Blue-ray Player ?

[admin_exported]

I presently have Loewe Individual Selection 32, Onkyo 606 AV Receiver and KEF 2005.3 7: 1 Surround Sound.

Unfortunately PS3 has packed up and am considering replacing with stand alone blue ray player.

Sould I go for the Panasonic BD55 or Loewe Blue ray player? Has anyone got any views.

Many thanks.

 

[True Blue]

Personally I would go for the Panasonic BD55 or the Sony 550 (i think, might be wrong on the model for the Sony). TBH though if it is just to watch BR and your Onk has HDMI inputs then one of the cheaper players BD35 or SOny 350 should be a good step up from the PS3. If the ONK only has multichannel inputs (analogue) then it would have to be the BD55.

 

[simonlewis]

The BD55 has been discontinued you will find it hard to get hold of, also the BD35 is soon to be replaced.

Two new models from panasonic the BD60 & BD80 available from amazon on april 1st.

 

[Anonymous]

Get the Pioneer 51. Has been highly rated by WHF and others.

 

[D.J.KRIME]

Personally I would hang tight for a wee while and wait for the new Panasonic's to hit the shops.

 

[Anonymous]

Panasonic BD55, if you are lucky enough to be able to get hold of one.

 

[Anonymous]

Recently got the Pioneer 51, having had a Pana BD30 for the last year or so. Significant improvement in every aspect. Can't recommend it highly enough. Also upscales DVD to a sublime quality.

 

[drummerman]

shuggieb:Recently got the Pioneer 51, having had a Pana BD30 for the last year or so. Significant improvement in every aspect. Can't recommend it highly enough. Also upscales DVD to a sublime quality.

I have the 51 and whilst it has outstanding picture (and sound as far as I can hear, though I do not use a surround system) if you need/want DTS MA or BD Live I would not recommend this player.

Pioneer has delayed the f/w update for DTS MA for many months and there is still no date as far as I know. I repeatedly asked WHS&V to get some confirmation from Pioneer for what is their recommended product in its respective category, to no avail!

As it stands I can't recommend this player, mostly because of pioneers lack of commitment to f/w updates. There have also been quite a few operational glitches, some due to the last firmware update, which have'nt been ironed out. I have to add that I have experienced no problems with mine (fw 1.17).

Imo buy Panasonic or the new Oppo.

 

[rob_981]

Since you have the Onkyo 606, which can decode hd audio, you don't need the blu ray player to do it. I can recommend the Sony BDP-S350, which can be yours for around £150 now I think. Cracking wee player.

 

[Anonymous]

£20.00 more and you will get the Pana BD-35, which is superior to the Sony S-350.