Blu Ray DVD Players

[fruhike]

I am planning on a new Blu Ray DVD player and I was leaning toward the Panasonics. My TV has only 1 HDMI in, so I use a switcher for the inputs from my computer, DVD, and Xbox. I also run an optical audio out from the DVD to my receiver. I think I get better sound that way. I like this setup because I don’t always have to turn on the receiver to listen to the TV. Given that, do I really need the audio processing of the Panasonic BD-80 or can I just go with the BD-60? Thanks in advance.

60

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16882103416

80

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16882103419

[JohnnyB]

But if you want WiFi, there's all sorts of models out there from the mass market brands. Many have Wi-Fi and Netflix streaming for less than the BDP-80.

True, but the BDP-80 packs a lot of features for the audio enthusiast that aren't in the other wi-fi decks, including HDCD decoding, DVD-A and SACD playback, and onboard processing and analog output of the hi-def lossless surround codecs. That's why I mentioned the bridge kit--in case those other audio features are important as well.

You can also get a standalone Netflix streamer for $80-100. Netflix has the link to the vendor.

[fruhike]

If you download a lot of video, you may want to check out the WD TV Live as well. I got one of these a while ago and it is great for taking low quality clips and upconverting them for high def. Then you don't have to burnm the file first. It is great on large, HD files as well. NIN has some high def concerts (the gift) floating around on bit torrrent. That looked great on my TV - better than the HD Net concerts on Sunday.

http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Netw...N/dp/B002KKFP9Y

[Mike Lee]

True, but the BDP-80 packs a lot of features for the audio enthusiast that aren't in the other wi-fi decks, including HDCD decoding, DVD-A and SACD playback, and onboard processing and analog output of the hi-def lossless surround codecs. That's why I mentioned the bridge kit--in case those other audio features are important as well.

You can also get a standalone Netflix streamer for $80-100. Netflix has the link to the vendor.

Well, since I have an all-Oppo house, you know where I stand!

But a BDP-80 and an outboard streamer is pushing $400 which is more than I think he wanted to spend. You can get a WiFi Netflix 3D capable player for $200 now. The Blu-ray picture quality will be about the same (they all are), but you lose the SACD and DVD-A support. DVD upconversion on the BDP-80 is a toss up since it doesn't have the Anchor Bay processing of the BDP-83. Might be better or worse than another player, but still probably very good.

I use Apple Airport Express mini base stations as wireless repeaters in my house. They cost $100 each and extend the wireless range of my main base station, while also providing an ethernet port for non-wireless devices. So I just have one in each room near the Blu-ray player and run a cable to the player, and also to the AVR in my main system.

The BDP-80 is now probably the ideal "digital transport" for discs if you have high quality outboard audio/video processing.