Videophile Poll: Best picture quality.

[staravella]

With the latest models coming out I'm in the market for a BluRay player. I'm currently barrowing a friends PS3. I've read a few articles indicating that some of the standalone players have better picture quality than the PS3. Now I'm looking for some real world feedback on picture quality comparisons for the PS3, Sony 350, Panisonic BD30 / 80, etc. Looking for device with the best picture quality. (PS3 fanatics, no offence intended. I fully appriciate the versatility and quality of the device but none of the additional features intersets me. My focus here is Picture Quality). I am on a budget so I hope to keep my purchase in the $500 range.

[brett_day]

whether you are interested in the extra features or not, the sony playstation still has the best PQ

[RandDawg]

Originally Posted by staravella

With the latest models coming out I'm in the market for a BluRay player. I'm currently barrowing a friends PS3. I've read a few articles indicating that some of the standalone players have better picture quality than the PS3. Now I'm looking for some real world feedback on picture quality comparisons for the PS3, Sony 350, Panisonic BD30 / 80, etc. Looking for device with the best picture quality. (PS3 fanatics, no offence intended. I fully appriciate the versatility and quality of the device but none of the additional features intersets me. My focus here is Picture Quality). I am on a budget so I hope to keep my purchase in the $500 range.

I always kind of figured the PQ coming from the players was pretty standard and most of the PQ was dependent on the TV and where the players made an impact was with the upconverting capabilities. and I have heard the discontinued toshiba HD-DVD players are the best for that.

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by RandDawg

I always kind of figured the PQ coming from the players was pretty standard and most of the PQ was dependent on the TV and where the players made an impact was with the upconverting capabilities. and I have heard the discontinued toshiba HD-DVD players are the best for that.

hahahahahahahahhahahahhhahahahahahahahaha

not good enough, apparently

[mdabb]

Of course your display will effect the end result in terms of PQ I own both a PS3 and a Samsung BD-P1200 and there is a difference. The BD-P1200 has better PQ and it is noticeable. Not saying the PS3 has bad PQ but not the best. After all you are interested in PQ.

Look at the Denon models or for players coming out with REON. Still not a lot of great choices out there for BD players, maybe one day.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Of course your display will effect the end result in terms of PQ I own both a PS3 and a Samsung BD-P1200 and there is a difference.

was curious if you run both through a receiver or directly to the TV? (using on same TV correct)

[mdabb]

Both BD-P1200 and PS3 are connected to a Onkyo TX-SR875 set to passthrough then to a Samsung HL56A650. Not just saying it looks better to say it. It does look better. You are welcome to come see for yourself. I love my PS3 but I can admit to some things.

Hard to believe but if you're curious find a way to try it. The 1200 is sharper and more detailed. Is there anyone else out there that can make the same comparison and would like to add their thoughts?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Both BD-P1200 and PS3 are connected to a Onkyo TX-SR875 set to passthrough then to a Samsung HL56A650. Not just saying it looks better to say it. It does look better.

im not doubting your opinion, I was just seeing if you were using the same picture settings for both players (which you are). Thanks.

[mdabb]

No problem!!!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by brett_day

whether you are interested in the extra features or not, the sony playstation still has the best PQ

Many reviews and tests state otherwise.

[werewuf]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Many reviews and tests state otherwise.

+1
Exactly, 6 months ago there was a review in England declaring the Pio BDP94- HD the best quality PQ wise over all existing players. They had a head to head review with every existing player at that time. Also Home Theater Review had a comparo between the PS-3 and the 94 and stated the 94's PQ was obviously better.

[staravella]

whether you are interested in the extra features or not, the sony playstation still has the best PQ

Brett Day, have you ever done any direct side-by-side comparisons?

Of course your display will effect the end result in terms of PQ I own both a PS3 and a Samsung BD-P1200 and there is a difference. The BD-P1200 has better PQ and it is noticeable. Not saying the PS3 has bad PQ but not the best. After all you are interested in PQ.

Thanks mdabb, that's the kind of feedback I'm looking for. If that's the case then a standalone might be worth buying and comparing to the PS3 I have on loan.

Anyone else have any comparison stories?

[btf1980]

Originally Posted by brett_day

whether you are interested in the extra features or not, the sony playstation still has the best PQ

This statement is based on what exactly? Other than your opinion that is. Have you tried players from Denon or Marantz?

[GORT]

Originally Posted by brett_day

whether you are interested in the extra features or not, the sony playstation still has the best PQ

How can you say that without looking at any of the new players coming out be objective and honest not a fanboy

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by brett_day

whether you are interested in the extra features or not, the sony playstation still has the best PQ

The PS3 is a great machine and all... but it certainly doesn't have the best PQ out of all the released players. Once you've updated the Denon DVD-3800BDCI to correct the 24fps bug, the quality difference between it and the PS3 is clearly noticeable (both in 24fps mode and in 60p mode). Granted, for $2k, it ought to be clearly superior.

There's a lot of factors that go into picture quality differences even in 1080p24 mode (the quality of the decoding codec implementation in the player, any video processing applied to the decoded image, etc). Video quality comparisons of BD players are especially difficult because there are 3 video codecs that can be used. And, if you are outputting 1080p60, then you have even more factors that go into the quality of the output video (3:2 pulldown from 1080p24 sources, deinterlacing quality of 1080i60 sources, etc).

Anyway, without getting too sidetracked, the PS3 doesn't win any prizes for PQ... again, great and versatile machine... but videophiles would much prefer the output and processing options of the Denon.

As for the OP, the Denon and Marantz have the best PQ of any player yet released, but again, at $2k that's out of many people's price range. If you can wait, Pioneer has had a nice track record with PQ and their new players are due within the next month. Also, Samsung is releasing another player with the Reon chip (the BD-P2500) this fall. The PQ on the upcoming Sony BDP-S550 could be great, too -- really until the new players are out, there's no way to know how they'll compare.

[beavis667]

Originally Posted by brett_day

whether you are interested in the extra features or not, the sony playstation still has the best PQ

In blind comparison, my wife can see PQ differences from the Pioneer players I've owned and the PS3. Obviously the Pio's are better. It's not that the PS3 is bad, the PS3 is more than good enough. But there are better PQ players out there for sure.

[Synaptic Reality]

I have the Sony BDP-S301 and the PS3, the PQ with the PS3 is better in my opinion. But the 301 is pretty good in itself, it seems comparable to saying, "Is this gold brick heavier or worth more than this other gold brick?" My point is that I'm just happy to have a gold brick and differences are fairly slight.

But more to your point, I've heard the Panasonic BD-30 has incredible PQ, most say it's superior to the PS3 and is around $500.

[Entertainment72]

Do you PS3 owners have it set to full RGB and not limited?

[Scoob]

Originally Posted by brett_day

whether you are interested in the extra features or not, the sony playstation still has the best PQ

I'm not sure why you would say that. Don't get me wrong, all BD players have great PQ with BD playback. I mean we're splitting hairs somewhat as many people won't notice the difference. But as the OP stated, he was asking Videophiles. I have read several reviews, most recently one that compared the Panny BD-50 to the PS3. And again, the review stated that the PQ from the BD-50 was slightly better. Just as many who have done side by sides with the BD-30 and PS3 have stated the same thing. The BD-30 is sharper during BD playback. Personally, I have done side by sides with my PS3 and my Philips BDP7200. They are very close, but the PS3 produces just a slightly softer image. Don't get my wrong, I love my PS3 and would recommend one to anyone. But it's not for everyone.

[staravella]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm considering either the Panasonic BD50 or the Sony S350. Anyone have an opinion of side by side picture quality for these two players.