BD35 vs BDP550 vs BDP51FD...

[admin_exported]

Sorry if this has already been covered, but couldnt see it....

I am looking at investing in a dedicated BluRay player (Currently use a PS3). Using a 42" 720p/1080i Sony Wega Plasma via a Pioneer VSX AX4ASi-s (So no hdmi 1.3, deep colour or HD audio). At some stage TV & receiver will be updated, so I want to future proof this purchase.

I had shortlisted the Panasonic BD35 and Sony BDP550. The Sony was edging it based on 7.1 analogue output, but then this months What HiFi did a round up and voted the Pioneer BDP51FD as best buy under £500.

On Richer Sounds, you can now get the Pana BD35 for £190, the Sony BDP550 at £220 and the Pioneer BDP51FD for £320.

So, its £100 dearer than the Sony, is only Profile 1.1 and doesn't have BlueRay Live nor Ethernet connection for updates (And online content).. Is the 51FD worth the extra £100???

With my current setup I am not sure if I would see (or hear) the better quality, but when I upgrade the TV & Amp, it may be more apparent, but I am just not sure about buying somehting thats quite expensive when I know its using slightly older technology (Profile 1.1)..Although one could argue I can use the PS3 when I want to access extra features...hmmmmmm

Advice, comments, andone using this stuff ??????

thx

 

[Garth Man]

The three players are all very good. I tested them all and didin't find any real diffrence....

The Pioneer maybe has the edge, the Sony and Pioneer have 7.1 multiChannel outputs so that you can use the onbaord decoding HD sounds via your amp. If you have the money I would probably go for the pioneer though saying that the Sony is fantasic also with everything, BD/DVD sound etc.

I wouldn't replace your amp to be honest as its a dam good one.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks GarthMan.. My current view is although the Pioneer's only £100 more, thats almost double the price, so I am not sure if thats good value..

I may just stick with the Sony and go with a 5year warrenty instead.. £22 for 5years cover, and they refund it if you dont use it.

Blu Ray Heaven awaits me !!!

p.s. Off-topic I know, but has anyone watched The Godfather (Coppola Restoration) Trilogy on Blu-ray yet????

 

[Anonymous]

Hope this helps i owned both the bd35 and the bdsp350 and took them both back and have now got the bdp51 my decision was made by having a hd dvd xe1 which has one of the best pictures available on dvd and hd.Well neither of the first two players came close to it, Loads of noise blocking and mosqito noise on dvd banding on colours out of the two i would choose the sony i think it operates flawlessly and quick but so does the pioneer and its way better picture wise

 

[Gerrardasnails]

morganlloyd:
Thanks GarthMan.. My current view is although the Pioneer's only £100 more, thats almost double the price, so I am not sure if thats good value..

I may just stick with the Sony and go with a 5year warrenty instead.. £22 for 5years cover, and they refund it if you dont use it.

Blu Ray Heaven awaits me !!!

p.s. Off-topic I know, but has anyone watched The Godfather (Coppola Restoration) Trilogy on Blu-ray yet????

I have the S550 and think it's brilliant.

 

[Garth Man]

Sony 550 £269 at Richersounds MR

I did get 5 discs free when i bought this fantasic player, 3 from RS the 2 more from Sony when registering it. Though no sure if this has stop.

Buy the Sony and love it, and stick with amp buy some gold plated RCA cables and enjoy the realm of HD

 

[Garth Man]

also I haven't watched the Godfather trilogy on blu ray, though I might be tempted to buy it if its reasonable priced

Watch The Dark Knight and Hellboy 2 they are fantastic discs for HD

Though you will be suprised at how good your existing dvd's shall look on the player

 

[Anonymous]

Like you i got the multi R sony bdp s550, as yet i havent wired it up to the internet have you and how easy was it?

 

[Anonymous]

Don't bother with the Pioneer ( despite the good review it got from WHSV ). Its specs are already out of date with no ethernet port for online updates and its too flaky when playing certain BDs.

Both the Panny and Sony are far better options with the Panny being particularly good value. Comparing the Pioneer with the Panny showed only a small improvement in picture and no difference in sound performances.

Save your money and buy either the Panny or Sony or wait for Pioneer to produce an up to date and completely disk compatible player.

 

[professorhat]

Takepart:Save your money and buy either the Panny or Sony or wait for Pioneer to produce an up to date and completely disk compatible player.

Has anyone reported any issues playing discs on the Pioneer BDP-51FD?

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

morganlloyd:

Thanks GarthMan.. My current view is although the Pioneer's only £100 more, thats almost double the price, so I am not sure if thats good value..

I may just stick with the Sony and go with a 5year warrenty instead.. £22 for 5years cover, and they refund it if you dont use it.

Blu Ray Heaven awaits me !!!

p.s. Off-topic I know, but has anyone watched The Godfather (Coppola Restoration) Trilogy on Blu-ray yet????

FYI - the BD35 has just gone up at John Lewis from £199 to £244 and Richer are only offering the multi region BD35 at £209.99 so maybe that influences you even more.

 

[Garth Man]

I wired up the Sony as soon as I got it, it was easy enough and the BD live extras are interesting extras. I'm lucky though as my router is very near my player. You can use bridges with players as well apparently. Go for the sony, save some extra cash and buy some rather expensive movies.....though HMV do see a lot cheaper online. I'm not going to replace myy DVD's though as the upscaler on teh player is excellent.