CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

jacket_fan · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 81

I am going to get another BR player. I have a Panasonic BD 30 that is going to be the upstairs player. But need something to put in the theater. The Panasonic has played all the disks I have put in it, so I am not dissatisfied with the performance.

I have an XG that is fed by an old Lumagen HDP. I understand that there is not much difference between Blu Ray. But was wondering about whether the newer players upconvert better than the Lumagen. I would like to continue to run all video through the Lumagen. Which means no HDMI.

I also need 5.1 analog out because I will run audio through and old Lexicon processor.

I was looking at the new OPPO, but the VRS scaling is not done on the component out. I suppose I would send 480i out for SD DVDs. The Samsung players do some interesting streaming with Netflix. The Panny BD 80 seems like an option.

Just curious what BR players the CRT community use, especially those that are limited to 720p/1081i. I know the group here is not shy about giving their opinion. Wink

Nashou66 · Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 3:48 pm Post subject:

I have both the LG Bh100 and BH200 but think i might try the Oppo too since my HD DVD colection is minimal.

Athanasios

jacket_fan · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 81

It seems like all the new players are being designed with 1080p/24 over HDMI as the sweet spot. I feel so left behind with a projector that is pretty much limited to 720p/1080i and a processor that does not have HDMI capability. I am beginning to worry that someone is going to break into the basement to steal all of the wires for the copper and leave behind all of the old technology components. Sad

As far as the OPPO goes, it sounds like OPPO provides excellent customer support and they put out a high quality product. The reason for this post was to see if there was a player of choice for CRTers, especially those of us who are limited by 8 inch tubes.

Mark_A_W · Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 11:37 pm Post subject:

Your projector will run 1080p 48hz or 1080i 96hz just fine.

The player of choice (and why on earth would tube size matter??) is a PC of course!! Wink

betel · Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 1:52 am Post subject:

So why hasn't someone suggested the PS3?

Brooklyn · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 470 Location: Chicagoland, IL

Go for the PS3 if you have the extra money...you can do so much more with it.

Mark_A_W · Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 8:49 am Post subject:

Like what?

It won't play my MKV files with FLAC audio.

It *may* play compressed AVI files of TV recordings.

It can't do custom resolutions.

It can't do custom gamma curves.

It hasn't been hacked yet.

It can't do jack.

betel · Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 12:03 pm Post subject:

jacket_fan · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 81

I am not too interested in the PS3. It is too loud and does not integrate well with the rest of my system. Personally, I need a player that will decode the new codecs over analog.

And since I am too old to be a gamer, the PS3 would not be my first choice. The three I have looked into are the new OPPO, the Panny BD80 and the Samsung 2550.

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 9668

Mark?

jacket_fan · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 81

Yes Brae?

csamos · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 59 Location: Austin, TX

I evaluated the Samsung 2500/2550, the Sony BDP-S550 and the Panasonic DMP-BD55 when I was looking about 6 months ago. If you need to use analog audio outputs like I do, you'll want a player with the most control over them. My Yamaha receiver doesn't allow any control of the signals coming in through the 7.1 analog inputs, so I have to do all speaker/bass management in the blu-ray player. Here is what I found regarding the analog speaker controls of these three players:

The Samsung BD-P2500 only allows for setting each speaker's size (small or large), and nothing more. You have no control over their distances and levels.

The Panasonic DMP-BD55 has controls for each* speaker's size (small or large), delay time (distance) and level (front: -6dB to 0dB, center and surrounds: -12dB to 0dB, surround back*: no adjustment).

The Sony BDP-S550 has controls for each speaker's size (small or large), distance and level (-12dB to 0dB, 0.5dB increments).

I went with the Sony BDP-S550 for my theater, and I love it. With my equipment and listening environment, the new HD audio codecs are pretty amazing. Some people claim there's no real difference in sound quality, but in my theater, I can absolutely tell the difference.

I'm going to be needing a second blu-ray player for my living room, and I'll also need a player with 7.1 analog outputs. I have considered getting another BDP-S550, but I'm also looking at the new players that are out or coming out soon. The Panasonic DMP-BD80, Samsung BD-P4600, Sony BDP-S560 and Vizio VBR100 all look like potential choices. The Vizio actually looks interesting because it retails at $199 and may sell for even less, which is fine for my living room use.

There are other choices, too, but paying more than $400 for a player is something that I personally have a hard time justifying.

-Carl
http://www.samos.org/Theater/

winduptoy · Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject:

I'm quite happy with the BD-30. The adjustable gamma is a great feature. I'd really like to have that in my next player.

betel · Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:22 pm Post subject:

I choose the PS3 player based mostly on Kal's recomendations here: http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9912&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0. --> You may want to read it if you haven't already.

BTW: I do not play games either. Maybe I'm too old at 51. I find video games boring and a complete waste of time.

How does one use 7.1 analog outputs from a player. You'd have to use something to control the gain before power amplication. If the players do this you could put your money into amps instead of a processor/switcher.

csamos · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 59 Location: Austin, TX

csamos · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 59 Location: Austin, TX

betel · Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject:

I see, you feed the 7.1 analog out into the pre-inputs of an older integrated amp or receiver.

I agree about the using a game controler to operate the PS3.

csamos · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 59 Location: Austin, TX

jacket_fan · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 81

Thanks Carl.

Although the Lex can process the signals, your comments are quite helpful. A player that can manage bass and levels is important.

Do you or would you use any of the other features BR have. Any of the interactive or streaming features. Since I have been using Netflix forever, it might be nice to stream from them. But you are right that not having level controls does pretty much rule it out. My concern with Samsung is the quality issues some seem to be having. The panasonic gear I ahve had has worked well and the BD 30 has played all disks I have put in.

csamos · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 59 Location: Austin, TX