Okay...My Circumstances Have Changed: The Oppo Wasn't What I'd Thought It Would Be...

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

do blurays look good? or do you see degredation? ...if no, then its not the receiver.

Well...now that's a TOTALLY different issue that can spin into a totally different discussion...I don't like the way BDs look either, BUT, I am thinking this could just be because my Panasonic Blu-ray player isn't "that great" and I should be looking at a more premium product...

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

have you connected the oppo directly to the TV?

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

correct.

So, given that, the only way to pass all high def audio and video MUST be through an HDMI "loop" that goes through a receiver, no? Eventually, an output must come from a receiver's HDMI OUT...or is this not correct?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by ClinicaTerra LTD

So, given that, the only way to pass all high def audio and video MUST be through an HDMI "loop" that goes through a receiver, no? Eventually, an output must come from a receiver's HDMI OUT...or is this not correct?

well, you can have the audio decoded in the player first and output over the analog connections.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Oh, well, that's true...but to have the codecs BITSTREAMED, which is what I'm after, they need to go over HDMI, right?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by ClinicaTerra LTD

Oh, well, that's true...but to have the codecs BITSTREAMED, which is what I'm after, they need to go over HDMI, right?

yes.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Okay, Crackin, given these criteria now, what player would you truthfully recommend for me? I want one that bitstreams TrueHD and Master Audio, and also provides at least good DVD upconversion...

Also, I want to eliminate the PS3, Panasonic and Samsung...

What would be your recommendations?

[musicman1999]

Originally Posted by ClinicaTerra LTD

So, given that, the only way to pass all high def audio and video MUST be through an HDMI "loop" that goes through a receiver, no? Eventually, an output must come from a receiver's HDMI OUT...or is this not correct?

Unfortunately, until you get to a higher level of equipment, thats what you need to do. Players such as the new Denon 3800 do the processing on board, where it should be, and take it out by analog connection leaving the hdmi for a straight video connection to your monitor.

bill

[musicman1999]

Why do you want to bitstream so badly?

bill

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by musicman1999

Why do you want to bitstream so badly?

bill

...because I specifically purchased my Onkyo TX-SR605 to decode these new formats internally and I just don't care for the internal decoding performance of my Panasonic Blu-ray player...it also suffers from a multichannel PCM LFE issue that is infamous in these players if you search around online...

There seems to be at least a 5dB decrease in LFE when playing PCM tracks from the Panasonics...don't know if they fixed that yet in the BD30 and BD50 models...

[crackinhedz]

I would look into the new Pioneer decks. Thats just me.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I would look into the new Pioneer decks. Thats just me.

ummmmmmm.......can you be a little more specific than that?

Why the Pioneers in particular -- would you not consider another brand? How is the DVD upconversion on the Pioneers, do you know?

[musicman1999]

Originally Posted by ClinicaTerra LTD

...because I specifically purchased my Onkyo TX-SR605 to decode these new formats internally and I just don't care for the internal decoding performance of my Panasonic Blu-ray player...it also suffers from a multichannel PCM LFE issue that is infamous in these players if you search around online...

There seems to be at least a 5dB decrease in LFE when playing PCM tracks from the Panasonics...don't know if they fixed that yet in the BD30 and BD50 models...

The -5db can be fixed by adjusting your LFE up 5db when using the player, pain in the butt, but it works. You know that when you bitstream you lose any supplemental audio that may be present in any special features that run with the film. That can only be heard when decoding is done in player.

bill

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by musicman1999

The -5db can be fixed by adjusting your LFE up 5db when using the player, pain in the butt, but it works. You know that when you bitstream you lose any supplemental audio that may be present in any special features that run with the film. That can only be heard when decoding is done in player.

bill

Yes, I understand that about the bitstreaming; I have no interest in the special features on these discs, just the audio and video quality.

I would rather not go into the speaker setup menus of these players and fiddle with the sub decibels and such; I would rather just have the codecs bitstreamed over.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by ClinicaTerra LTD

Why the Pioneers in particular

When Pioneer adds 'Elite' to the name, its usually an excellent product. Im not speaking from personal use of this BD player as I have two PS3's which do what I need and more. But reading reviews of Pioneer's older model BD players, the new models will not disappoint.

-- would you not consider another brand? How is the DVD upconversion on the Pioneers, do you know?

I would also consider the Panasonic DMP-BD50, but you've already ruled out Panasonic.

Next, I would look at the sony s350 or 550. But Pioneer would be my pick. Maybe the Denon, but thats just too much money for my taste.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

When Pioneer adds 'Elite' to the name, its usually an excellent product. Im not speaking from personal use of this BD player as I have two PS3's which do what I need and more. But reading reviews of Pioneer's older model BD players, the new models will not disappoint.


I would also consider the Panasonic DMP-BD50, but you've already ruled out Panasonic.

Next, I would look at the sony s350 or 550. But Pioneer would be my pick. Maybe the Denon, but thats just too much money for my taste.

Okay...Thanx a Bunch...

So, we have the PIONEER, the SONY S350 or 550 and possibly the flagship DENON if budget would possibly allow...

Any idea of the Sony upconversion quality?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by ClinicaTerra LTD

Any idea of the Sony upconversion quality?

have not hit the market yet.

[ClinicaTerra LTD]

I think I can forget the Sony -- I just learned it carries the same Sigma chip that's in my Panny 10A -- and that's just not good...

I didn't want to consider the Panny BD50, but it seems they are going to go with an internal solution for their scaling chip and it bitstreams the codecs, so I MAY consider it...

Just uncertain about its Blu ray playback now, because I don't really like my '10A's quality...

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by ClinicaTerra LTD

I just learned it carries the same Sigma chip that's in my Panny 10A

where did you find this info?

[bypass]

I read somewhere that a PS3 with the latest firmware rivals the best DVD upconverting players on the market. Particularly, when you max out the settings for Mosquito Noise Reduction, Frame Noise Reduction, and Block Noise Reduction. I have PS3, but nothing else for upconverting DVDs, so I have nothing to benchmark. Can anyone else confirm?

I've also heard noise reduction settings should be turned off if you have a display that is capable of 1080p, which mine is. Should I turn them off?


Thanks in advance