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Which Player should i purchase?

post #1 of 9
1/2/08 at 6:05pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all. I'm almost ready to set up my HT. I've decided to purchase a blue-ray player before i do to get everything done at once. I have a Marantz SR 8001 Receiver and a Panny TH50PZ750U TV. I have more than enough HDMI cables as well as inputs and outputs on my equipment. Could people with knowlege of players let me know why i should buy X player. I would like to spend no more than $500. All responses are appreciated
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post #2 of 9
1/3/08 at 4:33am

Re: Which Player should i purchase?

I believe that your best Blu-ray options are currently the Panasonic DMP-BD30 or the Sony Playstation 3. Both are reliable machines and support the newer Blu-ray Profile 1.1.

The Panasonic is able to digitally output all of the newer audio formats, so should provide a solid upgrade path when you move on from your Marantz. It also has a reputation for reliable performance. Unfortunately it does not decode Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus or any of the newer DTS-HD formats internally (most of which the PS3 does) which is less than ideal with your current receiver.

The earlier DMP-BD10 (which I own) does decode most of these formats as well, so would also be a good match if you don't plan to upgrade your Marantz receiver soon, but as a discontinued model it may be difficult to find in store.

Unless you particularly object to using a gaming machine, the Playstation 3 probably offers you the best combination of reliabilility, speed, upgradability and performance at the moment.

Adam
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post #3 of 9
1/4/08 at 7:29am

Re: Which Player should i purchase?

I would also suggest looking at the PS3. When new players come out, the video performance is compared to the PS3 and most of the times, few stand alone players look as good.
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post #4 of 9
1/4/08 at 4:01pm

Re: Which Player should i purchase?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Barratt
The Panasonic is able to digitally output all of the newer audio formats, so should provide a solid upgrade path when you move on from your Marantz. It also has a reputation for reliable performance. Unfortunately it does not decode Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus or any of the newer DTS-HD formats internally (most of which the PS3 does) which is less than ideal with your current receiver.

Adam
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post #5 of 9
1/4/08 at 4:05pm

Re: Which Player should i purchase?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Barratt
The Panasonic is able to digitally output all of the newer audio formats, so should provide a solid upgrade path when you move on from your Marantz. It also has a reputation for reliable performance. Unfortunately it does not decode Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus or any of the newer DTS-HD formats internally (most of which the PS3 does) which is less than ideal with your current receiver.

Adam

I'm still using the Optical out on my Onkyo SR604 for my A2. What would be the best use of the audio on the Panny? Stay with optical or move to HDMI?

I have a PS3 in the house but my son takes it back to his room when we're done watching a movie. I'd like to get a BR stand alone and be done with it.

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post #6 of 9
1/4/08 at 4:23pm

Re: Which Player should i purchase?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamey K
I'm still using the Optical out on my Onkyo SR604 for my A2.

I have the 604 and A2 and I'm just wondering why on earth you're using optical? You get the True HD and DD+ downconverted to 5.1 DTS. I think you'd be much better off going with HDMI since optical just doesn't have the bandwidth to give you the best possible sound. I got a 6' HDMI cable for under $6 shipped from Monoprice. You're soooo close to getting the best possible sound out of your equipment. You should just go for it.
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post #7 of 9
1/4/08 at 7:58pm

Re: Which Player should i purchase?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkHarrison
I have the 604 and A2 and I'm just wondering why on earth you're using optical? You get the True HD and DD+ downconverted to 5.1 DTS. I think you'd be much better off going with HDMI since optical just doesn't have the bandwidth to give you the best possible sound. I got a 6' HDMI cable for under $6 shipped from Monoprice. You're soooo close to getting the best possible sound out of your equipment. You should just go for it.

I'll try it this weekend. I never really had a clear answer on what was better. I'm certainly glad to hear from someone with the same gear I have.

Now...what about BR and the Panny?
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post #8 of 9
1/7/08 at 5:14am

Re: Which Player should i purchase?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamey K
I'll try it this weekend. I never really had a clear answer on what was better. I'm certainly glad to hear from someone with the same gear I have.

Now...what about BR and the Panny?

You will not be able to decode the Panny's advanced audio codecs through the 604 (you will output as DD or DTS). I also have the 604 AVR and A2, and the Sharp BD-HP20U makes the perfect BD companion player for this situation. The Sharp internally decodes Dolby THD and MPCM, the DTS core sound is great, and the PQ is excellent. BTW, I use HDMI for both players.
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post #9 of 9
1/7/08 at 7:29pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Which Player should i purchase?

TY for the responses. Picked up a PS3 today. I am looking at having everything hooked up by the end of the week. I will post to let u know how everything works out.
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