DVDizzy Forum

I've decided to ask for a Blu-Ray Player for Christmas, and I was wondering which one you all recommend?

Please take the time to answer, since I'm extremely uneducated about Blu-Rays.

It depends, what's your budget and what features do you want. I have Panasonic now and at the time it was the best for its price range but now thats probably changed.

Just on Black Friday there was brand name players (Toshiba, Sharp, and Samsung) that were under $100. I've heard Denon makes the best players that come fully featured but they are also extremely expensive and if you don't have the greatest setup, definitely not worth it.

Like I said, it all comes down to features (built in Wi-Fi, Netflix streaming, etc) reliability and speed (not as much a problem now-a-days). Another thing to consider is compatibility with your set up. Does your HDTV have HDMI or component or both? If you have surround sound, does your receiver take HDMI, analog or or will you just use optical output like me (yeah, I know its not HD sound).

If you were to post your expectations and your current home theater set up I could help you make your decision. If not, here's a list comparing features on all the available Blu-ray players:

http://www.blu-ray.com/players/compare.php?p=1

I was told to get a Sony, simply because they spearheaded the entire Blu-ray concept; so far it hasn't let me down and has been a very reliable machine.

I've heard Sony players are just average. Whether this is intentional to promote the PS3, as to not outdo the PS3 with a cheaper and more feature-rich player, thats left up in the air. I doubt they're bad players by any means but I've heard their a little father behind the other manufacturers and slower at incorporating new features (the PS3 is constantly updated and well, pimped by Sony).

I've also been considering asking for a Blu-Ray player for Christmas, so I'll be sure to keep my eye on this thread!

I'm very pleased with my Panasonic player...

The Sony player we have in our living room is all right, but the LG BD390 I have in my bedroom is amazing. It's almost as fast as a DVD player (we're talking, maybe, a five second difference in loading time). The user interface is very nicely designed, has built-in Wi-Fi, and it allows access to YouTube, Netflix, and CinemaNow. The set up for it was also amazingly simple.

I have a samsung and it is ok, but I want to get one with more features including netflix

How much are you wanting to spend on a Blu-ray player?

Right now I have a Sony BDP-BX2 (same as the BDP-S360 model, but comes with a backlit remote and HDMI cable), and a PS3 Slim (Bought PS3 for games, but it gets used for Blu-rays some). Both are Profile 2.0 so you can use BD-Live, but the BDP-BX2 lacks wireless. Both players have nearly identical picture quality (I can't tell a difference). The PS3 is slightly faster loading, but its noisy compared to the BDP-BX2. Also the PS3 does not come with a remote. I couldn't stand using the Dualshock 3 for movies so I picked up the PS3 Blu-ray remote. The remote is solid, and works well.

Anyway I would recommend either one. However if you also want a gaming console I would get a PS3, if not I would recommend a stand alone player. Personally I like the Sony, and Panasonic players. However I have had some friends that have had luck with players from Magnavox, Insignia, etc... I've also heard the Oppo BDP-83 player is very good, but pricey ($499).

The PS3 is amazing. It accepts transferred media and servers, the blus play excellently with all features, and soon, you'll be able to stream Netflix, though kinda rules out the PSN, and it hardly feels much like a gaming machine at all. The remote is worth the investment, as well.

Personally, if you've absolutely zero interest in gaming, I wouldn't recommend a PS3 as a Blu-ray player. It doesn't upscale standard definition content on a Blu-ray disc.

Every day, that little bug-bear is driving me slowly more and more insane!

Disneykid wrote:but the LG BD390 I have in my bedroom is amazing. It's almost as fast as a DVD player (we're talking, maybe, a five second difference in loading time). The user interface is very nicely designed, has built-in Wi-Fi, and it allows access to YouTube, Netflix, and CinemaNow. The set up for it was also amazingly simple.

That's what I have, and I LOVE it!!

ajmrowland wrote:The PS3 is amazing. It accepts transferred media and servers, the blus play excellently with all features, and soon, you'll be able to stream Netflix, though kinda rules out the PSN, and it hardly feels much like a gaming machine at all. The remote is worth the investment, as well.

Netflix is already available. My friend received his disc about 2 weeks ago from Netflix, and said it works pretty good.

2099net wrote:Personally, if you've absolutely zero interest in gaming, I wouldn't recommend a PS3 as a Blu-ray player. It doesn't upscale standard definition content on a Blu-ray disc.

The PS3 does upscale, but I agree with your recommendation. A year ago I would say go PS3, but now stand alone players have gotten more features and they are a lot cheaper. There really isn't a need for a PS3 if you don't plan on gaming.

I know about the disc, but that's for existing owners only.

I haven't received mine yet, and don't really care much.

ajmrowland wrote:I know about the disc, but that's for existing owners only.

I haven't received mine yet, and don't really care much.

I thought they were sending out the disc to everyone that signed up for one. I know my friend signed up for Netflix and ordered the disc the same day. He previously had Blockbuster online, but switched when Netflix came to the PS3.

Oh, of course, I'd have to order it!

DarthPrime wrote:

2099net wrote:Personally, if you've absolutely zero interest in gaming, I wouldn't recommend a PS3 as a Blu-ray player. It doesn't upscale standard definition content on a Blu-ray disc.

The PS3 does upscale, but I agree with your recommendation. A year ago I would say go PS3, but now stand alone players have gotten more features and they are a lot cheaper. There really isn't a need for a PS3 if you don't plan on gaming.

No, it doesn't upscale SD content on Blu-ray discs. It only upscales DVDs. I know the settings say DVD/BD upscaling. But so far its not been implemented for BD playback. See
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?Fo ... icId=29688

As of now, its still not been implemented in a firmware update.

2099net wrote:

DarthPrime wrote: The PS3 does upscale, but I agree with your recommendation. A year ago I would say go PS3, but now stand alone players have gotten more features and they are a lot cheaper. There really isn't a need for a PS3 if you don't plan on gaming.

No, it doesn't upscale SD content on Blu-ray discs. It only upscales DVDs. I know the settings say DVD/BD upscaling. But so far its not been implemented for BD playback. See
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?Fo ... icId=29688

As of now, its still not been implemented in a firmware update.

I didn't know that. I thought since it upscaled DVDs it would do the same for SD content.

No. My PS2 looks better than the SD features of a BD.

ajmrowland wrote:No. My PS2 looks better than the SD features of a BD.

Yeah! Sort it out SONY! Your settings bar clearly mentions "Upscaling DVD/BD" - so frigging do it!