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Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

post #1 of 15
5/8/09 at 10:16am
Thread Starter 
I am looking to replace my Sony S300 with something that has the latest firmware (true DTS, picture-in-picture capabaility, quick loading time, 24 fps, etc) for less than I would have to spend to buy a PS3. Any suggestions? Reviews?
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post #2 of 15
5/11/09 at 8:06am

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

As an owner of the Panasonic BD35, I'd highly recommend its successor (the BD60). If you want to know load times and other performance related information, I'd suggest checking out the owner's thread over at AVS Forum.
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post #3 of 15
5/11/09 at 12:57pm

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

I've been using the Sony BDP-S350 for about four months now, and I think it's a great machine. True, it's my first Blu-Ray player, so I can't compare it to anything else, but it's still a great player.
It can handle anything that you mentioned. I do remember the PiP getting a bit weird during Pinocchio, but that was accidental. That was just once, and it didn't show up on other films. It can convert DTS-HD to DTS, I checked myself. 24fps is also good. My tv does use pulldown, but the results are excellent. Loading times are normal, I guess. But you can change it into the 'fast loading option'. Recommended.
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post #4 of 15
5/11/09 at 1:02pm

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

I just pulled the trigger on the Panasonic BD80 (mainly because I don't have a HDMI-capable receiver/pre-pro, and needed the analog audio output for the high-def audio formats), ordered it from 6ave.com and used a coupon code "couponcabin" to get it for $300.74 with free UPS ground shipping. The loading times isn't all that great on the BD80 or BD60, but I didn't want to wait on the more expensive Oppo 83 ($500-$600 estimated price range), even if it did have good load times.

I've gotten used to loading a blu-ray disk and then going to prep a drink or take a potty break before watching it. LOL. The loading time isn't a deal-breaker for me at this time.

The are deals on the BD60, where you can get it for around $240-$270. I just googled on "Panasonic DMP-BD60K" to get a sampling of online pricing.
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post #5 of 15
5/11/09 at 1:36pm

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Borst
It can convert DTS-HD to DTS, I checked myself.

Your player most likely extracts the "core" DTS track from the DTS-HD, and does not really convert from DTS-HD to DTS.

DTS is very proud that DTS-HD is the only fully backwards compatible hi-res audio format currently available on Blu-ray, and one reason why many studios are switching from Dolby TrueHD to DTS-HD MA. They do not have to worry about including a lossy Dolby Digital track.
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post #6 of 15
5/11/09 at 2:13pm

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

I thought Dolby TrueHD also had a hidden, DD5.1 "core". No?
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post #7 of 15
5/11/09 at 7:20pm

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

I've been looking at the Sony S360. Does that have the same firmware issues that the S300 does? It is in the $270-$300 range.
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post #8 of 15
5/11/09 at 9:34pm

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhoq
I thought Dolby TrueHD also had a hidden, DD5.1 "core". No?

I was under the same assumption.

This was discussed previously in my review of "Amadeus."

Dolby's press materials are a bit confusing on this issue.
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post #9 of 15
5/12/09 at 10:58am

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhoq
I thought Dolby TrueHD also had a hidden, DD5.1 "core". No?

It doesn't have a core, it's a separate standard Dolby Digital track, that's sometimes hidden from the menus.
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post #10 of 15
5/12/09 at 1:38pm

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Sun
I just pulled the trigger on the Panasonic BD80 (mainly because I don't have a HDMI-capable receiver/pre-pro, and needed the analog audio output for the high-def audio formats), ordered it from 6ave.com and used a coupon code "couponcabin" to get it for $300.74 with free UPS ground shipping. The loading times isn't all that great on the BD80 or BD60, but I didn't want to wait on the more expensive Oppo 83 ($500-$600 estimated price range), even if it did have good load times.

I've gotten used to loading a blu-ray disk and then going to prep a drink or take a potty break before watching it. LOL. The loading time isn't a deal-breaker for me at this time.

That's almost my exact situation. I have an old Yamaha receiver that I don't want to replace. Since it has analog inputs, I'll just use that.

I ordered the BD-80 from Amazon, but they sent a BD-60 by mistake. Since they are now out of stock of the BD-80's they gave me a refund. After seeing your post I went to 6th Ave and place an order with them. Thanks Patrick for the heads up on the coupon. I just ordered my BD80 for the same price as yours.
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post #11 of 15
5/13/09 at 7:45pm

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

Glad to hear you were able to take advantage of the deal, Frank!
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post #12 of 15
5/14/09 at 8:47pm

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

Whoa, I can't believe my BD80 showed up today (at work), ordered it on Monday. I guess I was lucky in being in the same time zone as the online store.
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post #13 of 15
5/15/09 at 10:04am

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

The Panasonic DMP-BD605 (which appears to be identical to the BD60 except that it includes an HDMI cable) is $229 at Costco until the end of the month if you have the $50 off coupon.
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post #14 of 15
5/18/09 at 7:03am

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

I, too am considering one of those Panasonic players. I have a Pioneer P51FD and have had issues with it. I had to return one player because of a known issue with some of the players that prevented them from playing Fox titles. I have rented around 7 BDs from Netflix, and have had issues with a couple. I know Netflix BDs are not the most reliable, but it seems that my success rate has been poor if I have had two problem discs out of a small number.

I have about a week in which to return the second Pioneer to best Buy. So far, these Panasonic players seem to be pretty reliable. so, please keep the comments coming about reliable players (but I do not want a PS3).
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post #15 of 15
5/19/09 at 7:06am

Re: Best value for a Blu-ray player that is truly updated...?

I just got a Panasonic BD-60 and I'm very pleased. Blu-rays look amazing of course, but I was rather impressed at how well it upscaled DVDs. While not lightning fast, I don't find boot/load times terribly long. It does have a quick start feature available to shave off some boot time, but it is at the cost of increased standby power consumption.
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