Advice on Blue Ray players in general (1 Viewer)

We are looking to buy a new TV and are leaning towards a so-called dumb unit as a saving feature given that we are also planning on buying our first Blue Ray player - the plan is to buy a Smart version of the latter with the WiFi features required to hook into the net for streaming online content.
Though it's not a deal-breaker, we were hoping to find a unit that would allow me to browse the net for content outside the mainstream, such as foreign language movies and TV, as well as streaming paid sports content (cricket, for example) that I pay to view on my PC. I asked around at one of the big box stores and had one particular unit suggested to me (can't recall it off the top of my head) but when I got home and looked up the reviews it was essentially and uniformly described as a piece of junk with a built-in browser that was next to useless. So I'm back to square one.
Can anyone suggest a unit that would do the trick for me? Alternatively, we have so many spare PC's lying around the house I thought I might be able to set one up to give the desired result. I assume it would have to have a video card with a HDMI slot to connect it up to the TV, right?
If we go that route, we'll obviously look to a more conventional Blue Ray player, and on that score I've read some fairly positive reviews for the Panasonic DMP-BDT220.
Thanks

I don't know about streaming paid sports content, but I own and highly recommend the Panasonic 220. The only thing I stream with it is Netflix, and it works great for that.

No issues at all with it? I was reading some reviews more recently, and it seems there's a LOT of complaints with the Panasonic having poor connection issues via Wifi and particularly with Netflix. Some say that Netflix is at issue in that they have made changes to the manner in which they stream content - I don't know. I do know that we want it to work in that regard, particularly as my mother-in-law is gifting the kids a Netflix account for Christmas.

If you want foolproof(HAHAHA, LOLZ, thigh slapping) streaming...(I'm still laughing)...
Connect a computer to your HT.

Oh really? It's funny, but I'd thought of doing that in the first place but had been laughed down by friends who said I should go the 'proper route' and either get a smart TV or at the every least a blue ray player with wifi . I have a pretty decent video card on my PC with a HDMI slot if needed, but as we have numerous PC's sitting around idle I don't mind setting one up in the entertainment unit as a dedicated connection to the net via a new video card.
What about the other route of simply buying a blue ray player for the disk-playing facility and buying a Roku to connect the TV via wifi - I heard they're supposed to be more reliable for connectivity?

Let me guess...your friends shop at Best Buy and listen to them like they know what they are doing...
Whatever a Roku/Slingbox/WD can do....
Your computer can do better.

timbo59 said:

No issues at all with it? I was reading some reviews more recently, and it seems there's a LOT of complaints with the Panasonic having poor connection issues via Wifi and particularly with Netflix. Some say that Netflix is at issue in that they have made changes to the manner in which they stream content - I don't know. I do know that we want it to work in that regard, particularly as my mother-in-law is gifting the kids a Netflix account for Christmas.

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The only issue with my 220 is a few times I've had to re-boot my router, but that's common with all models it seems like. I have 2 Pan. Blu-ray players(one BD65) and they both have WIRED connections. If there's any way to run an ethernet cable to the player, DO IT. Most of the problems I read about with Netflix is from people doing it wirelessly.

I've had a 220 for a few weeks now. Never had any problems with Netflix via WiFi and I'm using a cheapo $39 Belkin router located in another room with an interior wall between the player and router.
I agree with Sam that if you want full browser capability a PC is your best bet.

My understanding is that current Panasonic players are limited to 2-channel audio when streaming Netflix, but Sony players' Netflix app can do 5.1 surround sound.
Also, no BD players support Flash, which is still used by many movie sites.
In other words, connecting your computer to your hifi system might be the best solution. It certainly can't hurt to try it, since all you need are appropriate video and audio cables. HDMI often works well, although some video cards can't provide full multi-channel surround sound that way. VGA and stereo audio connections might work for you, too.
FWIW, I have a laptop connected to a receiver by way of a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter, which works quite well.

Selden Ball said:

My understanding is that current Panasonic players are limited to 2-channel audio when streaming Netflix, but Sony players' Netflix app can do 5.1 surround sound.

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Your understanding is wrong. Not only can the Panasonic players stream Netflix in 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus, they stream in 1080p, at 24 fps, and display subtitles(when available).

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Does anyone know if any panicsonic blu ray player have hulu on them the one I have doesn't

redeye007 said:

Does anyone know if any panicsonic blu ray player have hulu on them the one I have doesn't

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My 220 has Hulu Plus, but not Hulu.

Jim Mcc said:

My 220 has Hulu Plus, but not Hulu.

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That's what I meant