Sony BDP-550 or Panasonic DMP-BD55?

[Italia]

I searched the forums, but couldn't find an answer. I'm going to buy one of these players in a day or two. I had the Sony BDP-350, and thought that it was not bad in picture quality. I have a 1080i rear projection LCD TV, but will upgrade to a Full HD LED LCD, maybe later this year. I don't care about audio or features, I would just like to know which has the BEST Blu-ray picture quality and DVD-upconversion quality for the TV I have now, and later when I upgrade. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot.

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

If you are only concerned about video, the Sony bd-350 is fine between those 2. You want the best? Get THIS.

[Blove23]

If you're not worried about audio then why are you looking at these players. The difference between the S350 and S550 is the 7.1 analog for on board decoding of the TrueHD and DTS Master HD formats. The Dvd-upconversion is going to be the same on the S350 as the S550. The Panny 55 does pretty will on-upconversions, but the best is still a HD-Dvd.

[Italia]

Hi and thanks for your replies. I should note that later in the future I will get a surround sound system. So I guess I made a mistake in saying that I do not completely care about audio. However, even if the Sony BDP-550 and Panasonic DMP-BD55 are slightly better or hardly noticeable in picture quality than the BDP-350, I would still like to have the best picture quality out of those 3 even if it is not that noticeable, I will still fork over the cash to buy it (I'm stubborn like that). Thanks, again.


Edit: Spelling errors

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

I've been doing this for a long time. I have 3 Blu-ray players and the first was purchased in '06. That being said, you will notice no difference between the Sony 350 and 550. They are the same. As far as the Panny goes, I would say equal to the Sony's but that may be opinion. If you ask that question on here, you will get 50 replies and 50 different answers. It's been beaten to death!

As far as audio goes... If you plan on getting a current receiver that can decode HD audio over HDMI get the bd-350. If you are not going to, or are undecided, get the bd-550.

[Opips2]

That's tough choose

SonyBD550 or PansonicBD55 blu-ray player.

I planning, I'll buy a blu-ray player

I want to see magic word display on the receiver "Dolby HD or DTS Master Audio" is decode only Bitstream.

i used HDMI 1.3 cable, I've a PS3 only LPCM displays my receiver "Mulitchannel PCM".

[ixlegitballinxl]

550!

[BigMel]

Originally Posted by Italia

I searched the forums, but couldn't find an answer. I'm going to buy one of these players in a day or two. I had the Sony BDP-350, and thought that it was not bad in picture quality. I have a 1080i rear projection LCD TV, but will upgrade to a Full HD LED LCD, maybe later this year. I don't care about audio or features, I would just like to know which has the BEST Blu-ray picture quality and DVD-upconversion quality for the TV I have now, and later when I upgrade. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot.

Here is my assessment:
Build Quality: Sony 550
Style: Sony 550
Picture Quality: (HD): Slight edge to Panny 55k
Picture Quality (SD): Panasonic 55k
Sound Quality: equal and mainly is a by-product of your equipment
Ease of Use: Sony 550 but this is like splitting hairs

Overall, I would say your choice depends on what you value. I have three theartres in my house: In the dedicated True Home Theatre I have 7.2 configuration (400 sq feet room) with Denon 4308, BW speakers, Sharp 12000U projectors, and all the others neccessities (power conditioners, HDDVR, HDDVD A35 Toshiba, 110 ich screen Stewart Deluxe., etc) and in this room I have the Panny 55k

Upstairs I have a 5.1 set up with in-wall BW speakers, Pioneer Elite 50 inch, Onkyo 606, HDDVR, etc and I have the Sony 550 here.

In my bed room on the upper level I have the Pioneer Plasma (not Elite), Zvox sound bar, Onkyo 606, HDDVR and I have the Sony 350

So use this as a possible reference for your choice....hope this helps...

[Opips2]

Originally Posted by BigMel

Here is my assessment:
Build Quality: Sony 550
Style: Sony 550
Picture Quality: (HD): Slight edge to Panny 55k
Picture Quality (SD): Panasonic 55k
Sound Quality: equal and mainly is a by-product of your equipment
Ease of Use: Sony 550 but this is like splitting hairs

Overall, I would say your choice depends on what you value. I have three theartres in my house: In the dedicated True Home Theatre I have 7.2 configuration (400 sq feet room) with Denon 4308, BW speakers, Sharp 12000U projectors, and all the others neccessities (power conditioners, HDDVR, HDDVD A35 Toshiba, 110 ich screen Stewart Deluxe., etc) and in this room I have the Panny 55k

Upstairs I have a 5.1 set up with in-wall BW speakers, Pioneer Elite 50 inch, Onkyo 606, HDDVR, etc and I have the Sony 550 here.

In my bed room on the upper level I have the Pioneer Plasma (not Elite), Zvox sound bar, Onkyo 606, HDDVR and I have the Sony 350

So use this as a possible reference for your choice....hope this helps...

I've a PS3 very older system with an upgrade HDD 250gb. I decide, I want to buy a blu-ray player. I perfer serparte movie for a blu-ray player and a game for PS3. I worried about my PS3 is heat and noise fan. I want my PS3 is rest. I closed glass Cabinet T.V. protect for dust.

I ordered it be early morning on last Saturday by Bestbuy.com because it's boxing day is an end!
I was lucky! it's cost $300

panny55 cost $450 or sony550 cost $300. I picked Sony550 because lower price.

I've a new HD receiver Harman Kardon A/V R-254 has Faroudja DCDi and HD Dolby audio, DTS HD audio.

What's faroudja DCDi?
http://www.av-outlet.com/en-us/dept_335.html

[edDvedD]

wow $300 for S500 is so damn cheap...

[Opips2]

Originally Posted by edDvedD

wow $300 for S500 is so damn cheap...

HELL YEAH!

Today, I checked bestbuy.ca
Sony BDP S550 In-store Availability!!

but Online Availability
Out of stock!!

Should I going to the store? I've copy a paper billed payment. I'll get Sony BDP S550...

[ejk01]

here is a link to an earlier thread that has a lot of good info on the two players.


https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=73294

[Opips2]

I called phone to The Bestbuy Customer Sevice.

When you ordred it on Jan 3, 2009 unlit wait 5 days.

.....1..6.5..7... Jan 8,2009

Tomorrow!!