Best 2d Blu Ray - 5.1 output would be handy

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and I am looking for a bit of advice.

I don't have a 3d TV, have no real interest in 3D and cannot forsee a purchase in the next few years.

However, I do want the improved sound capabilities that is available with a lot of players, through the HDMI output.

My current receiver (Arcam AVR100) does not support the HDMI but it can take an analogue 5.1 input, so a 5.1 output would be of benefit but I do intend to replace the Arcam shortly, so it is not completely necessary.

Can anyone recommend something suitable?

I am more than happy to buy older discontinued models or second hand.

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[bigboss]

If you're interested in sound capabilities, look at Oppo 95 or Marantz UD7006 or Cambridge Audio 751BD. But I think your AV receiver is more than capable of decoding audio as well as any in the market.

Your options in analogue outs capable blu-ray players will be limited & expensive. Unfortunately, they all will have 3D. There are far cheaper options if you're not fussed about analogue outs.

 

[Big Chris]

Bestbuy has the Sony BDP-S760 in stock for £200.

It's strictly 2D only and has the analogue multi-channel outputs you require.

http://www.bestbuy.co.uk/product/1000119961/Sony-BDP-S760-Blu-ray-Player.aspx?ref=AW&loc=Reevoo.com&awc=2533_1317401249_a3393a9a1db09a8314fa7950a33d1a4e

 

[strapped for cash]

If you're intent on replacing the Arcam, I'd still suggest looking at a second hand Denon DVD2500BT. This remains a genuinely sensational machine if all you're after is a 2D Blu-ray spinner that offers optimum audio and picture quality (assuming you're not concerned by slightly slower loading times or the lack of BD-Live).

Just scan this forum for recent discussion of the player; and don't let the fact that it would be second hand put you off -- they're built like tanks and you can generally lay your hands on one for not much more than a current entry-level BDP. Having lived with the Denon for several months now, I'll happily report that it remains the best value AV upgrade I've made.

Of course other players mentioned above are fantastic options, but in my view the Denon represents better value, as long as the limited functionality isn't an issue.

Another forumite, who tests Blu-ray players as a hobby, remains convinced that the DVD2500BT still offers the best 2D audio and video quality available. Not having compared it with newer high-end BDPs, I can't concur with this view, but I'll reiterate that it's a phenomenal machine. As time has passed I've become more and more impressed with it.

 

[bigboss]

Another forumite, who tests Blu-ray players as a hobby, remains convinced that the DVD2500BT still offers the best 2D audio and video quality available.

I seriously doubt that. Prior to this claim, he simply used to quote blu-ray player reviews whilst recommending. I've had a few discussions with him prior to this claim, & the only thing he didn't have an answer to was when I asked him if he has actually tested the machines himself. A couple of weeks later, this claim on testing blu-ray players as a hobby emerged.

Anyway, I haven't seen him around lately, have you?

I didn't find any difference in blu-ray performance between the Denon 2500BT, Panasonic BD60 & PS3; maybe it's just me. I wasn't happy with the slow loading times. If others find an improvement, then they should go for it.

How do the newer Denons compare? Personally, I would hesitate to buy a second hand player which is 3 generations old, especially considering that blu-ray players often depend on firmware upgrades to play newer discs. It's not happened so far, but what if the manufacturer decides to stop supporting the older players & does not release firmware upgrades?

 

[Clare Newsome]

The Denon's also unsuitable in this instance - OP needs a player that can decode HD audio and output via multichannel outs. The Denon doesn't offer that - only an HDMI connection:

Big Chris and Big boss have made some excellent suggestions above.

 

[strapped for cash]

Though I did qualify my suggestion by stating that the OP should only consider the 2500BT if they were upgrading their Arcam receiver, which according to their post they're doing in the near future.

As for comparing the Denon with the PS3, quite frankly there is no comparison -- the Denon trounces the PS3 in terms of sound and picture quality. This is also true in a head-to-head test against last year's Sony BDP-S370. I've directly compared the Denon against each of these and really don't understand, bigboss, how you can state that the PS3 performs as well in terms of sound and picture quality.

Besides, there are other forum members that have recently bought a 2500BT as an upgrade from more recent budget players and echo my views. I'm not trying to downplay the excellence of the other BDPs mentioned, but I am stating that the 2500BT offers a significant upgrade over newer budget models for relatively little outlay.

If the OP simply wants a fantastic 2D BDP for far less money than the other players noted above, I'm convinced they would be more than happy with the 2500BT. What money they save on a Blu-ray player could be put toward another receiver.

It's an option that the OP can consider, that's all. I'm not trying to annoy other forum members by making this suggestion.

 

[bigboss]

As I said, the comparison between the Denon & the PS3 is my own personal extensive one on my Kuro.

If others can find a difference, so be it.

Denon is only a transport. I can't see how it achieves sound improvements.

I've clearly mentioned that I haven't found any difference in blu-ray picture quality, & by that I mean 1080p/24 pictures. I haven't mentioned DVD upscaling. A quick googling will show that I'm not alone in my findings. Hence the need for an extensive demo.

 

[strapped for cash]

If we carry on down this road we'll become embroiled in a debate about the tranference of binary data, and I'd rather avoid that.

I was merely offering my own opinion, based on my own experiences. And I'll stand by my remarks about the 2500BT trouncing the PS3, based on my own extensive comparisons over several months, with a range of software from different formats.

Anyway, I'm not looking to start a row, I was just perturbed at the way my recommendation was summarily dismissed.

 

[bigboss]

I never dismissed your opinion. I merely mentioned my own experience. I also added the fact that if people can notice a difference, then they should go for it. Just goes on to show the importance of a proper demo.

I also have no interest in arguing about bitstreaming & decoding. It's neither going to change my opinion nor yours.

 

[strapped for cash]

Fair enough. The OP is free to contemplate or disregard my recommendation, though I'd suggest they read around before jumping to conclusions.

Of course one of the problems when considering older equipment is the near impossibility of an audition. In my case I took a leap of faith when buying the 2500BT. Fortunately, in this instance, that leap of faith was worthwhile, at least in my view, though it was a while after buying it that I really came to appreciate how much better a player it is compared with other BDPs I've owned.