What is the best Blu-ray player available now?

**Timobi** · **03-04-08, 01:06 PM**

I'm glad you're having success with your Samsung. Yes, the one I had was very loud & felt cheap compared to the Sony players so absolutely that alone was very telling. I mean it was alot louder & was an easy decision to part ways with it. Did if directly affect the image? I don't know but paying $299 for it, one deserves a tad more refinement.

Each of us has certain things we look for in our gear & certainly image/audio is top tier but how it gets there is a factor too.

**John Simpson** · **03-04-08, 03:50 PM**

I've been doing a few blind tests between the sound from the PS3 and my older Denon DVD-5000. The DVD-5000 (at A$4999) was Denon's flagship DVD player a while ago, and has held up well against everything that's come out since.

To see if it's time to retire the Denon, I've compared the same DVDs across both, with two other people as blind testers (note that the PS3 is optical connection, while the DVD-5000 is coaxial).

All agreed the sound from the PS3 is immediate and accurate, but also quite sharp at times. The Denon in comparison feels quite lazy, but also much much warmer -- you can turn up the volume considerably higher with the Denon before you feel that "nails on a chalkboard" sound.

Steering to each channel is razor sharp from the PS3 -- things that drift around on the Denon are strongly localised on the PS3. We were watching a scene from "Apocalypto" with animals in the rear channels, and the PS3 made it sound as if there were individual bugs on the back wall -- whereas the Denon tended to mash the soundstage together.

For error correction (scratched discs etc) the Denon 5000 has always been a dog, so the PS3 is an improvement. Even so, if the PS3 does hit a scratch it will do something annoying: there'll be a pause, then it will actually jump ahead itself, sometimes to the next chapter, and you'll miss out on a chunk of the movie. You then need to rewind to see what you skipped.

For speed, the PS3 feels slightly quicker, but that's probably because the DVD-5000 uses relay switches (the "clicking" sound you get with each action). The PS3 remote (bought separately) is excellent, and actually matches our Sony PVR remote. I've no idea what all the buttons do though, so they seem a bit wasted.

In summary, I initially thought I liked the sound from the PS3 because it was so darned accurate. However, my ears have always preferred warm sounding equipment, so I'll now sacrifice that accuracy for a much more enjoyable listening experience. The PS3 is like the class nerd: is incredibly good at doing the technical stuff, but doesn't mix well in a social situation. I'll be keeping my DVD-5000 a bit longer.

**Lasareath** · **03-04-08, 04:24 PM**

I'm waiting for the OPPO blu-ray, I have a 980H right now that I bought to play SACD's and I like the way it works for DVD's. I heard that they are working on a BR player.

**bobgpsr** · **03-05-08, 07:38 AM**

For current multichannel (not stereo) audio performance comparisions, IMHO, one should no longer be using S/PDIF (coax or optical toslink) which only has lossy codec transport for multichannel audio. Instead you need to use HDMI (multichannel linear PCM which is lossless, or raw bitstream with new lossless audio codecs). For players that have them, multichannel analog audio outputs can be used. Even rarer, there was IEEE 1394 (iLink) that could transport lossless multichannel linear PCM.

In other words, for 5.1 or 7.1 sound and best performance it is best to use a lossless connection and not S/PDIF with legacy lossy DD or dts audio codecs.

**Lasareath** · **03-05-08, 07:47 AM**

Quote:

bobgpsr wrote:

For current multichannel (not stereo) audio performance comparisions, IMHO one should no longer be using S/PDIF (coax or optical toslink) which only has lossy codec transport for multichannel audio. Instead you need to use HDMI (multichannel linear PCM which is lossless, or raw bitstream with new lossless audio codecs). For players that have them, multichannel analog audio outputs can be used.

In other words, for 5.1 or 7.1 sound and best performance it is best to use a lossless connection and not S/PDIF with legacy lossy DD or dts audio codecs.

That sounds like a great idea but the only device that I own that has HDMI is the output of the OPPO.

I do use Optical for audio from my cable box, my HTPC, my Media Spooler, My OPPO and my SONY ES CDP.

What I need to do eventually is change my receiver but the my Projector also does not have HDMI

Las

**bobgpsr** · **03-05-08, 07:49 AM**

Quote:

Lasareath wrote:

That sounds like a great idea but the only device that I own that has HDMI is the output of the OPPO.

I do use Optical for audio from my cable box, my HTPC, my Media Spooler, My OPPO and my SONY ES CDP.

What I need to do eventually is change my receiver but the my Projector also does not have HDMI

Las

Does your AVR have 5.1 analog inputs? There are quite a few BD players that have 5.1 or 7.1 analog audio outputs -- but not the PS3.

**Blaser** · **03-08-08, 06:28 AM**

I think the OPPO doesn't do multichannel linear PCM (which is lossless), but most BD or HD DVD players, correct?

**scott** · **03-08-08, 12:07 PM**

Sooooo.........What's the best?

**RollsRoyce** · **03-09-08, 12:38 PM**

Quote:

Lasareath wrote:

That sounds like a great idea but the only device that I own that has HDMI is the output of the OPPO.

I do use Optical for audio from my cable box, my HTPC, my Media Spooler, My OPPO and my SONY ES CDP.

What I need to do eventually is change my receiver but the my Projector also does not have HDMI

Las

There are products available that will allow your projector to work with HDMI (including HDCP). Google "Curt Palme", and you'll be on your way to a solution. My Mitsubishi CRT RPTV doesn't have HDMI or DVI, yet I'm using it with HDMI sources. If you can't find what you need via Google, PM me.

**RollsRoyce** · **03-09-08, 12:45 PM**

Quote:

tonyvdb wrote:

A noisy drawer caused you to rule the player out? since when does that have an affect on playback of a player?
For the price of $299 the 1400 is one of the best BluRay players out there. I have had no issues with mine at all.

I haven't had issues with mine, either. But I don't have any of the discs such as "Live Free or Die Hard" that have given some players fits, and my display is 1080i, so my experience probably isn't typical.

**Wayde** · **03-11-08, 07:46 AM**

The BEST Blu-ray player out there now!

Panasonic DMP-BD30K

I know I've only skimmed this thread but read many of the posts that introduced a new player. This player was mentioned earlier and so was the BD50 which isn't out yet.

I've had no disc compatibility issues with the BD30K and I don't even have the latest firmware update, which fixes an issue with -5db LFE on PCM issue, so I'll need it to watch Casino Royale.

I have tested almost all the BD players available as of a month ago. I would not buy a Samsung player period.

I've had the BDP-UP5000 and the 1400. Both had compatibility issues with many Blu-ray discs. The 1400 was aggrivatingly slow.

In light of a recent class action suit against Samsung over not fixing older BD players with disc compatibility issues, I would not trust the company.

Samsung maintains the 5000 will yet support the new lossless codecs but there are issues they have to resolve. According to the official owners thread on the AVSforum there are issues with the chipset used by the 5000, I forget the manufacturer but that could be the issue so, it's possible that Samsung won't be able to fix its problems.

Discontinuation of the 5000 has already been announced for May when the product will be replaced. Which means the replacement might be out next year sometime.

I would not buy a Samsung player... period. If you own one and it's working good, enjoy, more power to you and I think that's grand. But I don't trust the player that requires a firmware upgrade every time a new Blu-ray disc hits the market.

The Panasonic sends the lossless codecs to my receiver which can decode them (Marantz 8002) and it works perfectly. I am getting the DTS HD MA.

None of the others I tested would pass the lossless codecs via hdmi or decode them. They were also frustratingly slow, except the Pioneer which was a very nice BD player except that it doesn't do the lossless codecs so it's not really an option.

**Sonnie** · **03-12-08, 03:33 AM**

Thanks for the update Wayde...

**wbassett** · **03-12-08, 09:11 AM**

My brother also has the Panasonic DMP-BD30K and says it works great.

The BD30K also has a media card reader in it as well.

**Wambach** · **03-15-08, 02:15 PM**

I read a review-actually several on this websites link for shopping on the PANASONIC DMP-BD30. You might find it interesting. I sure did. I am saving up my pennies and chomping at the bit as I research which blu ray player to get.
I know you like the ps3 but how would you compare this panasonic to it?

**Wambach** · **03-15-08, 02:27 PM**

Hi Wayde, I was so happy to read your post today. I had at least one question if you don't mind my ignorance?!!
"The Panasonic sends the lossless codecs to my receiver which can decode them"
What does this mean and if I purchased the Panasonic would I need to know all this stuff to keep up with new releases of BDs?
Thanks, Ally

**Wambach** · **03-15-08, 02:42 PM**

Hi,
I'm new in these parts and am attempting to research Blu-ray players.
I am leaning toward the Panasonic just mentioned and I could even wait until next year when the 50 comes out.
I had a question from something you posted-
"Its a bitstream player for high rez audio, meaning that you'll need a receiver that can decode the Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio. The PS3 and the BD50 will internally decode the audio and pass as PCM."
What does PCM stand for? You say the bd50 will "internally" decode the audio-does that mean I don't need to worry about my receiver?
Obviously that's what I'm getting at. My receiver has a dts setting but I'm not sure what "master audio"means.
Thanks for your help-Abby

**Blaser** · **03-15-08, 03:35 PM**

Quote:

Wambach wrote:

"The Panasonic sends the lossless codecs to my receiver which can decode them"
What does this mean and if I purchased the Panasonic would I need to know all this stuff to keep up with new releases of BDs?
Thanks, Ally

I think it is bitstream out that is meant here as far as it is the receiver that does the decoding job (just like DVD players send raw data that need a DD or DTS decoder to do the job).
Actually in HD more player do the decoding job and send it as PCM to the receiver but they do not send raw bitstream. But the panasonic offers to bitstream out as well for a receiver to do the job.

**bobgpsr** · **03-16-08, 12:40 PM**

Quote:

Wambach wrote:

What does PCM stand for? You say the bd50 will "internally" decode the audio-does that mean I don't need to worry about my receiver?
Obviously that's what I'm getting at. My receiver has a dts setting but I'm not sure what "master audio"means.

PCM stands for Pulse Code Modulation. It is a simple lossless format for digitizing audio but does not have any space saving compression at all (it takes the most space to store audio in memory/media).

There are new audio codecs from Dolby Labs and from dts that will save memory/media space and can encode up to 8 channels of audio on Blu-ray. In the past year and a half, new receivers (AVRs) have come out that use HDMI 1.3 and have the new audio codec decoding capability (DD+, Dolby TrueHD, dts-HD HR and dts-HD MA). TrueHD and dts-HD MA are the best in that they are completely lossless rather than use perceptual lossless encoding like DD+ or dts-HD HR.

So the newer Blu-ray players with raw bitstream audio output on HDMI 1.3 along with a new receiver that has HDMI 1.3 audio bitstream input and the new audio codec decoders can give the best current surround sound playback capability.

**Wayde** · **03-16-08, 07:32 PM**

" I purchased the Panasonic would I need to know all this stuff to keep up with new releases of BDs? "

Hi Wambach...

No, you shouldn't have to. You should just be confident that your system can playback any audio format you stick into the device. It's getting complicated these days with so many options.

I'll post on this topic in this forum... look for it in just a few minutes.

In the market for a Blu-ray player?

**imbeaujp** · **03-16-08, 09:59 PM**

What about the Pioneer Elite series ?

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