Blu-Ray recommendations?

**besserheimerphat** · 02-10-2009, 08:55 PM

I just purchased a Samsung 40" LCD HDTV, and after getting it home and hooking it up to my old (bought in 1998) Onkyo DVD player I think I need to step up to the Blu-Ray. The Onkyo has composite video out and is not progressive scan so the DVD only looks mildly better than a normal satellite channel.

Anybody have any recommendations for Blu-Ray players? How is the upconversion from normal DVD's to 1080p? Do you use your Blu-Ray as a media hub, as some are now capable? Is that really worthwhile? I've been doing some research and it sounds like the PS3 may be about the best one out there for the price.

**IcSyU** · 02-10-2009, 08:56 PM

I've got a PS3...love it...more than just a Blu-Ray player. However, if you have no reason to use it as a gaming system, I wouldn't waste the money on it..

**Iastfan112** · 02-10-2009, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by besserheimerphat

I just purchased a Samsung 40" LCD HDTV, and after getting it home and hooking it up to my old (bought in 1998) Onkyo DVD player I think I need to step up to the Blu-Ray. The Onkyo has composite video out and is not progressive scan so the DVD only looks mildly better than a normal satellite channel.

Anybody have any recommendations for Blu-Ray players? How is the upconversion from normal DVD's to 1080p? Do you use your Blu-Ray as a media hub, as some are now capable? Is that really worthwhile? I've been doing some research and it sounds like the PS3 may be about the best one out there for the price.

PS3 its fairly inexpensive in addition to a top of the line gaming system, no brainer for me me anyways.

**DevilDog** · 02-10-2009, 08:58 PM

My vote is for the Panasonic BD-35 its a very nice machine and gets amazing views. Too bad u didn't get a Panasonic plasma to go along with it but thats a different argument altogether.

**zimman18** · 02-10-2009, 08:59 PM

You can get a few brands for $200-$250, but if you would be into games, you can't beat the ps3(what I went with). Upconvert is nice' but doesn't compare to some of the Blu ray movies.

**SeattleClone** · 02-10-2009, 09:01 PM

If you're not actually planning to buy Blu-Rays yet, you could cheaply upgrade your old composite video DVD player for under $100. You can get HDMI upconvert players for around $50 if you watch the ads.

**rworkman83** · 02-10-2009, 09:04 PM

I have the ps3 as well. Works great for the blu-rays and the gaming system.

**ripvdub** · 02-10-2009, 09:05 PM

There have been a couple Blu Ray movies I've seen that are far from extraordinary. Iron Man is my prime example. It looked just like a normal DVD to me. It still a great movie. But I wanted to see every little red vein or whatever in Tony Starks drunk *** eyes.

**tim_redd** · 02-10-2009, 09:06 PM

I use my freenas box as a media server for the ps3. It's pretty sweet.

**CyTom** · 02-10-2009, 09:16 PM

From my research I found the best upconvert DVD players with an HDMI port to be the Harman Kardon DVD 48 and the Oppo 980H. I bought the Harman Kardon. Both are in the 150-170 range at BHphotovideo or jr.com. If you are looking for purely a blu-ray player you can get the Sony BDP-S550 for about 300 on Amazon...a few weeks ago they had it for 285.

**SeattleClone** · 02-10-2009, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by CyTom

From my research I found the best upconvert DVD players with an HDMI port to be the Harman Kardon DVD 48 and the Oppo 980H. I bought the Harman Kardon. Both are in the 150-170 range at BHphotovideo or jr.com. If you are looking for purely a blu-ray player you can get the Sony BDP-S550 for about 300 on Amazon...a few weeks ago they had it for 285.

I have not done any research on upconvert players, but I can't imagine spending over $100 on one. If I were going to spend over $100 on one, I would just get a Blu-Ray. I do have a Blu-Ray, but it came with my tv.

**besserheimerphat** · 02-10-2009, 09:56 PM

I don't really do much/any gaming. I've got a Xbox that doesn't get played very often. My only thought was that most of the top reviewed players are about the same price as the PS3, but with the PS3 I'd at least have the option of playing games. I was looking at CNet, and they use the PS3 as their standard for video playback capability.

As far as a stand-alone upconverter, I'd just assume get a full on Blu-Ray player. The ones I've been looking at say they upconvert normal DVD's to 1080p, although I know it's not going to look as nice as a blu-ray disc is. While I don't have a ton of DVD's, I don't plan on updating everything to a new format.

I found a Samsung unit (BD-P2550 or something like that) that can stream online HD movies from Netflix or music from Pandora, but again it costs as much as a PS3.

I love the OTA HD though, just wish I'd bought it before football season ended...

**Blandboy** · 02-10-2009, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by DevilDog

My vote is for the Panasonic BD-35 its a very nice machine and gets amazing views. Too bad u didn't get a Panasonic plasma to go along with it but thats a different argument altogether.

The Pany BD35 delivers an awesome picture and the upconvert enhances everything. Got mine for $330 @ American TV. And since I've got it hooked up to a Pany plasma, one remote does it all. Not a gamer, so the Blu-Ray does everything I need.

If you want one-remote convenience, suggest you check out the Samsung Blu-Ray players. Then again, you can always purchase a one-for-all remote, too.

**jdoggivjc** · 02-11-2009, 07:52 AM

This is what I got about a year ago now (only in silver)

Sony Home Theater System - Silver/ Black (DAVHDZ273) : Target

Upconvert using HDMI. Unless you are watching TV shows older than Season 1 of 24 or older movies, it handles the upconvert on my 42-in Samsung wonderfully, plus the sound that comes from that system is amazing for the price. This is a really good option if you're looking for the whole package and are willing to settle for upconvert for the time being.