it's the player that I have and I love it. If you connect it to the internet, it will update itself whenever there is a new update and there have been some already so you would be able to get those if you are able to do so. You can also use the online BD-Live content for the movies that support it as well if you plug a USB flash drive into the back storage slot.

12-03-2008, 10:07 AM	#1
BOF Junior Member Member since:Dec 2008	Blu-Ray and definition. Hi guys First post so please forgive my ignorance. I do not yet have a Blu-ray player.However, I would like to buy one for a Xmas present to myself. I have two TV's,both have built-in HD tuners : A Sharp 32" LCD. Resolution 1360i x 760p An LG 42" Plasma. Resolution 1024i x 760p Would use the player on the plasma My questions: Is it worth my while to get a Blu-ray player? I'm thinking of a Sony 350 (?) which I can get for about $350 + about $50 for the HDMI connection. Will I notice significant differences in (a) standard DVD discs,and (b) Blu-ray discs,given the relatively low resolution of my sets? Be also interested in opinions of better sets in the same price range.

12-03-2008, 07:52 PM	#6
BOF Junior Member Member since:Dec 2008	Thank you Thanks guys,exactly the information I was after. I think I'll go shopping today. I've been thinking about this for over a year,waiting for a resolution of the Blu0ray/HD bunfight and prices to come down. I asked about the Sony BDP 350 because the reviews on line are pretty good.I've looked at Panasonic DMP BD35,and some of the top of pricier players but I think I'll go with the Sony. The price I quoted is the best I can do here in South Australia. Monoprice? I gather that's US? I will look around more here.--if it's $5 in the US,if I order it,the cost will be closer to $20 by the time I get it-but still, a lot better than $50. PS: I'm 61; I have some hearing loss in the higher range. 00000000000000000000-------------------------0000000000000000000000 Another question; Does a Blu-ray player play the same range of DVD discs as a standard player?

12-04-2008, 10:05 PM	#7
BOF Junior Member Member since:Dec 2008	Update I bought my player yesterday. A Sony BDP S350 It lists here for $425.Several stores had a it 'on special' for $398. The best I could was $370. The guy who sold it to me wanted to sell me an HDMI connection for $75.I declined and used the one I already had. I will look online for another.. I then went and hired a Bu-ray movie .'Hancock' (the selection at my local shop is not large) The quality is superb the sound stunning.Pity about the movie. I also played some from my own library. A noticeable improvement.Sadly it would not play one of my home made jobs. Yes, I'm aware I probably "could have" bought the player cheaper online.However,I only buy stuff on line much over $20 from trusted companies. E Bay has a rotten reputation here,as does PayPal. PLEASE, no comments about what I SHOULD have done after the fact.It's one of my pet peeves, and my reaction can be quite rude, not to mention downright churlish. Thank you to those who answered my post.I used the information you provided and from other threads to help me make my decision. I feel I did everything I reasonably could to make an informed decision.

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12-03-2008, 10:42 AM	#2
H9k_ Active Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Vikingland	Yes. Maybe not a giant leap in resolution but you will get better colors and low or close to zero pesky compression artefacts. I have seen plenty of smaller 720 sets benefit from BD in all areas, how mutch is up to the person that sees. You did not mention sound so im not sure if you are hard of hearing or what . If you have normal heaering you will greatly benefit from lossless sound thats real good. And if you are into extras Blu can offer alot there too. Once you get used to Blu-ray you dont really feel like going back to DVD. Check it out

12-03-2008, 01:11 PM	#3
Blu Jacket Expert Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Ohio Blu-ray collection:44	I think the 350 is usually only around $300 and was marked down to about $200 for Black Friday sales. And DO NOT spend $50 on HDMI cables. You can get them for $5 or less on Monoprice.com.

12-03-2008, 01:30 PM	#4
DeadDog Power Member Top contributor Member since:Jul 2008 Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:355 Digital collection:96 iTunes collection:125 Trading Score:360	Yes, you will notice a dramatic improvement. The step up from standard dvd to blu-ray on a 720p set is still extremely impressive. As much as most like to push 1080p (and I understand the reasoning) it's not entirely necessary, especially if you already have a TV and aren't looking to purchase another. The naked eye can only detect so much detail from a certain distance. I will guarantee that you will be happy with a blu-ray player. As someone else said don't spend $50 on an hdmi cable. Monoprice.com has worked well for pretty much everyone on here as far as I can tell.

12-03-2008, 04:35 PM	#5
Samsang Active Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Mt. Pleasant, NC	I second Blu Jacket's suggestion of monoprice.com. Also surf by firefold.com for low prices on quality HDMI cables. Compare prices at both for the cable length you need. Do not let retail store salesmen convince you that there is any difference in cable quality whatever the price point. The big box stores heavily discount the TV's, receivers, and other expensive items. The store's strategy is to beef up the profit on a sale by overpricing the accessories. The good news is that these accessories are small and light so shipping cost from an online source is low. The stores aren't evil for doing this; they're just trying to make a buck. But you aren't evil for ordering your accessories online. Don't buckle from the intensity of the hard sell. Order online and stretch your budget.

12-04-2008, 10:45 PM	#8
H9k_ Active Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Vikingland	Congratulation and welcome to blu

12-05-2008, 12:21 AM	#9
QwikSand Power Member Member since:Dec 2007 Trading Score:25	That's great, it's the player that I have and I love it. If you connect it to the internet, it will update itself whenever there is a new update and there have been some already so you would be able to get those if you are able to do so. You can also use the online BD-Live content for the movies that support it as well if you plug a USB flash drive into the back storage slot.

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