Which Blu-Ray player?

**1canuck2** · **07-18-09, 06:21 PM**

Hi,

I have the chance to get a Samsung BD-P1500 blu-ray for pretty cheap (<$100). My original plan was to buy a PS3 for blu-ray (and get a free gaming system with it

) but the PS3 will run me ~$500 Canadian.

Is the BD-P1500 a good choice blu-ray player? If it is as good as PS3 blu-ray-wise, I'll prolly just go for it, but if it is somehow inferior to the PS3, then the PS3 is money well spent.

Opinions?

**tcarcio** · **07-18-09, 08:16 PM**

I have the Samsung bdp-1500 and it is a very nice player. It is a steal for less than $100. I cannot compare though because I do not have a ps3 but the player has played every disc with 0 problems in the six months I have owned it. I haven't upgraded the firmware so it will have bd-live capability but I just want it to play movies and with my Optoma PJ it gives me a great picture.

**tonyvdb** · **07-18-09, 08:35 PM**

Playback of BluRay movies will be no difference in quality between the two however the upconversion of standard DVDs the PS3 will do a better job. That said the upconversion on the Samsung is not a night and day difference and is more than adequate.

**1canuck2** · **07-28-09, 12:22 PM**

Well I snatched the BD-P1500, it is sitting in the corner, staring at me, waiting to be played, but my HT is not done yet...

The only annoying thing about a deal such as this is it reduces the justification for me to buy a PS3

**Jungle Jack** · **07-29-09, 06:25 PM**

Hello,
If still available in your area, I am a big fan of the Pioneer BDP 51/05. Especially with BB blowing out 51's for as low as $150, it is an amazing value. Even at the original 600 Dollar pricepoint, it is a good value. Excellent parts and build quality. Made in Japan. Wolfson 8740 DAC's (which are used in many mega dollar Arcam players), a score of 86 on the stringent DVD Benchmark, excellent CD playback with dedicated 2 channel jacks, very attractive component.

The only real downsides are fairly slow load times and not having BD Live . However, I never use this feature with my PS3. The only time I would use BD Live is with Neil Young's Archives which makes available new media free of charge which is added seamlessly to the original discs.
Cheers,
JJ

**Lordoftherings** · **11-01-09, 12:02 AM**

About the Panasonic DMP-BD60? Probably the best Blu-ray player for the money.

**KrazyBassKevin** · **11-01-09, 02:56 AM**

ps3 then you can play it and have a nice bd player ahah LOL gotta think of the cost to use ratio and price those are major factor what about on newegg? the ps3 aint that expensive on the egg

**KrazyBassKevin** · **11-01-09, 02:57 AM**

panasonic if you dont get the PS3 though best products to date for removable media IMO

**Sam Ash** · **11-01-09, 10:10 AM**

Bob and Kevin,

Yes, you are quite right, I have read good things about the Panasonic BD60. For me, up-converting of Standard Def DVDs to 1080p is extremely important because I have allot of Standard DVD's. However, I would rather that the up-converting be done by the AV amp.

Does the Panasonic BD60 have a source direct mode where audio/video from Standard DVDs is passed onto the amp without it being processed in any way ?

**Jungle Jack** · **11-01-09, 10:24 AM**

Hello,
The only downer to the PS3 is power consumption. Especially in the original version, the PS3 was a power hog. Makes sense considering the PS3 is virtually a computer hiding in a game console's clothing.
Of course, you also get a video game system and hard drive to store your music library. Truth be told, I love my PS3, but never use it for Blu Ray playback.

Panasonic offers well engineered players. Cannot fault anyone for choosing them. However, if DVD performance is a super high priority, I would recommend spending more and picking up the OPPO BDP-83. Also, it appear the BD-60 does not offer Source Direct.
Cheers,
JJ

**KrazyBassKevin** · **11-01-09, 05:47 PM**

I get the points offered but at this day and age BD roms and readers as well as players are a bit pricey i think we can all agree on that when they get cheaper and supply and demand gets greater more players at cheaper prices and there-forth comes new BD technology. And personally i would get a BD rom for my pc then run them offa there cause its wasteful IMO to use such a nice theater panel and sound for just movies and TV with windows 7 theirs a whole other world to be explored.. which im currently working on videos games look immaculate on my pc and cant be bested by a console..YET

especially on my 50 Kuro

**Jungle Jack** · **11-01-09, 05:51 PM**

Hello,
Many Retail Analyst's are predicting this holiday season the 100 Dollar Blu Ray Player. With DVD sales in the gutter, already Blu Ray discs are dropping in price and Players should soon catch up.
Cheers,
JJ

**KrazyBassKevin** · **11-01-09, 06:01 PM**

JJ you are correct they are dropping and while 100 is still expensive thats not the issues BD disk are the killer at almost 20 bucks a disk for the good stuff

**Lordoftherings** · **11-01-09, 09:28 PM**

Quote:

Sam Ash wrote:

Does the Panasonic BD60 have a source direct mode where audio/video from Standard DVDs is passed onto the amp without it being processed in any way ?

Hi Sam,

Of course, but:

* http://hometheatermag.com/discplayer...lu-ray_player/

**Sam Ash** · **11-02-09, 02:07 AM**

Quote:

Lordoftherings wrote:

Hi Sam,

Of course, but:

* http://hometheatermag.com/discplayer...lu-ray_player/

Hi Bob, thank you very much indeed for the reference. Must say, the members of this forum are terrific and extremely helpful.

Thank you all for your kind help.

**panaman** · **11-03-09, 01:03 PM**

I have the LG BD370. I got it from amazon for $150 bucks.
The main reason I got this unit is because it will stream netflix watch it now. It does a good job doing it too and it also will play youtube videos

**Lordoftherings** · **11-03-09, 01:21 PM**

Quote:

panaman wrote:

I have the LG BD370. I got it from amazon for $150 bucks.
The main reason I got this unit is because it will stream netflix watch it now. It does a good job doing it too and it also will play youtube videos

That's a really good price (retails for $299).

And you're right; NetCast Entertainment Access also with CinemaNow streaming. And has front-panel USB port.
And it is very fast, the quickest, most responsive Blu-ray player.

* The panny BD60 also retails for $299, but can be found for $130.
And has Viera Cast media portal with YouTube video streaming, Picasa photo viewing,
and Bloomberg News headlines.
Also, it has front-panel SD card slot, and front-panel USB port.
And it has a host of picture adjustments, with five presets.
Picture quality is a notch better than the LG BD370.

** "Sound and Vision Mag" from the September 2009 issue, has a review of three Blu-ray players;
the LG BD370, the Panny DMP-BD60, & the Sammy BD-P1600 (also another good player).
*** The Panny BD60 is the only one to received "Certified and Recommended".

Just thought of sharing this.

**panaman** · **11-03-09, 03:47 PM**

i have the Panasonic in my living room and I find it to be quite slow at reading disks and also turning on and ejecting the disk. The LG is pretty instantanious.

**Lordoftherings** · **11-04-09, 01:30 AM**

Yeah, but what would you rather have? A fast player with good picture, or a slower player with great picture?

* Pick your poison.

**panaman** · **11-04-09, 10:22 AM**

to be honest, I can't tell the difference in quality of picture, both look good.

**spartanstew** · **11-04-09, 11:17 AM**

Quote:

Jungle Jack wrote:

Hello,
Many Retail Analyst's are predicting this holiday season the 100 Dollar Blu Ray Player.

Not much of a prediction, since $100 Blu Ray players have been available for some time ($150 mark was broken back in April and $100 was broken back in August, IIRC). I think it's possible for the $50 price point to be broken by years end on Insignia or the like.

**usrsld** · **11-04-09, 11:59 AM**

I've had the Samsung BD-P2500 over a year and have been very happy. Netflix streaming is great, and the picture quality is excellent. I belive the 1500 is very similar.

**Lordoftherings** · **11-04-09, 08:14 PM**

Quote:

panaman wrote:

to be honest, I can't tell the difference in quality of picture, both look good.

You did compared it with the Panny BD60? In your own home?

**Lordoftherings** · **11-04-09, 08:17 PM**

Quote:

spartanstew wrote:

Not much of a prediction, since $100 Blu Ray players have been available for some time ($150 mark was broken back in April and $100 was broken back in August, IIRC). I think it's possible for the $50 price point to be broken by years end on Insignia or the like.

About by Black Friday? Thanksgiving? This year, not next. Just in a few weeks now.

Quote:

usrsld wrote:

I've had the Samsung BD-P2500 over a year and have been very happy. Netflix streaming is great, and the picture quality is excellent. I belive the 1500 is very similar.

Yeah, but the 1500 does not have the excellent HQV Reon video processor though.

**spartanstew** · **11-04-09, 10:09 PM**

Quote:

Lordoftherings wrote:

About by Black Friday? Thanksgiving? This year, not next. Just in a few weeks now.

I don't understand your comment. I thought years end was pretty specific. The year ends on 12/31/09. What does Black Friday/Thanksgiving/a few weeks have to do with it?

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