Given the Following Criteria...Can Someone Recommend a BD Player?

Panevino · 07-07-2008, 09:25 PM

I'm getting ready to soon replace my Panasonic 'BD10A due to lack of Master Audio support and bitstreaming capabilities for TrueHD...not to mention its horrifying DVD upscaling performance...my next deck must have bitstreaming of all codecs -- the legacy lossy Dolby/DTS variants, of course -- as well as good to excellent DVD upconversion...what would be my choices at the moment in the market?

Let me add some other criteria to the list...I would like to stay away from Samsung, I don't want a PS3 and I'd like to also stay away from the Panasonics for now -- I know they have the BD30 and 50 with bitstreaming capabilities, but I don't trust their UniPher or Sigma chip they're using in these decks for DVD upconversion...

I actually considered the $2000 Denon flagship player, but many have told me it would be too "rich for my system's blood" based on my level of gear in my theater; I also considered the $1000 Denon that's a step down, but in a recent issue of Home Theater Magazine, it got a bad standard DVD upconversion report...

Any suggestions?

Panevino · 07-08-2008, 12:37 AM

Anyone?

Cees Alons · 07-08-2008, 10:06 AM

Santino,

The problem is .... the new profile 2.0 decks are coming to the market, but hardly anyone has any experience with any of them yet. Except the PS3, which you don't fancy.

On the other hand, no one would feel comfortable to recommend a profile 1 player, especially not because of the lack of new audio decoding.

I would think the new Panasonic might be good - but because you don't like it, nor a Samsung, well, there is Sony, not just selling playstations, of course.

But as said: who can recommend it from own experience?

Cees

Camper · 07-08-2008, 12:30 PM

Wow, talk about painted into a corner!!

No Samsung or Panasonic or PS3, must handle all of the new soundtracks and be a great upscaler.

I least you didn't mention your need for 1.1 or 2.0

I don't think any of the new players from Sharp or Sony have been reviewed let alone bought by anybody here.

I too, wonder which of the 'already out' models fit those requirements.

Patrick Mason · 07-08-2008, 12:59 PM

Having worked with all available blu-ray players on a daily basis, I have to tell you that if you really don't want a PS3, you should wait to buy anything.

The PS3 is a great machine, though. It decodes all audio codecs, is Profile 2.0, and is immeasurably more responsive than any other on the market. It has great upconversion capabilities that even improve with frequent updates. It is also much less of a hassle to update, as it connects to your home's wireless network or ethernet and notifies you when updates are available. Is there any specific reason it disinterests you?

Otherwise I would sadly have to recommend that you wait until some new players hit the market. Current set top models are frankly just not good enough yet.

**HTF Ads**

Jari K · 07-08-2008, 05:35 PM

I have to agree with Patrick. If you don´t want PS3 (best Blu-ray player in the markets, if you ask me - and then some), then wait for the "profile 2.0"-players (mainly Panasonic BMP-BD50 and Sony BDP-S550). You don´t have to wait that long...

troy evans · 07-08-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panevino

Master Audio support and bitstreaming capabilities for TrueHD... DVD upscaling performance...my next deck must have bitstreaming of all codecs -- the legacy lossy Dolby/DTS variants, of course -- as well as good to excellent DVD upconversion...what would be my choices at the moment in the market?

Let me add some other criteria to the list...I would like to stay away from Samsung, I don't want a PS3............Any suggestions?

Fact is, the PS3 is the best Blu-ray player on the market right now. I recently purchased the Samsung BD1500, which meets all of your criteria perfectly as well. If you want nothing to do with these players, then waiting is your best option. Sometime in the next couple of months the newer players hit the market anyway. Hold out till then is my advice.

Panevino · 07-09-2008, 02:04 AM

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

I simply don't want a gaming unit in my home theater, so that's why I don't want a PS3; I just prefer a standalone deck...nothing against the PS3 or its performance.

Okay, so eliminating the Samsungs (don't like their track record) and the Panasonics (still poor DVD upconversion) there are no other players that send bitstreamed new codecs and provide decent DVD upscaling on the market yet?

John Wielgosz · 07-09-2008, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panevino

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

I simply don't want a gaming unit in my home theater, so that's why I don't want a PS3; I just prefer a standalone deck...nothing against the PS3 or its performance.

Okay, so eliminating the Samsungs (don't like their track record) and the Panasonics (still poor DVD upconversion) there are no other players that send bitstreamed new codecs and provide decent DVD upscaling on the market yet?

Out of curiosity, are there specific reasons you would prefer not to have a gaming unit? If you have concerns about family members using it for games, I understand, but there may be workarounds to that. (I have to check on that, I'm at work as I post this.)

It's certainly true that the PS3 does not, and due to hardware limitations, never will bitstream the new codecs, but it's own decoding is fantastic in itself, and as of firmware version 2.41, some bugs involving DTS HD-MA tracks have been ironed out, including support for DTS-ES and DTS 96/24.

I moved to a PS3 from a Panasonic BD-10a myself and found the PS3's upconversion to be superior as well. It's flag recognition is FAR better, for one. Music videos usually were artifact-ridden messes on my BD-10a and come through clear on the PS3.

I realize this doesn't meet your criteria, but until the new Sony standalones are released, there's not much to pick from at the moment.

Jari K · 07-09-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wielgosz

..and as of firmware version 2.41, some bugs involving DTS HD-MA tracks have been ironed out, including support for DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 support.

This is true. Full 2.41 list:
PlayStation.com

(Video)

*You can now use the [Frame Noise Reduction] and [Block Noise Reduction] settings for video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media.

*You can now play upscaled video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media. When the video content is played, it is upscaled automatically to match the screen size.

*Upscaling of Blu-ray Disc (BDAV) video content is now supported.

*For DTS playback on DVD-Video and Blu-ray Disc media, DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 for DVD-Video and DTS-ES Matrix for Blu-ray Discs are now supported.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wielgosz

I moved to a PS3 from a Panasonic BD-10a myself and found the PS3's upconversion to be superior as well. It's flag recognition is FAR better, for one. Music videos usually were artifact-ridden messes on my BD-10a and come through clear on the PS3.

Upscaling with PS3 is indeed excellent. Some people have said, that this is partly due the sheer power of PS3 (Cell microprocessor etc). Not sure, though.

Jack Gilvey · 07-09-2008, 12:44 PM

I think it'll be easier to achieve your goals by dividing duties. If upconversion is a top priority, maybe grab an Oppo 830 for that and a Panasonic BD30 to bitstream HD audio. Best 'o both worlds, and still cheaper than the lower Denon you referred to.

Personally, I'd re-think the whole "don't want a game machine" stance. Go with what works.