Looking for entry level Blu-Ray (again)

[Hellhog]

I signed up about a year ago figuring I would be getting a BD player but my priorities changed and I disapeared for a year. Now I am back in the BD market after a failed attempt to get Blade Runner in HD.

(I bought Blade Runner Ultimate Collector's Edition new and sealed for $25 on HD-DVD and bought an Xbox 360 HD-DVD player add-on for $20 on ebay, but lucky me, it doesn't work and now I'm dealing with that issue. Still $25 for Blade Runner briefcase new on HD-DVD then spending $30 for the 5-Disc Collector's set new on Blu-Ray is cheaper than buying the briefcase new on Blu-Ray in the first place for somewhere in the ballpark of $250 with the only difference being the format of the discs included, but that is a different story).

Now that I am through that joke and failure, I finally got myself some spending money and I'm in the market for a cheap entry level Blu-Ray player. I want an innexpensive BD player that is slightly future proof but not interested in 3D. Currently for audio I use a shelf mini-stereo system (analog RCA input) or Dolby Digital Pro Logic II 5.1 Headphones (TOSLink input). I have a small 19" LCD TV 1440x900 (16:10) (Component or HDMI input, I use the VGA input for my Xbox). So, I don't need anything super powerful but ready for the inevitability of when I get a bigger and better TV or if I get a Surround Sound setup. I only need the player for watching Blu-Ray or DVD movies. I utulize my other hardware for music (especially since I use the barely supported WMA, WMA Pro, and WMA Lossless formats).

A year back I was looking into the Panasonic BD-60 since I could get it on Amazon for $125 new at the time. Since my knowledge of BD sucks, I would appreciate as much help as possible in finding a capable, cheap, entry level but slightly future proof non-3D player. I don't often watch movies so I'm not in the market of spending a lot at all. What do you recomend? Thank you for all the help!

[28BlusLater]

Originally Posted by Hellhog

I signed up about a year ago figuring I would be getting a BD player but my priorities changed and I disapeared for a year. Now I am back in the BD market after a failed attempt to get Blade Runner in HD.

(I bought Blade Runner Ultimate Collector's Edition new and sealed for $25 on HD-DVD and bought an Xbox 360 HD-DVD player add-on for $20 on ebay, but lucky me, it doesn't work and now I'm dealing with that issue. Still $25 for Blade Runner briefcase new on HD-DVD then spending $30 for the 5-Disc Collector's set new on Blu-Ray is cheaper than buying the briefcase new on Blu-Ray in the first place for somewhere in the ballpark of $250 with the only difference being the format of the discs included, but that is a different story).

Now that I am through that joke and failure, I finally got myself some spending money and I'm in the market for a cheap entry level Blu-Ray player. I want an innexpensive BD player that is slightly future proof but not interested in 3D. Currently for audio I use a shelf mini-stereo system (analog RCA input) or Dolby Digital Pro Logic II 5.1 Headphones (TOSLink input). I have a small 19" LCD TV 1440x900 (16:10) (Component or HDMI input, I use the VGA input for my Xbox). So, I don't need anything super powerful but ready for the inevitability of when I get a bigger and better TV or if I get a Surround Sound setup. I only need the player for watching Blu-Ray or DVD movies. I utulize my other hardware for music (especially since I use the barely supported WMA, WMA Pro, and WMA Lossless formats).

A year back I was looking into the Panasonic BD-60 since I could get it on Amazon for $125 new at the time. Since my knowledge of BD sucks, I would appreciate as much help as possible in finding a capable, cheap, entry level but slightly future proof non-3D player. I don't often watch movies so I'm not in the market of spending a lot at all. What do you recomend? Thank you for all the help!

Blu-Ray players have gone way down in price. Check out the SONY players, they're pretty cheap and run very well. I have one and it's better than my Aquos Blu-Ray Player ever could of been...
I haven't had a Panasonic Blu-Ray player, but I hear they're very good and that they're well-built.

Here's a cheap Sony that has BDLive and can decode the HD codecs:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-BDP-S360-1080p-Blu-ray-Player/dp/B001URWAYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1278571038&sr =8-1

[Hellhog]

How is the XMB interface on the Sony BDP-S360? I've only heard complaints from friends with PS3s on the XMB being annoying and I never really found it special when I've tried it out.

I saw that the S360 gets a lot of high praise and reviews though. (I am slightly cautious about Sony products as most of my Sony products I've owned have only given me trouble and broken a lot [Headphones, PS2, Camcorder, VHS/DVD combo]. Not the best run in with Sony I guess).

Edit: I noticed that Panasonic now has a BD-65 and I see versions that add a K to the end. What is the difference between the BD-60, BD-65, and the versions with the letter K added to the end of the model name?

[BillieCassin]

I really like the Panasonic BD-60 you mentioned. It's a great player and I've had almost no complaints so far, I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by Hellhog

Edit: I noticed that Panasonic now has a BD-65 and I see versions that add a K to the end. What is the difference between the BD-60, BD-65, and the versions with the letter K added to the end of the model name?

You can check at Panasonic's own Website for the differences between these two models (BD60 from last year, and BD65 from this year model).
It is mainly in the various bitstreaming audio features from the Internet, I believe. Not sure though.
When you compare them side by side (Specifications from Panasonic Website), they are exactly identical.

The "K" at the end stands for "KURO". ............................................ jk, it stands for "Black" color.

* I personally recommend the BD65 as a great budget BD player.

[AnimeNut]

Go for the $78 Magnavox at Wal-Mart

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by AnimeNut

Go for the $78 Magnavox at Wal-Mart

My friend's Magnavox BD player (purchased from Wal*Mart) just died on him. ...Fact.

* How's yours? Any issues with firmware updates?

[AnimeNut]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

My friend's Magnavox BD player (purchased from Wal*Mart) just died on him. ...Fact.

* How's yours? Any issues with firmware updates?

Works fine of course I don't own that many discs yet, I mostly play DVD's in it.

[Canada]

Ps3?

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by AnimeNut

Works fine of course I don't own that many discs yet, I mostly play DVD's in it.

Ya he had problems playing Blu-rays (some titles wouldn't play at all).
So he just decided to go with the Oppo BDP-80 Universal BD player.

[AnimeNut]

I've probably tested 10 or so Blu-ray's in it, some I borrowed from my brother, they all seem to play fine. I checked their websites there are no firmware updates for the model I'm using right now so I just assumed it was fine.

I don't buy that many hollywood releases anyway so I'm not really worried.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by AnimeNut

I've probably tested 10 or so Blu-ray's in it, some I borrowed from my brother, they all seem to play fine. I checked their websites there are no firmware updates for the model I'm using right now so I just assumed it was fine.

I don't buy that many hollywood releases anyway so I'm not really worried.

But others might be.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by BillieCassin

I really like the Panasonic BD-60 you mentioned. It's a great player and I've had almost no complaints so far, I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

I've got the BD-60, and it's a solid player at an inexpensive price. My only complaint is the slow load times versus the PS3, but I can live with that. I've also got the Sony BDP-S360 as a bedroom player, and it too is a solid performer. If you can get either for <$120, you should jump on them.

Originally Posted by AnimeNut

Go for the $78 Magnavox at Wal-Mart

Ummmm...no. There are so many other better choices out there for only a little more $$. There's a reason this Wal-Mart POS player is so cheap. Stick with Panasonic, Sony or Samsung.

[CharlieM]

Originally Posted by AnimeNut

I've probably tested 10 or so Blu-ray's in it, some I borrowed from my brother, they all seem to play fine. I checked their websites there are no firmware updates for the model I'm using right now so I just assumed it was fine.

I don't buy that many hollywood releases anyway so I'm not really worried.

My NB500MG1f has version # 1.000, but I found a new version # 1.004 at their site!

I haven't had trouble playing the few BD that I have, but will download and install if I do.

So far my player is great, and from I understand, the chipset is made by Panasonic, and the laser unit is made by Sony.

AnimeNut, go here, and it's the 5th unit down, just in case you have the same version I have. http://www.funaiservice.com/information/firmware.cfm

[JB2K]

Originally Posted by Hellhog

How is the XMB interface on the Sony BDP-S360? I've only heard complaints from friends with PS3s on the XMB being annoying and I never really found it special when I've tried it out.

As the BDP-S360 is a non-gaming device, I found the XMB interface easier to use then, say, the PSP.

For the small amount of money invested, you won't go wrong...

[ewsjr]

I say get an Oppo. A bit more money but worth it:
http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-80/

[Hellhog]

Well, I guess I'll be looking into pretty much the same BD players as last year. The Oppo is way too expensive as well a PS3 (I still haven't found any or enough PS3 exclusives to bring me over to that console yet. I try to stick with only 1-2 games at a time so going multi-platform for me is overkill right now).

I only am looking at owning no more than 10 Blu-Rays so the cheaper the better. Of course a good product is important too. My goal is to spend in the ballpark of $100. From what it looks like, I can get descent Sony/Panny products for about $125.