generic blu ray question

hello everyone!

i know this same question is posed very often, but im wondering what blu ray player would be best for me.

i have a 50in. panny plasma the s1 model.
a samsung home theater system ,not sure the model though.
and an xbox 360.

i dont need the netflix features due to the xbox. i own many dvd's so id like to have one with good upconversion capabilities. and hopefully a good durable unit. i'd like to stay around the $200 range and would be willing to go out blackfriday if i know the model number to look for.

any help would be appreciated

thanks in advance

hello everyone!

i know this same question is posed very often, but im wondering what blu ray player would be best for me.

i have a 50in. panny plasma the s1 model.
a samsung home theater system ,not sure the model though.
and an xbox 360.

i dont need the netflix features due to the xbox. i own many dvd's so id like to have one with good upconversion capabilities. and hopefully a good durable unit. i'd like to stay around the $200 range and would be willing to go out blackfriday if i know the model number to look for.

any help would be appreciated

thanks in advance

Does your Samsung receiver use analog or HDMI connections? I ask because if it doesn't have HDMI then you will need a BD player that internally decodes TrueHD and Master Audio rather than a player that does not.

Does your Samsung receiver use analog or HDMI connections? I ask because if it doesn't have HDMI then you will need a BD player that internally decodes TrueHD and Master Audio rather than a player that does not.

my rciever has an hdmi output but it puts out 480 only. i found my model number, this thing is gettin old but it sounds good still, the model is HT-q70.

again thanks for any help

Looks like your setup doesn't offer any video inputs Samsung HT Q70 (http://reviews.cnet.com/audio-system-components/samsung-ht-q70-home/4507-6462_7-31884412.html?tag=mncol;psum)

You will need to connect the video output of a bluray player, like the $197 Sony BDP-S360 (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10973178&findingMethod=rr), directly to your tv and connect the optical output from the bluray player to the optical input of your Samsung.
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/02/72/42/76/0002724276572_500X500.jpg

It looks like you only have one optical input, if you are already using that for your XBOX then you will also need a splitter like this (http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-Toslink-Digital-Selector/dp/B0002OF2FC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1256949770&sr=8-5) one for $20.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21QNAYN1S0L._SL500_AA212_.jpg
:) :2cents

Go for it!

I just installed and calibrated the same display that you mentioned along with a Panasonic BD60 BD Player (which Amazon sells from time to time for around $149), for a friend of mine and the picture looks excellent!

Even if you cannot take advantage of the lossless audio, the core audio will still sound very good.

Looks like your setup doesn't offer any video inputs Samsung HT Q70 (http://reviews.cnet.com/audio-system-components/samsung-ht-q70-home/4507-6462_7-31884412.html?tag=mncol;psum)

You will need to connect the video output of a bluray player, like the $197 Sony BDP-S360 (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10973178&findingMethod=rr), directly to your tv and connect the optical output from the bluray player to the optical input of your Samsung.
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/02/72/42/76/0002724276572_500X500.jpg

It looks like you only have one optical input, if you are already using that for your XBOX then you will also need a splitter like this (http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-Toslink-Digital-Selector/dp/B0002OF2FC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1256949770&sr=8-5) one for $20.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21QNAYN1S0L._SL500_AA212_.jpg
:) :2cents

So thats what a HDMI splitter looks like. Never seen one before, thanks.

So thats what a HDMI splitter looks like. Never seen one before, thanks.
That is not an HDMI splitter.

Toffog's unit doesn't have any HDMI inputs, so for him to get sound he has to use the optical input on his Samsung (Optical, Toslink, S/DIF) all the same thing.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/TOSLINK.jpg/180px-TOSLINK.jpg

An HDMI splitter would be something like this (http://www.amazon.com/3-Port-Smart-HDMI-Switch/dp/B0015YWKYY/ref=pd_cp_e_0) with 3 HDMI inputs to 1 HDMI output. :)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/312CF1OxDLL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

well thank you! i appreciate the info. especially about the audio input. so this sony is a good durable player? ive purchased other products from them (an older tube tv and and mp3 player) and had some bad luck. i was hoping a panasonic model would be good so that i could make use of the vierra link that they keep bragging about but from what i have read. the newest line of players seem to have quite a few issues. i just want a good easy to use quality player...

thanks again for the help

well thank you! i appreciate the info. especially about the audio input. so this sony is a good durable player? i was hoping a panasonic model would be good so that i could make use of the vierra link that they keep bragging about but from what i have read.
Your welcome.

The Sony was just an example.

Like dsskid mentioned you could get the Panasonic DMP-BD60 at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMP-BD60-Blu-ray-Player-Black/dp/B001V9LA44/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257145471&sr=8-1) which is currently selling it for $139.60 with free shipping.

Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_133BD60K/Panasonic-DMP-BD60K.html?tp=171) is offering the DMP-BD60K for $169.99, not sure what the difference between the "K" and non K model is. :what:

Like dsskid mentioned you could get the Panasonic DMP-BD60. Crutchfield is offering the DMP-BD60K for $169.99, not sure what the difference between the "K" and non K model is.The BD60 has a random freezing problem where the video may stop for a few seconds periodically. The freeze acts like a layer change.

K means black.

ok i was just curious about if you thought the sony was a best bet. i had read that the bd-60's froze a lot so i was probably going to avoid that player just to avoid headaches cause usually if something goes wrong with electronics it happens to the ones i decide to buy... luck me

Just make sure you avoid Samsung BD players since they have had a history of delays in firmware updates that make some new BD movie releases not play without it, and they have a history of their firmware updates not being the greatest and causing problems when you do them too.

Not sure about the latest Samsung models but only time will tell and why take the chance? ;)

Staying within your $200 price range for a blu-ray player, the Toshiba BDX2000 is available for $188.79 with free shipping from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-BDX2000-1080p-Blu-ray-Player/dp/B002SJYDQ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257242468&sr=1-1).

I can't find in the way of much reviews on it because it is so new.

If it is going to be anything like my Toshiba HDDVD player, then it should be a solid option for a Blu-ray player under the $200 limit.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/09/blu-ray-player-bdx2000-rmeng11.jpg
Engadet (http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/03/toshiba-bdx2000-blu-ray-player-coming-november-for-250-gives-h/)

That is not an HDMI splitter.

Toffog's unit doesn't have any HDMI inputs, so for him to get sound he has to use the optical input on his Samsung (Optical, Toslink, S/DIF) all the same thing.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/TOSLINK.jpg/180px-TOSLINK.jpg

An HDMI splitter would be something like this (http://www.amazon.com/3-Port-Smart-HDMI-Switch/dp/B0015YWKYY/ref=pd_cp_e_0) with 3 HDMI inputs to 1 HDMI output. :)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/312CF1OxDLL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

Thanks for showing a pic. of a HDMI splitter. Never know, I might need it in the future.

Just to let you know,some of those splitters are quite expensive,but
this one was had at Walmart (my old friend) for $30. It features a simple switching mechanism that needs no power and works great It looks like this : http://www.consumer.philips.com/c/cables-connectors/3-inputs-1-output-manual-sws2463w_17/prd/us/

Just to let you know,some of those splitters are quite expensive,but
this one was had at Walmart (my old friend) for $30.
The one I posted is $15.95 on Amazon....just saying :)