Blue Ray Players

[Shaku]

Which is the best unit to go with? I was thinking of a Kuro BDP51FD made by Pioneer.

[L.J.]

Depends on what kinda AVR you got(I'm assuming you have one). That Pioneer doesn't have internal DTSMA decoding but it can bitstream. You gotta 1.3 AVR? How much you plan on paying for this player?

[Mr Peabody]

L.J. is right, it depends on how you plan to use it, connected to just a TV, plan to use multi-channel analog into an older A/V receiver (internal decoding will be very important in this case), or HDMI all the way, internet/interactive features important, how much do you care about upscaling of standard DVD ( narrows the field down a great deal since only a hand full will offer separate chips for SD and HD), etc.??

You can go from a $299.00 Sony to $2k Marantz. I hear Pioneer is good but haven't seen one. Also heard they are hard to get your hands on. I think the new Marantz that will be around $749.00 or the top of the line Samsung with the Silicon Optics chip set will both be a good middle of the road.

Still can't go wrong with the PS3 either.

[RoadRunner6]

You might want to consider the new Panasonics, DMP-BD35 ($299 or less) or the DMP-BD55 ($399 or less) to be released later this month. Go for the 35 if you have an HDMI receiver or the 55 if you have an older receiver and need the 5.1 or 7.1 analog connections.

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/blu...ay-disc-player

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Pa...y_Player.shtml

If you can be patient for several months or so you might want to wait for the much anticipated OPPO BDP-83.

RR6

[natronforever]

I was just in Costco today and I saw a Phillips Blu Ray player for $250. I'm not sure if it decodes DTSMA, but I noticed it had 5.1 channel RCA outputs, which is awesome for that price point.

[chesty]

saw one of the Pioneers demo'ed - it's exceptionally fast...which apparently Pioneer is listening to people *****ing about load times. They aren't supporting BD-Live (which is probably also listening to their audience). $500-600.

[Mr Peabody]

Thank you, I personally think BD live is a waste. I wonder how many people would be interested and of those how many would have networks in their home. I guess networks may not be so scarce with all the laptops. I rarely even access the bonus material on a disc. I've done it before to see what it was all about. The Pictuer-in-a-Picture is another funny feature, like I want to be trying to watch a movie and some clown talling about how he made the sceen at the same time. PIP is an expensive feature because you have to have a separate video path for the extra picture.

Early reviews on the Panasonic DMP-35 & 55 show they are fast as well. So speed is one hurdle that seems to be getting worked out.

[Feanor]

Thank you, I personally think BD live is a waste. I wonder how many people would be interested and of those how many would have networks in their home. I guess networks may not be so scarce with all the laptops. ...

Uhmmm ... no. See my post.

[pixelthis]

Thank you, I personally think BD live is a waste. I wonder how many people would be interested and of those how many would have networks in their home. I guess networks may not be so scarce with all the laptops. I rarely even access the bonus material on a disc. I've done it before to see what it was all about. The Pictuer-in-a-Picture is another funny feature, like I want to be trying to watch a movie and some clown talling about how he made the sceen at the same time. PIP is an expensive feature because you have to have a separate video path for the extra picture.

Early reviews on the Panasonic DMP-35 & 55 show they are fast as well. So speed is one hurdle that seems to be getting worked out.

Speed is not a prob with me.
I just hit the open button and its open when I come back, put the disc in early and its ready when I am.
Its just a simple matter of leaving the thing alone while its "loading".
Remember some DVD players take awhile to load.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Savage image you attached there pix. I don't think PETA would appreciate it much.

[pixelthis]

Savage image you attached there pix. I don't think PETA would appreciate it much.

Its "beating a dead horse" in case you didnt get it.
AND I will have you know that a primary spokesperson for PETA
approves(see below).
Not that I care what a bunch of protien deficient geeks think.

[Mr Peabody]

Look when a group is protesting for a manufacturer to use breast milk in ice cream, said group, PETA, has clearly LOST THEIR FRIGGIN MIND, IF THEY HAD ONE TO BEGIN WITH!

[bobsticks]

Look when a group is protesting for a manufacturer to use breast milk in ice cream, said group, PETA, has clearly LOST THEIR FRIGGIN MIND, IF THEY HAD ONE TO BEGIN WITH!

Beware the world according to PETA...I can just imagine entering a Ben & Jerry's plant only to find the braindrain scene from The Matrix except that it's millions of breats hooked up to millions of pumps, soulessly pumpin' out the lactation...

...what a bunch of psychotic idiots.

[Mr Peabody]

Hey! where can I get a job application??!

[pixelthis]

Savage image you attached there pix. I don't think PETA would appreciate it much.

HERES A savage pic for ya old sod

[winston]

hio guys got a question for you guys as you all on line at this time. panasonic DMP30 & 50 and sony 35 can they do the job.the 30 and 35 mention can be had for about $250 give or take i do like panasonic i have the DVD-S97 it holds up ok, hope to hear from some of you guys. regards......... winston

[Mr Peabody]

You would have to compare the feature list, if the earlier models have everything you need they will work fine. Most of the upgrade is in BD live or HD audio decoding.

[winston]

You would have to compare the feature list, if the earlier models have everything you need they will work fine. Most of the upgrade is in BD live or HD audio decoding.

thanks mr. pae. as i do not fancy them upgrades anyway (BD live or HD) can i ask about the 5.1 or 7.1 most of the new BR players dont have the analog rca jacks option? would you say the HDMI is a better way to go for music & DVD. (NOT AUDIOPHILE STEREO) as i dont want to start a WAR.....smile rgds winston

[Mr Peabody]

HDMI carries both audio and video. It's definitely more convenient and far less connections HDMI also gives you the option of doing both bitstream or PCM. As much as I can't stand the way HDMI was handled in bringing it to market, it is going to be more of a standard than any of the other connections. If you have a receiver that will accept HDMI then I wouldn't even worry about MC analog outputs. If your receiver will decode the HD audio tracks (Dolby Tru-HD/DTS-MA) then you just need to be sure the player will output those via bitstream. If your receiver doesn't have those decoders then get them in your player and just be sure your receiver will accept the PCM signal. My processor will decode the bitstream but I let the player do the decoding and send my processor PCM. This way if I want to use uncompressed PCM from a BR disc I don't have to keep going into the menu and switching back and forth.

Which receiver do you have?

[winston]

HDMI carries both audio and video. It's definitely more convenient and far less connections HDMI also gives you the option of doing both bitstream or PCM. As much as I can't stand the way HDMI was handled in bringing it to market, it is going to be more of a standard than any of the other connections. If you have a receiver that will accept HDMI then I wouldn't even worry about MC analog outputs. If your receiver will decode the HD audio tracks (Dolby Tru-HD/DTS-MA) then you just need to be sure the player will output those via bitstream. If your receiver doesn't have those decoders then get them in your player and just be sure your receiver will accept the PCM signal. My processor will decode the bitstream but I let the player do the decoding and send my processor PCM. This way if I want to use uncompressed PCM from a BR disc I don't have to keep going into the menu and switching back and forth.

Which receiver do you have?

thanks again i have been schooled, i have the poineer elite VSX-72TXV receiver that i used as my processer, (i have three pcs of acurus old like myself) i used the A150 to drive a pair of infinity BETA 50 up front and the 100X3 for the BETA 20 rears and the BETA 350 center.the ACT3 processor is boxed up some place,let me hear from you when you pass this way. regards winston.

[Mr Peabody]

I tried to find some info on your receiver but didn't come up with much. I saw it has HDMI but couldn't find any deeper features, so you will have to hook up a BR player and see what happens. You should check your manual to see if your receiver is HDCP (copy protection) compliant. If it isn't there could be hand shake issues with newer HDMI units. So if you don't find an answer you might want to check with Pioneer, or if you decide to buy a BR player with out MC analog outputs, maybe get it from one of the stores that allows a 30 day return.

Is your receiver before they started using the digital amps? Just out of curiosity did you try the internal amp? If so, what did you think? I'm sure it wasn't up to Acurus but I wondered how it might compare to other receivers.

[frenchmon]

Speed is not a prob with me.
I just hit the open button and its open when I come back, put the disc in early and its ready when I am.
Its just a simple matter of leaving the thing alone while its "loading".
Remember some DVD players take awhile to load.

I don't worry about speed either....My SACD player loads slowly....but the music it produces is transparent.

frenchmon

[frenchmon]

Its "beating a dead horse" in case you didnt get it.
AND I will have you know that a primary spokesperson for PETA
approves(see below).
Not that I care what a bunch of protien deficient geeks think.

Ha! I thought you where trying to show your disaproval of the democratic party.

You know Donkey Versus the Elophant.

frenchmon

[winston]

I tried to find some info on your receiver but didn't come up with much. I saw it has HDMI but couldn't find any deeper features, so you will have to hook up a BR player and see what happens. You should check your manual to see if your receiver is HDCP (copy protection) compliant. If it isn't there could be hand shake issues with newer HDMI units. So if you don't find an answer you might want to check with Pioneer, or if you decide to buy a BR player with out MC analog outputs, maybe get it from one of the stores that allows a 30 day return.

Is your receiver before they started using the digital amps? Just out of curiosity did you try the internal amp? If so, what did you think? I'm sure it wasn't up to Acurus but I wondered how it might compare to other receivers.

thanks again mr pae.yes its the digital amps, it should be 130- wats x 7 and its HDCP -compatible, it even can do the full menu for IPOD & XM radio when connected to them, i found the cables for the IPOD & XM radio when i was checking out the manual. it was mfd 07/208 two models elite (VSX-72TXV ) and VSX-74TXVI this model has the I,LINK and USB interface. down here in miami fl today i can get the panasonic DMP-BD30 for 250 +
tax ? the 35 is at vanns for about $290 no tax/shipping.
your opinion plz.

[L.J.]

thanks again mr pae.yes its the digital amps, it should be 130- wats x 7 and its HDCP -compatible, it even can do the full menu for IPOD & XM radio when connected to them, i found the cables for the IPOD & XM radio when i was checking out the manual. it was mfd 07/208 two models elite (VSX-72TXV ) and VSX-74TXVI this model has the I,LINK and USB interface. down here in miami fl today i can get the panasonic DMP-BD30 for 250 +
tax ? the 35 is at vanns for about $290 no tax/shipping.
your opinion plz.

I would avoid the BD30 since it does not have internal decoding for HD audio formats. It can only bitstream. You would need a HDMI v1.3 AVR to take advantage of that.

If your AVR is HDMI v1.1 & can handle multi channel PCM via HDMI, you can use a PS3 or any other HDMI player that has decoding for all HD audio.

Also, any player with full decoding & 5.1 analog out will be fine for HD audio.