any advice for blu ray player purchase?

[polkaudiofan]

I'm looking for a blu ray player to purchase in the near future as I'm running movies off PlayStation right now which is fine but I want to add a separate blu ray player to my home theater.I have a Samsung plasma 51" 600 Hz 1080 tv, onkyo receiver, Polk audio towers, center and surrounds,and sub and would like a blu ray player that will fit in nicely. I don't know if I should be looking at keeping it within a company I already have? Or branch out to something different. I was looking between Samsung to match the tv or onkyo to pair nicely playing with the receiver. I'm willing to spend up to 400 but not to concerned with going less if it is in fact a better quality machine. Any advice or help is greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.

 

[j_garcia]

There is no benefit to matching the electronics. I can see wanting a separate player, however most stuff below $400 is not going to outperform the PS3 as a BD player. Unless you are going after a player for better audio, I'd stick with the inexpensive Panasonics.

 

[markw]

These are pretty much commodities ,what with HDMI feeding spectacular audio and video from virtually any of them. I picked up a nice, tiny basic Sony 390 that has wireless (or wired) internet access for a little over $100

It all boils down to features and brand makes no difference, except perhaps with some unified remote functions.

Unless you can specify something else you want out of the player aside from the basics I mentioned that would narrow the field down or add to the cost, like 7.1 audio outputs or something else, perhaps a more specific answer can be offered. But, simply spending money won't really guarantee better performance.

 

[zieglj01]

I prefer the Panasonic or Sony Bluray players.
Samsung tends to be shakey, on reliability.

 

[sholling]

The most important thing is to buy a name brand player with a network connection. Blu-Ray players need regular updates to keep up with the latest DRM keys and that doesn't happen with the no-name players. It's also nice of the player has streaming internet features like Netflix and perhaps Amazon Prime if you're a Prime user.

 

[PENG]

I agree with recommending Sony and Panny. I paid $69 for the BDP-S380 and $118 for the BDP-BX59 (Costco's version of the BDP-S590). Both when on sale at Costco Canada. The Sony BX59 and the Panny BDT-220 are now on sale for $89.99 at Costco.com, both are probably unbeatable at this low a price. Again, it is identical to the S590 except it comes with a HDMI cable.

Sony BDP-BX59 Full HD1080p 3D Blu-ray Disc Player w/ Built-in Wi-Fi®

http://www.costco.com/.product.11766055.html?cm_sp=RichRelevance-_-itempageVerticalRight-_-CategorySiloedViewCP&cm_vc=itempageVerticalRight|CategorySiloedViewCP

 

[j_garcia]

The most important thing is to buy a name brand player with a network connection. Blu-Ray players need regular updates to keep up with the latest DRM keys and that doesn't happen with the no-name players. It's also nice of the player has streaming internet features like Netflix and perhaps Amazon Prime if you're a Prime user.

They pretty much all have streaming apps these days, so that's almost a given now. I just bought my parents a new Panny player last week with built in WiFi for $99 so they could get Netflix and Amazon Prime on their TV.

 

[polkaudiofan]

Thanks for the tips... I'm looking for something with 7.1 so down the road when I add 2 more speakers I'll be set up for that with it. Also something that plays all Dolby sound settings and I was interested in a separate player for movies so he ps3 is t getting such a workout. It's used for games and movies but I figure if can use a separate player for movies it'll be a little easier on the ps. As my last ps got worked hard and it died. Is there something out there that is on par or better than the ps3 to play movies on?

 

[j_garcia]

The $99 players mentioned (Panasonic, Sony) won't be any different than the PS3 if using HDMI. The PS3 will play all of the current audio formats just like those players though, but I picked up my Oppo mainly for audio so the PS3 wouldn't be used as much also since my first one died too.

Audio wise, you'll have to spend quite a bit more than the PS3 to improve on analog audio. Video wise, unless you have a very large screen, you won't notice much difference between players IMO.

 

[polkaudiofan]

I was looking at oppo as an option as well. If it's that awesome I'd be interested. I ha e a 51" screen so it sounds like it'd help and if it produces better audio how do you complain really? What oppo players would you recommend? Ones over 1000 dollars are a bit out of my range.

 

[j_garcia]

The current models are only $500, $1000 and $1200. The $500 model (103) likely won't give you much of an audio upgrade over the PS3.

A 51" screen isn't large enough to see a real difference video wise IMO; I am talking like 80"-100" and above. The 103 and 105 do have 4K upscaling as well, though I am not sure how much of a benefit that is without a 4K display. Based on that, I'd probably save the funds and go with a Panny or Sony.

 

[polkaudiofan]

I've never been a big fan of Sony so I think I can mark that off. Always liked Samsung. What's the difference in your opinion on the higher end Panasonic and Samsung blu ray players? Recommendations for each company ?

 

[j_garcia]

Like zieglj01, I wouldn't buy a Samsung player personally. You already own a Sony player...and when it comes to their Blu-ray players, the should be OK. Pick one at the price point you like with the features you are interested in (7.1 analog outs?) and go from there. The players that Peng mentioned should work.

 

[polkaudiofan]

I'm looking at the Panasonic blu ray player model DMPBDT220. What's your opinion on this? I've found it on sale for 146. Compared to PlayStation for playing blu ray movies?

 

[j_garcia]

Peng already provided a link to Costco where that model is $89 and I bought that same model last week on Amazon for $99. I think it will do fine. I've owned a few of their players at this level and they are surprisingly good for the price.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMP-BDT220-Integrated-Blu-ray-Player/dp/B00752R4PK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353452776&sr=8-1&keywords=bdt220

 

[zieglj01]

I'm looking at the Panasonic blu ray player model DMPBDT220. What's your opinion on this?

It can work for you.

 

[polkaudiofan]

Oh ok. Thanks. I did t know it was for that one. Will this provide better audio or video than the play station?

 

[zieglj01]

Oh ok. Thanks. I did t know it was for that one. Will this provide better audio or video than the play station?

You will be surprised at the performace, that Panasonic can bring.
As was stated, check Costco.

 

[polkaudiofan]

Hey I'm in Canada and checked Costco btw it isn't there right now. Also I looked at that Panasonic and it isn't 7.1, whereas the Samsung 6500 is 7.1. I do play. On adding 2 more speakers to my setup so that definitely weighs on my options.....thoughts? Any Panasonic's with 7.1 that you'd recommend above the Samsung?

 

[j_garcia]

They are ALL 7.1 via HDMI, unless you mean has 7.1 analog outs in which case you would need the BDT500
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMP-BDT500-Integrated-Blu-ray-Player/dp/B00752R4QO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1353454773&sr=8-4&keywords=panasonic+blu-ray

Unless you have a huge room, 7.1 is probably overkill.