[Sam Ash]

Wondering if someone might be able to help me.

As I have a big collection of Standard Def DVD's, I am looking for a Blue-ray player that can simply pass-over the video signal to my AV Amp without tampering with it. My AV amp will have the ability to up-convert or up-scale the SD signal to 1080p for output via my projector.

I don't want to spend tons of money on a high end BD Player with all the bells and whistles. I was seriously considering the Panasonic DMP BD35 or BD60 but neither of these players is able to hand over the video signal coming off a SD-DVD to my amp without processing it. In other words they lack a source direct mode.

I'd like to know whether there is someone out there who knows how I can solve this problem without having to lay down the extra cash for a player like the Oppo BDP-83 just because it has the so called direct mode. I know the Oppo has a ton of features and is capable of loading Blue-ray discs much faster but I may not need those features and speed.

Any solutions or suggestions will be appreciated.

Alternatively, I'm wondering what kind results one would get if they used a Panasonic DMP BD35/60 to play SD-DVDs and hooked it up to an AV amp with a good up-scaler like the Onkyo TX-NR906 (or Denon AVR-4310). I'm of the opinion that a double up-scaling process would occur, once in the player itself and then in the amp. This double processing or up-scaling of the video might deteriorate the final video quality or may add artifacts to the final projected image.

Does anybody here have any knowledge or experience with such stuff ? :help:

 

[Sam Ash]

Well, there seem to be solutions but none that is cost effective. I am amazed that such a simple feature such as Source Direct is only available on mid to high end players.

 

[Sam Ash]

I agree Sam, all players should have source direct modes and am sure it cannot be that difficult to implement into the players software...

But like I have said before all players should perform very similar when outputing 1080p24 BD and that the AV amps should allow source direct so the PQ gets untouched...

I totally agree with you, seems like I have no choice but to go for the Oppo BDP-83. Did not want to spend that kind of money but then there is no alternative ! :huh:

 

[Sam Ash]

There are other choices Sam, but none that can perform as good as the Oppo for the money

What would be your alternative recommendation John ?

 

[Sam Ash]

The Sony players are good VFM, especially the S360 and I have owned Panasonic in the past, but they are all very basic in comparison, if all you want is BD playback then maybe they would suffice?

Well if it was only a BD issue, then I would have settled for a Panasonic player. Need to solve the SD-DVD issue too and that is where the real problem is.

Thanks allot for all your help, it seems like I'll be going for the Oppo.

 

[Sam Ash]

I also believe (100%) that the new Pioneer BDP-320 Blu-ray player has a Source Direct mode, without any processing,
a video pass-through. List price is $399, but less on the street. I thought you might want to know about that one too.

* But the Oppo BDP-83 is definitively the way to go. :T

Thanks for that information Bob, any idea how it compares to the Oppo BDP-83 ?

What does it lack compared to the Oppo ?

Also is it possible to get a mod chipped version (Region free BD & DVD) of the Pioneer BD Player ?

 

[Sam Ash]

First and foremost, I'd like to express my sincere appreciation for the wonderful contribution that each and everyone of you have made. It's an honor to be a member of this forum because I have noticed that people here are authentic and willing to provide useful help.

To be honest, I have still not purchased the Oppo even though I believe it is an excellent player. The reason for this is that as a first priority I have decided to invest in a good 7.1 amp (Onkyo TX-NR906) which apparently happens to have an excellent up-scaling chip. My main objective is to be able to upscale my SD DVD playback effectively.

I don't really need the speed and will never invest in SACD or DVDA discs and so it does not make sense for me to invest in an Oppo player.

Bob mentioned the fact that the Panny DMP-BD60 has direct source ability - that is exactly what I want !

Bob, are you sure that the Panny DMP-DB60 has a direct source function ? - I need a firm confirmation on this as I remember I did read something in the past that mentioned the fact that the Panny player does not provide true source direct because the player (by default) does tamper with the signal before it is released. Please clarify this for me, I will really appreciate it.

If the Panny DMP-DB60 is capable of Source Direct then that really solves my problem !!!

Thanks again for all the wonderful help.

 

[Sam Ash]

Agreed with your above post.

* Now, if I can only get the money to spend on that Arcam FMJ AVR600. :bigsmile:

Hi Bob,

It was quite interesting to read all the rave reviews about the FMJ AVR600, I remember reading one review that mentioned that this particular amp is so good that it comes to reference standards and sounds as good as separates with both movies and music.

However, I later came to understand that the FMJ AVR600 has some serious problems which Arcam has been tying to fix. Have a look at this link:-

http://www.avforums.com/forums/arcam-owners-forum/1009712-avr600-firmware-thread-new-post.html

The link will probably take you to the middle of a thread but you can track back and go through it. I realise the fact that you may already know about it but I thought of contributing nevertheless.

Cheers

 

[Sam Ash]

Hello,
The BD60 does not have Source Direct. I would look at the Pioneer BDP-320 or the OPPO BDP-83.
Also, many Sony's offer Source Direct.

However, the majority of BDP's do not offer Source Direct to where your AVR can handle the video processing,
Cheers,
JJ

Thanks Jack, my whole objective is to locate a reasonably priced BDP that offers source direct. Something not as expensive as the Oppo BDP-83 but rather an alternative.

Is the Pioneer BDP-320 as expensive as the Oppo BDP-83 ?

What is the most reasonably priced Sony that offers true Source Direct ?

I would have bought the Panasonic BD60 or even the BD35 if they ofered Source Direct.

Cheers