What is your opinion for the best blu ray stand alone player?

[Cantonsurroundsound]

I've heard there maybe set new blu ray players comming out? Thanks to dish networks removing the commercial free Voom HD channels I am switching to Directv and will save enough money that I am starting look for a new blu ray player.

I am looking for a new stand along blu ray player that has very good picture quality, good audio with 5.1 analog/7.1, decent up conversions of DVD's. Which brand and models would you recommend? I've heard good things about Panasonic, Samsung, ??????

 

[gadgtfreek]

Heres a good list with features:

Blu-ray.com - Blu-ray Players - Compare Players


Im very happy with my BD30.

 

[teachsac]

If you need a player that will do internal decoding then, Panasonic BD50 or Sony 550. The Sony won't be out until the fall, but might be a better value.

S~

 

[allargon]

No way you heard good stuff about Samsung! The only Samsung that has been relatively complaint free at launch is the BD-P1500. They only recently fixed all the crap wrong with the BD-P1400 and BD-P1200 (the class action lawsuit generator). Owners of the BD-UP5000 are feeling a little better despite waiting 6 months! for a firmware update to give them the functionality promised at launch.

Your short list:
The LG BH200 (no multichannel analogs out) - about $400-500 if you can find one
The Pansonic DMP-BD50 (7.1 analogs, less than comparable upscaling) - $700
The Sony PS3 (no multichannel analogs out, not a standalone) - $400 and up or $300 if you get a Sony Style credit card

That's it unless you have $2k for the Denon.

 

[nonrev]

But who wants to pay $2000 for a 1.1 player that will be obsolete shortly.

 

[teachsac]

But who wants to pay $2000 for a 1.1 player that will be obsolete shortly.

Maybe not you, but quite a few do. It has its place in the market. Granted it is not as big as the Wallyworld share but it is there. Many still pay 1500-3000 for an SD DVD player.

S~

 

[gadgtfreek]

You heard anything on the BD50 date recently? I've seen some claiming 7-31.

 

[teachsac]

You heard anything on the BD50 date recently? I've seen some claiming 7-31.

I haven't been into the shop this week. The CC website the other day said July 3rd. I see they removed it. It should be available within the next two weeks last I heard, though.

S~

 

[BobMurdoch]

I've got the Samsung BDUP5000 HDDVD/BluRay Player...... PLays everything I throw at it so far. It's Profile 1.1 after the firmware upgrade.....

BTW, what getsadded in Profile 2.0? It sounds like it can't be upgraded to be compliant, although it does have the Ethernet port, so it should be able to handle any software modifications..... Is there an additional chip processor in the 2.0 units or something?

 

[navychop]

Just more memory, and the ethernet.

 

[Cantonsurroundsound]

I haven't been into the shop this week. The CC website the other day said July 3rd. I see they removed it. It should be available within the next two weeks last I heard, though.

S~

so you think that Panasonic BD50 blu ray player is likely to be one of the best players comming out?

 

[teachsac]

so you think that Panasonic BD50 blu ray player is likely to be one of the best players comming out?

As a Blu-ray player it is excellent. Unconversion is good but not great. The average user and setup will find it to be just fine. Panasonic is not as issue plagued as other manufacturers, and when something does pop up it is addressed.

S~

 

[JoeSp]

Isn't Toshiba's BD player supposed to come to market in July? Has anyone heard or read about this player?

 

[akodoreign]

Isn't Toshiba's BD player supposed to come to market in July? Has anyone heard or read about this player?

Think they are trying their hands at a Super-UpConvert player first. *shrug*.

I know that engadget reviewed a super up converter like a few weeks ago, and it did a spectacular job, But cost $1100-1900 Denon's DVD-3930 upscaler plays it all - Engadget

That is far from economical, but if Toshiba can get the price down it may actually be worth it. *shrug* only time will tell

 

[teachsac]

I have not heard of Toshiba coming out with any BD player.

S~

 

[gadgtfreek]

Yepp, super upconvert is the only thing they've announced.