Hambo2000 Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 Am looking to upgrade my BD player and these 2 are the top of my list. So looking for some opinions on either, but especially from those who've used both. What would people recommend?
michaelp2005 Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 Am looking to upgrade my BD player and these 2 are the top of my list.So looking for some opinions on either, but especially from those who've used both. What would people recommend? I'm in a similar situation, but I'd also throw the Panasonic BD35 into the mix. Some points from the various threads seem to be: Pioneer 51fd - ~$650. Profile 1.1. No 7.1 analogue out Sony S550 - ~$600. Profile 2.0. Has 7.1 analogue out. Balance of comments indicate faster load times. Good menu structure. Pana BD35 - ~$400. Profile 2.0. No 7.1 out. Everyone seems to like their PQ & AQ
AGP Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 I'm in a similar situation, but I'd also throw the Panasonic BD35 into the mix.Some points from the various threads seem to be: Pioneer 51fd - ~$650. Profile 1.1. No 7.1 analogue out Still no DTS HD MA support Talk is Feb 2009 Sony S550 - ~$600. Profile 2.0. Has 7.1 analogue out. Balance of comments indicate faster load times. Good menu structure. Good over analog and fast updates of software around low $500 now Pana BD35 - ~$400. Profile 2.0. No 7.1 out. Everyone seems to like their PQ & AQ Blu-Ray quality is reportedly the same on all players. Hi michaelp2005 just added a few things cheers
mazman1503559902 Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 um... im pretty sure the pio 51fd has 7.1 out!
Chill Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 I'm in a similar situation, but I'd also throw the Panasonic BD35 into the mix.Some points from the various threads seem to be: Pioneer 51fd - ~$650. Profile 1.1. No 7.1 analogue out Sony S550 - ~$600. Profile 2.0. Has 7.1 analogue out. Balance of comments indicate faster load times. Good menu structure. Pana BD35 - ~$400. Profile 2.0. No 7.1 out. Everyone seems to like their PQ & AQ The 51FD has 7.1 out and currently decodes all but DTS MA (and this should arive via firmware post Christmas) I think, given how new all these players are you will find almost no one has had a chance to test head to head in any meaning full way in Aus. However lots of comment at AVS (US) forum if you have the time. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=149 All seem like good players, Sony and Pana have the profile 2.0 advantage (or disadvantage depending on your point of view) The Sony seems the most complete in spec, a good price and other than some issues with bass levels problem free Panna 55 seem the step up comparable model over the 35 However I bought the Pio 51FD and am as pleased as mud, I took a punt that the PQ and AQ would be a step up, and they are just fantastic, but it is a bit slow loading if that worries you.
AGP Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 um... im pretty sure the pio 51fd has 7.1 out! Yes your right mazman it does have 7.1 analog outs I forgot to add that when I was adding the other comments
AGP Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 The 51FD has 7.1 out and currently decodes all but DTS MA (and this should arive via firmware post Christmas) Dealers in the UK are now saying Feb,March next year and keep pushing the dates out further I was told the same thing when I was there last week. I suppose it's not a deal breaker thought not a lot of discs out there that have DTS MA to start with.
Hambo2000 Posted November 20, 2008 Author Posted November 20, 2008 Went out and bought the Pio 51FD tonight from JB for $630. Something tells me the Sony may be a stabler player [with a couple of advantages] but i just love the shear size of the 51 and i hear the SQ and PQ are a slight step up from the other 2. thanks to all who posted.
cwt Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 [/b]Dealers in the UK are now saying Feb,March next year and keep pushing the dates out further I was told the same thing when I was there last week. I suppose it's not a deal breaker thought not a lot of discs out there that have DTS MA to start with. Chris Walker [pio boss] recently posted the next firmware would optimise the hardware and speed up loading times AGP ; concentrating on stability it seems
michaelp2005 Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 I'm in a similar situation, but I'd also throw the Panasonic BD35 into the mix.Some points from the various threads seem to be: Pioneer 51fd - ~$650. Profile 1.1. No 7.1 analogue out Sony S550 - ~$600. Profile 2.0. Has 7.1 analogue out. Balance of comments indicate faster load times. Good menu structure. Pana BD35 - ~$400. Profile 2.0. No 7.1 out. Everyone seems to like their PQ & AQ ooops, my bad, misread my own notes. 51fd does have 7.1 out. I'd made notes about "not 71", meaning the LX71
locpender Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 hey guys - i was wondering if i could get some advice please: i have a Panasonic Tau flatscreen TV - is HD capable (not full HD though - only 1080i, 576P and 480P) that only has component and no HDMI have an older AVR that has optical audio and component visual - no HDMI either: i was wondering whether i should go for a bluray player - will i notice the difference in picture and sound in my set up? or should i wait till i get a full HD display? if i will notice the improved picture quality, is it best to go for something like the sony 550 so i can take advantage of the improved sound through my older AVR, will i notice the difference? the guy i spoke to at harvey norman doubted i would see any improvement. your advice would be most appreciated
Muaddib Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 hey guys - i was wondering if i could get some advice please:i have a Panasonic Tau flatscreen TV - is HD capable (not full HD though - only 1080i, 576P and 480P) that only has component and no HDMI have an older AVR that has optical audio and component visual - no HDMI either: i was wondering whether i should go for a bluray player - will i notice the difference in picture and sound in my set up? or should i wait till i get a full HD display? if i will notice the improved picture quality, is it best to go for something like the sony 550 so i can take advantage of the improved sound through my older AVR, will i notice the difference? the guy i spoke to at harvey norman doubted i would see any improvement. your advice would be most appreciated Id start a new thread with this question as it is very different to the subject here.
adumicic Posted December 1, 2008 Posted December 1, 2008 but it is a bit slow loading if that worries you. How slow are we talking, because to be honest that's the only flaw I see in the Pioneer (well region free Blu-Ray would also be nice I guess...)
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