da_houghsta Posted November 5, 2008 Posted November 5, 2008 I am just thinking about upgrading my current setup; LG 32" HD LCD with an xbox360 with HD-DVD player, and just using some logitech speakers, to a 50" FullHD Panasonic plasma, also with a surround sound system (nothing major here, probably $1000 max, will upgrade that later down the trackl to a proper system), and also want a blu-ray player. I have only had a quick look around a harvey norman store so far, who recomend the new sony blu-ray (they have it for $399 - not sure of the model), and they also have a samsung for the same price (sony has a rrp of about $500 according to the sticker, samsung $600ish). I have heard about the slow start-up's of a lot of models, but have not paid much attention at all to the blu-ray players. I've looked through a few threads on here, but honestly i have no idea which ones I looked at, so the data doesnt mean much to me at this stage. If anyone could give me some pointers into which are the better blu-ray players, and the sort of prices they are going for. I'm not looking for the absolute top player, as in most cases you cant really tell much difference between the top gear and those towards the middle of the price bracket (in my opinion). just something to get me into it that will go well with the plasma. thanks all!!
The_Preacher1973 Posted November 5, 2008 Posted November 5, 2008 I am just thinking about upgrading my current setup; LG 32" HD LCD with an xbox360 with HD-DVD player, and just using some logitech speakers, to a 50" FullHD Panasonic plasma, also with a surround sound system (nothing major here, probably $1000 max, will upgrade that later down the trackl to a proper system), and also want a blu-ray player. I have only had a quick look around a harvey norman store so far, who recomend the new sony blu-ray (they have it for $399 - not sure of the model), and they also have a samsung for the same price (sony has a rrp of about $500 according to the sticker, samsung $600ish). I have heard about the slow start-up's of a lot of models, but have not paid much attention at all to the blu-ray players. I've looked through a few threads on here, but honestly i have no idea which ones I looked at, so the data doesnt mean much to me at this stage. If anyone could give me some pointers into which are the better blu-ray players, and the sort of prices they are going for. I'm not looking for the absolute top player, as in most cases you cant really tell much difference between the top gear and those towards the middle of the price bracket (in my opinion). just something to get me into it that will go well with the plasma.thanks all!! Generally the Panasonics seem to be the ones regarded as the best option for sensible money around here. There are a few dedicated threads for them if you look down the page.
phreek Posted November 5, 2008 Posted November 5, 2008 In the current economic climate I think everyone would do well to put off big purchases... probably buy the cheapest BD atm to use with your existing gear since the profiles etc are still being sorted out... you can always get a better one at a lower price later... and get the better display etc later.
da_houghsta Posted November 6, 2008 Author Posted November 6, 2008 ok, at the moment im looking at the Panasonic SC-BT105 blu-ray player and sound system. for $1500 it seems to be a good buy, and searched dtv with just the single thread on it. so is it a good buy? and also i should try to get HDMI and optical cables? (do i need both sets of cables or just one? im under the impression hdmi is video and optical is for the audio, but am unsure if that is correct, as i had originally thought that hdmi was supposed to cover both audio and video?)
bbar Posted November 6, 2008 Posted November 6, 2008 ok, at the moment im looking at the Panasonic SC-BT105 blu-ray player and sound system. for $1500 it seems to be a good buy, and searched dtv with just the single thread on it. so is it a good buy? and also i should try to get HDMI and optical cables? (do i need both sets of cables or just one? im under the impression hdmi is video and optical is for the audio, but am unsure if that is correct, as i had originally thought that hdmi was supposed to cover both audio and video?) HDMI does both audio and video. You may want to consider the BD35 as I believe it is the one to beat right now. Bryan
da_houghsta Posted November 6, 2008 Author Posted November 6, 2008 HDMI does both audio and video. You may want to consider the BD35 as I believe it is the one to beat right now.Bryan so if HDMI does both audio and video, what is the optical cable for? I was told that i would not be able to hear the TV channels through the speakers without the optical.
AndrewW Posted November 6, 2008 Posted November 6, 2008 In the current economic climate I think everyone would do well to put off big purchases... Thanks for the financial advice probably buy the cheapest BD atm to use with your existing gear since the profiles etc are still being sorted out... Or you could buy something like the Pana BD-35 that is profile 2 compliant, does internal decoding of HD audio as well as bitreams, has been rated as having extremely good PQ (for those who can notice the difference) and AQ, pretty much does everything except multi channel analog out .... and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg either.
AndrewW Posted November 6, 2008 Posted November 6, 2008 so if HDMI does both audio and video, what is the optical cable for? I was told that i would not be able to hear the TV channels through the speakers without the optical. You were told wrong. You only need the optical connection if your receiver does not handle audio over HDMI.
ajm1503559545 Posted November 6, 2008 Posted November 6, 2008 I think the OP is getting confused with the optical input since the unit being talked about here is a HTiB with a BD player. I assume the OP wants to plug the audio from the TV through the amp as well. Could be wrong though.
auswoffer Posted November 6, 2008 Posted November 6, 2008 (edited) I think the OP is getting confused with the optical input since the unit being talked about here is a HTiB with a BD player. I assume the OP wants to plug the audio from the TV through the amp as well. Could be wrong though. I think ajm, is on the right track. HDMI input to TV from HTiB/Reciever and optical output from TV to HTiB/Reciever so you get sound from the HD tuner inside the TV. So you'll need both HDMI & optical. HTiB is often overlooked as an affordable entry to the HDTV. Edited November 6, 2008 by auswoffer
jutta Posted November 6, 2008 Posted November 6, 2008 I think ajm, is on the right track.HDMI input to TV from HTiB/Reciever and optical output from TV to HTiB/Reciever so you get sound from the HD tuner inside the TV. So you'll need both HDMI & optical. HTiB is often overlooked as an affordable entry to the HDTV. That is spot on Set up the samsung one for the parents. it's a 7.1 system - not sure if the Pana is only 5.1 Run the optical cable from the Plasma to the unit and get DD from the HD channels. One of the Harry Potters even come thru in 6.1 ES the other night.
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