Choosing a Blu Ray player

[admin_exported]

I have a Pioneer VSX-AX4ASi-S receiver (with 4 HDMI ports), Pioneer PDP-435FDE plasma display, AE Aego T surround speakers. I want to know what the best blu ray player is to go for with this system.

I am considering the Pioneer BDP-51FD or the Panasonic DMP-BD55. I could potentially spend more and go for the Denon DV-2500BT but am not sure I would benefit from paying the extra with my system.

Both sound and picture quality are equally important. I want something that is good for CDs and fairly quick to load up also. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

Better hurry up if you want the Panasonic 55, as it's now discontinued. Good time to grab a bargain thou, if you can find one.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Well, your receiver will not decode HD Audio, so you need a Blu-ray player than can decode the formats itself - that rules out both lower-end Blu-ray players plus the Denon transport, which is expressly designed to work with an HD Audio-decoding amp/receiver.

The Panasonic decodes everything out of the box, but the Pioneer is awaiting a firmware upgrade to enable it to decode DTS Master Audio - no biggie, the latter, and I wouldn't particularly let it put you off a superb player, which certainly pips the excellent Panasonic for music replay.

You also need to consider that, AFAIK, your Pioneer plasma - although HD Ready - does not natively support the 24fps frame rate of Blu-ray, which means you could experience judder in certain scenes (eg slow pans).

There are also a ton of new BD options just about to appear, so you may wish to wait a month or so to make your decision, unless you're desparate to buy!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your advice Clare,

In view of the Pioneer plasma not supporting 24fps do you think I'm better off not buying a Blu Ray player and sticking with my Denon 1940 DVD player? I cannot see myself upgrading my plasma until it goes wrong!

If I do go ahead with a Blu ray I think the Pioneer would be best but I would wait for the 2.0 firmware upgrade which I understand will come out in a few months.

What do you think?

 

[Sorreltiger]

If you want to try out Blu-ray with your existing kit, not spending TOO much, I would be tempted by the Sony BDP-550 - there are some excellent deals at the moment.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Dan Mathews:
Thanks for your advice Clare,

In view of the Pioneer plasma not supporting 24fps do you think I'm better off not buying a Blu Ray player and sticking with my Denon 1940 DVD player? I cannot see myself upgrading my plasma until it goes wrong!

If I do go ahead with a Blu ray I think the Pioneer would be best but I would wait for the 2.0 firmware upgrade which I understand will come out in a few months.

What do you think?

Only you can judge whether the potential 24fps-related judder is an occasional annoyance you can live with or something that drives you insane. Any chance you can borrow a Pioneer player to try out (from your friendly neighbourhood retailer perhaps)?

 

[Sliced Bread]

Clare Newsome:Dan Mathews:
Thanks for your advice Clare,

In view of the Pioneer plasma not supporting 24fps do you think I'm better off not buying a Blu Ray player and sticking with my Denon 1940 DVD player? I cannot see myself upgrading my plasma until it goes wrong!

If I do go ahead with a Blu ray I think the Pioneer would be best but I would wait for the 2.0 firmware upgrade which I understand will come out in a few months.

What do you think?

Only you can judge whether the potential 24fps-related judder is an occasional annoyance you can live with or something that drives you insane. Any chance you can borrow a Pioneer player to try out (from your friendly neighbourhood retailer perhaps)?

Does this mean that the 24fps cannot be turned off for incompatible screens and is that true of all 24fps players? That is quite an oversight if that is the case. Or am I misunderstanding you, and the judder you are refering to is simply referring to the normal refresh rate of a non 24fps screen?

 

[Anonymous]

Clare!

Re 24fps, does this apply to projectors also? I bought the little H56, entirely on the strength of the mag's reviews and have not regretted it. I am also in the market for a new disc player and could afford, but cannot justify the cost, of the Big Denon so had settled for the Panasonic BD55 but it seems they are all gone now so am now considering the Pioneer 51. However, I am beginning to wonder if I might not be better off with an up-market DVD player with the best up-scaling. Any thoughts?

John

P.S. Are there any instructions/explanations on how to use the various features of the Forums?