Panasonic DMP-BD35 or Sony BDP-S550 ??

Waynester · 14-01-2009, 1:50 PM

Hi everyone

its no doubt been touched on in another thread somewhere

i have £200 - £250 to spend on a Blu-Ray Player

i have narrowed it down to these 2 Models

i have a 40" Sony KDL-40V3000 LCD Television

just wanted to know what does one have over the other?
obviously Picture and Sound Quality are FIRST Priority and also how good its upscaling actually is at playing all my NON Blu-Ray DVD`s
i also would like a nice quiet machine and one thats reasonably fast at loading Blu-Rays once its turnt on..

can anyone help me decide without arguing!!

Many thanks

xit2050 · 14-01-2009, 1:54 PM

The Panasonic is better at upscaling and faster at loading discs.

**Stuart** · 14-01-2009, 1:55 PM

This thread may be of use:

Blu-ray player alternative PQ shoot-out.

and to summarise, the Panasonic is my pick, particularly for DVD

Edit. why the sony 550 and not the 350. Do you know that the only difference is the analogue outs?

kingfats · 14-01-2009, 2:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

can anyone help me decide without arguing!!

Perish the thought.

Are you using an amp/sound system at all

if yes,what connection?
Cheers.

xit2050 · 14-01-2009, 2:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfats

Are you using an amp/sound system at all

Take a look at his sig.

Waynester · 14-01-2009, 2:29 PM

Hi Mate

yes, i am using a 5.1 Yamaha Surround Sound System
listed here
DISCONTINUED YAMAHA AV61 PACKAGE (RXV361 HOME CINEMA RECEIVER AND NSP110 5.1 SPEAKER SYSTEM) - available from Superfi UK Visit http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/product_id/3396 for details

the connections i have at the back are pictured here
superfi

i have my SAMSUNG SKY HD box going into the Optical input of the sound system
it would be nice to do the same with my NEW Blu-Ray Player, or is that coaxial?
i have one more optical input left on my surround sound system, though it does say CD on it as the other connection is used for my SKY HD box
not sure if its ok to use the CD optical input??

kingfats · 14-01-2009, 2:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

Hi Mate

yes, i am using a 5.1 Yamaha Surround Sound System
listed here
DISCONTINUED YAMAHA AV61 PACKAGE (RXV361 HOME CINEMA RECEIVER AND NSP110 5.1 SPEAKER SYSTEM) - available from Superfi UK Visit http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/product_id/3396 for details

the connections i have at the back are pictured here
superfi

i have my SAMSUNG SKY HD box going into the Optical input of the sound system
it would be nice to do the same with my NEW Blu-Ray Player, or is that coaxial?
i have one more optical input left on my surround sound system, though it does say CD on it as the other connection is used for my SKY HD box
not sure if its ok to use the CD optical input??

Yes you've 2 optical and 1 coaxial Input

plus,the Multi-analogue connections as well which could be hooked up for HD audio.

**Ian_S** · 14-01-2009, 3:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AV Junkie

Edit. why the sony 550 and not the 350. Do you know that the only difference is the analogue outs?

Not quite, the S550 has more video adjustment options which may or may not be useful.

**Stuart** · 14-01-2009, 3:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian_S

Not quite, the S550 has more video adjustment options which may or may not be useful.

I stand corrected. Cheers mate

The Gooner · 14-01-2009, 4:52 PM

Unless you change for the Panny BD55, I would go for the Sony as you wont get the HD formats from the BD35.
Your amp hasnt got HDMI and decoding capabilities so with the BD35 you would have to use the optical which would only carry DD and DTS.
With the Sony 550 and Panny BD55, they have the analogue outs which will connect to your Amp analogue Inlets. The Blu Ray player will then decode all sound formats and send them as LPCM to your amp anabling you to get the uncompressed sound from the BR discs.

So unless you are willing to pay the extra for the 55 the Sony is the one for you IMO of course.

As you have said Upsacling is important, I believe the panny is better, but how much better I dont know, personely I think it will be very marginal and myself wouldnt worry about it. Although I did buy the Panny going on these forums and opinions of others that the panny was better at upscaling.

Waynester · 14-01-2009, 5:50 PM

im well confused, i thought my sound system was quite a good one

whats all this about HD Sound formats? lol

i thought using Optical gave you the best sound, i only thought there was Dolby Digital and DTS etc

i wish i understood your post, but im lost with all this technology stuff, Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

so, if i bought the Panny BD55 or Sony 550, i would use the rear analogue ports and then go into my Yamaha Amp, this will still give me Dolby Digital and DTS etc etc ??

my bedroom only measures 10ft by 10ft for my entire setup, cant really appreciate spreading the Yamaha system out, no room !!

kingfats · 14-01-2009, 6:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

so, if i bought the Panny BD55 or Sony 550, i would use the rear analogue ports and then go into my Yamaha Amp, this will still give me Dolby Digital and DTS etc etc ??

my bedroom only measures 10ft by 10ft for my entire setup, cant really appreciate spreading the Yamaha system out, no room !!

Hi Waynester.

550 or the 55 and then you "could" connect up the Multi-analogues for HD audio (TrueHD/DTS-MA) the player decodes and then sends the tracks to the amp

and yes,will do the same with DD/DTS.
Or stick with optical for bitstream DD/DTS only if you think all the extra cables are too much hassle.
All the best.

The Gooner · 14-01-2009, 6:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

im well confused, i thought my sound system was quite a good one

whats all this about HD Sound formats? lol

i thought using Optical gave you the best sound, i only thought there was Dolby Digital and DTS etc

i wish i understood your post, but im lost with all this technology stuff, Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

so, if i bought the Panny BD55 or Sony 550, i would use the rear analogue ports and then go into my Yamaha Amp, this will still give me Dolby Digital and DTS etc etc ??

my bedroom only measures 10ft by 10ft for my entire setup, cant really appreciate spreading the Yamaha system out, no room !!

Sorry will try and explain a bit better if I can.

Your amp has Optical inlet and can decode Dolby Digital and DTS, the signal is sent bitstream and the amp decodes the sound for you.
The new formats TrueHD and DTS MA can also be sent bitstream but ONLY via HDMI. These are the newer uncompressed sound formats found on all Blu Ray Discs.
As your amp has no HDMI input and dosnt have the capability to decode these formats you are more restricted on your player. If you are not bothered about these new uncompressed formats then it is no big deal. You can buy The 350 or 35, connect using optical and let the amp decode but you will only get DD and DTS sound Formats of Blu Rays.
Now as your amp has analogue inputs, this gives you the option of buying a player with internal decoding. The 550 or 55. you can then connect via analogue out from the player to your analogue in on the amp. The player will decode the new uncompressed sound format and send it to your amp LPCM. The amp will probably display Multi Channel but it will be the new formats.
You can also play DD and DTS for your existing discs using this method.

Looking at your amp and the interest in a BR PLayer I would guess that you want to maximise your BR experience, the cheapest way is to buy a Player which will decode and send it via LPCM so I would look at the 550 and get the analogue leads, set the player to LPCM and enjoy True HD and DTS MA as well as upscaling all your exisiting collection and still getting DD and DTS.

Hope this makes more sense and explains the possibilities for you.

Waynester · 14-01-2009, 6:37 PM

thanks very much for the advice again

how many, and what type of cables would i need to plug the blu-ray player into the Yamaha Amp ?

thanks

kingfats · 14-01-2009, 6:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

thanks very much for the advice again

how many, and what type of cables would i need to plug the blu-ray player into the Yamaha Amp ?

thanks

Phono cables

3 pairs.
Example here.

The Gooner · 14-01-2009, 6:56 PM

This is a useful link to help you on your way and explains a bit about setting up.

How To Set up a Blu-ray Player Using Multi-Channel Analog Outputs... And Why: BigPictureBigSound

The leads that you need are Standard Phono Leads I believe. Obviously The more expensive the better the quality, Although I wouldnt go mad but not get the Cheapest if you know what I mean.

See here Audio Phono Leads

You will need 3 leads for 5.1 (6 inputs), They come as a left right lead and you will need one each for Front Left Right, Rear Left Right, Centre and Sub.

Waynester · 14-01-2009, 7:12 PM

heres the back of the Sony BDPS550
superfi

looking at the above picture, it would appear i need 4 pairs of cables?
sorry if im completely wrong

theres 8 holes on the back of the Sony

i cant afford the Panny BD55, its another £100 out of my budget

kingfats · 14-01-2009, 7:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

heres the back of the Sony BDPS550
superfi

looking at the above picture, it would appear i need 4 pairs of cables?
sorry if im completely wrong

theres 8 holes on the back of the Sony

i cant afford the Panny BD55, its another £100 out of my budget

You won't use the Surround Backs

use Fronts,Surrounds,Centre and Subwoofer.......6 connections. (3 pairs)

Waynester · 14-01-2009, 7:26 PM

thanks again, just read that article about how to setting it all up

im petrified now! i thought you just plugged it in and away you go, it seems i would have to go into the settings on my Yamaha Amp to configure everything, i wouldnt havent a clue without messing anything up

kingfats · 14-01-2009, 7:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

thanks again, just read that article about how to setting it all up

im petrified now! i thought you just plugged it in and away you go, it seems i would have to go into the settings on my Yamaha Amp to configure everything, i wouldnt havent a clue without messing anything up

I definitely would have a good read and think about it before you do decide to go with the analogues.

Another possibilty is the Samsung BD player,has great audio over the optical output.

The Gooner · 14-01-2009, 7:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

i cant afford the Panny BD55, its another £100 out of my budget

Which is why I would go for the 550, I doubt the difference in upscaling capabilities will be that big a difference and Im certain you wont be dissapointed with the Sony.