Pioneer (BD-51FD) or Sony (BDP-S550)?

[bluseminole]

I am looking to replace my DMP-BD10A for the sole reason of obtaining DTS-HD MA audio. I am NOT in the market for a new receiver, but I have a 7.1 setup, so a player with 7.1 analog outs and internal decoding is necessary. This pretty much limits it to these two models. What are your thoughts between the two?

Personally, it seems that the Pioneer is more expensive for the sake of its name. The Sony is prof. 2.0, where as the Pio is only 1.1 (this is a non-issue for me, however, b/c I don't like special features). What really makes me wonder is, how long will it take for Pio to get that DTS-HD MA firmware out after the players are released?

I guess it boils down to, is Pioneer enough of a superior brand name to spend an extra $100 premium and suffer the "inconvenience" of relying on a firmware update? Or am I just as well off waiting for the cheaper and arguably more "complete-out-of-the-box" Sony?

Thoughts please

EDIT: Dang, misspelled the Pioneer model name. Sorry. Correction: BDP-51FD

[Woody]

I personally would (and probably am ) go with the Pio if 2.0 is meaningless to you. The pio will more than likely have better build quality, and a better analog section.

Pio is great with their FW updates also, so I wouldn't fret too badly about the update. I don't know for sure, but I would hope the player would get the update before the s550 is even released.

Pio has a 2 year warranty too.

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by Woody

I personally would (and probably am ) go with the Pio if 2.0 is meaningless to you. The pio will more than likely have better build quality, and a better analog section.

I thought that might be the case....do you know of anyplace I could get pics of the 51? Even here, it seems like the Elite 05 is pictured for both models. (Engadget has a picture of the front of the 51 only) Then again, shouldn't the back panels look identical?

Pio has a 2 year warranty too.

That is a huge plus.

Thanks for the tip

[Woody]

Originally Posted by bluseminole

I thought that might be the case....do you know of anyplace I could get pics of the 51? Even here, it seems like the Elite 05 is pictured for both models. (Engadget has a picture of the front of the 51 only) Then again, shouldn't the back panels look identical?



That is a huge plus.

Thanks for the tip

Hold the phone. I thought you were speaking about the new 05fd. The 51 will have a 1 year warranty just like the Sony. The Elite models have 2 year warranties, not the Pio regular line, sorry about that.

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by Woody

Hold the phone. I thought you were speaking about the new 05fd. The 51 will have a 1 year warranty just like the Sony. The Elite models have 2 year warranties, not the Pio regular line, sorry about that.

j/k Still, I would imagine the quality of even the regular Pio would be superior to the Sony? Or am I making an inaccurate assumption?

[Woody]

Here ya go.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/07/p...u-ray-players/

[Woody]

Originally Posted by bluseminole

j/k Still, I would imagine the quality of even the regular Pio would be superior to the Sony? Or am I making an inaccurate assumption?

Meh, I would still lean toward the Pio for a slight build quality edge, but the best thing Sony makes IMO build quality wise is its source units. So it could very well be a wash between the 2 players.

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by Woody

Meh, I would still lean toward the Pio for a slight build quality edge, but the best thing Sony makes IMO build quality wise is its source units. So it could very well be a wash between the 2 players.

Hmmmm....tough one, that.

My only concern with Sony's quality is that the pictures make the slimmer 550 look flimsy. I really like my BD10A now because of its heft.

Are you familiar with the interface and customization (setting) options on Sony and Pio players? That makes a difference, too. That will require some further research, but if one has more specific or plentiful user-definable settings or a clearer interface, that would be a big advantage.

Thanks for all your help, btw. Basically, I just need help knocking ideas and comparisons around, so thanks.

[Woody]

Here are some pics of the Pio GUI.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...1&d=1210828876

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...2&d=1210828920

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...3&d=1210829382

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...4&d=1210829489

You will have to be able to sign into AVS forum to get the links. Maybe someone else who isnt a forum tard like me can post the pics without requiring an AVS login.

I am not aware of any pics of the new Sony interfaces. I am sure there are s300 and s500 owners here that can give you a little info on those.

Oh, and no problem for the help

One last thing you will be able to update FW on the Sony over ethernet. You will not be able to on the Pio, you will have to burn the update onto a disc.

Not sure if that matters to you.

[BobOjr]

Blue, I am in the same boat and I am leaning to the Pioneer. Not concerned with the 2.0 or extras, want a player to go with my VSX-1014. I want Pic quality and audio quality

[The Guardian]

I could be wrong, but for analog outs does the Pioneer not have better DACs than the Sony?

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by Woody

Here are some pics of the Pio GUI.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...1&d=1210828876

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...2&d=1210828920

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...3&d=1210829382

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...4&d=1210829489

You will have to be able to sign into AVS forum to get the links. Maybe someone else who isnt a forum tard like me can post the pics without requiring an AVS login.

I am not aware of any pics of the new Sony interfaces. I am sure there are s300 and s500 owners here that can give you a little info on those.

Oh, and no problem for the help

One last thing you will be able to update FW on the Sony over ethernet. You will not be able to on the Pio, you will have to burn the update onto a disc.

Not sure if that matters to you.

Thanks. I am used to burning CDs to update my Panny, and there is no convenient ethernet port near my TV anyhow, so that's not an issue. I like the looks of the Pio interface, it seems very sleek and user-friendly, from what I can tell.

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by BobOjr

Blue, I am in the same boat and I am leaning to the Pioneer. Not concerned with the 2.0 or extras, want a player to go with my VSX-1014. I want Pic quality and audio quality

So in your opinion, Pio possesses a slight edge over Sony wrt quality in the "basics" (A/V)?

[bluseminole]

Just saw the actual spec sheet from pioneer on another thread (http://www.abt.com/images/products/P...51fd_specs.pdf) and it seems like the Wolfson DACs in the Pioneer would be much better than the ones Sony will be putting in the 550. Is this correct?

[The Guardian]

I think I said that

Yes, they would be..

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by The Guardian

I think I said that

Yes, they would be..

Thanks. No intent of stealing of your thunder...