Which Blu-Ray Player is (will be) for me?

[luclin999]

I am the first to admit that since getting out of the retail game, I am no longer fully up to speed on all the latest and greatest upcoming Blu-Ray players.

While there aren't a whole lot of Hi-Def movies exclusively on Blu-Ray that I want right now, there are several that I expect will be hitting shelves by the end of the year that will fall into the "must have" category for me.

So I am looking for help sorting through all the various Blu-Ray models both on the market and in development to narrow the search to just the ones which will fit my needs.

My list of requirements is:

- Must internally decode all audio formats.
- Must have at least 5.1 analog output jacks.
- Must work with my existing Harmony remote without extra gear.
- Should be Reliable.
- Reasonably fast start/load times (preferably less than 1 minute if possible but understand this may not be possible at this time.).
- 2.0 spec would be nice (but could live with 1.0).

Since it will probably be closer to November before the movies I want will be released, I have a bit of time which is why I figured I would start my research now so I can be ready when the time comes.

So far the only players that I am aware of which can do what I am asking are:

-Sony BDP-S550 - MSRP: $499 (profile 2.0)
-Pioneer Elite BDP-51FD - MSRP: $599 (profile 1.1)
-Marantz BD 8002 - MSRP: $1999 (ouch!) (Profile 1.1)

Right now, it looks like the Sony player will be the best price/match to what I want but am I missing anything?

[Double_Tap]

Try and take a look here:

Blu-ray Players

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by luclin999

I am the first to admit that since getting out of the retail game, I am no longer fully up to speed on all the latest and greatest upcoming Blu-Ray players.

While there aren't a whole lot of Hi-Def movies exclusively on Blu-Ray that I want right now, there are several that I expect will be hitting shelves by the end of the year that will fall into the "must have" category for me.

So I am looking for help sorting through all the various Blu-Ray models both on the market and in development to narrow the search to just the ones which will fit my needs.

My list of requirements is:

- Must internally decode all audio formats.
- Must have at least 5.1 analog output jacks.
- Must work with my existing Harmony remote without extra gear.
- Should be Reliable.
- Reasonably fast start/load times (preferably less than 1 minute if possible but understand this may not be possible at this time.).
- 2.0 spec would be nice (but could live with 1.0).

Since it will probably be closer to November before the movies I want will be released, I have a bit of time which is why I figured I would start my research now so I can be ready when the time comes.

So far the only players that I am aware of which can do what I am asking are:

-Sony BDP-S550 - MSRP: $499 (profile 2.0)
-Pioneer Elite BDP-51FD - MSRP: $599 (profile 1.1)
-Marantz BD 8002 - MSRP: $1999 (ouch!) (Profile 1.1)

Right now, it looks like the Sony player will be the best price/match to what I want but am I missing anything?

You are missing:
The Panasonic BD50 MSRP $699 (streeting for around $599) and is alredy for sale at some stores
The upcoming Samsung 2500 (no word on MSRP).

There are more options if you had a receiver that was HDMI 1.3 capable, or if you were willing to sacrifice DTS-HD-MA internal decoding.

[bujee1]

It's ironic. With the last update my Samsung 5000 has all of that.

[luclin999]

Originally Posted by bujee1

It's ironic. With the last update my Samsung 5000 has all of that.

I thought that the 5000 could only stream DTS-HD HR & DTS-HD MA, not decode them internally. If that has changed, I may have to look to see if I can find one on clearance around here.

[luclin999]

Originally Posted by ack_bak

There are more options if you had a receiver that was HDMI 1.3 capable, or if you were willing to sacrifice DTS-HD-MA internal decoding.

While I can convince my wife of the need for a Blu-Ray player (once there are enough movies out on it we wish to watch) she wouldn't understand the "need" to buy a new A/V Receiver at the same time since the one I have still works.