Blu-ray, whats the difference...

[allargon]

OK, so If I could sumarize the three categories it would be:

Low end
Pros
- inexpensive

Cons
- loading times may be long
- may not get firmware updates to fix read issues very often??
- scaling just OK **
- potential for not reading discs that are in poor condition

Mid-Line
Pros
- reasonable price
- good firmware support
- faster load times
- good scaling
- will read discs that are in poor condition (dependant on brand)

Cons
- not all in one

Upper End (Oppo bdp 83)
Pros (all of above plus)
- all in one player
- good to excellent scaling

Cons
- price

Does that about cover it?

You left out one major thing, as this is Audioholics.

Low end -- MUST bitstream to a capable receiver to hear the new compressed audio codecs (DTS HD MA/HR, DD+, Dolby True HD) and no multichannel analog outs

Midrange -- LIKELY internally decodes the compressed audio codecs but only sends the data over HDMI as multichannel PCM. If the player does have multichannel analog outputs, the DAC's likely suck.

High-end -- DEFINITELY internally decodes the compressed audio codecs internally (w/ the option to bitstream) and sends the sound out via multichannel analog outputs w/ audiophile quality DAC's along with distance settings, level boosts, etc.

 

[JerryLove]

You left out one major thing, as this is Audioholics.

I think those are both good summations.

Without stating what comes ware or with what (I have not played critically with enough different units).

Issues with BlueRay players:
- Compatibility (not all units play all disks and standards tend to get updated: so there's reason you might want something with both the ability to upgrade *and a company that actually provides ongoing updates*

- Interface / load speeds / other ergonomics

- Transcoding: Blueray does not store its video in HDMI format. Even with digital outs, there is a digital-to-digital conversion of data (BlueJeansCable has a rant on this in their FAQ). Not all players are created equal in regards to output.

- Durability: Not all electronics are equally built to last.

- Reliability: Particularly on the very low end: Does it tend to have trouble conforming to HDMI 1.3a 100% of the time? Do the connectors tend to make poor connection? Is the voltage consistent over the cable? Really, these errors would actually be "poorly built" not just "inexpensive", but seem likely to be a real concern in a world where WalMart recently had to recall a DVD player they sold because it tended to burst into flames.

 

[allargon]

Durability is a load of crap. I've seen no-name $29 DVD players last for years and years and $800 players have issues.

With the lead free soldering movement catching steam, I expect to see a lot more failures in electronics of ALL price ranges.

 

[JerryLove]

Durability is a load of crap. I've seen no-name $29 DVD players last for years and years and $800 players have issues.

Did someone says "durability and price are always related"? I know I have not said it because I absolutely do not believe it. It's not true in cars, and it's not true in audio.

But it would be incorrect to say that Toyota and Tata build equally reliable cars, that a Wii and XBOX 360 have the same failure rate, or that all electronics are built equally.

I expect to see a lot more failures in electronics of ALL price ranges.

So you believe that there's a net decrease in durability now / about to happen? I'm not sure how to sync that belief with your previous "durability is a load of crap" statement. Do you believe durability varies or not?