[orangefender]

Hi everyone,

I'm um'ing and ar'ing at the moment about whether or not to make the step to blu-ray and would appreciate some of your opinions. I've already spent a lot of time reading around the pros and cons of upgrading but still struggling to reach a conclusion.

At the moment I am playing sd dvds through my xbox 360 (HDMI). The rest of my sysem consists of the following:

Sony 32v5500 LCD Tv which I view from approx. 8 feet/2.5 meters
HD Virgin cable
Arcam Alpha 10 amp
Arcam Alpha 9 CD
Monitor Audio GS10 speakers

The Xbox and Virgin are connected to my TV via HDMI, and I then connect my TV to the Alpha 10 via the analgue audio output on the tv. Historically I've been more interested in investing in my stereo hi-fi rather than a home theatre set-up. I would now like to get the best out of the tv and the stereo via either a blu-ray player or dvd player.

Ultimately the Sony will be a bedroom tv and I'll buy a bigger set in a probably 3 - 5 years once I'm more settled and have a bigger place. I like the idea of a 5.1 set-up at some point but this is likely to be even further off as I will no doubt have other priorities in life before I can justify buying the rest of the GS speaker system, though I expect I'll be able to pick them up second hand in the future.

I was originally set on buying a blu-ray player such as the Sony s550 which I thought would allow me to get the best out of my tv and use the audio outs to connect direct into my stereo. I'm not convinced however I'll really see the benefits of blu-ray over a good sd DVD upscaler on this set/viewing distance. At the moment the difference between HD content from the Virgin box and a good quality sd transmission is not always obvious, though the Wimbledon final in HD I did think was noticeably better.

Anyway, all this has got me thinking that I might be better spending my money on say an ex-demo Arcam DV137 rather than a blu-ray player. I could then sell my Alpha CD9 and look at moving over to blu-ray only when I get a bigger set in the future. In the meantime I can enjoy cheaper films on sd dvd and DVD-audio etc through my stereo.

Am I right in thinking that the DV137 will probably be a more rewarding piece of kit in my set-up than say one on the newer blu-ray players? Are there any alternatives which I should also consider? Should I see a step up in picture quality on blu-ray from upscaled sd dvd on my relatively small set at the current viewing distance? Any thoughts generally on what steps I might want to consider for upgrading my system generally, for example upgrading what you think is the weakest link? I am generally quite happy buying equipment second hand.

Many thanks in advance.

Ian

ps I originally posted this in the DVD section but didn't receive a response, so I thought I would try here! Thanks...

[The Snake]

I'm not Mr Techno but here's my thoughts.

1. On a 32" at 8 feet you see much difference.

2. Blu Ray discs are somewhat expensive.

3. The players and discs will almost certainly come down in price and spec. increase.

Hence save the wonga, be happy with upscaled DVD, buy loads of those lovely cheap DVD's, then in a few years upgrade to Blu Ray with a decent upscaled DVD when you increase the TV size and Blu comes down in price.

I've gone right off Blu Ray, I'll buy into it (again) when its as cheap as DVD and i've got a 50" TV.

[kingfats]

Originally Posted by orangefender

Should I see a step up in picture quality on blu-ray from upscaled sd dvd on my relatively small set at the current viewing distance?
...

Hi.
Your still going to get better PQ from Blu-ray over SD no matter how small the screen is (within reason of course) it's the viewing distance which is the important part.
BD on my laptops screen is great (19") but then your viewing VERY close.
All the best.

[simonblue]

Hi i found the X box 360 not to be a very good DVD player,by going for a blu ray player,you will be able to get better dvd playback & also be able to play blu rays

[nbat58]

Originally Posted by The Snake

I'm not Mr Techno but here's my thoughts.

1. On a 32" at 8 feet you see much difference.

2. Blu Ray discs are somewhat expensive.

3. The players and discs will almost certainly come down in price and spec. increase.

Hence save the wonga, be happy with upscaled DVD, buy loads of those lovely cheap DVD's, then in a few years upgrade to Blu Ray with a decent upscaled DVD when you increase the TV size and Blu comes down in price.

I've gone right off Blu Ray, I'll buy into it (again) when its as cheap as DVD and i've got a 50" TV.

Upgrade in a few years?!? when Blu Ray is cheap enough, how cheap do you want it to go?

I think that if you are awaiting for the next best thing, you will never end up buying anything because the next best thing is always around the corner.

My advice is buy what you can afford now and enjoy it and hopefully you will be able to afford that best next thing that is just around the corner.

Just my shillings worth, hope it helps.

[hippo99]

Yep, some people take the whole 'waiting' game too far...

I want to get into HDTV
I'll get a Plasma...no wait, LCD TVs are coming I'll wait...oh LCDs, aren't as good as Plasma...maybe I should get a Plasma? Oh LCDs are starting to improve...I'll wait for LCD technology to get better...oh great LCDs give a great picture, I can buy one now...oh, but Plasmas are cheaper than LCDs...maybe I'll wait for the price of LCDs to drop...oh great LCDs are cheap now...but I see LED TVs are being released soon...I think I'll wait for those...5 years pass...Oh I see OLEDs are coming...

...maybe I'll just stick with my CRT

[nbat58]

Originally Posted by hippo99

Yep, some people take the whole 'waiting' game too far...

I want to get into HDTV
I'll get a Plasma...no wait, LCD TVs are coming I'll wait...oh LCDs, aren't as good as Plasma...maybe I should get a Plasma? Oh LCDs are starting to improve...I'll wait for LCD technology to get better...oh great LCDs give a great picture, I can buy one now...oh, but Plasmas are cheaper than LCDs...maybe I'll wait for the price of LCDs to drop...oh great LCDs are cheap now...but I see LED TVs are being released soon...I think I'll wait for those...5 years pass...Oh I see OLEDs are coming...

...maybe I'll just stick with my CRT

lol

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by orangefender

Sony 32v5500 LCD Tv which I view from approx. 8 feet/2.5 meters
HD Virgin cable
Arcam Alpha 10 amp
Arcam Alpha 9 CD
Monitor Audio GS10 speakers

One thing to consider is that, if you upgrade to Blu-ray, then you will probably reap quite a benefit in the audio department given your setup. It's kit dependant but I find many people upgrade to HD expecting to be amazed by the picture - and generally they are - but what comes as a real surprise is the leap in audio quality.

As for picture on a 32" screen at 2.5 metres, I have to say I don't think you'll see much benefit. Some scenes will look better - there'll be more detail visible in people's faces - but I doubt you'll be amazed by the quality difference. Of course it all depends where your screens strengths are - I'm afraid I have no idea with your Sony.

If you do decide to adopt Blu-ray, I would urge you to seriously consider the Oppo BDP83

[skk3]

Originally Posted by orangefender

Hi everyone,

I'm um'ing and ar'ing at the moment about whether or not to make the step to blu-ray and would appreciate some of your opinions. I've already spent a lot of time reading around the pros and cons of upgrading but still struggling to reach a conclusion.

At the moment I am playing sd dvds through my xbox 360 (HDMI). The rest of my sysem consists of the following:

Sony 32v5500 LCD Tv which I view from approx. 8 feet/2.5 meters
HD Virgin cable
Arcam Alpha 10 amp
Arcam Alpha 9 CD
Monitor Audio GS10 speakers

The Xbox and Virgin are connected to my TV via HDMI, and I then connect my TV to the Alpha 10 via the analgue audio output on the tv. Historically I've been more interested in investing in my stereo hi-fi rather than a home theatre set-up. I would now like to get the best out of the tv and the stereo via either a blu-ray player or dvd player.

Ultimately the Sony will be a bedroom tv and I'll buy a bigger set in a probably 3 - 5 years once I'm more settled and have a bigger place. I like the idea of a 5.1 set-up at some point but this is likely to be even further off as I will no doubt have other priorities in life before I can justify buying the rest of the GS speaker system, though I expect I'll be able to pick them up second hand in the future.

I was originally set on buying a blu-ray player such as the Sony s550 which I thought would allow me to get the best out of my tv and use the audio outs to connect direct into my stereo. I'm not convinced however I'll really see the benefits of blu-ray over a good sd DVD upscaler on this set/viewing distance. At the moment the difference between HD content from the Virgin box and a good quality sd transmission is not always obvious, though the Wimbledon final in HD I did think was noticeably better.

Anyway, all this has got me thinking that I might be better spending my money on say an ex-demo Arcam DV137 rather than a blu-ray player. I could then sell my Alpha CD9 and look at moving over to blu-ray only when I get a bigger set in the future. In the meantime I can enjoy cheaper films on sd dvd and DVD-audio etc through my stereo.

Am I right in thinking that the DV137 will probably be a more rewarding piece of kit in my set-up than say one on the newer blu-ray players? Are there any alternatives which I should also consider? Should I see a step up in picture quality on blu-ray from upscaled sd dvd on my relatively small set at the current viewing distance? Any thoughts generally on what steps I might want to consider for upgrading my system generally, for example upgrading what you think is the weakest link? I am generally quite happy buying equipment second hand.

Many thanks in advance.

Ian

ps I originally posted this in the DVD section but didn't receive a response, so I thought I would try here! Thanks...

I had a Blu-ray player connected to my 32inch Toshiba a few years again now - I saw the difference straight away. If you need upscaling facilities for your existing collection, the Sony BDP-S350 is great for both and it's relatively inexpensive.

Discs? Well my last Blu-ray was The Bank Job and I paid £6.99, which is pretty good - yer pays yer money and yer takes yer choice. Good luck!