Which Blu-Ray Player?

[sarnell2]

So I've decided on getting the Panasonic TH-50PZ700U (50" 1080p Plasma) for $2149 from Sears. I've also decided on the Onkyo TX-SR705 Receiver (DTS-HD Master) for $629 from Circuit City. I'm still unsure which Blu-Ray player to go w/. I want to be able to pass DTS-HD Master to my receiver for decoding. Any recommendations?

[alain turgeon]

Originally Posted by sarnell2

So I've decided on getting the Panasonic TH-50PZ700U (50" 1080p Plasma) for $2149 from Sears. I've also decided on the Onkyo TX-SR705 Receiver (DTS-HD Master) for $629 from Circuit City. I'm still unsure which Blu-Ray player to go w/. I want to be able to pass DTS-HD Master to my receiver for decoding. Any recommendations?

How about this one
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-e...00000000005702

[sarnell2]

Originally Posted by alain turgeon

How about this one
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-e...00000000005702

What about the already out DMP-BD10AK (http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-e...0000000005702). It says "Yes" for DTS/DTS-HD High Resolution/Master Audio Decoder. Is this right?

[glenn22]

Originally Posted by sarnell2

What about the already out DMP-BD10AK (http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-e...0000000005702). It says "Yes" for DTS/DTS-HD High Resolution/Master Audio Decoder. Is this right?

If I was you I'd wait for the model listed above or go with a PS3.

[mystiksuicide]

We have the Panasonic DMP-BD10 and Pioneer BDP-94HD and can testify that they are both flawless players.

But you can't go wrong with the PS3 rewiews have always been phenomenal.

[monkyman]

I would wait to see the reviews on the DMP-BD30K, if favourable, that would be my choice. Even though I don't care much for extras or PIP, at least it is 1.1 in case something interesting comes down the road.

[sarnell2]

Originally Posted by monkyman

I would wait to see the reviews on the DMP-BD30K, if favourable, that would be my choice. Even though I don't care much for extras or PIP, at least it is 1.1 in case something interesting comes down the road.

CNET has reviewed it: http://reviews.cnet.com/video-player...-32730548.html

Looks real good IF you have a receiver to decode the audio formats

If not, prob not the player for you

[MacDaddyOJack]

I have the Samsung BD-P1400 and an Onkyo 805. The two wonderfully reproduce DTS-MA, you are in for a treat! I really like the BD-P1400, the only real complaint that I have with it is that it won't begin playback from a regular cd until I turn my tv on.... I think it has something to do with the HDMI handshake stuff?? Though once it starts playing, I can turn the tv off and all will be fine. Definitely take a look at the BD-P1400, its a good player and it won't break your bank!

[quetzalcoatl]

In order to get DTS HD MA you have 3 choices.
Samsung 1400
Panasonic 30
Pioneer 95

Of those I would say the 95 is the best player but it is also the most expensive. The 1400 uses a great chip. But they turned me off with the support they gave on the 1200. On paper the 30 looks great. They cut some corners but what they did should not affect you since you are getting a 1.3 receiver as well. My biggest concern is that they are using a chip they made so there is no real world data on it. But they are a sold company.

[MATTYBLU2]

so which one would you guys say is the best and has all the features for the future on BD? it seems alot of people lean towards the new pioneer elite 95, though expensive it seems to be one of the top, if not the top model out there.

on one hand i am considering the pioneer, but on the other the panny due to it being alot cheaper and has almost the same stuff in it. so i am waiting to hear more about the panny before pulling the trigger.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

...the only real complaint that I have with it is that it won't begin playback from a regular cd until I turn my tv on.... I think it has something to do with the HDMI handshake stuff?? Though once it starts playing, I can turn the tv off and all will be fine.

Weird! I have a 1200 hooked up to a Denon, hooked up to a Panny display, all via HDMI with no such issue. Must be equipment-specific.

[wrsprow]

Originally Posted by glenn22

If I was you I'd wait for the model listed above or go with a PS3.

No, this is not right. There is no blu-ray player currently available that will decode DTS-HD Master Audio.

I happen to have a Panasonic BD10AK and this particular player decodes everthing (?) except DTS-HD MA. The only way you can decode MA is to have a capable receiver.

Now here is the rub. Eventually, when blu-ray has the interactivity situation resolved (which apparently HD-DVD does), all decoding must be done by the player, not the receiver. You all need to read the article on highdefdigest.com and search for the article 'HDMI 1.3: is it really necessary?'. You will need to scroll down to the area where he discusses the lossless audio formats ie Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio. It does a far better job than I am doing.

If Panasonic could come up with a way to decode DTS-HD-MA thru the BD10AK player by way of some type of update, that would be nice. As it apparently stands now, all of us who might purchase the latest and greatest blu-ray player will have to buy another when blu-ray ultimately goes interactive, which surely they will.

Good luck.

[quetzalcoatl]

Originally Posted by wrsprow

Now here is the rub. Eventually, when blu-ray has the interactivity situation resolved (which apparently HD-DVD does), all decoding must be done by the player, not the receiver. You all need to read the article on highdefdigest.com and search for the article 'HDMI 1.3: is it really necessary?'. You will need to scroll down to the area where he discusses the lossless audio formats ie Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio. It does a far better job than I am doing.



Good luck.

You are mostly right here. But one big thing is that is will only be necessary for it to be decoded by the player to hear the PIP stuff at the same time. If that is not a big deal to you then you are better off having your receiver decode the audio in my book.