BD Players: capabilites.

[stratman]

Here's an interesting list: Sorry I couldnt get it too enlarge.


BD PLAYERS AND THEIR CAPABILITES

BRAND MODEL AVAILABLE NOTES

Profile 1.0- Cannot play PiP or BD-Live Web-enabled features.

Phillips BDP 9000 Now No upgrades available
Pioneer BDP-95FD Now No upgrades available
Samsung BD-P1400 Now No upgrades available
Sharp Aquos BD-HP20U Now No upgrades available
Sony BDP-S300

Profile 1.1- Can play PiP, but not BD-Live.

LG BH200 Now Profile 1.1 ready, firmware upgrade due 2008
Panasonic DMP-BD30 Now No 2.0 upgrade available
Phillips BDP 7200 April No 2.0 upgrade available
Samsung BD-UP 5000 Now Profile 1.1 ready, firmware due Feb. 2008
Samsung BD-P1500 May No 2.0 upgrade
Samsung BD-UP5500 May No 2.0 upgrade available
Sharp Aquos BD-HP50U May No 2.0 upgrade available

Profile 2.0/BD-Live, can play PiP, BD-Live web enabled features.

Panasonic DMP-BD50 Spring
PlayStation 3 40 GB Now Profile 2.0 ready, upgrade due 2008
PlayStaion 3 80GB Now Profile 2.0 ready, upgrade due 2008
Sony Sapphire 3 Spring
Sony Sapphire 4 Spring

 

[itschris]

Thanks for that. I see the Elite player I want is in the 1.0 group. I don't know that I care to much about that stuff. I don't see myself messing around with those features. I rarely even look at the extra features on DVD's that are available now. Unless there are true performance issues, I don't think I'm going to hold out. If I knew that Pioneer Elite was going to come out with a new player on a specific date in the near future... maybe a couple or so months away, than maybe I would, but i'm not gonna wait for futurware.

 

[BMXTRIX]

That's a fantastic list and really spells out exactly what the differences are between the players on the market right now. It's important to write down exactly what Profile 1.1 and 2.0 mean as the PiP or online functions may mean absolutely nothing to a lot of people, which could score them a great deal on 1.0 players as they start moving out of vogue.

Of course, the PS3 released over a year ago still is getting solid reports as the player to buy for full compatibility and first rate speed. Yet, it'll be great to see how the 2.0 players review later this year. I think that come this holiday season (10 months) we will be seeing Blu-ray starting to hit full stride with the technology.

 

[fmw]

I'm one of those people who don't care about the 1.1 and 2.0 features. However, I'm interested in the lossless audio codecs. What BD players can or will transmit them? My BD-S300 will not, as an example.

 

[Duffinator]

Thanks for posting the list. The new Panasonic DMP-BD50 looks tempting. What no Denon models listed? Aren't they profile 2.0? What's the scoop on the Sony Sapphire's?

 

[stratman]

Here's what I've got on the Sonys:

Sapphire 3

BD Live + Bonus capable
Network Firmware updateable
BD/DVD/CD playback
Full HD 1080p video output + 24P True Cinema
AVC HD Playback with X.V. Color Video Output

Sapphire 4

All the above, + Advanced Audio Codec Support

Maybe this is what FMW needs.

 

[Duffinator]

Stratman, any idea on pricing? Does Advanced Audio Codec Support mean internal decoding and analog outputs? That's what I'm looking for.

 

[stratman]

Stratman, any idea on pricing? Does Advanced Audio Codec Support mean internal decoding and analog outputs? That's what I'm looking for.

As for pricing, neither Panny nor Sony have it set yet, in fact Sony said it was watching the market before setting an msrp (remember the Christmas numbers were dismal), Panny basically said the same thing. Sony didn't give an exaxct definiton on Audio Codec Support application, but it's a pretty safe bet that it will include all the new audio formats being released.

 

[billy p]

Thanks Stratman

as you mentioned above pricing has yet to be determined? IMHO it will be more cost efficient to replace your DVD player instead of your AVR and for that reason I am leaning towards that Panny.
Thanks again, Billy P

 

[fmw]

Here's what I've got on the Sonys:

Sapphire 3

BD Live + Bonus capable
Network Firmware updateable
BD/DVD/CD playback
Full HD 1080p video output + 24P True Cinema
AVC HD Playback with X.V. Color Video Output

Sapphire 4

All the above, + Advanced Audio Codec Support

Maybe this is what FMW needs.

That's the one for me.

 

[jostenmeat]

Just a little info regarding Multi-Channel Analog LFE "issues" to add to stratman's information:

I have read that the only two players that will not cut -10db (or more?) from the LFE when using these connections are the Pioneer BDP-95FD and Samsung 1400.

I am sure the vast majority of folks here use HDMI, but this is good information for the handful who do not.

 

[The Dukester]

Cave man you need to add the Pioneer BDP-05D to that list. It comes out around May. It is 1.1, decodes MA internally but is not BD live and as of now, at least, does NOT have an Ethernet port, which their current players do. It cannot be upgraded to 2.0. They supposedly have a 2.0 unit coming out Q4 this year or Q1 next.
Dont' forget the Denons, either.

 

[Seth=L]

LOL, PS3 is tops, and cheap. It's much like the Onkyo TX-SR805, it presents an unrivaled value.

 

[stratman]

Denon has been mum, and I haven't found anything concrete, yet. When I do I'll let everyone know. The only thing I do know is that it was to debut in Japan this month and it will be dealyed till after March. Is there something amiss with the units? I don't know.

 

[The Dukester]

The Denon 2500 is out. The 3800 will be out in a few months. Looks like the 2500 has the same 5db LFE problem the Panny 30 does. It's a 1.1 player. You can read about it here.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=882495

 

[stratman]

Hey Duke, how's doin?

Yup, the Denon 3800 is being delayed till end of or after March.