Best Blu-Ray player

[georgev]

Now that HD is dead, what is currently the "Best" Blu-Ray player available on the market?

[audioqueso]

ha ha... jumping the gun, aren't we?

[Blindamood]

ha ha... jumping the gun, aren't we?

How? The official announcements have already been made.

To answer the original question, there are many good options...not really one BEST. Personally, I'm waiting for either the new Denon DVD-3800BDCI or the Marantz BD8002 to replace my Sony BDP-S1 someday. The Sony is excellent, but lacks the ability to internally decode DTS-MA.

[Radec]

For Oppo fans, there is also good things on the horizon :T

[Blindamood]

For Oppo fans, there is also good things on the horizon :T

Sweet...can't wait to see what they come up with. I just bought the DV-980H and am impressed so far. Need to do more watching/listening this weekend...

[Kevin P]

Any thoughts on the Pioneer Elite BD players?

[George Bellefontaine]

Well the one player that has never had any disc playing problems is the Playstation3. I can also say the same for my Panasonic BD30. Either of these two would make a good player if you didn't want to wait for something like the Pioneer or the Oppo. Now the Oppo will be something to look forward to. They are known for their quality and good customer service.

[littlesaint]

The Panasonic BD50 due in May is the one I'm looking at to replace my PS3 which is also a good player if you don't mind having a game console as a player. The Oppo player should be good as most of their stuff usually is, but it's also a long ways off from what I've read.

[PewterTA]

Best Blu-Ray player isn't out yet. Give it another 6 to 10 months and you'll see a LOT better players out.

[joetama]

Wow that is exciting new from about the Oppo BR player.

I got a Sony BDP-S300 just to start out and I like it. So I am seriously looking forward to some of the higher end players to come!

[blk100rr]

I'm waiting on the pioneer bd05. that's the one that will decode all formats internally and allow me to hear the lossy formats via my mutli channel outputs on my 1067

[ninja12]

The Panasonic BD50 due in May is the one I'm looking at to replace my PS3 which is also a good player if you don't mind having a game console as a player. The Oppo player should be good as most of their stuff usually is, but it's also a long ways off from what I've read.

Do you know if the LFE problem will be fixed with the BD50?

[littlesaint]

Do you know if the LFE problem will be fixed with the BD50?

I'm not up to speed on the "LFE problem" but I have read of people having issues. I can't comment on the BD50 though.

[audioqueso]

How? The official announcements have already been made.

Wow, I take that back... I did not hear about that last night. That's great news. It's finally over. I'd still go for the PS3 though. Being that it gets firmware upgrades all the time. That's what I'm going for... I'm just waiting for a modchip to be created first. :B

[George Bellefontaine]

Do you know if the LFE problem will be fixed with the BD50?

From what I've read, it's my understanding that the 50 will indeed have the LFE problem. But apparently Panasonic is aware of the problem and it is in the hands of their engineers to see if they can come up with a fix. Perhaps they will delay the 50 release. The LFE problem doesn't affect me because my receiver doesn't decode any of the new HD audio codecs.

[Tim_D]

From what I've read, it's my understanding that the 50 will indeed have the LFE problem. But apparently Panasonic is aware of the problem and it is in the hands of their engineers to see if they can come up with a fix. Perhaps they will delay the 50 release. The LFE problem doesn't affect me because my receiver doesn't decode any of the new HD audio codecs.

George, what exactly is the LFE problem and why does it only impact folks who have compatible receivers or where the receiver performs the decoding?

[Hdale85]

LFE is a low frequency mixture into your mains or sub. For some reason some of the BD players don't mix it into the stream. I notice it on my friends panasonic his sub does nothing pretty much when watching a Blu-Ray movie. This might not be what they are talking about though but for some reason he can't get the sub to work correctly with the PCM the BD player outputs.

[impala454]

The LFE problem with the Panny BD30 is an issue where discs with certain audio tracks (I forget the specific audio tracks affected) had the LFE channel too low. The hack was to adjust your speaker sizes in the player's interface and/or adjust your preamp.

This bug is being fixed with a patch on February 25th (see here). I will throw in a recommendation for this player as well. It has been awesome thus far and Panasonic seems to have great support.

[Tim_D]

Thanks for the responses Dougie085 and Impala454, I was considering the BD-30 or BD-50 and this was the first I had heard of this issue. I'm wondering with a 1.3a receiver does it make sense to get the BD-30 over the BD-50?

[impala454]

The BD30 fully supports HDMI 1.3 & Deep Color, and it is suggested that forced 24p output is on the way at some point via firmware. The main differences between the BD30 and BD50 will be that the BD50 adds Profile 2.0 support (network connectivity + more local storage available). Whether one is right for you really depends on how long you're willing to wait for the BD50 and whether or not you're a junkie for the extra features which may require Profile 2.0.

[littlesaint]

I'm not positive on these specs, but I believe the BD50 also adds internal decoders for HD audio codecs and analog audio connections.

[Ovation]

I'm going to wait for the Denon 3800.

Seriously--what a beast of a player. Decodes ALL the audio codecs internally (would love to have that), has the top of the line Silicon Optix video processor (REALTA), built like a tank...If I had the coin, that would be the player for me (I don't care about web connectivity).

In all likelihood, I'll get a PS3, live without the advanced audio (until I upgrade my receiver--not for some years, though) and spend the difference on movies and a few bottles of single malt. :T

[littlesaint]

I'm going to wait for the Denon 3800.

Seriously--what a beast of a player. Decodes ALL the audio codecs internally (would love to have that), has the top of the line Silicon Optix video processor (REALTA), built like a tank...If I had the coin, that would be the player for me (I don't care about web connectivity).

In all likelihood, I'll get a PS3, live without the advanced audio (until I upgrade my receiver--not for some years, though) and spend the difference on movies and a few bottles of single malt. :T

The BD50 may split the difference for you.

Do you have a favorite single malt? I have a collection of about 15 or so. :B

[Race Car Driver]

I like my PS3 :T

[littlesaint]

I like my PS3 :T

I have to agree the PS3 is the best player out there right now for the money. Especially if you enjoy gaming and SACD (if you have a model supporting it) as well. I would like to see the firmware updated to include all HD audio codecs and encoded bitstream for those that want to utilize their HDMI 1.3 AVRs.

[Ovation]

The BD50 may split the difference for you.

Do you have a favorite single malt? I have a collection of about 15 or so. :B

Perhaps, but it wouldn't look as "cool" on my gear rack. :B

As for single malts, I've liked every one I've tried (I have, at last count, 26 in my collection--a far cry from my wife's best friend's dad; 140 different ones, IIRC from my last visit ;x( ). I'm kind of partial to the 21 year old Oban I got on my fortieth birthday last year. But I like diversity--on a particularly cold and humid night, a Laphroaig hits the spot. I could go on, but then I'd get the urge to crack open a bottle and, sadly, the pain meds I took earlier would not like that combo.

[littlesaint]

Perhaps, but it wouldn't look as "cool" on my gear rack. :B

As for single malts, I've liked every one I've tried (I have, at last count, 26 in my collection--a far cry from my wife's best friend's dad; 140 different ones, IIRC from my last visit ;x( ). I'm kind of partial to the 21 year old Oban I got on my fortieth birthday last year. But I like diversity--on a particularly cold and humid night, a Laphroaig hits the spot. I could go on, but then I'd get the urge to crack open a bottle and, sadly, the pain meds I took earlier would not like that combo.

140 :E

I enjoy what some call the more medicinal varieties: Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, etc. But I also like the "special wood" varieties. Balvenie Doublewood and Portwood are good examples. Very warm and smooth.

[Nolan B]

Now that HD is dead, what is currently the "Best" Blu-Ray player available on the market?

PS3...sad, but true.

[Race Car Driver]

The one thing I wish the PS3 had, was the looks of a component, I think if they offered a version that would have a sexy DVD player or reciever look to it and maybe offer the "classic" look it could help move more into the homes as a dedicated BR player.

I know if Sony ever did that I would jump on it. However I am not holding my breath, as it would compete with their other BR players.

[Andrew M Ward]

Now that HD is dead, what is currently the "Best" Blu-Ray player available on the market?

Blu-Ray has 12 months... so the best player is the cheapest player...unless you really want to make the most of those 15 titles you'll have before it's dumped officially


Vudu & apple TV are models of replacement shipping now....


Not to be too smug: But as I said 12 months ago both Hi-def disc formats are dead..(DEAD)...

proceed with caution :rofl:

[Chris D]

Uh.... that's a pretty... "bold" statement, Andrew. So you're saying 12 more months until BD is dead?

Very well! On February 22nd, 2009, let's all come back to this thread! I'll be interested to see where the industry is at!

The one thing I wish the PS3 had, was the looks of a component, I think if they offered a version that would have a sexy DVD player or reciever look to it and maybe offer the "classic" look it could help move more into the homes as a dedicated BR player.

I know if Sony ever did that I would jump on it. However I am not holding my breath, as it would compete with their other BR players.

I know what you're saying. That's my only A/V equipment piece that's sitting on top of my rackmounted equipment rack, not in it. FWIW, Middle Atlantic does make a custom rack adapter for the PS3, making it look much more like an actual equipment piece and making it rackmountable with cooling vents.

[Dmantis]

Blu-Ray has 12 months... so the best player is the cheapest player...unless you really want to make the most of those 15 titles you'll have before it's dumped officially


Vudu & apple TV are models of replacement shipping now....


Not to be too smug: But as I said 12 months ago both Hi-def disc formats are dead..(DEAD)...

proceed with caution :rofl:

Maybe.

But people like removable media. They like going to the store and selecting a new disc. Blu Ray is being excepted by so many people and so many people are after it.
Today HD rules the electricial sales world. Plasma and Lcd are selling like mad. Peole love the clarity of HD tv's and want more things to show it off. Apple tv is one of the coolest things to come along. I love it myself but it doesn't sell like Blu ray.Same with Vudu, that doesn't sell at all. I have not seen one on a job yet or even be asked about it.
I think it's going to take longer then a year for the Disc format to go away. It may not ever go away in our lifetimes. Maybe it will. Only time will tell. But I can report for the Industry that Blu Ray isn't going anywhere and actually it's picking up. In a weeks time I Install more Blu Ray players then any other source except cable. People want it and it's selling strong.

[wkhanna]

I'm not positive on these specs, but I believe the BD50 also adds internal decoders for HD audio codecs and analog audio connections.

This is the feature of the format I am interested in. Does anyone know which one (BR or HD) had/has the best audio performance?

I may go with the PS3 in a year or so, but I envision using this format for creating separate multi-ch audio system.

[Race Car Driver]

Maybe.

But people like removable media. They like going to the store and selecting a new disc. Blu Ray is being excepted by so many people and so many people are after it.
Today HD rules the electricial sales world. Plasma and Lcd are selling like mad. Peole love the clarity of HD tv's and want more things to show it off. Apple tv is one of the coolest things to come along. I love it myself but it doesn't sell like Blu ray.Same with Vudu, that doesn't sell at all. I have not seen one on a job yet or even be asked about it.
I think it's going to take longer then a year for the Disc format to go away. It may not ever go away in our lifetimes. Maybe it will. Only time will tell. But I can report for the Industry that Blu Ray isn't going anywhere and actually it's picking up. In a weeks time I Install more Blu Ray players then any other source except cable. People want it and it's selling strong.

Agreed, I doubt downloading will REPLACE hard media anytime soon. I just dont see it happening.

Why?
- Most people like to OWN a physical piece if they pay for it. Like you said.
- Not everyone has a "computer" in there ht system
- Not everyone has hi speed cable
- Not everyone wants to pay to download something
- Half the fun of buying movies is walking through the aisle, picking up titles, putting them back, reading covers, etc. Its kinda like an adventure. Alot of purchases are impluse buys. Alot of purchases are attachments to other products. Do you think store front retailers are going to give up on physical media?! NOPE! They wont let that happen anytime soon!!! If downloadable replaced discs in twelve months you can kiss the biggest sales from your Best Buys, Circuit Cities, Walmarts good bye! It wont happen, period!

Now downloadable HD media, is there a marking for it? Yep! Will everyone bite, nope. What can I see downloadable media becoming... Netflix replacements. Blockbuster.... maybe.. Big Box replacements.. nope, never. The companies wont allow it. Its too big of a revenue chunk and they know, media is a big part of a "basket" that gets added on to other sales.

If downloadable media was so the way of the future in 12 months, CDs would be long gone by now. Have the sales declined? Yep But that has more to do with stealing music rather than paying for music...

[Ovation]

Blu-Ray has 12 months... so the best player is the cheapest player...unless you really want to make the most of those 15 titles you'll have before it's dumped officially


Vudu & apple TV are models of replacement shipping now....


Not to be too smug: But as I said 12 months ago both Hi-def disc formats are dead..(DEAD)...

proceed with caution :rofl:

You ARE too smug. There is NO WAY that Blu-ray will be dumped in 12 months now that HD DVD is out of the picture. When Vudu and Apple TV offer me media I can take with me, catalogue titles (anything that's not a blockbuster or recent release, in fact)--get back to me. Downloads will be complimentary to, not replacing, physical media for some time to come. I can see flash media cards eventually replacing Blu-ray/DVD, but not for a while yet. People who think "teh innent" is going to outright replace everything in less than 15 years are dreaming. Internet penetration into homes in North America is, by the most optimistic accounts, around 50% (and that includes dial-up). And while Apple TV will appeal to a certain demographic, it will be a plurality, not a majority. The studios will not abandon the majority if there is money to be made there--and there is. You keep waiting for that magical internet service that gives you 1080p with lossless audio for movies across all genres--let me know how that works out for you.

[Hdale85]

Bill as they both has similar audio performance as both formats have lossy and lossless codecs.

[littlesaint]

There are still many infrastructure hurdles to HDM quality downloads. It's getting there, but slowly.

Blu-ray isn't going anywhere. It has built-in longevity due to the PS3, and if hardware prices start dropping to DVD levels, the players will be the only game in town as far as hardware goes. Media sales may be a different story, but even downloads will need archival ability and Blu-ray makes sense in that area as well since the same compression codecs will probably be used.

At this point, it's a much easier transition from DVD to Blu-ray than to HD downloads. The BDA needs to make sure they exploit that as much as possible now before the gap starts to close.

[georgev]

When is the new Denon coming out?
Any thoughts on the Panasonic BDP LX70? Is this model similar to the ones you mention?

[impala454]

FYI to those who have the Panny BD30, the firmware update (1.6) is now available:

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/bd/download/bd30/bd30.html

[George Bellefontaine]

FYI to those who have the Panny BD30, the firmware update (1.6) is now available:
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/c...bd30/bd30.html

Yes, and it fixes the LFE problem for those who can pass PCM via HDMI. It also corrects audio problem on Resident Evil3 and a few other things, none of which affect me, so I am leaving my version at 1.2 because I am not having problems playing anything and I'd like to keep it that way.

[impala454]

Yeah I'm passing PCM over HDMI so I'll give it a whirl.

[H.T.C]

Goldmund is going to release a $16,000 blu-ray player soon and that should be close to being one of the best players out there.

[littlesaint]

Goldmund is going to release a $16,000 blu-ray player soon and that should be close to being one of the best players out there.

Somehow I think a blind test between this and a $399 PS3 would not reveal enough of a difference (if any) to warrant the extra $15,601.

[maseline_98]

I was wondering there are any Blu-Ray/HD-DVD players out there with 5.1 analog outputs along with with sacd/dvd-audio support?

[btf1980]

Goldmund is going to release a $16,000 blu-ray player soon and that should be close to being one of the best players out there.

It's actually closer to $17k. A fool and their money easily part ways. The player is probably not even profile 2.0. Whomever buys this can put it next to their 300K Goldmund turntable. At what point does the law of diminishing returns set in?