[ollie501]

Hi,

I'm off to Richer Sounds tomorrow to have a look at Blu-Ray players. Now they have a couple which are multi-region, on DVD playback at least, I'm happy to start giving them very serious consideration. The main ones I am looking at are the Sony BDPS350 and the Panasonic DMPBD35.

My amp is Sony STR-DB555ES, which has two sets of analogue inputs, one 5.1, the other 6.1, if memory serves correctly. My mate is also considering one, to be used with a Yamaha amp, an RX-430RDS, which I believe has one set of 5.1 analogue inputs.

Both obviously have coax/optical digitial inputs. Here's where the confusion starts to arise. I don't know whether my amp can do 96khz over digital, or if that is even relevant, although one of the many different Blu-Ray player manuals I've downloaded imply it is.

I was under the impression that a degree of HD audio could be achieved through the analogue inputs, or that in the case of a digital input, downmixed. I believe it was the Sony manual which states it downmixes HD audio to 2 channel, although that seemed to be by LPCM or Bitstream? If that is true, what is the point of that? Can they downscale a DTS-HD (for example) track to standard DTS 6.1ES.

As far as I know the Panny doesn't have analogue outputs, much like the new Samsungs (I was toying with a BDP-1500, but since there is no multi-region, decided not to bother, but then again, if the HD audio side is useless to me, maybe I should, and just use my old DVD player for non R2 dvd's, which would mean I'd miss out on upscaling, but...)

I like the idea of the Sony, since it can upscale over Component to 1080i, which is all my plasma can deal with anyway, but it is devoid of analogue outputs, which could be a problem. Picture scaling I understand completely, but the whole audio backward compatability has left me utterly baffled.

Which is the best way of optimizing the audio potential of any player with my amp (and indeed, with my mate Yamaha), is it worth going multi-region, in as much as does the upscaling make a HUGE difference against my Pioneer 575 dvd player. Presumably all Blu-Ray players will handle dvd's and their audio tracks exactly as a regular dvd player would?

I'll quit rambling now, as my brain hurts, and anyone who can shed any light on what the best way to proceed is, both for my amp and my mates, I will be forever in your debt, worship you on Sundays, and devote my garden shed to building a shrine to you!!!! (I'd also be very grateful if I can get some "laymans" answers.. I'm usually pretty tech-savvy, but this has got me tearing my hair out!)

Thanks

Ollie

[MrNPG]

If you want to experience HD audio, you would be better off getting the Sony 550 or the Panny 55. With those, you can use the analogue outputs to your amp and the players will decode the HD audio.

If you use the digital optical or coax connection to your amp, then you will not get HD audio, only "normal" DD 5.1 or DTS 5.1.

[kingfats]

Originally Posted by ollie501

Hi,

I'm off to Richer Sounds tomorrow to have a look at Blu-Ray players. Now they have a couple which are multi-region, on DVD playback at least, I'm happy to start giving them very serious consideration. The main ones I am looking at are the Sony BDPS350 and the Panasonic DMPBD35.

Both great players will give you DD/DTS (max bitrate) from Blu-ray with your amp.Sony has optical/coaxial Panasonic optical only.
Samsung will give you max bitrate DTS over optical with "all" HD soundtracks.
All the best.

[Scott_Mac]

You have a couple of choices really to get 'the best' from your system...

Panasonic BD55 or Sony S550 both of which will decode everything internally and pass it over analogue to your amp.... you will have the ******* about factor dealing with the fixed bass crossover (basically the subwoofer output seems very low so you have to increase it, or decrease all other speakers when setting up to compensate)

The other option as alluded to above is the Samsung BD-P1500 or BD-P2500 both of which will re-encode all HD audio to maximum bitrate DTS over optical... having tried this the other day with my HTPC i was blown away with how good max bitrate DTS actually is... I could happily live with it, and given the limitations with the bass crossover above (in my HTPC it's easily dealt with) i would opt for the Samsung system personally.

As such, the two units you're going to look at wouldn't feature on my shopping list.... the Samsung is very cheap in store at Richers, if they have any, failing that Amazon seem to be the cheapest. Sony and Panasonic players with analogue outs are quite rare too... Sony is again in store only at Richers!

Samsung BD-P1500/XEU - Blu-ray Disc Player: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

[ollie501]

Originally Posted by Scott_Mac

You have a couple of choices really to get 'the best' from your system...

Panasonic BD55 or Sony S550 both of which will decode everything internally and pass it over analogue to your amp.... you will have the ******* about factor dealing with the fixed bass crossover (basically the subwoofer output seems very low so you have to increase it, or decrease all other speakers when setting up to compensate)

The other option as alluded to above is the Samsung BD-P1500 or BD-P2500 both of which will re-encode all HD audio to maximum bitrate DTS over optical... having tried this the other day with my HTPC i was blown away with how good max bitrate DTS actually is... I could happily live with it, and given the limitations with the bass crossover above (in my HTPC it's easily dealt with) i would opt for the Samsung system personally.

As such, the two units you're going to look at wouldn't feature on my shopping list.... the Samsung is very cheap in store at Richers, if they have any, failing that Amazon seem to be the cheapest. Sony and Panasonic players with analogue outs are quite rare too... Sony is again in store only at Richers!

Samsung BD-P1500/XEU - Blu-ray Disc Player: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Thanks.. I'm contemplating a Samsung, but ideally it's got to be multi-region, as I want (if possible) to use it to completely replace my dvd player.

The other players mentioned, the Panny BD55 and the Sony S550 are both out of my price league at the moment, which is a pity, although I wasn't aware of the subwoofer issues, so...

Was DVD ever this damn complicated? Half of me is inclined to give up on the idea of Blu-Ray for the time being.. it seem so unpredictable and volatile. Any other players I should be thinking about? Ideally I want to stay at the sub £200 end of the market, which is why the two multi-region players on Richer Sounds initially looked so appealing.

[kingfats]

Originally Posted by ollie501

Thanks.. I'm contemplating a Samsung, but ideally it's got to be multi-region, as I want (if possible) to use it to completely replace my dvd player.

.

No hack for the Samsung though 350/35 your fine there.

[Bobbler]

One thing I would advise is RING RICHERS FIRST!!!

I had a very disappointing trip to the Bristol branch middle of this week to get a subwoofer and a Bluray player.
They had very very little stock at all, I mean like single choices out of the dozens they allude to carry from their website (its worse that they tell you to obtain a better selection go to a store on their front page LOL). All items I was contemplating where out of stock not only at the store but also the warehouse and any other stores that he looked at locally.
My choices included the Sony S550, S350, Panny BD55, BD35 not one available at all, only thing they actually had in stock was Onkyo player at around 300 quid. Subs they where down to two cheap nasty things or the Alumni 9 (although this appeared to be limited to the single display model which was wearing a nice big dent in its top after being hit by one of the other models that was also only a display model), all others again where out of stock at both store and warehouse.
A very poor experience and the first time I have ever walked out without opening my wallet in years.

You could buy a BD35 now, and when funds allow, upgrade your amp. Another alternative would be to get a HDMI-5.1 analogue converter which would plug in between the Panny and your amp, but I think they are a bit pricey and I don't know who sells them.

[ollie501]

Originally Posted by Marky P

You could buy a BD35 now, and when funds allow, upgrade your amp. Another alternative would be to get a HDMI-5.1 analogue converter which would plug in between the Panny and your amp, but I think they are a bit pricey and I don't know who sells them.

I did toy with the idea of a new amp, but it's just more expense, and more importantly the Sony amp I have is fantastic.. granted it's a little long in the tooth, but its music playback from CD and Vinyl is exceptional compared to some of the amps I've heard. Add to the fact it cost a grand when I bought it, and I'm very loathe to part with it. Not making this easy, am I!

Are there any multi-region players (dvd only required), that have analogue 6.1 outputs, and don't cost a small fortune?

[kingfats]

Originally Posted by ollie501

:

Are there any multi-region players (dvd only required), that have analogue 6.1 outputs, and don't cost a small fortune?

Pioneer 51 Sony 550.