Sony S350 or Panasonic BD30

[tylerrad]

Holistically, which is the better player?

I have little interest in internet connectivity and my audio needs are minimal (I live in a college dormitory so I'll be listening to TV, DVD, and Blu-ray audio through headphones). Picture quality is of the utmost importance for me, especially regarding DVD upconversion.

Is either player especially better than the other in terms of picture quality?

Through headphones, will I be able to perceive a difference in audio quality? (I will not be using an audio receiver but plugging directly into my Sony Bravia 26".)

Is either player much faster than the other?

And, most importantly, which is the better upconverting DVD player?

Also, are there any other players within the price range of these two that would better suit my needs, PS3 excluded?

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by tylerrad

Also, are there any other players within the price range of these two that would better suit my needs, PS3 excluded?

I think these are the only two I would look into in your price range at the moment. They are both pretty comparable quality wise and you won't go wrong with either one. The Panny can be had for $299 shipped from Amazon and some have seen it for a lower price at some Wal-marts and Fry's as a clearance item. The Sony should soon be $299 as Sony is going to drop the price soon. So, flip a coin and pick one, either one will be great for you.

[mr.hidef]

Originally Posted by Downhere

I think these are the only two I would look into in your price range at the moment. They are both pretty comparable quality wise and you won't go wrong with either one. The Panny can be had for $299 shipped from Amazon and some have seen it for a lower price at some Wal-marts and Fry's as a clearance item. The Sony should soon be $299 as Sony is going to drop the price soon. So, flip a coin and pick one, either one will be great for you.

I have heard from several folks on this site, that the Panny doesn't upconvert dvd's as well as the 350.........but that's their opinion. I haven't seen it for myself. P.S. who told you SONY was going to drop the price? Have you EVER known sony to do this 1 month after it came out.....NOT! I personally know some people high up at sony, and they say your'e full of ..........

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

I have heard from several folks on this site, that the Panny doesn't upconvert dvd's as well as the 350.........but that's their opinion. I haven't seen it for myself.

It's possible. I just got the BD30 myself, haven't hooked it up, but I don't need it for upconverting since I use the awesome Tosh HD-A2 for that.

If the 350 is superior in upconverting then I would go for that one when it hits the $299 price point which will be soon.

[mr.hidef]

Originally Posted by tylerrad

Holistically, which is the better player?

I have little interest in internet connectivity and my audio needs are minimal (I live in a college dormitory so I'll be listening to TV, DVD, and Blu-ray audio through headphones). Picture quality is of the utmost importance for me, especially regarding DVD upconversion.

Is either player especially better than the other in terms of picture quality?

Through headphones, will I be able to perceive a difference in audio quality? (I will not be using an audio receiver but plugging directly into my Sony Bravia 26".)

Is either player much faster than the other?

And, most importantly, which is the better upconverting DVD player?

Also, are there any other players within the price range of these two that would better suit my needs, PS3 excluded?

I do know this......350 absolutely SMOKES the panny at load times. (we hooked them up side by side, and drpped in the same disk/spiderman 3. no contest...sony won)

[Downhere]

I would suggest checking out the dedicated thread over at AVS on both models, lot's of information for you to check out.

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by Downhere

I would suggest checking out the dedicated thread over at AVS on both models, lot's of information for you to check out.

+1


I don't know why people insist on making 50 threads a day about which player to get....

Here's an idea: DO SOME RESEARCH. Look at the features. Compare. See what's important to you. What brand do you like. What's important to you. What style do you like. What is cheaper. THINK.

[tylerrad]

Here's an idea: DO SOME RESEARCH. Look at the features. Compare. See what's important to you. What brand do you like. What's important to you. What style do you like. What is cheaper. THINK.

I have, extensively. Oddly enough though, cold specifications often mean less than actual human opinion. And good comparative reviews are difficult to find, hence the importance of this forum.

I've also already read a great deal of each player's dedicated thread, but in neither can one find explicit comparative analysis of these two players. For instance, nobody on either dedicated thread has said, "The S350 is better at upconverting DVDs than the BD30."

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by tylerrad

I have, extensively. Oddly enough though, cold specifications often mean less than actual human opinion. And good comparative reviews are difficult to find, hence the importance of this forum.

I've also already read a great deal of each player's dedicated thread, but in neither can one find explicit comparative analysis of these two players. For instance, nobody on either dedicated thread has said, "The S350 is better at upconverting DVDs than the BD30."

I think you'll find that these players are pretty close to each other. Right now you can score the Panny for $267. I'm partial to the Panny... and you'll find a lot of people here with a brand dedicatio to Sony.

I don't think that you can go wrong with either player; and that you'll enjoy both.

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by tylerrad

For instance, nobody on either dedicated thread has said, "The S350 is better at upconverting DVDs than the BD30."

From what I have gathered through my own research, neither are all that great at upconverting. Now, when it comes to Blu-ray playback though, they both are at the top of the game.