BR questions

[Alex2507]

You're going to need a big plasma TV to get the most out of the expensive Oppo.

[markw]

If you go with te Panny, I wish you better luck than I did with my BD-85, which I bought specifically for the MC analog outputs. The analog MC failed (no subwoofer) in 8 months and I went through 5 months and three refurbs with the exact same problem (and others) before giving up and settling for a lesser replacement (no analog MC audio) just to put it behind me. Besides, the shipping charges outweighed what I would have had to spend for a better unit.

So, if it works forever, fine but heaven help you should it ever need service, even under warranty.

Personally, I'd go for the Oppo if I had it to do all over again.

[Swerd]

You're going to need a big plasma TV to get the most out of the expensive Oppo.

That will have to take its place at the bottom of my long term capital expenditure list… below a tube amp and new turntable .

I read that manual last night that runswithscisors found (thanks again ). It looks like that Panasonic BR player is the one for me. It costs $170 less than the Oppo 93, lacks SACD/DVD-A, but has everything else I think I want. It seems to have all sorts of networking features (wireless or ethernet) that right now mean little to me, but may be of use once I get one of these.

I won't look any further into those HDMI-analog audio converters.

Thanks to everyone who responded, especially to BMXTRIX who originally suggested the Panasonic DMP-BDT500, and runswithscisors who found a way to download an owner's manual. One slight caveat: the manual came from a Panasonic UK web site, and is meant for the version of the DMP-BDT500 sold in Europe and the UK. Other than electric power source difference, I suspect it is no different than the North American model but I don't know for certain.

Amazon says there is a 3 to 5 week wait for this model. I wonder if its actually released yet?

[Swerd]

If you go with te Panny, I wish you better luck than I did with my BD-85, which I bought specifically for the MC analog outputs. The analog MC failed (no subwoofer) in 8 months and I went through 5 months and three refurbs with the exact same problem (and others) before giving up and settling for a lesser replacement (no analog MC audio) just to put it behind me. Besides, the shipping charges outweighed what I would have had to spend for a better unit.

So, if it works forever, fine but heaven help you should it ever need service, even under warranty.

Personally, I'd go for the Oppo if I had it to do all over again.

Mark - I hear your warning. Coming from you, that means something.

Because of the big price difference between the Panny and the Oppo, I'm probably going with the Panny. Being a cheapskate (with good taste) makes me choke on the idea of a $500 disc player. To put it in context, my receiver cost me $850 (used), the 2-channel amp was $400 (used), and my present DVD player cost $30 (new). I haven't got my money's worth out of the first 2 items yet, and maybe not the 3rd either.

I haven't ordered the Panny yet…

[j_garcia]

With every company you always have the possibility of lemons. There's no getting around them; it just so happens that Mark got one. I wouldn't call it indicative of Panasonic judging from the comments of others. My parents also have two Panasonic BD players, one of which is my old BD-60, and they are both still going strong after years. My BD-65 is about two years old also.

By comparison, my PS3 was $650 new (original 1st generation) and died in 3 years. Repairing it cost me more than my BD-65 You probably don't want to know how much my Oppo cost

[Alex2507]

With every company you always have the possibility of lemons.

I think Markw had a few bad '85s. Beyond lemon I think the drift is that the 85 is a bad model. My Panny 60 is without issue after probably 3 years ... well, it did make grumbling noises a while back but that seems to be over. I'm glad to know about the issues with the 85 as that would be my next go to model for the analog outs so thanks Mark.

[j_garcia]

In another thread BMX recommended the 75 rather than the 85, and the 75 can still be found new for some reason, even though it is an older model. IIRC, the 75 has m/c analog outs.

[Alex2507]

In another thread BMX recommended the 75 rather than the 85, and the 75 can still be found new for some reason, even though it is an older model. IIRC, the 75 has m/c analog outs.

You got me all excited with the m/c outs ... I googled it and found it from like $75-$100 ... then I saw the analog outs were only 2 channel. Who's gonna clean up this mess?

[j_garcia]

Hmmmmm... I nominate BMX But maybe I misunderstood what he was saying.

[markw]

I might have a better feeling towards Panasonic had they told me they had another MC unit on the horizon. As it is, they said they had no other CURRENT units that had MC audio which technically was true, but this went down about two months ago. So, I settled for less.

Nw, had they told me a new MC unit was on the horizon and offered to send me the one when it was released, I might feel different but, somehow, I feel lied to and cheated.