Listen up, Nightflier: A true universal player

[frahengeo]

So if I understand this right, there are still only three choices for a true universal player (well w/o records, 8-tracks, cassettes, of course):

1. The Oppo BDP-83
- msrp $499
- freakin' glowing reviews from just about everyone, albeit always with constant mention of the $499 price-point
- plays every codec except DTS-ES and DD-EX (but no one seems to care, so we'll pretend that it doesn't either).

2. The Denon DVD-A1UDCI
- msrp $1999
- has McIntosh-derived drive mechanism
- good, albeit sparse reviews, but does anyone actually own one?
- Supports DTS-ES & DD-EX

The Denon MSRP is actually: $4,500 (The Mac unit is expected to be more!!). There are Denon owners in other forums and they speak highly of it (as one would expect). Its a good match for those that own their Pre/Pro or for those with money to burn. Also, Denon has/will be releasing other models, closer to the Oppo price, that will be of the universal type.

As far as other manufacturers, Marantz comes to mind. I believe its in the $6k range. Now that's 3 universal units from one parent company (D&M)

With blu-ray being new and high potential for changes (profile 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, etc., hdmi 1.4, etc.) the Oppo seems like the sound choice for MOST.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

With blu-ray being new and high potential for changes (profile 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, etc., hdmi 1.4, etc.) the Oppo seems like the sound choice for MOST.

There will be no profile changes for Blu-ray, and you will find hdmi 1.4 unnecessary for most components selling today. Hdmi 1.4 is a forward thinking upgrade to 1.3a. Most of these upgrades are completely unnecessary for todays displays and players, as they cannot do half the things the new standard incorporates.

In terms of Blu-ray profiles, the only one that has not been implemented is the audio only profile 3.0. Since manufacturers are already installing 3.0 profile components in their high end Blu-ray players(better DAC, and the ability to shut off analog video circuits during audio only playback, and the support AVCHD without video for the audio) that profile has pretty much become absolete. High quality music only support can be acheive without this profile.

As far as HDMI 1.4, pretty soon all components will have it whether we desire it or not. As 4K video, 3D video, and two way communicating devices come online, it is only then this incarnation of HDMI becomes necessary. 4K will probably be the next big thing, perhaps 3D after that. Each still has a way to go in terms of making the cut in a viable consumer product. 4K requires very large screens(past the 100" which is the largest 1080p can support without blowing up digital artifacts not normally seen), probably 150" and above to see all the detail, and there is still no way to deliver that much video information to the screen.

Since I do not care for a manfacturers "sound", the MacIntosh equipment is not desireable for me. Having auditioned the XRT2K, I found its sound not compatible with a speaker that costs as much as a down payment on a house. I have heard better in their price range, and for less.

[frahengeo]

There will be no profile changes for Blu-ray, and you will find hdmi 1.4 unnecessary for most components selling today. Hdmi 1.4 is a forward thinking upgrade to 1.3a. Most of these upgrades are completely unnecessary for todays displays and players, as they cannot do half the things the new standard incorporates.

In terms of Blu-ray profiles, the only one that has not been implemented is the audio only profile 3.0. Since manufacturers are already installing 3.0 profile components in their high end Blu-ray players(better DAC, and the ability to shut off analog video circuits during audio only playback, and the support AVCHD without video for the audio) that profile has pretty much become absolete. High quality music only support can be acheive without this profile.

As far as HDMI 1.4, pretty soon all components will have it whether we desire it or not. As 4K video, 3D video, and two way communicating devices come online, it is only then this incarnation of HDMI becomes necessary. 4K will probably be the next big thing, perhaps 3D after that. Each still has a way to go in terms of making the cut in a viable consumer product. 4K requires very large screens(past the 100" which is the largest 1080p can support without blowing up digital artifacts not normally seen), probably 150" and above to see all the detail, and there is still no way to deliver that much video information to the screen.

Since I do not care for a manfacturers "sound", the MacIntosh equipment is not desireable for me. Having auditioned the XRT2K, I found its sound not compatible with a speaker that costs as much as a down payment on a house. I have heard better in their price range, and for less.

So as long as the blu-ray format is the latest and greatest, no one will feel "burned" buying any of the recent blu-ray player?

Never heard of 4K. For that format, the room size could also be a limiting factor. I don't know many that can accommodate a 150" screen size without speakers getting in the way.

[pixelthis]

So as long as the blu-ray format is the latest and greatest, no one will feel "burned" buying any of the recent blu-ray player?

Never heard of 4K. For that format, the room size could also be a limiting factor. I don't know many that can accommodate a 150" screen size with speaker getting in the way.

a TAD "burned maybe.
But only because I only have one multichannel in for my receiver, and my Blu player
has ta have it, leaving my DVDA/SACD player on 2 channel.
Now I prefer my music 2 channel, but it would be nice to have a one box solution
and have the option of multichannel music without rewiring my system.
But its a quibble, really a Blu player is so much fun that its hard not to be satisfied
with it.
But if I had known about the OPPO earlier I would have made a different purchase.
And no, no one does care about EX and ES, both are, ahem...DEAD.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

So as long as the blu-ray format is the latest and greatest, no one will feel "burned" buying any of the recent blu-ray player?

If you have no interest in 3D(at least several years away) then any 2.0 profile player purchased today will not make you feel burned. 3D will require a new player and a new display as well. I just purchased two oppo players for my review and reference system. I had no problem with my purchase even though I also have to purchase a new player when 3D becomes available for reviewing reasons.

Never heard of 4K. For that format, the room size could also be a limiting factor. I don't know many that can accommodate a 150" screen size without speakers getting in the way.

4K is more suitable to dedicated rooms that are front projector based. Speaker placement is more akin to a professional movie theater where they are behind the screen instead of the conventional home placement of in front of the screen.

[frahengeo]

If you have no interest in 3D(at least several years away) then any 2.0 profile player purchased today will not make you feel burned. 3D will require a new player and a new display as well. I just purchased two oppo players for my review and reference system. I had no problem with my purchase even though I also have to purchase a new player when 3D becomes available for reviewing reasons.



4K is more suitable to dedicated rooms that are front projector based. Speaker placement is more akin to a professional movie theater where they are behind the screen instead of the conventional home placement of in front of the screen.

I meant the next iteration of blu-ray if there is one. I wasn't referring to another format. We all know that the next latest and greatest are in the plans.

Again, I'm not sure how many will be able fit a 150" screen in their home.

Regarding the Oppo player, that was my point. At $500.00 who cares if it can't handle the next format in a few years? Makes those TOTL units more difficult to justify.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

I meant the next iteration of blu-ray if there is one. I wasn't referring to another format. We all know that the next latest and greatest are in the plans.

4k is not another format, it is a display resolution. Blu-ray can accomodate it by providing a 1080p signal that can be upconverted to 2160p via the display device. There are also millions of Blu-ray players(all except the first generation and a few second generation players) that can read Pioneers four layer Blu-ray disc that can accomodate 4K video. We are not talking a new format here, we are talking a new connect. HDMI 1.3a cannot accomodate 4K video, so the display device must do a upconversion process.

Again, I'm not sure how many will be able fit a 150" screen in their home.

You would be surprised at how many 150" screens are already out there. I have a 130" myself even though I do not recommend using one. 1080p blown up to that size reveals all kinds of artifacts that you would not see on a 100" screen or smaller. 1080p was never designed to be blown up that size.

Regarding the Oppo player, that was my point. At $500.00 who cares if it can't handle the next format in a few years? Makes those TOTL units more difficult to justify.

I agree with you man!