Sony BDP-S550 vs. Panasonic DMP-BD55, info needed - Blu-ray Forum

Bobbie Swager · 03-08-2009, 04:34 PM

Hi, I'm looking at buying either of the above Blu-Rays and putting it with a Panasonic PT-AE300U projector. I'd love some help on which way to go since they seem to be so similar in features and price now. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

ckent22 · 03-08-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbie Swager

Hi, I'm looking at buying either of the above Blu-Rays and putting it with a Panasonic PT-AE300U projector. I'd love some help on which way to go since they seem to be so similar in features and price now. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

S550. My dad has one and it's great.

Blu-Dog · 03-08-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbie Swager

Hi, I'm looking at buying either of the above Blu-Rays and putting it with a Panasonic PT-AE300U projector. I'd love some help on which way to go since they seem to be so similar in features and price now. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

First, the Panasonic DMP-BD55 is discontinued. (Check Amazon; prices are around $1,000! Insane.)

The new models look nice, but read the following notice from CES:

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-19167_1-10135953-100.html

For some reason, while the players support DTS-MA Essential, this codec doesn't support older advanced DTS codes - it just boils them down to basic DTS. Can't figure that out.

Anyway, wait for the new models of the -60 and -80 to be released in the next few weeks. If you can find a reasonably priced 55, grab it. It's an excellent player, perhaps better than the new ones.

gekke henkie · 03-08-2009, 07:25 PM

Personally, I travel a lot, and therefore like the region-free capabilities (zone A, B, and C) of the modified Panasonics (the modified Sonys only play A and B). Depending on where you live, you can order one online, or buy it at a (local) distributor.

Secondly, with your Panasonic projector, I would choose the Panasonic, because I think you can use the remote of your projector for your BD-player also.

Thirdly, the Panasonic has been voted 'the best BD-player money can buy' a few months ago by a few reviewers (see also HDTV1080P's topic on that).

(By the way, the Sony is a very good player, nevertheless)

BIslander · 03-08-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

For some reason, while the players support DTS-MA Essential, this codec doesn't support older advanced DTS codes - it just boils them down to basic DTS. Can't figure that out.

That limitation is almost never a problem. It's also true of pretty much all players.

The Essential version does not support DTS 96/24, DTS-ES, or DTS Neo:6 matrixing. Those are legacy formats that are almost never used on BD. If you play a DVD such as LOTR with a DTS 6.1 ES track, you'll lose the rear channel. But, you can simply bitstream it to your receiver for decoding instead. DTS-ES is not an HD codec and can be handled by nearly all receivers.

I think Essential was developed because of the DTS core + extension structure. Legacy DTS uses the extensions for 96/24 and ES data. HD DTS uses the extensions for the HRA and Master Audio data.

Sunnyboy · 03-08-2009, 08:24 PM

Buddy: Panasonic DMP-BD35K/55K vs Sony BDS1/300/350/550...

I have them all. The price of Panny BD player is sky high, with that price tag I would choose Pioneer BDP-51FD instead (USD299 from amazon). Panny introduced new generation of BD players with crippled audio support only DTS and DD core decoding). I guess the price of their players is because all magazines gave them very very good reviews (top 10 BD players to choose from). Sony's 350/550 are identically the same except the audio board, if you just use HDMI, go for BDP-350. (My philosophy is: less is better.)

My experience about these players: the real problem is not which player you are using, but your TV/projector: you need to calibrate them correctly. I am using DVE HD basic calibration BD for this. As long as you calibrate your TV correctly. The difference among all players are not a big issue.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1054218

I own a Sony KDL-32XBR6 1080p HDTV, and I found these folks on avsforum are very very resourceful! I calibrate my TV using "theguyinthechair"'s settings as a starting point, and I used DVE disk to fine tune the settings. Now I can say that it is hard to tell whether I am using Panasonic DMP-BD35/55 or Sony 350/550 for playing BDs!

Last I have to apologize about the new Sony players 360 and 560, I do not have access to them and no way that I can confirm what I see on my TV. I do not think I will buy them either (because they included Wifi and that will create more HF interference to other parts of the player).

If you shop around, I believe you still can find Sony BDP-S550 fromabout USD290, and good luck hunting.

primaz · 03-09-2009, 08:05 PM

I was going to get the Panny BD 80 that replaces the discontinued BD55 but you just might wait as the new OPPO Digital is going to be sold the end of this month which might blow away all blu ray players in that price or even a bit more expensive models. I think it will list for about the same as the BD55 and new BD80 will likely be which is $499? It plays DVD's at high quality along with blu rays; I've heard some of the blu ray players do not play your old DVD's very well so this OPPO might be the best not only for blu ray but also to play the old DVD's you have?

03-08-2009, 04:34 PM	#1
Bobbie Swager New Member Member since:Mar 2009	Sony BDP-S550 vs. Panasonic DMP-BD55, info needed Hi, I'm looking at buying either of the above Blu-Rays and putting it with a Panasonic PT-AE300U projector. I'd love some help on which way to go since they seem to be so similar in features and price now. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

03-08-2009, 08:24 PM	#6
Sunnyboy Active Member Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Long Island, NY.	Buddy: Panasonic DMP-BD35K/55K vs Sony BDS1/300/350/550... I have them all. The price of Panny BD player is sky high, with that price tag I would choose Pioneer BDP-51FD instead (USD299 from amazon). Panny introduced new generation of BD players with crippled audio support only DTS and DD core decoding). I guess the price of their players is because all magazines gave them very very good reviews (top 10 BD players to choose from). Sony's 350/550 are identically the same except the audio board, if you just use HDMI, go for BDP-350. (My philosophy is: less is better.) My experience about these players: the real problem is not which player you are using, but your TV/projector: you need to calibrate them correctly. I am using DVE HD basic calibration BD for this. As long as you calibrate your TV correctly. The difference among all players are not a big issue. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1054218 I own a Sony KDL-32XBR6 1080p HDTV, and I found these folks on avsforum are very very resourceful! I calibrate my TV using "theguyinthechair"'s settings as a starting point, and I used DVE disk to fine tune the settings. Now I can say that it is hard to tell whether I am using Panasonic DMP-BD35/55 or Sony 350/550 for playing BDs! Last I have to apologize about the new Sony players 360 and 560, I do not have access to them and no way that I can confirm what I see on my TV. I do not think I will buy them either (because they included Wifi and that will create more HF interference to other parts of the player). If you shop around, I believe you still can find Sony BDP-S550 fromabout USD290, and good luck hunting. Last edited by Sunnyboy; 03-08-2009 at 08:32 PM.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Sony BDP-S550 or Panny DMP-BD55?	Blu-ray Players and Recorders	bone crusher	7	04-05-2009 05:14 PM
Sony BDP-550 or Panasonic DMP-BD55?	Blu-ray Players and Recorders	Italia	21	01-08-2009 03:04 PM
Panasonic DMP-BD55 VS. Sony S550	Blu-ray Players and Recorders	lpfan71	113	12-15-2008 02:52 AM
Sony BDP-S550 vs Panasonic DMP-BD55K	Blu-ray Players and Recorders	Tigerbert	38	11-17-2008 09:14 PM
Sony BDP-S550 or Panasonic DMP-BD50?	Blu-ray Players and Recorders	ZMan	8	07-16-2008 10:26 PM

03-08-2009, 07:25 PM	#4
gekke henkie Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008	Personally, I travel a lot, and therefore like the region-free capabilities (zone A, B, and C) of the modified Panasonics (the modified Sonys only play A and B). Depending on where you live, you can order one online, or buy it at a (local) distributor. Secondly, with your Panasonic projector, I would choose the Panasonic, because I think you can use the remote of your projector for your BD-player also. Thirdly, the Panasonic has been voted 'the best BD-player money can buy' a few months ago by a few reviewers (see also HDTV1080P's topic on that). (By the way, the Sony is a very good player, nevertheless)

03-09-2009, 08:05 PM	#7
primaz Active Member Member since:Dec 2008	I was going to get the Panny BD 80 that replaces the discontinued BD55 but you just might wait as the new OPPO Digital is going to be sold the end of this month which might blow away all blu ray players in that price or even a bit more expensive models. I think it will list for about the same as the BD55 and new BD80 will likely be which is $499? It plays DVD's at high quality along with blu rays; I've heard some of the blu ray players do not play your old DVD's very well so this OPPO might be the best not only for blu ray but also to play the old DVD's you have?

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals