Need help choosing a BDP $200-$300, flexible

[vMOT]

Im looking at a $200-300 player, can dish out some more if needed.. what do you suggest.. Sony - S350, Sammy - BDP1600 or Panny - BD60?? They all fit my budget with similar features..

I prefer PQ to SQ.. do not need a 7.1 output, 5.1 is enough..

On a separate note, what is DTS-HD MA??

[Chordata]

Hi.

First off, DTS-HD MA is DTS' HD sound (like Dolby Digital's TrueHD). Some people prefer DTS over DD. I'm not one of them.

Second, our recommendations might depend on your setup. What sort of receiver do you have? Does it have HDMI in/out?

If "yes," then I recommend the Sony 350.

If "no," then I recommend saving just a little more $$ to try and find a BDP with multi-channel out (assuming your receiver has multi-channel in) so you can take advantage of the TrueHD and DTS-HD MA codecs.

[vMOT]

my receiver has HDMI in/out..

[Sonny]

I'd get the panasonic DMP-BD60. It's a great little player that will do everything you need & can be had for $250-265.

[robertc88]

The Sony S360 is out now and will meet your requirements so keep that player in mind.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Sonny

I'd get the panasonic DMP-BD60. It's a great little player that will do everything you need & can be had for $250-265.

+1, this or the 350 would be my recommendation.

[Sammy]

If you can find one, the Samsung BD-P2550 is on clearance at Best Buy in your price range.

The original price was $400.

[Sammy]

BTW the BD-P2500/2550 is a better player than the BD-P1600. Better video processing and 7.1 analogue outs.

[Sammy]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HBHLEY/...l_62bmzt3y7q_e

http://www.google.com/products/catal...m=4#ps-sellers

[vMOT]

Thanks for all the inputs guys.. I still have a month till i buy the player so I guess I'll wait and watch reviews of the S360 before i decide..

Is it worth spending the extra money to go in for the 550 instead??

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by vMOT

Thanks for all the inputs guys.. I still have a month till i buy the player so I guess I'll wait and watch reviews of the S360 before i decide..

Is it worth spending the extra money to go in for the 550 instead??

I think that you are missing the point of blu-ray in your original post where you state that you don't care as much about audio as you do video. The audio advantage of blu-ray is actually as much if not more of the improvement over DVD. So I'd go with the 550 for the audio unless you have an HDMI receiver that can process the dts HR/HD - MA (high resolution / high definition - Master Audio). A player that processes this audio codec is a neccesity if your receiver doesn't. You might as well stick with DVD if you don't take advantage of the vastly improved audio quality of blu-ray.