Sony BDP-550 or Panasonic DMP-BD55?

[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...