Which Blu-ray player to buy?

[jeffc]

I'm really starting from scratch, will be getting a new TV and will buy a Blu-ray player to go with it. Getting the Sony 46" LCD.

What features should I be looking for? What brands are the most reliable or offer the best bang for the buck? Not looking to break the bank, and I often go entry level, provided I'm not going to be obsolete in a year.

thanks for the input.

[wprager]

If you go a bit bigger with the TV they often have package deals where you get a (somewhat matching) blu ray player. You should be able to find a Superbowl deal right now.

Personally, I got a PS3 to be my blu-ray player; it's one of the better ones going (fast, easy to upgrade, has built-in wireless and storage), lets you play games, stream some content from the internet, Netflix, your home PC. If you were to go that route, though, I highly recommend getting a PS3 Blu-Ray remote for movie playback functions.

[jeffc]

likely won't go the PS3 route, since I don't really want one (I will become an addict). Just looking for standard blu-ray.

[Mik]

Oppo BDP-83 (if you can find one) or BDP-93. Search the forums for more info on this player.

[TechieFreak]

Look for one that has DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance).

This feature allows you to stream music and video from any source in your house, as well as on the internet. So if you've downloaded a video on your laptop, you'd be able to watch it on your 46" Sony through your Bluray player.

If your PC is your main source for your MP3s, then you can listen to your favourite music, through the player over the speakers in your home theatre setup. You can also view your pictures that you took when the family went skating down the canal, and gorged themselves on a beaver tail.

It just gives you more flexibility on where your media is, and where you want to listen/watch.

[jeffc]

Thanks

Do lower end players have these?

I'm thinking to spend $150 ish

Cant see dropping $500 on an oppo

[JWonder]

I have a top of the line HD projector and surround sound system. I have some downloaded MKV and HD files I want to play on my projector, through a USB or what not. I also want to be able to play Bluray movies.

Regardless of price, which model would be the best for my situation?

[hugh]

Home Theatre Mag says the picture and video quality of virtually every BR player is excellent.

If you want to play downloaded files, I assume that PQ is not that important so I'd recommend a cheaper BLu-ray player and use the money you save to buy a Media Player like the Western Digital Live or Boxee box to play your torrents.

[lex_rx]

Regardless of price? You can get one of this:
http://www.goldmund.com/products/eidos_20bd

Or 17 of these:
http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-95

I think the second choice would suit your intended use better. Maybe you can buy two and send one to me. Why, I just saved you $15K!

Good luck and post back on what you get.

[Mark Burns]

I would recommend the $500 Oppo BDP-93. Technically the Oppo BDP-95 is a "better" player for some audio, but the BDP-93 is so much better than anything out there that I doubt many will hear the difference. I have a 13-month old BDP-83 that I am more than pleased with. The audio is awesome. It is my fourth Oppo, previouse DVD models including the 970, 971, and 980.

All play XVID just fine. The BDP-83 plays mkv/h264 from a flash drive, or DLNA, or FAT32 USB Hard disk. The current BDP-93 also has an e-SATA interface for NTFS disk support in addition to the BDP-83 capabiliies.

All blue-ray players play images well from blue-ray, but the Oppo is the complete package.

I am currently looking at the LG BD590 for my bedroom to replace an older Oppo 971 that is DVD only. This is because Oppo discontinued the BDP-80 and has not announced or released a BDP-90 yet for those less demanding rooms in my house.

Cheers...

[eXcessive]

I would also go with the Oppo BDP-93, I've ordered mine will get here in a couple weeks.

Oppo is widely considered to produce the best value player on the market.

[FLEW]

Originally Posted by Mark Burns

I would recommend the $500 Oppo BDP-93. Technically the Oppo BDP-95 is a "better" player for some audio, but the BDP-93 is so much better than anything out there that I doubt many will hear the difference. I have a 13-month old BDP-83 that I am more than pleased with. The audio is awesome. It is my fourth Oppo, previouse DVD models including the 970, 971, and 980.

All play XVID just fine. The BDP-83 plays mkv/h264 from a flash drive, or DLNA, or FAT32 USB Hard disk. The current BDP-93 also has an e-SATA interface for NTFS disk support in addition to the BDP-83 capabiliies.

All blue-ray players play images well from blue-ray, but the Oppo is the complete package.

I am currently looking at the LG BD590 for my bedroom to replace an older Oppo 971 that is DVD only. This is because Oppo discontinued the BDP-80 and has not announced or released a BDP-90 yet for those less demanding rooms in my house.

Cheers...

I completely agree with Mark.

I too, have gone the OPPO 971(DVD), BDP-83 and now just picked up the BDP-93.

Bang for the buck. They are unsurpassed.

[onetime]

I just purchased a 54 Panasonic VT25 and now plan to purchase a 3d Blue Ray player. I am not sure what to buy and do not what to go over $300. Any advice would be greatly apprecated.

Thank you and take care.............

[jasonreg]

Memory Express online store (they are an AB store), has killer deals on Panny 3Ds Blu-ray’s right now. Bought the BDT350 ($179 with free shipping with UPS) two days ago should arrive tomorrow. They also have the BDT100 for $129 free shipping. Great deals IMHO. Google Memory Express and hit the Home Electronics tab.

Good Luck!

[David Susilo]

I'm not too familiar with the Panasonic models. The 350 is the old one right?