Blu Ray with 1080i

oldfarmboy

Greetings,

We are about ready to make the move up in our video viewing and are stymied about a couple of things about Blu Ray in relation to our current system, both video and audio.
I hope I can get some clarity here regarding these issues.

1 1/2 years ago when 1080p sets were quite a bit more expensive, we bought a Samsung 1080i 32" set for our small living space.
It is connected to an inexpensive Philips DVP5960/37 upconverting DVD player(no region code restrictions) and an Onkyo HT R330 5.1 receiver and a TIVO HD box which we currently stream Netflix as well.

I am considering a Samsung player due to connectivity with the TV.
I am thinking I won't need the streaming capability on the player since I have the TIVO.

questions:
What can I expect to miss with a 1080i set with 1080p player?
Will I have to upgrade my audio system as well?

Currently while playing DVD's with Dolby Digital, I have to turn the volume WAY WAY high in order to hear the center channel which is usually the vocals. I did a software upgrade recently which was supposed to address this; and I thought it did for awhile.
I have it connected with coax digital audio cable to the AV receiver.

Is this something to do with the way audio is compressed on the disc that has changed since this player came out?

Thanks!

clearday

I think your tv is 720p and can accept a 1080i signal, which means with a blu ray you will be outputting a 720p pic on a 32" tv. I think the improvement in your situation will be minimal from the dvd player you have now. Assuming you are using an HDMI or component (r/g/b) cable to connect the dvd player to the tv.

Your sound system should have a set up area where you can boost each speaker as necessary to achieve sound which sounds good to you. So that won't change with blu ray, you'd still need to properly adjust each speaker for best sound output. If you are using dig. coax you could try an optical cable, but I don't think it would make a big difference in sound.

To fully enjoy a blu ray in all it's glory, you need a native 1080p tv, at least 40" or more and a receiver which can receive and output HDMI audio and video.

Till then, if I were you, I'd wait to upgrade. Blu rays are supposed to be dropping big time in price within the next 6 months.

HD Goofnut

I just wanted to add that I have two rear projection HDTVs that are 1080i as listed in my signature and the PQ is extremely good. Also, I know several people that have 720/768p HDTVs and the PQ is still really good. So IMHO Blu-ray is worth owning for all of the following resolutions: 720/768/1080.

__________________

PFC5

Don't buy a Samsung BD player as you will NOT get any better connectivity, and you will likely have issues playing the newest BD releases and will have delays in getting the firmware updates to play them and could have new problems pop up from such new firmware updates. These issues are all VERY common with virtually all Samsung BD players and is their history.

__________________
Denon AVR-887
Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs)
All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr)
Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35
For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841
Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS
RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+
SA 3250HD
47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom)
Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support)
Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers
The_Cable_Game
Take the high ground and be happier
PSN: PFC5

HD Goofnut

I'll definitely second that. Whatever you do don't buy a Samsung BDP-1000/1200/1400/1500.

__________________

oldfarmboy

Thanks for your response.
My TV is 1080i and will accept the lower resolutions.

I am aware of channel adjustments. I have maxed out the center channel and all others except for subwoofer and still have to boost volume to 35 or 40 sometimes to hear speech. Then when other audio comes in, it really blasts out. Something not right here.
Must be something with decoding the audio.

My DVD player has Digital Coax Audio output which goes to the receiver.

TOS cable connects TIVO with receiver.
Size of screen is related to size of room.
From what I have read elsewhere since posting this is that there is minimal (if any difference) viewing 1080i or 1080p with BluRay.
Those who have both i and p making such statements.

Thanks again.

oldfarmboy

Thanks for this input.

As we have Netflix streaming through TIVO and don't care much about the Pandora streaming, what do you see as the BluRay player that decodes all the audio codecs and connectivity for firmware/software upgrades?

drmike5000

As noted in my other thread, I got the Costco special, Panasonic Blu Ray BD live player for $229, and I'm happy with it. My TV is Panasonic Plasma 1080i. I had to adjust the settings of the TV, in order to get the most out of the player, but it is noticeably better than my last upconverting player. It looks as good as Discovery HD, which I have always thought was the best signal out of the cable box.

PFC5

I think if you have a HDMI receiver already, then the Panasonic BD60 is a good choice or as was said just above me, the BD605 which is the Costco model # is a good choice.

If you do not have a receiver with HDMI, then I would recommend the Panasonic BD80 model which also has the 7.1 analog outputs that will work with most receivers made in the last 5+ years, so you can get the HD audio through those analog outputs.

If you listen to hi-res music also (i.e. SACD & DVD-Audio) and want just about the best SD DVD upscaling then you might want to pay the extra approx. $200-270.00 over either of the Panasonic BD players listed and get the Oppo S83. It also has the 7.1 analog outputs as well.

Bost Panasonic BD players BD60 (or BD605) & BD80 do have excellent SD DVD upscaling, but the Oppo is from what I read about 5% better with upscaling.

Hope this helps!

__________________
Denon AVR-887
Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs)
All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr)
Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35
For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841
Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS
RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+
SA 3250HD
47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom)
Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support)
Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers
The_Cable_Game
Take the high ground and be happier
PSN: PFC5

oldfarmboy

This is a great help. I had heard good things about the Panasonic.
I don't have HDMI on my receiver, but will look at changing that.

Thanks Again!

PFC5

I own the BD35 (BD60 replaced it) and love it except I have become spoiled with the onscreen info display that the PS3 provides. I think the PS3 has the best onscreen display, but since it has no LCD display on the unit, it needs it more.

A couple of receivers that will likely be good choices are:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RXV7...TS-HD+receiver

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1909...f=pd_rhf_p_t_3

They are great choices for the budget conscious person who loves great sound and features at a decent price. Onkyo offers more bang for the buck, but their receivers tend to be bright receivers that only work best IMO with warm speakers.

Hope this helps!

__________________
Denon AVR-887
Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs)
All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr)
Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35
For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841
Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS
RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+
SA 3250HD
47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom)
Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support)
Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers
The_Cable_Game
Take the high ground and be happier
PSN: PFC5

ckone180

If you do decide to go Samsung, I would definitely go for the bd-p4600, which is firmware sound for the time being. I have the bd1250, which uses the same firmware, minus divx compatibility. I have had no issues with mine yet, and since it is connected to the internet it is designed to automatically update itself.

I must say that the Pandora streaming is very nice, IMHO!