We've had a Samsung BD-P1400 for two months now and we give it the thumbs up! The Samsung gives us a beautiful picture on our 37in Panasonic TX-37LZD70 and accompanying glorious sound. The Samung, unlike all other current Blu-ray players available in the UK, decodes ALL HiDef audio types internally and as a consequence can route DolbyTrueHD and DTS-HD High Resolution / Master Audio through both HDMI (up to eight channels) or via the phono leads on the back (up to six channels).
Apart from a couple of computer monitors, we had never purchased Samsung products before. We are very impressed! Great value for money.
We too were on a budget and couldn't afford an expensive mistake, so the Samsung ticked all the boxes for us. We don't really care for connecting a player to the internet or picture in picture, just sublime picture and sound quality. We got that for only £319 at Richer Sounds. Now the Samsung can be purchased at Play.com for only £229. If you are on a budget then we heartily recommend the Samsung BD-P1400 for all the reasons stated above (and more).
The
Rush Hour 3 Blu-ray disc does have picture in picture, and the Samsung decodes that faultlessly, so who needs Profile 1.1 anyway?
Go and audition the player at your local Richer Sounds and see (and hear) what you think?
On the new player front, Samsung will have the BD-P1500 out in a couple of months, which will officially be able to decode picture in picture and other gimmicks! Sorry, for us only the highest quality picture, sound, reliability and value for money matter!
The new Panasonic DMP-BD30 should be out, possibly late February. I was told by Panasonic that the price is to be confirmed, but expect an initial UK price (subject to currency stability) to be in the region of £399 or £349. The 'street' price is likely to be £299 or less! Rather disappointing, the DMP-BD30 can't decode the HiDef audio formats internally, it can only pass them to an Amplifier/Reciever (via HDMI) to said units that can decode! Only standard DD or DTS 5.1 can be output via optical/coaxial. LCPM 5.1 or converted DD/DTS 5.1 via six phonos!
The Samsung BD-P1400 (and BD-P1500) can (will) internally decode HiDef audio and route via HDMI or phonos!
Andrew, having not reviewed the Samsung BD-P1400 how did you come to the conclusion not to consider one now? If someone is on a budget and ideally only wants one machine now, then the Samsung BD-P1400 fits the bill. Buying an upscaling DVD player in these circumstances is not the best use of limited funds?
Maybe there are better dedicated upscaling DVD players out there, but they don't give you access to Blu-ray right now!
P.S. We also have a Pioneer DV-600AV for standard DVDs, SACD and DVD-Audio (LPCM) playback. It is a matter of personal opinion, that the DV-600AV just has the edge on standard DVD playback. If you've never seen DVDs upscaled to 1080p, then the even the Samsung BD-P1400 will delight, we're sure, but most of all, you have instant access to 100s of Blu-ray discs from the UK/Europe and many US/Canadian ones too that are not regionally coded.
Check this site for multi region playback of US/Canadian discs....
http://bluray.liesinc.net/