best standalone dvd player review

[MATTYBLU2]

hi, sorry if this was done before, but i searched a bunch of threads already and saw all the reviews for the seperate stand alone BD players but...

does anyone know the highest rated overall BD player out there on the market?

[MATTYBLU2]

does any one have an opinion on this topic or personal info that would state the top of the line BD player out there? i mean it cant be just the most expensive one like the pioneer elite? is there one out there that is fast, least amount of problems, etc.

[ScoBro828]

The word "best" is subjective but according to CNET both the Panasonic DMP-BD10A and the Samsung BD-P1200 share the highest editor rating of 7.4. The Panasonic has the higher consumer rating of the two at 7.7 while the Samsung is 7.1.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-9991_7-...edRating7+desc

Both the Panasonic and Samsung are rated higher by CNET than the Toshiba HD-XA2.

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by ScoBro828

The word "best" is subjective but according to CNET both the Panasonic DMP-BD10A and the Samsung BD-P1200 share the highest editor rating of 7.4. The Panasonic has the higher consumer rating of the two at 7.7 while the Samsung is 7.1.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-9991_7-...edRating7+desc

Both the Panasonic and Samsung are rated higher by CNET than the Toshiba HD-XA2.

hi, thanks for the info. what makes the samsung better at upconversion over the panasonic? i mean dont most of them have the same guts in them?

i was already leaning towards the panny. i am not to into samsung as i had to electronic items in the past that had alot of problems with (one was a 56 dlp tv the the other was an older dvd player). i am sure they have improved since then, but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth over those 2 items .

[ScoBro828]

Originally Posted by MATTYBLU2

what makes the samsung better at upconversion over the panasonic?

"Like we said before, the DMP-BD10A is an excellent upscaling DVD player and is maybe only a smidgen behind players equipped with HQV processing, like the BD-P1200 and the Toshiba HD-XA2."

That is why I said the term best is subjective; Panasonic focused on upgrading certain other aspects one of which was not HQV processing. That being said it still upconverts SD-DVD very well.

"Overall, the DMP-BD10A is a top-notch upconverting player.... The DMP-BD10A plowed through the rest of the tests, demonstrating lightning-fast 2:3 pull-down processing on a test utilizing footage of a race car, then having no problem displaying vertically and horizontally scrolling titles."

[ScoBro828]

I would just read both reviews and see which is to your liking. They are both different players with different strengths and weaknesses.

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by ScoBro828

"Like we said before, the DMP-BD10A is an excellent upscaling DVD player and is maybe only a smidgen behind players equipped with HQV processing, like the BD-P1200 and the Toshiba HD-XA2."

That is why I said the term best is subjective; Panasonic focused on upgrading certain other aspects one of which was not HQV processing. That being said it still upconverts SD-DVD very well.

"Overall, the DMP-BD10A is a top-notch upconverting player.... The DMP-BD10A plowed through the rest of the tests, demonstrating lightning-fast 2:3 pull-down processing on a test utilizing footage of a race car, then having no problem displaying vertically and horizontally scrolling titles."

great, thanks for the info. i really think i will buy the panny, but was also wondering how the sony 300 stacks up to the panny. does the panny blow it away or does it really matter which one you buy? i mean sony, panny, elite, sammy, etc.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by MATTYBLU2

hi, thanks for the info. what makes the samsung better at upconversion over the panasonic? i mean dont most of them have the same guts in them?

i was already leaning towards the panny. i am not to into samsung as i had to electronic items in the past that had alot of problems with (one was a 56 dlp tv the the other was an older dvd player). i am sure they have improved since then, but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth over those 2 items .

Sammy has the Reon and upconverts extremely well, but it's not without its faults: 24p lip-synch issues, all 4:3 content is stretched, no True HD.

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by RUR

Sammy has the Reon and upconverts extremely well, but it's not without its faults: 24p lip-synch issues, all 4:3 content is stretched, no True HD.

thanks, was wondering if it is more worth having a player the does the decoding for the audio or the receiver? i mean should i buy a great receiver that decodes everything or sacrifice the audio in the player for better video quality? what would you do?

[ScoBro828]

Originally Posted by MATTYBLU2

thanks, was wondering if it is more worth having a player the does the decoding for the audio or the receiver? i mean should i buy a great receiver that decodes everything or sacrifice the audio in the player for better video quality? what would you do?

It depends on what you want, honestly. I don't feel the drop off in video is noticeable to where it would adversely affect your viewing pleasure nor is the increase in audio going to suddenly create a symphony in the living room. It is just additional bonuses. It all depends on what you like.

[ScoBro828]

Originally Posted by MATTYBLU2

was also wondering how the sony 300 stacks up to the panny.

Again from the CNET link I supplied
Sony BDP-S300
"The good: Excellent picture quality on Blu-ray and DVD; DVD upconversion up to 1080p; HDMI output.

The bad: No onboard Dolby TrueHD decoding; slow load times, particularly unbearable on newer BD Java discs like Pirates of the Caribbean; some minor video performance issues; no Ethernet port for firmware upgrades.

The bottom line: The BDP-S300 is a decent choice if you're limiting yourself to a relatively cheap, standard-design Blu-ray player, but everyone else should consider the competition."

Since you asked before:

"Pioneer BDP-HD1
The good: Excellent picture quality on Blu-ray movies; plays movies, music, and photos over home network via an Ethernet port; DVD upconversion to 720p, 1080i, and 1080p.

The bad: Very expensive; DVD upconversion isn't as good as the competition's; doesn't play CDs; no HDMI 1.3.

The bottom line: The high-priced Pioneer BDP-HD1 offers top-notch Blu-ray image quality and some nice home networking features, but inferior DVD upconversion and no CD playback curbed our enthusiasm."

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by ScoBro828

Again from the CNET link I supplied
Sony BDP-S300
"The good: Excellent picture quality on Blu-ray and DVD; DVD upconversion up to 1080p; HDMI output.

The bad: No onboard Dolby TrueHD decoding; slow load times, particularly unbearable on newer BD Java discs like Pirates of the Caribbean; some minor video performance issues; no Ethernet port for firmware upgrades.

The bottom line: The BDP-S300 is a decent choice if you're limiting yourself to a relatively cheap, standard-design Blu-ray player, but everyone else should consider the competition."

Since you asked before:

"Pioneer BDP-HD1
The good: Excellent picture quality on Blu-ray movies; plays movies, music, and photos over home network via an Ethernet port; DVD upconversion to 720p, 1080i, and 1080p.

The bad: Very expensive; DVD upconversion isn't as good as the competition's; doesn't play CDs; no HDMI 1.3.

The bottom line: The high-priced Pioneer BDP-HD1 offers top-notch Blu-ray image quality and some nice home networking features, but inferior DVD upconversion and no CD playback curbed our enthusiasm."

ya it seems the panny is a good choice overall. alot of people here recommend the PS3, but i am not a gamer at all and to me it seems like a waste to use it only for movie watching. so that is why i am going with a stand alone model.

i am a big sony fan, but read some reviews on the sony 300 and it seems there are alot of complaints on it. samsung does not interest me, so i think the panny is a good one for me. along with the onkyo 705 receiver and maybe (if within budget) a 50" or 58" panny plasma. i think that should be a good set up.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by MATTYBLU2

ya it seems the panny is a good choice overall. alot of people here recommend the PS3, but i am not a gamer at all and to me it seems like a waste to use it only for movie watching. so that is why i am going with a stand alone model.

Some of the owners on the PS3 didn't even start with the intention of gaming either. But then once it's there, why not?

The PS3 as you know (or not) is more than just a gaming device. Internet browsing (not as good as a dedicated computer but you can make ticket reservations), photo slideshow (faster than a conventional DVD player slideshow and with more than 3 slideshow effects), one of the best non-DSD SACD player, a DLNA device, and an mp3/aac/wma player. AND if you want to see the latest trailer on your HDTV, download that on your computer, convert it and transfer it to the PS3.

I'm not saying don't get the Panny. I'm saying open your mind up to consider the PS3 even though it's not a standalone.


fuad

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

Some of the owners on the PS3 didn't even start with the intention of gaming either. But then once it's there, why not?

The PS3 as you know (or not) is more than just a gaming device. Internet browsing (not as good as a dedicated computer but you can make ticket reservations), photo slideshow (faster than a conventional DVD player slideshow and with more than 3 slideshow effects), one of the best non-DSD SACD player, a DLNA device, and an mp3/aac/wma player. AND if you want to see the latest trailer on your HDTV, download that on your computer, convert it and transfer it to the PS3.

I'm not saying don't get the Panny. I'm saying open your mind up to consider the PS3 even though it's not a standalone.


fuad

Thanks for the info, but i hear it does not convert dvd's (non BD disc) very well compaired to stand alone players? is that true?

it will be a consideration when i do pull the trigger. just trying to get all my info before i make the vast decisions i need to make in the next few weeks. thanks again

[bootman]

Originally Posted by MATTYBLU2

Thanks for the info, but i hear it does not convert dvd's (non BD disc) very well compaired to stand alone players? is that true?

it will be a consideration when i do pull the trigger. just trying to get all my info before i make the vast decisions i need to make in the next few weeks. thanks again

Compared to players with a dedicated high end upscalers like the reon, the PS3 falls a little behind.

For a HT enviroment, some have also complained about the ps3's noise and heat.

If SD dvd upconversion is secondary to you the new Samsung 1400 is a very good unit.
With its latest update it handles all of the HD audio (passes dts-ma).

It's price of around $450 or less street also makes it an attractive choice.

[monkyman]

Originally Posted by MATTYBLU2

Thanks for the info, but i hear it does not convert dvd's (non BD disc) very well compaired to stand alone players? is that true?

it will be a consideration when i do pull the trigger. just trying to get all my info before i make the vast decisions i need to make in the next few weeks. thanks again

Just some FYI, if you need analog 5.1 outputs, you will need a stand alone player, the PS3 has Audio through HDMI and optical (Which the stand alones have as well). So depending on your reciever, this info may help.

Ohhh, Balloons are falling from the ceiling, this is my 500th post!!

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by bootman

Compared to players with a dedicated high end upscalers like the reon, the PS3 falls a little behind.

For a HT enviroment, some have also complained about the ps3's noise and heat.

If SD dvd upconversion is secondary to you the new Samsung 1400 is a very good unit.
With its latest update it handles all of the HD audio (passes dts-ma).

It's price of around $450 or less street also makes it an attractive choice.

Yes it does, but like i said earlier that i am a little scared to buy another samsung product after my last 2 electronic woes with them.

thanks anyways for the info and your opinions are appreciated.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by MATTYBLU2

Yes it does, but like i said earlier that i am a little scared to buy another samsung product after my last 2 electronic woes with them.

thanks anyways for the info and your opinions are appreciated.

Understood.
If you are looking towards the high end, the Elite player is it right now until Denon releases theirs.

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by bootman

Understood.
If you are looking towards the high end, the Elite player is it right now until Denon releases theirs.

the elite did not review as well as the panny and sammy, so i think for hte high price differenc i would go with the panny. i appreciate your insight and thanks for your info on this stuff.

it is sooooo hard to figure out the best setup and i know its all preference and opinions, but i am just trying to get the best setup for not a huge amount of money and just want to sit down and enjoy blu ray movies.

i am a huge movie fan and watch alot of movies and rent alot, so i this move for me is huge, but i have to go on a family budget with a wife and 2 children.

so i am really thinking

panny 50: plasma
panny 10a BD player
onkyo 705

[staringpolaris]

In case you're at all interested in another opinion...
I couldn't be more pleased with the Panny.
I'm keeping my eyes peeled on the next generation of players to see if anything better comes out, but in the meantime I'm sticking with it and I'm happy.
If you're really looking for the best stand-alone blu-ray player, it's hard for me to imagine someone being displeased with the Panny.
As always, my humble opinion.
~J~