Should I upgrade my Blu-Ray Player to match new TV ?

[admin_exported]

Hello all, I'm very new to all this and hoping some of you may be able to offer a bit of advice please.

I am taking delivery of my new TV on Wednesday (Sony KDL46HX853) my outgoing model is the Sony KDL46V3000. I currently have the Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-Ray player and I'm wanting to know if it is worth upgrading (possibly to the Sony S790) ?

I've not had any problems with the Panasonic but just wondered if a newer player would make a significant / noticeable difference ? I am looking particular at the clarity of picture on (2D) Blu-Ray discs.

Any help would be most appreciated !

Cheers.

 

[hammill]

Don't waste your money, it is unlikely you would see any differance.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

They say the bigger the TV the better for picture quality differences. At 46 inches it's a tough one, I have heard some people recommend at least 50 inches. Probably demo for sure, but then there is which player, some people can see differences some can't. I personally don't know of a player to recommend currently on the market. A lot go the second hand route, I am not saying you should though.

 

[bigboss]

In my experience, there's no appreciable difference in 1080p/24 video playback (I.e. blu ray picture) between budget & expensive blu-ray players when I compared on my 50-inch Kuro.

But there are other benefits to be had with the Sony S790: superior DVD upscaling and the Internet smart features. Besides, the disc loading time will be significantly faster as well.

Why don't you take your player to a specialist dealer, & compare the picture quality with the S790?

 

[relocated]

As BB said, Why don't you take your player to a specialist dealer, & compare the picture quality with the S790?

Excellent idea and then you can decide if you can tell the difference and if the other features are useful to you and worth the outlay.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Hello all, I'm very new to all this and hoping some of you may be able to offer a bit of advice please.

I am taking delivery of my new TV on Wednesday (Sony KDL46HX853) my outgoing model is the Sony KDL46V3000. I currently have the Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-Ray player and I'm wanting to know if it is worth upgrading (possibly to the Sony S790) ?

I've not had any problems with the Panasonic but just wondered if a newer player would make a significant / noticeable difference ? I am looking particular at the clarity of picture on (2D) Blu-Ray discs.

Any help would be most appreciated !

Cheers.

If you are taking delivery of the Sony 46hx823 TV they are already throwing in a free Sony Blu-ray player with that TV, experiment with that one.

 

[strapped for cash]

In my experience, there's no appreciable difference in 1080p/24 video playback (I.e. blu ray picture) between budget & expensive blu-ray players

Well, here's one of those things we don't agree on, as the difference in quality between the PS3 and Denon DVD2500BT is glaring to my eyes...

I'm not sure the 790 can be described as an expensive BDP, even though it sits at the top of Sony's 2012 range. Sony is of course not competing with the likes of Oppo, Denon and Marantz with its Blu-ray players. I agree that the OP can only be sure by comparing his current BDP with a newer model.

If our difference of opinion on the quality of images from different Blu-ray spinners proves one thing, it's that there's no consensus on the quality of images offered by high-end Blu-ray players. This makes auditioning and comparing kit even more of a priority.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

In my experience, there's no appreciable difference in 1080p/24 video playback (I.e. blu ray picture) between budget & expensive blu-ray players

Well, here's one of those things we don't agree on, as the difference in quality between the PS3 and Denon DVD2500BT is glaring to my eyes...

I'm not sure the 790 can be described as an expensive BDP, even though it sits at the top of Sony's 2012 range. Sony is of course not competing with the likes of Oppo, Denon and Marantz with its Blu-ray players. I agree that the OP can only be sure by comparing his current BDP with a newer model.

If our difference of opinion on the quality of images from different Blu-ray spinners proves one thing, it's that there's no consensus on the quality of images offered by high-end Blu-ray players. This makes auditioning and comparing kit even more of a priority.

One thing I noticed about the Denon is that it shows up more grain than my Pioneer or Sony Blu-ray players, so I think this means it is picking up more content on the disc!

 

[Anonymous]

Thankyou for all your advice - I think I'll take you up on it and drop into a specialist store to test the Panasonic against the Sony and see for myself if there are any (noticeable) differences in picture quality.

(Gel) I'm not getting the Sony Blu-Ray player as part of the deal as they were willing to reduce the price further if I left it out of the equation. Just wanted the TV at maximum discount really.

Interesting to hear that you all pretty much agree on the point that I probably won't see a significant change in picture quality. I'm guessing it's mainly audio quality that improves the further up the pricing scale you go.

Thanks again, I'll be back for advice with my amplifier next...

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Thankyou for all your advice - I think I'll take you up on it and drop into a specialist store to test the Panasonic against the Sony and see for myself if there are any (noticeable) differences in picture quality.

(Gel) I'm not getting the Sony Blu-Ray player as part of the deal as they were willing to reduce the price further if I left it out of the equation. Just wanted the TV at maximum discount really.

Interesting to hear that you all pretty much agree on the point that I probably won't see a significant change in picture quality. I'm guessing it's mainly audio quality that improves the further up the pricing scale you go.

Thanks again, I'll be back for advice with my amplifier next...

Ah nice one! That is what I would have done too! My favourite Blu-ray player is the Pioneer 71 I see a clearer, cleaner image compared to cheap Sony ones. Problem is you now can only get it on eBay! Motion is great too.

 

[bigboss]

In my experience, there's no appreciable difference in 1080p/24 video playback (I.e. blu ray picture) between budget & expensive blu-ray players

Well, here's one of those things we don't agree on, as the difference in quality between the PS3 and Denon DVD2500BT is glaring to my eyes...

This is the variability in user experience which is why a demo is absolutely necessary to see if you can check for improvements yourself. Even the reviewers differ on this. Check What Hi Fi reviews vs AV forums reviews for example. So it's not only viewers with limited experience, experts differ on this subject as well.

 

[hammill]

In my experience, there's no appreciable difference in 1080p/24 video playback (I.e. blu ray picture) between budget & expensive blu-ray players

Well, here's one of those things we don't agree on, as the difference in quality between the PS3 and Denon DVD2500BT is glaring to my eyes...

I'm not sure the 790 can be described as an expensive BDP, even though it sits at the top of Sony's 2012 range. Sony is of course not competing with the likes of Oppo, Denon and Marantz with its Blu-ray players. I agree that the OP can only be sure by comparing his current BDP with a newer model.

If our difference of opinion on the quality of images from different Blu-ray spinners proves one thing, it's that there's no consensus on the quality of images offered by high-end Blu-ray players. This makes auditioning and comparing kit even more of a priority.

One thing I noticed about the Denon is that it shows up more grain than my Pioneer or Sony Blu-ray players, so I think this means it is picking up more content on the disc!

Is that what you think? Oh dear.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

In my experience, there's no appreciable difference in 1080p/24 video playback (I.e. blu ray picture) between budget & expensive blu-ray players

Well, here's one of those things we don't agree on, as the difference in quality between the PS3 and Denon DVD2500BT is glaring to my eyes...

I'm not sure the 790 can be described as an expensive BDP, even though it sits at the top of Sony's 2012 range. Sony is of course not competing with the likes of Oppo, Denon and Marantz with its Blu-ray players. I agree that the OP can only be sure by comparing his current BDP with a newer model.

If our difference of opinion on the quality of images from different Blu-ray spinners proves one thing, it's that there's no consensus on the quality of images offered by high-end Blu-ray players. This makes auditioning and comparing kit even more of a priority.

One thing I noticed about the Denon is that it shows up more grain than my Pioneer or Sony Blu-ray players, so I think this means it is picking up more content on the disc!

Is that what you think? Oh dear.

No it is not what I think, it is what I have heard others say! But I have definitely seen more grain on different Blu-ray players for sure! How would you explain this then?

 

[bigboss]

One thing I noticed about the Denon is that it shows up more grain than my Pioneer or Sony Blu-ray players, so I think this means it is picking up more content on the disc!

....or it means that the Denon isn't as sharp as the Pioneer or the Sony!

 

[hammill]

In my experience, there's no appreciable difference in 1080p/24 video playback (I.e. blu ray picture) between budget & expensive blu-ray players

Well, here's one of those things we don't agree on, as the difference in quality between the PS3 and Denon DVD2500BT is glaring to my eyes...

I'm not sure the 790 can be described as an expensive BDP, even though it sits at the top of Sony's 2012 range. Sony is of course not competing with the likes of Oppo, Denon and Marantz with its Blu-ray players. I agree that the OP can only be sure by comparing his current BDP with a newer model.

If our difference of opinion on the quality of images from different Blu-ray spinners proves one thing, it's that there's no consensus on the quality of images offered by high-end Blu-ray players. This makes auditioning and comparing kit even more of a priority.

One thing I noticed about the Denon is that it shows up more grain than my Pioneer or Sony Blu-ray players, so I think this means it is picking up more content on the disc!

Is that what you think? Oh dear.

No it is not what I think, it is what I have heard others say! But I have definitely seen more grain on different Blu-ray players for sure! How would you explain this then?

Let me start by saying that if a blu-ray player is not capable of reading the data on a disc then you will get strange picture artifacts and/or weird noises or it wont work.. I have seen the first two happen with freeview and freesat but never with blu- ray or DVD. I have had DVDs and Blu-rays not work, but that has always been fixed when I cleaned the childrens finger print s off. A blu-ray player wont be selective at reading data so the idea that some blu-ray player will read the bits that signify grain and some wont but they both get the rest of the picture is daft to me. IF the picture is different in such a dramatic way then it is how the data is processed that is different, not the data that is read.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

One thing I noticed about the Denon is that it shows up more grain than my Pioneer or Sony Blu-ray players, so I think this means it is picking up more content on the disc!

....or it means that the Denon isn't as sharp as the Pioneer or the Sony!

That's how I would explain it, cheers BB! Blu-ray players do have different noise components inside though. And my Pioneer has noise reduction components inside and when comparing it with a Cambridge Audio Blu-ray player, the Cambridge was more grainy than my Pioneer, my Pioneer was showing a clearer less grainy picture, I can only just see it if I try but on the Cambridge one it was off putting, as my niece described it the picture was fuzzy!

 

[Deleted member 2457]

In my experience, there's no appreciable difference in 1080p/24 video playback (I.e. blu ray picture) between budget & expensive blu-ray players

Well, here's one of those things we don't agree on, as the difference in quality between the PS3 and Denon DVD2500BT is glaring to my eyes...

I'm not sure the 790 can be described as an expensive BDP, even though it sits at the top of Sony's 2012 range. Sony is of course not competing with the likes of Oppo, Denon and Marantz with its Blu-ray players. I agree that the OP can only be sure by comparing his current BDP with a newer model.

If our difference of opinion on the quality of images from different Blu-ray spinners proves one thing, it's that there's no consensus on the quality of images offered by high-end Blu-ray players. This makes auditioning and comparing kit even more of a priority.

One thing I noticed about the Denon is that it shows up more grain than my Pioneer or Sony Blu-ray players, so I think this means it is picking up more content on the disc!

Is that what you think? Oh dear.

No it is not what I think, it is what I have heard others say! But I have definitely seen more grain on different Blu-ray players for sure! How would you explain this then?

Let me start by saying that if a blu-ray player is not capable of reading the data on a disc then you will get strange picture artifacts and/or weird noises or it wont work.. I have seen the first two happen with freeview and freesat but never with blu- ray or DVD. I have had DVDs and Blu-rays not work, but that has always been fixed when I cleaned the childrens finger print s off. A blu-ray player wont be selective at reading data so the idea that some blu-ray player will read the bits that signify grain and some wont but they both get the rest of the picture is daft to me. IF the picture is different in such a dramatic way then it is how the data is processed that is different, not the data that is read.

Yep, definitely agree, my Pioneer does a great job at this to my eyes, I have also added a bit above, but this can dramtically change the picture people can see. For sure Blu-ray players are different.

 

[f1only]

Personally the only difference i can see on my Sony BDP-S790 over my older Pioneer BDP320 player is faster loading times & a few gimmics.

More importantly the picture & audio quality seem about equal, except in 3D that the Pioneer does not play. I cant of course comment on the 4K upscaling & niether can the What Hifi review as they did not test it, be interesting to see if they ever do.

I think you would have to spend at least a £100 more to get a substantial improvement over the Sony. I paid £159.94 for mine in a package deal including a 5 year warranty.

 

[Craig M.]

Interesting test on tonights Gadget show! 3 bluray players ranging from £60 (Toshiba) to £800 (think that was the price - C.A. 751), all playing the same HD footage on 3 identical TVs at the same time. No difference whatsoever was the verdict.

 

[simonlewis]

Yes i saw TGS as well.

 

[dariushifi]

Following my experience with 3 different blue ray players (linked up to the same TV)I have to say that there is a difference between them. And differences start to show up if you watch very colour rich fast moving picture. For instance my previous Sony BDP S580 was not able to handle it at all. It was leaving annoying pixelated shadows. DVD upscaling is another aspect to look for. ( if you have a lot of DVDs). My Denon highlighted these differences in a such way that even my wife was first to tell me what a difference it makes. (she kept mixing ordinary DVDs with Blue Ray discs. )

I remember Sony and Philips pictures used to be very dark. And little options to adjust a picture. For instants Denon has 7 options just for brightness. Other tweaks allowed me to adjust picture for my room and my taste making watching Saturday evening movie a treat.

You have to judge yourself. Try to demo fast action scenes with bright colours. Avoid cartoons as they are easy to handle and difference is not that apparent. The same to be said about slowly moving nature sceneries very common in the shops (no wonder why).

 

[richardw42]

Yeah, saw that.

I'd been debating whether to swap my Denon out for my Sony 570 because of Lovefilm. I couldn't see a difference and this does seem to back that up.

 

[daveh75]

Interesting test on tonights Gadget show! 3 bluray players ranging from £60 (Toshiba) to £800 (think that was the price - C.A. 751), all playing the same HD footage on 3 identical TVs at the same time. No difference whatsoever was the verdict.

How was the test conducted?

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Interesting test on tonights Gadget show! 3 bluray players ranging from £60 (Toshiba) to £800 (think that was the price - C.A. 751), all playing the same HD footage on 3 identical TVs at the same time. No difference whatsoever was the verdict.

I get why some don't see differences, my Pioneer is very similar to the new cheap Sony Blu-ray players, it is only when you look closely do you start to pick them apart, then the differences become obvious. The Gadget Show are really a bunch of clowns! The differences I saw between my Pioneer and the new cheap Sony Blu-ray players I saw were the Sony gave off a dirty screen effect on my Pioneer 5090 and the Pioneer 71 was as clean as a whistle the image, when you started to look out for this the quality of image started to stand out greatly!

 

[strapped for cash]

Taken to its logical conclusion, the argument that there is no dictinction between BDPs in terms of Blu-ray performance would mean that all players, irrespective of price, should receive five star reviews.

I know reviewers take all aspects of performance into consideration, including upscaling, loading times, and internet features, but in terms of a BDP's primary function, print should read exactly the same across all reviews when describing each machine's Blu-ray playback capabilities, which of course it doesn't.

I fear we're getting into similar territory to cable debates, which never end well. In my view, there are probably aspects of processing that account for differences in performance, and the BDP perceived to be the best may not produce images with the least amount of processing applied.

In any case, it's happy days all round, since we'll each buy whichever BDP we think delivers an appropriate level of performance for our needs and budget.