Multi-Region BD Player - Which to get?

Indiana Jones · 06-08-2009, 12:56 PM

Looking to replace my US PS3 with a multi-region Blu-ray player but not sure on which to get.

Needs to be able to decode TrueHD and DTS-HD internally and output as PCM as that is all my amp can handle.

Looking to spend no more than £350, any advice would be very welcome.

kingfats · 06-08-2009, 1:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

Looking to replace my US PS3 with a multi-region Blu-ray player but not sure on which to get.

Needs to be able to decode TrueHD and DTS-HD internally and output as PCM as that is all my amp can handle.

Looking to spend no more than £350, any advice would be very welcome.

Panasonic BD60?

Ekko Star · 06-08-2009, 1:52 PM

If you want a multi region BD player the BD35 is an excellent choice.

Indiana Jones · 06-08-2009, 4:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfats

Panasonic BD60?

Looks good but can it definitely decode all HD formats and output as PCM as I heard that some can only decode TrueHD and not DTS-HD.

kingfats · 06-08-2009, 4:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

Looks good but can it definitely decode all HD formats and output as PCM as I heard that some can only decode TrueHD and not DTS-HD.

Yes

TrueHD and DTS-MA no problem.

Indiana Jones · 06-08-2009, 4:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfats

Yes

TrueHD and DTS-MA no problem.

Great, just need to find a buyer for my PS3 now and once my next CC bill is through I will order it.

skk3 · 06-08-2009, 4:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

Looking to replace my US PS3 with a multi-region Blu-ray player but not sure on which to get.

Needs to be able to decode TrueHD and DTS-HD internally and output as PCM as that is all my amp can handle.

Looking to spend no more than £350, any advice would be very welcome.

Multi-region for just DVD or DVD + Blu-ray?

Check here for plenty of choice

Indiana Jones · 06-08-2009, 5:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syk

Multi-region for just DVD or DVD + Blu-ray?

Check here for plenty of choice

Needs to be for both as the majority of my BD collection is Region A and I have afair few Region 1 TV Shows.

skk3 · 06-08-2009, 9:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

Needs to be for both as the majority of my BD collection is Region A and I have afair few Region 1 TV Shows.

Definately see my previous post - MRMagic has Blu-ray players modded for both DVD RCE 1-6 & Blu-ray regions A,B & C.

Indiana Jones · 07-08-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syk

Definately see my previous post - MRMagic has Blu-ray players modded for both DVD RCE 1-6 & Blu-ray regions A,B & C.

They are the same company that Kingfats linked too so looks like they have the rep on here and will definitely be getting my money.

kingfats · 07-08-2009, 10:29 AM

Yes it's a good site

feedback has always been very positive regarding service.

Ekko Star · 07-08-2009, 10:56 AM

Well I would still suggest the BD35 over the 60. Maybe worth trying to locate a BD35 (they are selling at very reasonable prices) and taking it into Paul Talyors (MRM) and getting it modded.

The BD35 is a 5* player and BD60 got 4* in the latest magazine reviews. I would concur.

Indiana Jones · 07-08-2009, 11:30 AM

Oh I just assumed the BD60 was the replacement model and just as good if not slightly better but if its worse then I will see if I can track down a BD35.

kingfats · 07-08-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

Oh I just assumed the BD60 was the replacement model and just as good if not slightly better but if its worse then I will see if I can track down a BD35.

BD35/60 are exactly the same regarding audio/video,picture settings,speed etc.

skk3 · 07-08-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfats

Yes it's a good site

feedback has always been very positive regarding service.

I have had three DVD players from MRM, the first in 1997. I recommended them to a very picky friend of mine and he purchased a Plasma & Blu-ray.

hippo99 · 07-08-2009, 2:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

if its worse then I will see if I can track down a BD35.

Yep, as Kingfats said BD35/60 are exactly the same.

The reason the BD60 only got 4* in some magazines (as opposed to the BD35 5*), is because the BD60 is too similar to the old model.

Whereas the new Samsungs & LG's added in Wi-Fi, network streaming, faster loading etc to their new 2009 models, Panasonic didn't add many new features. Only adding Viera Cast & youtube viewing so they marked it down as the BD60 had less new features than its current rivals, but its no worse/better than the BD35.

Ekko Star · 07-08-2009, 2:50 PM

Having personally modified both players and had a good look at the internals. I would say the BD35 is the better machine.

Buy wisely and you could also save yourself a packet on the BD60. Unless of course you want the Viera cast features.

Indiana Jones · 07-08-2009, 4:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekko Star

Having personally modified both players and had a good look at the internals. I would say the BD35 is the better machine.

Buy wisely and you could also save yourself a packet on the BD60. Unless of course you want the Viera cast features.

I wouldnt turn down a BD35 but I am having trouble finding one for less than a BD60 costs and I cant bring myself to pay more for an older model.

Ekko Star · 07-08-2009, 4:41 PM

If you can't track one down for a decent price then of course stick with a BD60, it's also a very good machine.

Indiana Jones · 09-08-2009, 3:38 PM

Well I have found a BD35 for £133 which I can then send off to get modded for £149 so I would end up paying a total of £282 which works out better than £355 for a modded BD60.

Guess the question now is should I do it, need some convincing here people

dec-pvr · 10-08-2009, 8:29 AM

Just been looking on the BD35 thread in this forum. If you're lucky enough to live near the right Tesco's apparently they have some for £99

. Now that's a good deal!

Is £149 really the cheapest service mod available? Have you tried contact Stegen for their service? I know they're not based in the UK, but I think I've read before their service is good.

Indiana Jones · 10-08-2009, 1:10 PM

Ended up getting a premodded BD35 for £280 delivered, just need to off load my PS3 now.

Andrew Mogford · 10-08-2009, 1:43 PM

So you don't need to be persuaded then?

I wont bother saying how happy I am after upgrading from a PS3 to a multi-region BD35 a few weeks ago, as you have now had the pleasure. I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine.

Just need to decide whether to keep the PS3 or not now.

Sheepking · 10-08-2009, 4:37 PM

I didn't think the bd35 decoded DTS-MA and output it as PCM?

kingfats · 10-08-2009, 4:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheepking

I didn't think the bd35 decoded DTS-MA and output it as PCM?

Yep

fully decodes DTS-MA.

Indiana Jones · 12-08-2009, 11:59 AM

Got my BD-35 today

Just need abit of advice on setting it up now.

My amp will only accept HD audio if the player decodes it and outputs it as LPCM so I would assume that setting all the audio options to PCM would sort this but what about normal DD and DTS tracks on DVD's, will these also be decoded internally and output as PCM or can the player send these untouched for my amp to decode?

Also, there was a note in with the player saying that when you update the firmware, make sure the quickstart function is off or it would disable the mod chip but I cant find any mention of a quickstart function in the manual?

kingfats · 12-08-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

Got my BD-35 today

Just need abit of advice on setting it up now.

My amp will only accept HD audio if the player decodes it and outputs it as LPCM so I would assume that setting all the audio options to PCM would sort this but what about normal DD and DTS tracks on DVD's, will these also be decoded internally and output as PCM or can the player send these untouched for my amp to decode?

Also, there was a note in with the player saying that when you update the firmware, make sure the quickstart function is off or it would disable the mod chip but I cant find any mention of a quickstart function in the manual?

Hi.

Set TrueHD/DTS-MA to PCM

i forget now but i think you can set DD/DTS to bitstream.
No quickstart with the 35.

Indiana Jones · 12-08-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfats

Hi.

Set TrueHD/DTS-MA to PCM

i forget now but i think you can set DD/DTS to bitstream.
No quickstart with the 35.

There are only two options, one covers DD/DD+/TrueHD and the other DTS/DTS-HD and I can only set them to either PCM or Bitstream.

On my old Tosh EP30 there was a seperate setting that would output HD audio tracks as PCM but normal DD/DTS tracks as Bitstream, will have a play around later at home and hopefully find a similar option on the 35.