Bd-up5000?

[crypted]

BD-UP5000 has Bonus View 1.1 installed as its base firmware. I know that a new Profile of 2.x is coming out. If I were to buy it, would I be able to upgrade the firmware to be compatible with future blu-ray? Or, should I wait a few months until the 2.x profile is out there more-or-less?

[Blu boy]

get a ps3 it already has profile 2.0 and now it has DTS HD MA

[crypted]

yes but how easy is a ps3 for bd playing? can you get a remote control instead of a controller?

[Bango]

Yes, the bluetooth remote control is $20 at most stores. PS3 definately the best blu-ray player.

[crypted]

where can i get a PS3 at a decent price? the standard retail stores are suggesting $400 per unit... is that standard everywhere?

[crypted]

In addition to the last question, I have an older Sony 5.1 surround sound system, could this setup decode the HD Dolby audio and send it via optical to the surround sound system? Or, if I setup the system in HDMI format with a new player, can it decode if the surround sound receiver doesn't support the newer codecs?

[Semp1]

yes because the ps3 decodes all audio from dolby true HD to DTS HD Master Audio and puts it out through PCM...PS3 is hands down the best Blu-Ray player available now there really is no other option right now in my opinion...

[Talk2me]

Playstation is not the best blu-ray player,period.

[magpie]

so whats the best blue-ray player then

[bootman]

Originally Posted by crypted

In addition to the last question, I have an older Sony 5.1 surround sound system, could this setup decode the HD Dolby audio and send it via optical to the surround sound system? Or, if I setup the system in HDMI format with a new player, can it decode if the surround sound receiver doesn't support the newer codecs?

Does the older system handle audio via HDMI?

If not, then you will only get DD and DTS not HD audio.
This will be true regardless of which bluray player you choose.
It is not the player's fault.

Now if your system has 7.1 analog inputs, then a player that can internally decode the HD audio formats and output them via analog will work.
The PS3 does not have analog outputs, so it will not be the perfect choice if this is your situation.

Look at the list of bluray players and features on the sticky thread above to help you narrow down your choices depending on your particular needs.

[SlapnutsGT]

Originally Posted by crypted

where can i get a PS3 at a decent price? the standard retail stores are suggesting $400 per unit... is that standard everywhere?

Does it matter, you were wanting to buy an upwards to $600 player ... PS3 is still best bargin for the buck for a Blu-Ray player on market. The BD-UP5000 compared to the other 3 Samsung players (1000, 1200, 1400) its actually the best for Blu-Ray, doesn't have no where near as many hardware failures and the processing power is alot better (if thats even the term ... I.E. the menus on Across the Universe has a noticable video lag on the 1000, 1200, 1400 ... but runs smooth on the 5000). But for price and it to be furture proof get the PS3.

[crypted]

I think I'll stick with the PS3 since Sony continues to release firmware revisions to keep it playing the latest stuff. However, that means a new receiver is in order.

Are HDMI 1.3's necessary for HD audio? I found a Yamaha receiver at NewEgg with 2 HDMI inputs and 1 output. But, they are HDMI 1.2 compliant. Then, I found a Onkyo that is 1.3 compliant.

However, I only have enough speakers for 5.1 surround sound and the way my living area is arranged 7.1 surround sound would be nearly impossible to implement. Do HD receivers distinguish a lack of speakers and still produce HD audio on a 5.1 surround sound?

Receivers referenced:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...380&CatId=3418 and http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=...s=Receiver&p=f for the Onkyo information
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16882115118 for the Yamaha fact sheet.

[SlapnutsGT]

Originally Posted by crypted

I think I'll stick with the PS3 since Sony continues to release firmware revisions to keep it playing the latest stuff. However, that means a new receiver is in order.

Are HDMI 1.3's necessary for HD audio? I found a Yamaha receiver at NewEgg with 2 HDMI inputs and 1 output. But, they are HDMI 1.2 compliant. Then, I found a Onkyo that is 1.3 compliant.

However, I only have enough speakers for 5.1 surround sound and the way my living area is arranged 7.1 surround sound would be nearly impossible to implement. Do HD receivers distinguish a lack of speakers and still produce HD audio on a 5.1 surround sound?

Receivers referenced:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...380&CatId=3418 and http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=...s=Receiver&p=f for the Onkyo information
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16882115118 for the Yamaha fact sheet.

If your receiver takes HDMI audio and sends it to speakers and your player decodes the track you don't need HDMI 1.3. HDMI 1.3 is overrated right now, only big improvement with it is deep color and there is no media right now that supports that.

[crypted]

But I'm assuming that when Profile 3.0 is established, HDMI 1.3 will be of necessity to be able to utilize it's full qualities in AUDIO. That's why I'm looking into the Onkyo as it supports HDMI 1.3. But, does HDMI 1.2 handle the capacity of the audio even though its information on WIKI doesn't state it?

Also, anyone have an opinion in regards to a 5.1 surround sound setup using a 7.1 surround sound receiver? Does it recognize two missing speakers and can the new HD audio codecs support 5.1 systems if so? I'd hate to think that I'm losing audio that will highly dampen the overall experience.

[SlapnutsGT]

HDMI 1.2a (I think's the number?) fully supports the audio through HDMI. Your player will decode sound and send it to the receiver, now if you are using receiver to do the decoding I believe that is when HDMI 1.3 comes into play, but receivers that decode HD audio are close to a grand anyways. Some recievers can force sound to the full 7.1 with a 5.1 surround, but I rather have it play in 5.1, it sounds more natural. When you force it, it sounds like all sound is playing out of all speakers, it doesnt sound too good, on my receiver anyways. As far as the BD-Audio thing goes I haven't heard anything about what you need for it other then it will be music on BD discs so I know nothing about it heh.

I have a Yamaha RX-V661 and it carries the decoded audio from my PS3 and plays it fine and I believe its only HDMI 1.2a

[bootman]

Originally Posted by crypted

But I'm assuming that when Profile 3.0 is established, HDMI 1.3 will be of necessity to be able to utilize it's full qualities in AUDIO. That's why I'm looking into the Onkyo as it supports HDMI 1.3. But, does HDMI 1.2 handle the capacity of the audio even though its information on WIKI doesn't state it?

Also, anyone have an opinion in regards to a 5.1 surround sound setup using a 7.1 surround sound receiver? Does it recognize two missing speakers and can the new HD audio codecs support 5.1 systems if so? I'd hate to think that I'm losing audio that will highly dampen the overall experience.

There is no profile 3 and no plans to go beyond 2.0.
HDMI 1.3 lets you bitstream HD audio.
HDMI 1.2 will let you play HD audio that has been converted to PCM by the player.
So since the PS3 doesn not bitstream HD audio (but does convert it to PCM) all you would need is a HDMI 1.2 receiver.
If you have one now, there is no reason to upgrade.
If you buy one now, it will be hard to find one that isn't 1.3 anyway.

The yammy 661 is a perfect example:
The more expensive 663 does have HD audio but to a PS3 owner perform the same with HD audio tracks.
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/compare/De...&B_compare.y=7

So if you bought a 661 there is no reason to go and upgrade to a 663.


Any capable receiver will take a 7.1 mix and remix it for 5.1.
The two extra surround channels are just matrixed in with the regular surrounds.
Not a real concern.

BTW you do know that WIKI is only as accurate as those who post on it.

[pieterg]

Originally Posted by crypted

where can i get a PS3 at a decent price? the standard retail stores are suggesting $400 per unit... is that standard everywhere?

I'm sure there are several threads that mention this. I purchased my PS3 from sonystyle's online store and it only cost $300 since I signed up for their credit card. The small print says that they will credit you account with $100 a month or two after you first purchase, but they credited my account on the first bill!
If you are interested, navigate to the PS3 page on the store and you should see the offer on the right side.