Sony BDP-S550 or Panny DMP-BD55?

[bone crusher]

I am seriously considering buying one of these two BD players later today. I need to know which one you guys feel is better. I am upgrading from a Panny BD30 and need decoding for the HD sound formats.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by bone crusher

I am seriously considering buying one of these two BD players later today. I need to know which one you guys feel is better. I am upgrading from a Panny BD30 and need decoding for the HD sound formats.

In terms of basic picture quality and analog audio output, there doesn't seem to be much difference.

I bought the BD55 because I also use both analog and S/PDIF connections. With the Panasonic, both are fully functional at the same time. With the Sony, only one output will do multichannel at a time.

The Panasonic also does frame-by-frame and the Sony doesn't. That doesn't matter to me, but it might to you.

[brettallica]

I love my BDP-S550, if that helps. Never had a single problem with playback or anything, and the unit looks cool, aesthetically speaking.

[redlikefire02]

Originally Posted by bone crusher

I am seriously considering buying one of these two BD players later today. I need to know which one you guys feel is better. I am upgrading from a Panny BD30 and need decoding for the HD sound formats.

1. the 55 is no longer in production and i doubt you will find it anywhere and if you do it will be outrageously priced.

2. the panasonic 60 ($299 but i got my best buy down to 199 with haggling for a friend) and 80 would be your main choices vs the s500 now, personally i would go with the panasonic, they work amazing, never problems and do all the decoding, not to mention they are VERY thin.

best of luck

[brettallica]

Yeah, you can't really go wrong with either of these two brands.

There's also another one coming out from Sony called the BDP-S560. That one is going to rock, hard.

[BIslander]

The BD60 and S560 lack multichannel analog outputs, which the OP says he needs. The BD55, if he can find it, and S550 are the current choices. The BD80 should be out soon, tho.

[Road Rash]

Originally Posted by BIslander

The BD80 should be out soon, tho.

The BD80 is out now. I ordered one yesterday and I should have it delivered next week.

[P@t_Mtl]

My friend just got the Sony BDP-S550 yesterday, after a full day of playing with it I can tell you it's truly amazing, if my Samsung BD-1500 was not playing so well I would think of changing it also.