Panny BD30 vs. Denon 2500

[edgong]

Hi all,
just wanted to gather some input as to which model is the better quality and value.
I will be picking up the Onkyo 705 receiver next week, and can't decide between these two models. I am returning my 60gb PS3 and getting a standalone. I can pick up the panny for about $399 plus shipping, but is the new denon worth the extra $$? on the website, the pictures of the 2500 sure look like it is very substantial and well built but is the extra $800 justified vs the Panny?

Also would it be wise to wait until after CES to see if Panasonic or Sony come out with any new and improved models themselves? I don't want to rush into a purchase and then have something better come out a few weeks later. I know there will always be something new and improved coming out but i want something that will be close to the latest and greatest that will last for a while.
Thanks in advance for all your views and opinions.

[mystiksuicide]

Denon, Harman Kardon and Pioneer Elite cater to the higher end crowd and many them like to keep they equipment uniformed with the same brand.

Will those 3 produce excellent Blu-Ray players absolutely will they become best sellers? Hardly they will remain high end products for the for the high end consumer.

[garak]

Originally Posted by edgong

Hi all,
just wanted to gather some input as to which model is the better quality and value.
I will be picking up the Onkyo 705 receiver next week, and can't decide between these two models. I am returning my 60gb PS3 and getting a standalone. I can pick up the panny for about $399 plus shipping, but is the new denon worth the extra $$? on the website, the pictures of the 2500 sure look like it is very substantial and well built but is the extra $800 justified vs the Panny?

Also would it be wise to wait until after CES to see if Panasonic or Sony come out with any new and improved models themselves? I don't want to rush into a purchase and then have something better come out a few weeks later. I know there will always be something new and improved coming out but i want something that will be close to the latest and greatest that will last for a while.
Thanks in advance for all your views and opinions.

That's a tough call. As someone who owns Denon gear, I know that their stuff is very good. However, at 3 times the cost that would make me hesitate. I suggest you wait until there are some reviews of the Denon. That may give you some indication whether or not it's worth the extra cost.

Also, I think waiting until CES, at least, would be wise. I'm sure there will be many new players announced there. You'll have a much better idea of what will be available in the upcoming months.

Actually, that's my plan. See what's shown at CES, and then get a new player based on that.

[bootman]

Now that it appears that the Denon will not only bitstream all format but also have the option to decode them all, puts it in a different league than the BD-30.

For some that is easily worth 2x the price of the 30 if they don't have to do any further upgrades to hear HD audio.

[DefTechPioElite]

If you want THE BEST performance out of a BD player, then yes. Get the Denon. But, if you don't have a high end TV/AV system, dont bother or it's just overkill. Like Mystiksuicide said, it caters to the audio/videophile crowd.

[Harry_Krishna]

Originally Posted by DefTechPioElite

If you want THE BEST performance out of a BD player, then yes. Get the Denon. But, if you don't have a high end TV/AV system, dont bother or it's just overkill. Like Mystiksuicide said, it caters to the audio/videophile crowd.

Perhaps that could be why is costs more? Because it has the decoders inside it, and have to pay royalties for that usage?

One thing I noticed, after having tried the SONY S300 and S500 - the BD30 is sooooo slim!

By the way, who really makes the Denon anyway? I know some brands are actually made by one company. And thus, when you stick the Denon or Onkyo name on it, it imediately costs more.

[Papi4baby]

Originally Posted by Harry_Krishna

Perhaps that could be why is costs more? Because it has the decoders inside it, and have to pay royalties for that usage?

One thing I noticed, after having tried the SONY S300 and S500 - the BD30 is sooooo slim!

By the way, who really makes the Denon anyway? I know some brands are actually made by one company. And thus, when you stick the Denon or Onkyo name on it, it imediately costs more.

This is Blu ray not HDDVD, lol. I think Denon does all their stuff. Their parent company anyways.

http://www.dm-holdings.com/

[hoser]

IMO, if your pre/pro or receiver can decode the BD formats, then go with the Panny (and I own lots of Denon BTW).
The video processing of each should be about the same.

[ryoohki]

The 2500 have essentially the same fonction as the BD30k

The other model (1999$) decode everything internally and got some pretty DSP and Video Processor..

[cregster]

I've got the panny BD30 and the Onkyo 805. In your case, I don't see any need to get the Denon player. The BD 30 works fantastically well. Not even one slight problem. Well made. I'm not even updating the firmware because the thing works so well there isn't any need yet.

Since the 705 will decode all the audio formats, there is no reason to get a player that internally decodes them.

I would imagine the Denon might generate a better picture, but man!, I don't think it would be one of any real significance over the BD30. The panny has great pq and it also has deep color capability.

Why spend the extra money??

[Harry_Krishna]

Originally Posted by cregster

I've got the panny BD30 and the Onkyo 805. In your case, I don't see any need to get the Denon player. The BD 30 works fantastically well. Not even one slight problem. Well made. I'm not even updating the firmware because the thing works so well there isn't any need yet.

Since the 705 will decode all the audio formats, there is no reason to get a player that internally decodes them.

I would imagine the Denon might generate a better picture, but man!, I don't think it would be one of any real significance over the BD30. The panny has great pq and it also has deep color capability.

Why spend the extra money??

Wow, did you break in to my house and steal my stuff? Cause you have the same equipment I do LOL.

Well, I went from a PS3, to the S300 (returned it), then the S500 (returned it), and now have the BD30 which unless something new (and better?) is shown at the CES show, will be a keeper. AT LAST I get to see the THD and HDMA lights show on my 805. I am so happy. It plays great, and the sound, specially the DTS HDMA (way better than the THD!!!), is so incredible. For the longest time, I like many others, kept waiting and crossing my fingers for SONY to send out a update to make the PS3 play the DTS HDMA = but more importantly, GIVE US BITSTREAM. But it never came, so I switched, and am glad I did.

But it still ticks me off that I MAY have to go and buy an HD DVD player, because some of the movies I want to watch are still HD only And BECAUSE of this, it is sooooooooo hard to want to buy a regular DVD, not knowing if it will ever come out as a BD = as in just how many STAR WARS will I end up owning = already have the VHS, the Special version on VHS, the old Laserdisk set, and now the regular DVD one. (and yes, I still have an old Marantz LD player LOL).