What Do I Look For When I Choose A BluRay Player?

[aerobic]

Hi, I am new.. hope to get some infor from you folks on what I should look out for when I am choosing a BluRay Player.. thanks for the infor..

[crackinhedz]

what other devices do you have in your setup? and how much are you looking to spend?

[Clark W Griswald, Jr]

Depends on the features you are after. If you want connectivity to A/V receiver or Netflix streaming or wireless internet connectivity (for firmware updates and BD live) or low, low price or.....

Then consider stand alone player or PS3. Be impartial and don't let fanboys talk you into something you don't need. You'll need to consider HDTV connectivity to decide what cables you'll need to get best audio/visual experience (HDMI, Component, Composite, etc).

Make a list of your set up and a list of your 'wants' including price limits.
Read up on HDMI standards such as 1.0, 1.2, or 1.3a. I wouldn't run out for the cheapest player you can find b/c you may be disappointed afterward (just because you CAN get a blu-ray player for $169 doesn't mean you SHOULD).

After you make the list...search the forums and cnet (reviews) for info on each player and get feel for the sentiment from owners. I have 2 PS3's even though I game very little (not at all in past 12 months). They are awesome..wireless, frequent firmware updates, great PQ but have drawbacks too. I just bought the Samsung BD-P2550 because it offers Netflix streaming and Pandora (both free if have an account). These are outstanding features and I am considering getting rid of cable premium channels b/c I can get more and more content streamed including some HD content.

ALSO:don't get talked into high priced accessories. I have never paid more than $10 for an HDMI cable and often less than that.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Clark W Griswald, Jr

Depends on the features you are after. If you want connectivity to A/V receiver or Netflix streaming or wireless internet connectivity (for firmware updates and BD live) or low, low price or.....

Then consider stand alone player or PS3. Be impartial and don't let fanboys talk you into something you don't need. You'll need to consider HDTV connectivity to decide what cables you'll need to get best audio/visual experience (HDMI, Component, Composite, etc).

Make a list of your set up and a list of your 'wants' including price limits.
Read up on HDMI standards such as 1.0, 1.2, or 1.3a. I wouldn't run out for the cheapest player you can find b/c you may be disappointed afterward (just because you CAN get a blu-ray player for $169 doesn't mean you SHOULD).

After you make the list...search the forums and cnet (reviews) for info on each player and get feel for the sentiment from owners. I have 2 PS3's even though I game very little (not at all in past 12 months). They are awesome..wireless, frequent firmware updates, great PQ but have drawbacks too. I just bought the Samsung BD-P2550 because it offers Netflix streaming and Pandora (both free if have an account). These are outstanding features and I am considering getting rid of cable premium channels b/c I can get more and more content streamed including some HD content.

ALSO:don't get talked into high priced accessories. I have never paid more than $10 for an HDMI cable and often less than that.

+1. Well said and explained! I have a PS3 as well and don't game either.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by Clark W Griswald, Jr

Depends on the features you are after. If you want connectivity to A/V receiver or Netflix streaming or wireless internet connectivity (for firmware updates and BD live) or low, low price or.....

Then consider stand alone player or PS3. Be impartial and don't let fanboys talk you into something you don't need. You'll need to consider HDTV connectivity to decide what cables you'll need to get best audio/visual experience (HDMI, Component, Composite, etc).

Make a list of your set up and a list of your 'wants' including price limits.
Read up on HDMI standards such as 1.0, 1.2, or 1.3a. I wouldn't run out for the cheapest player you can find b/c you may be disappointed afterward (just because you CAN get a blu-ray player for $169 doesn't mean you SHOULD).

After you make the list...search the forums and cnet (reviews) for info on each player and get feel for the sentiment from owners. I have 2 PS3's even though I game very little (not at all in past 12 months). They are awesome..wireless, frequent firmware updates, great PQ but have drawbacks too. I just bought the Samsung BD-P2550 because it offers Netflix streaming and Pandora (both free if have an account). These are outstanding features and I am considering getting rid of cable premium channels b/c I can get more and more content streamed including some HD content.

ALSO:don't get talked into high priced accessories. I have never paid more than $10 for an HDMI cable and often less than that.

Make that +2. I have the BD-P2550 and love it...but it would be overkill for you if you NEVER plan to connect it to high-speed internet.

[aerobic]

Wow... thanks for the quick input.. I am pretty new to this.. what's
Netflix streaming and Pandora?

Actually I will connect the BluRay Player to my Sony HD TV.. and Hifi System.. I need to upgrade.. mines pretty old.. and I have not decided which system to get.. any recommendations? I don't want to pay a bomb.. just a maybe mid level Audio Video system will do..

Also there are so many formats out there.. which is the best to go with?

[joegs300]

Something that wouldn't limit you to which titles you can watch. Pony up and buy the PS3.

[Clark Kent]

I think the most important quality to consider is whether you will need internal decoding by the player with analog outputs or can you bitstream the high resolution soundtracks to your receiver.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by joegs300

Something that wouldn't limit you to which titles you can watch. Pony up and buy the PS3.

There are players like that? Damn...glad my Sammy isn't one of them.

[jmkoch]

Priorities:

1) Low price,
2) Reliable "no questions asked" 30-day return policy.
3) All of the above.

If you are happy with the playback of a variety of discs you try in the first 30 days, you won't need to return. If you pay a high price, you won't be happy anyway, since 1 year from now better systems might be available for under $100. And, if they don't appear for under $100, the medium will remain a pricey niche or die out, and "it don't take no stinkin' braynz" to figure why to over-spend now "ain't smart."

[xneox]

Originally Posted by jmkoch

Priorities:

1) Low price,
2) Reliable "no questions asked" 30-day return policy.
3) All of the above.

If you are happy with the playback of a variety of discs you try in the first 30 days, you won't need to return. If you pay a high price, you won't be happy anyway, since 1 year from now better systems might be available for under $100. And, if they don't appear for under $100, the medium will remain a pricey niche or die out, and "it don't take no stinkin' braynz" to figure why to over-spend now "ain't smart."

-1

Completely disagree.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by aerobic

Hi, I am new.. hope to get some infor from you folks on what I should look out for when I am choosing a BluRay Player.. thanks for the infor..

Simplest answer: A Playstation logo

[ryoohki]

Anything but Samsung Imho! If you want a silent player, stay away from the PS3. It's a very fast machine and very compatible, but the noise it makes may turn you down. There's too much variable to consider tought. Some will say they never heard it, but mine made way too much fan noise for my liking..

[onehothemi]

load times, audio output via bitstream, noise of the unit, are my top three

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

I think the most important quality to consider is whether you will need internal decoding by the player with analog outputs or can you bitstream the high resolution soundtracks to your receiver.

If he's just now getting into the Blu-ray thing, chances are he has no idea what you just said.

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

If he's just now getting into the Blu-ray thing, chances are he has no idea what you just said.

Yeah, it takes a little while of poking around here and other sites to have a clue on decoding/bitstream/analog....

Just get exactly what I have and it'll all be good for you. You will soon find out that buying the player is the down payment on a stack of disks, new speakers and a new Audio/Video Receiver.