Oppo BR or Cheap BR + Processor?

[Kolia]

I’m kind of in a dilemma about that. I’d like your thoughts.

I have the HT setup in my sig. Basically, a non HDMi receiver and a 720p display. That last one will be replaced by a 1080p projector fairly soon.

I want to go BR but right now, I won’t get any HD benefits (sound or image). I also want to be able to listen to SACDs.

My options as I see it are:

1- Get the Oppo Universal BR player to play everything (CD, SACD, DVD, BR) using the analog connectors. (available soon)
2- Get the Emotiva UMC-1 processor (when available) coupled with a cheap BR player, keep my Elite DVD player too. (I qualify for the upgrade program at Emotiva).

Both options will allow me to get the HD sound and keep enjoying my SACDs. Option 2 would free up my NAD receiver for resale or a secondary HT in the house. It would also be the most expensive, depending how much I spend on the BR player.

Any other thing I might be forgetting about ?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would go for the Processor & get a cheap Blu-ray player.

 

[greggp2]

Why do you think you won't get any Visual HD benefits now with a 720p televison? How big is the TV? If it is 50 inches or less and you sit further than 6 feet back, you can not see the difference between a 720p and a 1080p television. If you can, it is a minute difference at most.

A Blu-ray picture is far better than any DVD upconversion available. I have a 720p Pioneer Kuro TV and my Blu-rays look way better than any DVD and I have a $1,500 Denon DVD/SACD/upconverting player. I also have a Yamaha v3900 that upconverts the picture as well.

Picture quality on Blu-Ray is much, much clearer, more vibrant and far more detailed.

In terms of Audio quality, the low end Blu-Ray players have terrible audio quality. I have a Sony Blu-Ray that I paid $399 for and it sounds horrible compared to the Denon player.

If I were you, I'd wait until Oppo releases their player and then you will get the best of both worlds. Or, if not, I'll be happy to sell you my Sony for around $100 when Oppo releases their player... I have the box, manuals, remote, etc. It's in like new condition.

But please don't think that with your TV there is no Blu-Ray benefit, because there definitely is... Just because your receiver doesn't have an HDMI input, doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the picture gain. Simply hook the Blu-Ray player to your TV, kill the volume on the TV and then hook up your Blu-Ray player to your receiver via Digital Coax or Optical...

I would also consider getting the UMC-1 as well as the Oppo. Emotiva seems to make solid products. Just know it may have some bugs initially, but they have delayed release for so long, hopefully they have worked them out.

 

[greggp2]

By the way, I see you are a track guy too!!!

 

[Kolia]

My display is a 42in Kuro also.

I just feel that paying the extra for a BR now isn't worth it. Not until I can playback the HD sound.

I'll just stay put and wait for Emotiva's release of the UMC-1.

By the way, I see you are a track guy too!!!

Yep, well, I was. I totaled my Z into a bridge pillar and the replacement car, a 2008 Subaru STi, blew it's engine twice in the 5 months I had it... I haven't set a tire on a race track in over a year. I'm now looking for an old BMW race car for track events.

That looks like a Maserati Gran Sport on your avatar. Are you lapping with THAT ?!? Nice! I lived in Italy for a while and my room mate was a test driver for the development of the GT. Those were exciting years! lol!

 

[greggp2]

I had been tracking in the Gransport, but it was becoming expensive. It's a garage queen now. I drive it on Fridays and the weekends.

The STI is a nice car. I loved the older ones. How did you blow your engine 2x? Were you red lining it too much?

I bought an 08 Evo and am driving that every day now as well as on the track.. It's a blast. good luck with your BMW search. Tracking is great, as is AV gear.

I guess our toys do get more expensive as we get older!!!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My display is a 42in Kuro also.

I just feel that paying the extra for a BR now isn't worth it. Not until I can playback the HD sound.

I'll just stay put and wait for Emotiva's release of the UMC-1.

Yep, well, I was. I totaled my Z into a bridge pillar and the replacement car, a 2008 Subaru STi, blew it's engine twice in the 5 months I had it... I haven't set a tire on a race track in over a year. I'm now looking for an old BMW race car for track events.

That looks like a Maserati Gran Sport on your avatar. Are you lapping with THAT ?!? Nice! I lived in Italy for a while and my room mate was a test driver for the development of the GT. Those were exciting years! lol!

That's exactly what I would do. Get the UMC-1.

 

[murl]

Which Sony player do you have?

Why do you think you won't get any Visual HD benefits now with a 720p televison? How big is the TV? If it is 50 inches or less and you sit further than 6 feet back, you can not see the difference between a 720p and a 1080p television. If you can, it is a minute difference at most.

A Blu-ray picture is far better than any DVD upconversion available. I have a 720p Pioneer Kuro TV and my Blu-rays look way better than any DVD and I have a $1,500 Denon DVD/SACD/upconverting player. I also have a Yamaha v3900 that upconverts the picture as well.

Picture quality on Blu-Ray is much, much clearer, more vibrant and far more detailed.

In terms of Audio quality, the low end Blu-Ray players have terrible audio quality. I have a Sony Blu-Ray that I paid $399 for and it sounds horrible compared to the Denon player.

If I were you, I'd wait until Oppo releases their player and then you will get the best of both worlds. Or, if not, I'll be happy to sell you my Sony for around $100 when Oppo releases their player... I have the box, manuals, remote, etc. It's in like new condition.

But please don't think that with your TV there is no Blu-Ray benefit, because there definitely is... Just because your receiver doesn't have an HDMI input, doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the picture gain. Simply hook the Blu-Ray player to your TV, kill the volume on the TV and then hook up your Blu-Ray player to your receiver via Digital Coax or Optical...

I would also consider getting the UMC-1 as well as the Oppo. Emotiva seems to make solid products. Just know it may have some bugs initially, but they have delayed release for so long, hopefully they have worked them out.

 

[Kolia]

The STI is a nice car. I loved the older ones. How did you blow your engine 2x? Were you red lining it too much?

All the STi build before June '08 had a faulty ECU programing. Simply driving it hard at or near red line would blow a piston. A recall was issued for that. It was too late for me. I never got to take it on the track. Imagine the damages that would have caused!

I was getting bored with AWD anyway.

The EVO is nice too. A know a few oher guys who track theirs and they love them.

Toys are getting pricier.. Hehe