Is the Sharp BD-HP20U worth $249?

Chris O · 01-03-2008, 01:32 AM

I have the Onkyo 605 and an older rear projection HDTV (1080i and no HDMI). I just bought the Sharp BD-HP20U DVD player open box for $249. Is this player worth that price and am I going to really miss not having DTS HD or Master? Thanks.

Mike Williams · 01-03-2008, 02:17 AM

There isn't really a whole lot of movies supporting DTS-HD right now anyway. I'm very happy with my Sharp BD player and it's a GREAT deal at $249.

Chris O · 01-03-2008, 02:56 AM

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback. I am still new to the Blu Ray thing. I am trying to figure out if I should set the player to 1080i all the time or switch when I am watching regular DVDs.

Shane Martin · 01-03-2008, 10:40 AM

If you can afford the extra $250 to buy the Panasonic, I would without question. It's profile 1.1 compliant unlike the Sharp and will send bitstream lossless audio to your receiver where your receiver can decode it.

Every Fox, MGM and New Line title(and there are quite a few of them) have DTS MA. To say "there isn't many of them" is wrong.

Chris PC · 01-03-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane Martin

If you can afford the extra $250 to buy the Panasonic, I would without question. It's profile 1.1 compliant unlike the Sharp and will send bitstream lossless audio to your receiver where your receiver can decode it.

Every Fox, MGM and New Line title(and there are quite a few of them) have DTS MA. To say "there isn't many of them" is wrong.

Which Panny? Does it decode and output DTS-HD MA via PCM over HDMI?

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Shane Martin · 01-03-2008, 02:56 PM

Chris,
The BD30k. It will NOT decode DTS MA via PCM to HDMI. It will only send the bitstream of DTS MA to a receiver with a DTS MA decoder.

There isn't a single player out there capable of decoding DTS MA right now. Supposedly the $2,000 Denon BR machine will when it comes out and there is a rumor of the PS3 decoding DTS MA but nothing is concrete.

Chris PC · 01-03-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane Martin

Chris,
The BD30k. It will NOT decode DTS MA via PCM to HDMI. It will only send the bitstream of DTS MA to a receiver with a DTS MA decoder.

There isn't a single player out there capable of decoding DTS MA right now. Supposedly the $2,000 Denon BR machine will when it comes out and there is a rumor of the PS3 decoding DTS MA but nothing is concrete.

Right, I remember. I've probably asked this a million times. I think you can get DTS full core over HDMI, in fact, probably over SPDIF. Not exactly DTS-HD ..nevermind MA, but DTS is already very good and DTS-core is like the full bitrate for DTS. At least that is something.

Kevin C Brown · 01-03-2008, 08:21 PM

I got this player for $299, and I think it was a good deal at that price.

$249 is a killer deal.

I will care about DTS-HD MA someday, but not today, so this player is good enough for me right now. I will never care about profile 1.1. You just have to decide what you want to spend for what you will use *right now*.

Chris PC · 01-03-2008, 10:36 PM

What is Profile 1.1 anyhow?

alan halvorson · 01-03-2008, 11:00 PM

The reviews on Amazon say this player has difficulty, or won't, reading CDs, if that's important to you.