Blu-ray Player Recommendations

[alteredform]

I want to purchase a Blu-ray player....

Initially I was leaning toward the LG BD390 or the Oppo BDP-83 or *possibly* a PS3...

I would like the following.... (if possible - I am willing to sacrifice some areas to get an "overall better player")

Great Video (both Blu-ray & DVD)
Quality Audio
Netflix Streaming
Pandora & Youtube would be a plus as well...

Is there a general "best bet" amongst the forum members here? I've read a lot of the cnet reviews as well as other places/forums. Each appears to have its own shortcomings.

Thoughts or Recommendations?

 

[sdifox]

what is your display?

 

[alteredform]

Samsung Series 6 LCD Flat Panel... I think the model number is LN52A650 - It's 52 inches... I could get the model number, but it is mounted on the wall and I really don't feel like looking for the manual...

Does that help?

 

[smitbret]

I want to purchase a Blu-ray player....

Initially I was leaning toward the LG BD390 or the Oppo BDP-83 or *possibly* a PS3...

I would like the following.... (if possible - I am willing to sacrifice some areas to get an "overall better player")

Great Video (both Blu-ray & DVD)
Quality Audio
Netflix Streaming
Pandora & Youtube would be a plus as well...

Is there a general "best bet" amongst the forum members here? I've read a lot of the cnet reviews as well as other places/forums. Each appears to have its own shortcomings.

Thoughts or Recommendations?

I have a PS3 that I use for my media hub (never gamed with it). There's really only two reasons I can see for getting the LG over a PS3, integrated Wireless N and Netflix streams without having to put a DVD in the player. I have my PS3 hooked up to a wireless N bridge, so there are workarounds for that. They both work about the same everywhere else, but the PS3 gives you a few more options and is far less likely to be outdated in the future. If you can get over those two shortcomings, the PS3 is the better choice.

As far as PS3 vs. Oppo, that just depends on whether you need the best Blu-Ray player available or one that does the job really well. The Oppo upconverts standard DVDs better than the PS3 does, but only a "trained professional" will be able to tell the difference with Blu-Ray. The Oppo has a few more features, especially as far as audio output goes (from what I understand), but I haven't had a need for anything the PS3 doesn't do.

 

[sdifox]

Samsung Series 6 LCD Flat Panel... I think the model number is LN52A650 - It's 52 inches... I could get the model number, but it is mounted on the wall and I really don't feel like looking for the manual...

Does that help?

what about on the audio side?

 

[alteredform]

Harmon Kardon AVR 7200
Ascend Acoustics Front, Center, and Rear
HSU STF-2

 

[sdifox]

Harmon Kardon AVR 7200
Ascend Acoustics Front, Center, and Rear
HSU STF-2

OK, I would go with a Samsung player so you can at least consolidate the player and tv remote. Unless you are planning on an uber remote anyway.

Oppo if you got the cash. Lexicon if you are loaded and stupid :awe:

 

[s44]

Under $200: Samsung 1600. Does streaming, and re-encodes DD lossless to DTS, allowing max 1.5mbps bandwidth instead of the 640k of DD. (If you want to make things simple and just use optical/coax.)

$500: Oppo 83. No streaming, but excellent multichannel analog and DVD upscaling. (Though honestly a 52" at wall-mount distance is probably too small to notice much.)

In between: LG 390. Streaming, multichannel analog, and better scaling than the Samsung (but see disclaimer above), though the latter two aren't up to Oppo standards. Also re-encodes like the Samsung if you don't want to mess around with analog multichannel (which has its quirks). Built-in wireless N makes it a good deal if you want to use this (but wired network connection is better).

The PS3 is great if you have an all-HDMI setup, but in this case...

 

[mshan]

MSRP $289: http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-80/

 

[leon2006]

PS3 is still the most recommended Blue Ray player with a lot of added multimedia functionality. Sony also made an announcement that firmware update will enable PS3 to run Blue-Ray 3d HD movies. Of course one has to purchase 3d-capable HDTV which are due to come out mid this year.

Even disregarding the future 3D movie capability PS3 is a very cost effective Blue-Ray Player.

 

[alteredform]

I *would* consider a samsung player, but the reviews make it appear to be awful... I think I am leaning toward the PS3.

 

[Leyawiin]

Sony BDP-N460 if PS3 games aren't a big concern. If they aren't you might as well save the $100.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-BDP-N460...ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=tv&qid=1264440116&sr=1-3