OK, Now Which Panny BluRay...?

[Alec]

Out of the BD30 and 35 and the 50 and 55?

As long as im in my current flat, i wont be going surround sound, i shouldnt think. the most i would do is hook it up to my stereo speakers. It would also be used mostly for DVDs at the moment i think, but id like to see the odd "big" film in HD so it would be used for its main purpose.

i know there are some difference between these players where sound is concerned, but im hazy on the deatils, and i dont know much else about them, so i just wondered if someone can help me sum up the important differences. Natuarally, a lower spend is good, but id go for the pricier model if something swayed me.

 

[Andy Madden]

Hi al7478,

the 35 and 55 are a step above the older players when it comes to both picture and sound quality. While there's very little difference in picture quality between the 35 and 55, the 55 does sound better, although it is around £100 more expensive. If you're only going to be using it in stereo, then the 35 should suffice. It really depends what importance you'll place on sound quality now and in the future (if you ever upgrade to surround sound).

 

[Alec]

Many thanks Andy.

Well, theres little possibility odf me moving soon either, and ive always just used the tv as is in the past, sound-wise, so i gues even plugging it into my stereo speakers will be a big step up. i might consider some small actives in future specifically for the tv, depending on how things are when i get it - i dont think there'll be room. i mean, if i did get a bigger place id try to go surround, but that "if" is a huge one.

ive started to wonder, indeed, if i may not be content with the bd30, as its going for a song some places now.

are there any other spec differences (other than in sound) that i may want to keep in mind?

 

[Alec]

ncidentally, are there any ways of getting updates without connecting direct to the net? on disc, for instance?

and do they all perform well with dvds? mind, all i have now is a panny dvd-s52.

 

[Andy Madden]

The 35 is a better upscaler than the 30, so i'd go for the 35 if you watch a lot of DVDs. As i touched upon before the 55 is pretty similar when it comes to picture quality.

As for updates, some manufacturers do offer firmware upgrades that you can download from their website and place on a disc, but personally i'd prefer do it over the net. Much less hassle...ÿ

 

[Alec]

thanks again.

 

[Alec]

im finding these spec comparisons a nightmare lol!

im beginning to think id be ok with the bd30, but i then wonder if id benefit from the internet connectivity of the 35. i mean, would the firmware updates (the only reason id use the net connection i think) likely to be that important/impressive...?

 

[Alec]

tho, according to the chap in the shop today, panasonic put updates on the site for download, then you can burn them and put them on yor BRP. Nice.