Based on my setup, which Blu-Ray player should I get?

[netgem21]

My current setup consists of the following:

Samsung 40" M87 LCD TV (HDMI 1.3)
Denon AVR-1507 AV Receiver (8 channels, no HDMI)
Kef KHT-1000.5 5.1 speaker set-up

The AV Receiver has 2 Optical inputs, 2 Coaxial inputs and 8 channel analogue inputs. The 2 optical inputs are currently filled by Sky HD and an Xbox 360 Elite. So my Blu-ray player needs either analogue outputs or coaxial outputs. And I'm unsure how HDMI passthrough through the TV works so I'm not 100% sure about that.

I have currently shortlisted 3 models:

Samsung BD-P1500
Panasonic BD-50
Sony PlayStation 3

I have since found out that the Samsung only has Optical out only so I guess that's ruled out unless I can find a way to create another optical input or merge cables or something - I don't know!

So the PS3 and the Panasonic. Based on my setup, out of all 3 models and also any other models you know of and can recommend, what's best for my setup? It's also worth noting that the room is small-ish, so I don't know if that affects the decision in any way, just thought I'd let you know.

Thank You very much for helping me out on this - I'd love some sort of Blu-Ray viewing in preparation for the Summer!

Cheers

[namuk]

Panasonic BD-50

[kingfats]

Originally Posted by netgem21

My current setup consists of the following:

Samsung 40" M87 LCD TV (HDMI 1.3)
Denon AVR-1507 AV Receiver (8 channels, no HDMI)
Kef KHT-1000.5 5.1 speaker set-up

The AV Receiver has 2 Optical inputs, 2 Coaxial inputs and 8 channel analogue inputs. The 2 optical inputs are currently filled by Sky HD and an Xbox 360 Elite. So my Blu-ray player needs either analogue outputs or coaxial outputs. And I'm unsure how HDMI passthrough through the TV works so I'm not 100% sure about that.

I have currently shortlisted 3 models:

Samsung BD-P1500
Panasonic BD-50
Sony PlayStation 3

I have since found out that the Samsung only has Optical out only so I guess that's ruled out unless I can find a way to create another optical input or merge cables or something - I don't know!

So the PS3 and the Panasonic. Based on my setup, out of all 3 models and also any other models you know of and can recommend, what's best for my setup? It's also worth noting that the room is small-ish, so I don't know if that affects the decision in any way, just thought I'd let you know.

Thank You very much for helping me out on this - I'd love some sort of Blu-Ray viewing in preparation for the Summer!

Cheers

Hi netgem21.
You've really got to think what you want on the audio side PS3 will give you all the extra's but optical only same as the 1500 on your set-up.
The 1500 will give better audio for you than the PS3 though as it can send all HD tracks max DTS over optical while the BD50 on the otherhand can send HD audio over the analogues to your amp.
All the best.

[netgem21]

Originally Posted by kingfats

Hi netgem21.
You've really got to think what you want on the audio side PS3 will give you all the extra's but optical only same as the 1500 on your set-up.
The 1500 will give better audio for you than the PS3 though as it can send all HD tracks max DTS over optical while the BD50 on the otherhand can send HD audio over the analogues to your amp.
All the best.

Thanks - so over single RCA cables can I get lossless DTS HD MA even though my receiver doesn't decode it? I'm not so sure, it only has Dolby and DTS logos on it, not HD, but it accepts 8 channel analogue inputs.

[elliotjames]

Originally Posted by netgem21

Thanks - so over single RCA cables can I get lossless DTS HD MA even though my receiver doesn't decode it? I'm not so sure, it only has Dolby and DTS logos on it, not HD, but it accepts 8 channel analogue inputs.

Your 6/8 inputs just amplifi the sound decoded in the BD50 however you will loose bass managment how much of a problem this is I cant say but read the owners thread there's some good answers there.

[kingfats]

Originally Posted by netgem21

Thanks - so over single RCA cables can I get lossless DTS HD MA even though my receiver doesn't decode it? I'm not so sure, it only has Dolby and DTS logos on it, not HD, but it accepts 8 channel analogue inputs.

Hi netgem21.
The BD50 will decode TrueHD/DTS-MA > PCM > analogue and then send over the Multi's to your amp.
You would be getting the tracks @ full bitrate.
All the best.