orrelljet Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 The time has almost come for me to dip a toe into the world of blu-ray and I've been reading up on the various players currently available. The new Sony BDP-S350 has been getting rave reviews so I decided to check one out, in the flesh, at Myer City, Adelaide and...I almost walked past it, honestly. It was only the BD symbol that gave it away. I know manufacturers eventually build everything down to a price but the S350 just looks (and feels) cheap! Which brings me to my next question... The older S300 and S500 can be had for around $300 and $500 (with free movies), respectively, and look to be much better built units, both featuring analogue outs; is the S350 (or even Panny BD30/35) that much better?? Whatever I buy will be connected to an HDMI-equipped but older Onkyo receiver (TX-SR604E) which, in turn, will feed a 5.1 speaker setup. Cheers for your input. Justin.
cwt Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 The new Sony BDP-S350 has been getting rave reviews so I decided to check one out, in the flesh, at Myer City, Adelaide and...I almost walked past it, honestly. It was only the BD symbol that gave it away. I know manufacturers eventually build everything down to a price but the S350 just looks (and feels) cheap! Which brings me to my next question...The older S300 and S500 can be had for around $300 and $500 (with free movies), respectively, and look to be much better built units, both featuring analogue outs; is the S350 (or even Panny BD30/35) that much better?? The main problem with the older sony's is lack of dts hdma output Justin ; either lpcm or bitstream. The new sonys and pana are very good machines ;but if you want build quality the new pio's are the go JAVA 1.1 profile not 2.0 if extra's are important though.. http://www.pioneer.com.au/Products/Home%20...rs/BDP51FD.aspx
Cody Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 not all Sony's are like that, check out the BDP-S5000ES - good old fashioned "ES" build quality probably only topped by the new uber Pioneer
orrelljet Posted November 18, 2008 Author Posted November 18, 2008 (edited) I've seen the Pioneer and agree it's a beast of a machine but not what I'd call wallet-friendly, neither is the new Denon player. Would I be right in my assumption that only the new S550 can do DTS-HD MA? My receiver can't handle MA over HDMI anyway...I don't think. The Sony website only lists the new 350 and 550, as far as I can see, so I've not read anything about the new ES player - used to have an ES CD player and even an ES VCR, would you believe, so am familiar with the great build quality. Hold on, I'm thinking QS, not ES. I don't think I want to know the price of the ES player... Edited November 18, 2008 by orrelljet
cwt Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 I've seen the Pioneer and agree it's a beast of a machine but not what I'd call wallet-friendly, neither is the new Denon player. Would I be right in my assumption that only the new S550 can do DTS-HD MA? My receiver can't handle MA over HDMI anyway...I don't think.The Sony website only lists the new 350 and 550, as far as I can see, so I've not read anything about the new ES player - used to have an ES CD player and even an ES VCR, would you believe, so am familiar with the great build quality. Hold on, I'm thinking QS, not ES. I don't think I want to know the price of the ES player... Yes the pio is a little more [ but comes with 6 pretty good discs]. It has wolfsohn dacs but very limited bass management ;but still sounds very good . http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtop...t&p=1205102 The sony can be had with 10 free discs from sony centers if the offer is still on ? As a matter of point ; none of the new players have a choice of crossover frequencies for the analog output to match different speakers x over points unfortunately The pana 35 can decode dts hdma as well ;but doesnt have the 7.1 analog outs your onk needs . Spot on about the 5000's price.
betty boop Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 I've seen the Pioneer and agree it's a beast of a machine but not what I'd call wallet-friendly, neither is the new Denon player. Would I be right in my assumption that only the new S550 can do DTS-HD MA? My receiver can't handle MA over HDMI anyway...I don't think.The Sony website only lists the new 350 and 550, as far as I can see, so I've not read anything about the new ES player - used to have an ES CD player and even an ES VCR, would you believe, so am familiar with the great build quality. Hold on, I'm thinking QS, not ES. I don't think I want to know the price of the ES player... the pio 51 I saw looked like it had a touch of the sansui as well , just a bit bigger and boxier . but know what you mean re the sony 350/550. the s5000es appears built like a tank by comparison. the only other sony that came decently built in the BD plaeyrs is the previous gen bdps1e which I owned as my first BD player. it was actually made by pioneer and a kissing cousin ot the pio lx70/a. pio seem to have lost the plot since in styling atleast but then the pio 51 is half the price the pio lx70a retailed at. perhaps the lx71 replacement or the 09 flagship a bit more decent in looks and build. and yeah you probably dont want to know the price of the sony s5000es, nothing decent is "wallet friendly" we're lucky of the price of the sony es player here compared to the us, but still pricey. the denon or its partner marantz we dont even get to see here so not worth talking off !
orrelljet Posted November 18, 2008 Author Posted November 18, 2008 (edited) ...the only other sony that came decently built in the BD plaeyrs is the previous gen bdps1e which I owned as my first BD player.... So, you're suggesting the older S300 and S500 aren't actually that well built. Are they better than the new S350? I've not seen the new 550 yet (not even sure it's here yet). Which player (under $600 please) would you suggest for use with my Onkyo? Am I limited to analogue if I want to get the best audio? How about the Panny BD35? Again, is it worth seeking out an older BD30? Thanks for your help. Edited November 18, 2008 by orrelljet
cwt Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 So, you're suggesting the older S300 and S500 aren't actually that well built. Are they better than the new S350? I've not seen the new 550 yet (not even sure it's here yet).Which player (under $600 please) would you suggest for use with my Onkyo? Am I limited to analogue if I want to get the best audio? How about the Panny BD35? Again, is it worth seeking out an older BD30? Thanks for your help. Al would know better the build quality of the s300/500 Justin; but noticed your avr is hdmi 1.1 so that opens up your options to include the new pana bd35 as well as the sony 550 if you want to decode the dts hdma tracks right now on many discs. The pio has a firmware upgrade coming very shortly to decode these tracks. The older pana bd30 can only bitstream dts hdma [cant decode it ] so wouldnt give hdma with your 604 . Have a read of the sony 550 thread here- http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=71728 The uniphier chip in the pana bd35 is very good if you want to upscale sd discs . Depends to some extent on whether free discs appeals as the new models are all very good with bluray . Just add the pana 35 can be modified by member scanspeak ; as he has the new region free bluray chips
orrelljet Posted November 18, 2008 Author Posted November 18, 2008 ...noticed your avr is hdmi 1.1 so that opens up your options to include the new pana bd35 as well as the sony 550 if you want to decode the dts hdma tracks right now on many discs... Ah, ok, so I CAN use the hdmi out on a BD35, to go straight to my AVR? I don't need to look for a player that has analogue outs? So confusing... SD upscaling is something I'd like to have - my Denon 2910 does it pretty well. I use Vista Media Center (with extenders), in conjunction with movies in .dvr-ms format and the excellent My Movies add-in, for films that have a Dolby soundtrack but need to use a disk for DTS movies.
xrcist007 Posted November 19, 2008 Posted November 19, 2008 The s350 is a fantastic player, lightning fast, easy to setup, simple menu and reliable, the BD35 does come out ontop though for its upscaling ability, region free of SD dvds out of the box and the abiltity to be modded for blu region free.
davep Posted November 19, 2008 Posted November 19, 2008 the 350 can be blu-ray modded for region free and is region free for sd dvd out of the box also. not sure on comparative upscaling abilities though
xrcist007 Posted November 19, 2008 Posted November 19, 2008 the 350 can be blu-ray modded for region free and is region free for sd dvd out of the box also. not sure on comparative upscaling abilities though your right the region B s350 is region free for sd dvds, i had a Region A s350 which wasnt Sd region free out of the box, ive owned both players and the BD35 beats the s350 hands down for upscaling.
davep Posted November 19, 2008 Posted November 19, 2008 Well, if the prices are similar, then there should be a clear winner.
orrelljet Posted November 19, 2008 Author Posted November 19, 2008 (edited) ...Ah, ok, so I CAN use the hdmi out on a BD35, to go straight to my AVR? I don't need to look for a player that has analogue outs?... Maybe a silly question but can someone confirm this for me? i.e. If I buy a BD35, can I simply hook it up to my AVR (Onkyo TX-SR604E) and enjoy ALL new sound formats? If so, where's the cheapest play to buy it?? J. Edited November 19, 2008 by orrelljet
Sticky Keyboard Posted November 19, 2008 Posted November 19, 2008 (edited) The time has almost come for me to dip a toe into the world of blu-ray and I've been reading up on the various players currently available.The new Sony BDP-S350 has been getting rave reviews so I decided to check one out, in the flesh, at Myer City, Adelaide and...I almost walked past it, honestly. It was only the BD symbol that gave it away. I know manufacturers eventually build everything down to a price but the S350 just looks (and feels) cheap! Which brings me to my next question... The common consumer's perception of "build quality" is interesting. It seems that for electronics, many judge build quality purely on the build of the chassis. Edited November 19, 2008 by Kage Bunshin No Luffy
orrelljet Posted November 19, 2008 Author Posted November 19, 2008 (edited) The common consumer's perception of "build quality" is an interesting.It seems that for electronics, many judge build quality purely on the build of the chassis. It may well be different on the moon my friend, but I'm guessing that's how most people, on my planet, would judge it. Flimsy casing, wobbly disc tray etc. - all indicative of poor build quality. Edited November 19, 2008 by orrelljet
Sticky Keyboard Posted November 19, 2008 Posted November 19, 2008 (edited) It may well be different on the moon my friend, but I'm guessing that's how most people, on my planet, would judge it. Flimsy casing, wobbly disc tray etc. - all indicative of poor build quality. I said chassis (meaning the case), not disc tray. Most people I know don't go around and press the eject button to test the tray for smoothness/stability/quality. Generally not. Rather, they look at a case and say, "it looks plasticky", implying poor build quality. And often that's all they look at. I was more speaking generally - not saying that's what you did. If you've checked out stuff like the buttons, remote, tray etc and feel it's not well built then that's good info to know. Edited November 19, 2008 by Kage Bunshin No Luffy
cwt Posted November 19, 2008 Posted November 19, 2008 Maybe a silly question but can someone confirm this for me? i.e. If I buy a BD35, can I simply hook it up to my AVR (Onkyo TX-SR604E) and enjoy ALL new sound formats? If so, where's the cheapest play to buy it??J. I was a bit concerned with the wording on the pana website J. ; but everyone in the bd35 thread confirms it will decode ALL the new sound formats [as overseas models do] for you to recieve lossless to your onk . Cant help with pricing sorry ;went early with the GB .
jutta Posted November 19, 2008 Posted November 19, 2008 After owning an XE1 i just don't like any other remote anymore. That's what I miss most about mine is that shiney solid weighty backlit remote.
orrelljet Posted November 19, 2008 Author Posted November 19, 2008 I said chassis (meaning the case), not disc tray.Most people I know don't go around and press the eject button to test the tray for smoothness/stability/quality. Generally not. Rather, they look at a case and say, "it looks plasticky", implying poor build quality. And often that's all they look at. I was more speaking generally - not saying that's what you did. If you've checked out stuff like the buttons, remote, tray etc and feel it's not well built then that's good info to know. No worries mate - I do like to press buttons in shops - makes people nervous
orrelljet Posted November 19, 2008 Author Posted November 19, 2008 I was a bit concerned with the wording on the pana website J. ; but everyone in the bd35 thread confirms it will decode ALL the new sound formats [as overseas models do] for you to recieve lossless to your onk . Cant help with pricing sorry ;went early with the GB . Been reading up, as it goes - looks like just you've confirmed what I thought I'd just read - that's GREAT news! DMP-BD35 now on my Christmas list! Cheers!!
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