Blue Ray Folks Help Me Out!

[the chi]

I am looking at this basic unit to get the hubby and I into the Blue Ray craze.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+Blu-Ray+Disc+Player+with+1080p+Output/9213184.p?id=1218060485246&skuId=9213184&st=samsung%20blue%20ray&cp=1&lp=1

Keep in mind, we arent at Tiggers level of perfection electronically (meaning if its simple, works and is easy to use its good for us). We have good tv's and want something that will stream our Netflix account as well as play Blue Ray and DVD's. Is the one I linked a good option for those of you who know these things?

[the chi]

And if I wanted to use it with a wireless internet connection, is there some way to do this?

[Rider]

Do you have a 1080P TV already? If not blu ray might not be any better quality than a standard DVD player.

[fasternyou929]

Do you have a 1080P TV already? If not blu ray might not be any better quality than a standard DVD player.

Not true.

Blu-Ray will look better than upscaled standard DVD (which is only 480i) on 720p, 1080i, and 1080p.

[the chi]

Yep, 2 of the 3 are 1080...

Im actually more interested in the Netflix streaming capability.

[Rider]

Not true.

Blu-Ray will look better than upscaled standard DVD (which is only 480i) on 720p, 1080i, and 1080p.

What if you don't even have a 720P TV? I have an old 32' LCD that isn't 720P and I don't have a blu ray on that TV because I didn't think it would do any good.

[Trip]

Just go buy a cheap one at walmart. Don't go big. Blu ray isn't going to be as big as DVD.

[fasternyou929]

What if you don't even have a 720P TV? I have an old 32' LCD that isn't 720P and I don't have a blu ray on that TV because I didn't think it would do any good.

Yeah, if your TV doesn't support 720p or greater you won't see a difference. I just wanted to point out she didn't need 1080p support to see a (very noticeable) difference between standard DVD and Blu-Ray. I had the same concerns when I recently bought a Blu-Ray player for my TV that supports 720p and 1080i. All those concerns evaporated as soon as I hit play on the first Blu-Ray disc.

[goof2]

Yep, 2 of the 3 are 1080...

Im actually more interested in the Netflix streaming capability.

In order to connect it wirelessly you would need to get a wireless USB adapter. I don't know if any others are compatible, but the one Samsung sells for this model is $80 through their website. You may be able to find it cheaper but if you want wireless I would look in to this before you buy the Blu-ray player. Spending over half the price of the player just to connect it wirelessly would annoy me.

[RACER X]

and if you're gonna spend $140 + $80, might as well pony up to a PS3 cuz it's one of the better blue rays, has built in wifi , and now netflicks w/ the added benefit of gaming.

[Ineffable]

I would like to add that BlueRay isn't just about picture. People underestimate the audio. When we got our BlueRay player we also splurged on a nice surround sound system then watched Silent Hill that night. I can't begin to explain what a difference the HD sound makes.

[z06boy]

I am looking at this basic unit to get the hubby and I into the Blue Ray craze.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+Blu-Ray+Disc+Player+with+1080p+Output/9213184.p?id=1218060485246&skuId=9213184&st=samsung%20blue%20ray&cp=1&lp=1

Keep in mind, we arent at Tiggers level of perfection electronically (meaning if its simple, works and is easy to use its good for us). We have good tv's and want something that will stream our Netflix account as well as play Blue Ray and DVD's. Is the one I linked a good option for those of you who know these things?

I have this exact model and like it.

Reading the reviews on that website... some did have issues with this model it seems...maybe I'm just lucky. :idk:

[the chi]

Hrrmmm, I might think the PS3 would be a good way to go, but we already own 3 XBox's, a Wii and some other junk. I dont think we need ANYMORE gaming stuff. :lol:

I have this exact model and like it.

Reading the reviews on that website... some did have issues with this model it seems...maybe I'm just lucky. :idk:

Do you have it hard wired for the internet or set up as wireless?

[the chi]

Im adding an additional question.

I can already stream Netflix from my Laptop, but I have to use the HDMI cable. If I have a Samsung TV, and I primarily want to just stream video from my account, would it be better to just get the Samsung Link Stick and plug it into the TV to connect to my network and stream that way?

[Mr Lefty]

buy a PS3... it's the best blu ray player out there... and the only one... last I checked... that is updateable...

[TommyHotWheel]

buy a PS3... it's the best blu ray player out there... and the only one... last I checked... that is updateable...

This is why I bought a PS3...and you may be able to pick up a used one at Gamestop or somewhere for a bit cheaper.

[Trip]

buy a PS3... it's the best blu ray player out there... and the only one... last I checked... that is updateable...

Wrong, lots of blu ray players can have their firmware flashed by the end user. Just most people are too stupid to know how to do it. PS3 makes it somewhat stupid proof by doing it for you since it is usually connected to the net.

[Gas Man]

And while the newer PS3 have a nice blue ray. Its no where near "the best one out there". Not even close.

[Apoc]

And while the newer PS3 have a nice blue ray. Its no where near "the best one out there". Not even close.

Best one out there? no...

Top 5, most definately.

[Gas Man]

Best one out there? no...

Top 5, most definately.
I still wont say that. There are blue rays that cost thousands.

I mean they make dvd players that will outperform a blue ray. You just have to spend the MAJOR coin. The thing is that if you want the higher def beyond standard DVD. You have 2 choices. Either spend huge huge money on a DVD player and buy cheap dvd discs. OR Spend low money now on a blue ray and pay premo price on blue ray discs.

I'm not argueing that the PS3 isn't a good blue ray. I just wouldn't say its the end all. But yes it is a good one.

How come the other systems like Wii doesn't play blue ray?

[RACER X]

wii is only 720 output
360 went w/ HD-DVD

[Gas Man]

And we see how well HD DVD lasted

[Trip]

360 could add a blu ray drive and was rumored to do it. They just haven't. Not really worth the cost now.

Wii isn't in the full entertainment market.

[RACER X]

And we see how well HD DVD lasted



blu-ray won out over HD-DVD, as others have said downloading movies is where the ind. will goto.

so what are you saying?

and theoretically since everything is digital, it's either good or bad ? same w/ $5 cables vs $100 cables ?

[z06boy]

Do you have it hard wired for the internet or set up as wireless?

Not yet but I most likely will later so I'm not much help with that as far as having any issues with that...hopefully I won't.

The reason I bought this particular Blu-ray is because my TV is a Samsung. After reading some of the reviews...should I start having issues with it I will buy a different brand next time but again...so far...so good.

I watched Gladiator last night which is almost a 3 hour movie with no issues.

[the chi]

After digging for more info from the hubby, apparently his Xbox will also stream the Netflix, he just hasnt set it up. *sigh*

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated. I may still get this for my bedroom in the future tho.

[Gas Man]

blu-ray won out over HD-DVD, as others have said downloading movies is where the ind. will goto.

so what are you saying?

and theoretically since everything is digital, it's either good or bad ? same w/ $5 cables vs $100 cables ?

I know blu ray won over the HD-DVD. That is what I was saying.

There are differences between cables as well. Its just like everything else. Yes the $5 cable will still make sound/video but is it the same quality. No.

[goof2]

I still wont say that. There are blue rays that cost thousands.

I mean they make dvd players that will outperform a blue ray. You just have to spend the MAJOR coin. The thing is that if you want the higher def beyond standard DVD. You have 2 choices. Either spend huge huge money on a DVD player and buy cheap dvd discs. OR Spend low money now on a blue ray and pay premo price on blue ray discs.

I'm not argueing that the PS3 isn't a good blue ray. I just wouldn't say its the end all. But yes it is a good one.

How come the other systems like Wii doesn't play blue ray?

When the PS3 and Wii were introduced stand alone blu-ray players were over $300 on their own. Integrating the technology at that time was expensive and Nintendo didn't want to price themselves out of the market. The PS3, when launched, cost twice as much as a Wii and it is estimated that Sony was still loosing around $250 per PS3 at that price. Nintendo created a basic game machine and focused all their efforts on the user interface. Sony carried their user interface over but created a complete home entertainment machine.

There are no DVD players that will outperform a fully capable Blu-ray player, at any cost. Regardless of how much is spent on the player the DVD itself is limited to a native resolution of around 720x480. That signal can be upconverted, upscaled, or whatever else they want to call it but that is just filling in resolution "holes" with data that doesn't exist on the disk. DVD is also limited to 5.1 channel compressed audio. Blu-ray runs up to 7.1 channels and also uses no compression for the audio signal.

[goof2]

There are differences between cables as well. Its just like everything else. Yes the $5 cable will still make sound/video but is it the same quality. No.

Look in one of the recent TIGGER threads for a discussion of cables. If it is a digital signal we are talking about (HDMI) there is no difference between the $5 cable and the $100 cable as long as they are both producing picture and sound. Digital being what it is, if the signal is getting from one end of the cable to the other it will be exactly the same no matter how much the cable cost.

[z06boy]

After digging for more info from the hubby, apparently his Xbox will also stream the Netflix, he just hasnt set it up. *sigh*



Poor guy...I know how he feels. No matter how much you do...it's never enough. :lol

[the chi]

I gave him several examples of items I was thinking of getting him...every one he shot down...because we already have something like it, or the same thing, etc etc...

It does suck (for the giver) when you already have everything you want. I cant buy him a bike flat out and thats the only thing he wants that he DOESNT have or doesnt cost several grand (like parts for the new truck).

[RACER X]

Sometimes it does suck when you already have everything you want. I cant buy him a bike flat out and thats the only thing he wants that he DOESNT have or doesnt cost several grand (like parts for the new truck).

right, i got Z a keurig coffee maker, she doesn't even really drink coffee.

[marko138]

I gave him several examples of items I was thinking of getting him...every one he shot down...because we already have something like it, or the same thing, etc etc...

It does suck (for the giver) when you already have everything you want. I cant buy him a bike flat out and thats the only thing he wants that he DOESNT have or doesnt cost several grand (like parts for the new truck).
Just throw him a good bang, he'll be fine.

[Trip]

Just throw him a good bang, he'll be fine.

If we are going in this direction for this thread. Rear entry will make an excellent christmas gift. :lol:

[the chi]

Just throw him a good bang, he'll be fine.

Uh huh...what makes you think he doesnt get that already??!!

If we are going in this direction for this thread. Rear entry will make an excellent christmas gift. :lol:

Perv. :lol:

Actually thinking I'll just get him a massage gift certificate, a couples thing, maybe happy ending at home...:wink:

[Ineffable]

How about a cheap project bike?

[the chi]

How about a cheap project bike?

He doesnt really like to work on anything (unless he's helping me). My FIL works on and fixes anything and everything we need. Not to mention we stay too busy right now for that kinda thing. That would be a decent one for me, to get myself a track bike together...

[Ineffable]

That would be a decent one for me, to get myself a track bike together...

*cough* hint *cough*

[the chi]

*cough* hint *cough*

:lol: Thanks

[marko138]

Uh huh...what makes you think he doesnt get that already??!!



Perv. :lol:

Actually thinking I'll just get him a massage gift certificate, a couples thing, maybe happy ending at home...:wink:
You could step up your game, thats all I'm saying.

[Trip]

You could step up your game, thats all I'm saying.

That's why I said rear entry. Nothing says I love you like going to browntown. :lol:

Wear this when you give it to him:
http://www.hirethings.co.nz/photo/image/1144/large/santas_helper.jpg

And sing this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbGkxcY7YFU

[Gas Man]

When the PS3 and Wii were introduced stand alone blu-ray players were over $300 on their own. Integrating the technology at that time was expensive and Nintendo didn't want to price themselves out of the market. The PS3, when launched, cost twice as much as a Wii and it is estimated that Sony was still loosing around $250 per PS3 at that price. Nintendo created a basic game machine and focused all their efforts on the user interface. Sony carried their user interface over but created a complete home entertainment machine.

There are no DVD players that will outperform a fully capable Blu-ray player, at any cost. Regardless of how much is spent on the player the DVD itself is limited to a native resolution of around 720x480. That signal can be upconverted, upscaled, or whatever else they want to call it but that is just filling in resolution "holes" with data that doesn't exist on the disk. DVD is also limited to 5.1 channel compressed audio. Blu-ray runs up to 7.1 channels and also uses no compression for the audio signal.

Look in one of the recent TIGGER threads for a discussion of cables. If it is a digital signal we are talking about (HDMI) there is no difference between the $5 cable and the $100 cable as long as they are both producing picture and sound. Digital being what it is, if the signal is getting from one end of the cable to the other it will be exactly the same no matter how much the cable cost.

I simply don't know enough about it to debate it with you. I go by what people who do know.

[fasternyou929]

Look in one of the recent TIGGER threads for a discussion of cables. If it is a digital signal we are talking about (HDMI) there is no difference between the $5 cable and the $100 cable as long as they are both producing picture and sound. Digital being what it is, if the signal is getting from one end of the cable to the other it will be exactly the same no matter how much the cable cost.

The only caveat I would add to that is "as long as they are both producing *good* picture and sound". While HDMI signals are digital, a cable will always be an analog medium. If the connections are lossy, the wire's resistance is not matched to the inputs and outputs, or the shielding is not done properly there is still opportunity for data loss and/or reflections.

If your eyes or ears are telling you something isn't working right, it COULD be the $5 HDMI cable.

[goof2]

The only caveat I would add to that is "as long as they are both producing *good* picture and sound". While HDMI signals are digital, a cable will always be an analog medium. If the connections are lossy, the wire's resistance is not matched to the inputs and outputs, or the shielding is not done properly there is still opportunity for data loss and/or reflections.

If your eyes or ears are telling you something isn't working right, it COULD be the $5 HDMI cable.

HDMI is different from almost every other "consumer" type A/V cable in that the information over the cable is digital. The other I can think of is TOSLINK, though that is fiber optic. That being the case it is either going to work perfectly, work horrendously, or not work at all.

[fasternyou929]

HDMI is different from almost every other "consumer" type A/V cable in that the information over the cable is digital.

Right, the information is digital, but the cable itself is not. There's no such thing as a "digital" wire because a wire will always have resistive, capacitive, and inductive properties. And susceptibility to outside noise, since any wire is also an antenna.

That being the case it is either going to work perfectly, work horrendously, or not work at all.Agreed. Especially since you covered every possible condition. :lol:

To clear up what I said above - do I think $100 cables are better than $5 cables? No. (Monster is a joke and I only wish *I* had the idea to market wire for $100/5ft. to the masses) However, it is possible that an HDMI cable (in any price range) could be built poorly and not give you optimal results.

So if you're having A/V issues, don't rule out the HDMI cable just because you're getting part or most of the sound/picture.

[Apoc]

I still wont say that. There are blue rays that cost thousands.

I mean they make dvd players that will outperform a blue ray. You just have to spend the MAJOR coin. The thing is that if you want the higher def beyond standard DVD. You have 2 choices. Either spend huge huge money on a DVD player and buy cheap dvd discs. OR Spend low money now on a blue ray and pay premo price on blue ray discs.

I'm not argueing that the PS3 isn't a good blue ray. I just wouldn't say its the end all. But yes it is a good one.

How come the other systems like Wii doesn't play blue ray?

The wii doesnt use bluray for many reasons, the first was to keep cost down, and then because Nintendo wanted a game machine, not a home entertainment system. And while the wii is fun, the graphics are shit.

X-box, on the otherhand, was backed by Microsofts HD-DVD, which failed, and MS is not about to start paying Sony to use their format. Not gonna happen, ever.

It is not, however, because dvd is as good as bluray. It is not. Not in ANY price range. Dvd cannot create the picture bluray can. Simply, DVD cant hold the data that bluray can, and the laser for a dvd cant read data at any different wavelength to allow the storage of more data. DVD is not a HD format (except for HD-DVD, which really isnt dvd)

Im not sure where you got your info, but your way off.

[RACER X]

YouTube- 6 Million Dollar, Home Movie Theater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wof74IUmVx0)

[shmike]

YouTube- 6 Million Dollar, Home Movie Theater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wof74IUmVx0)

Is that from the 80's? :scratch:

I've seen far nicer set-up's for under $100k.

[Amber Lamps]

What your husband REALLY wants this Christmas is a HOT, inter-racial porn staring his lovely wife... Hmm, I wonder who we can get to play the black/mixed guy having dirty, gorilla sex with you? Whom do we know that is a big mixed/black guy with low moral standards? Hmm it's a quandary....

[RACER X]

Is that from the 80's? :scratch:

I've seen far nicer set-up's for under $100k.

dunno , i only looked at it for a few min. if you're talking about the vacuum tube amps/receivers, from what i gather in super high end stuff vacuum tubes tend to be the ticket..........dunno really too rich for my blood.

here's a $1mil setup

YouTube- Ultimate Home Theater: 13,000 Watts, 130dB, $1 Million Price (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXZEEouAqWo)

[z06boy]

What your husband REALLY wants this Christmas is a HOT, inter-racial porn staring his lovely wife... Hmm, I wonder who we can get to play the black/mixed guy having dirty, gorilla sex with you? Whom do we know that is a big mixed/black guy with low moral standards? Hmm it's a quandary....

http://tmottgogo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/tiger-woods-flexing.jpg


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[RACER X]

:snort:

[the chi]

I cant stop laughing...you guys are too much...however I DO like that little outfit, I may need to invest...link?

[Gas Man]

The wii doesnt use bluray for many reasons, the first was to keep cost down, and then because Nintendo wanted a game machine, not a home entertainment system. And while the wii is fun, the graphics are shit.

X-box, on the otherhand, was backed by Microsofts HD-DVD, which failed, and MS is not about to start paying Sony to use their format. Not gonna happen, ever.

It is not, however, because dvd is as good as bluray. It is not. Not in ANY price range. Dvd cannot create the picture bluray can. Simply, DVD cant hold the data that bluray can, and the laser for a dvd cant read data at any different wavelength to allow the storage of more data. DVD is not a HD format (except for HD-DVD, which really isnt dvd)

Im not sure where you got your info, but your way off.
The technology is there. You can upscale a dvd easily. Such things as Toshiba XDE500 & Oppo's 980/981/983 or Denon DVD2900

Sure its upscaling but if you read reviews on such products they say it will perform very well to bluray such as PS3, with SD DVD discs.

As I remember it... whenever you are debating pic or sound quality, where the debate ends is in processors. This typically goes for tvs, and media players. While I haven't spoke to the av guy at magnolia room in a while. The processor is where many things start to lack. Processor lag, etc. Like I said, I would have to stop back in for a refresher on whats what. I have a nice setup now and I simply dont care enough to worry about it.

That all being said... I drool on
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+Blu-ray+Disc+Player+with+1080p+Output/9500453.p?id=1218115045351&skuId=9500453

[goof2]

The technology is there. You can upscale a dvd easily. Such things as Toshiba XDE500 & Oppo's 980/981/983 or Denon DVD2900

Sure its upscaling but if you read reviews on such products they say it will perform very well to bluray such as PS3, with SD DVD discs.

As I remember it... whenever you are debating pic or sound quality, where the debate ends is in processors. This typically goes for tvs, and media players. While I haven't spoke to the av guy at magnolia room in a while. The processor is where many things start to lack. Processor lag, etc. Like I said, I would have to stop back in for a refresher on whats what. I have a nice setup now and I simply dont care enough to worry about it.

That all being said... I drool on
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+Blu-ray+Disc+Player+with+1080p+Output/9500453.p?id=1218115045351&skuId=9500453

A good processor certainly makes a difference (and the PS3 is still supposed to have one of the better processors out there), but with upscaling it is still a matter of the processor trying to guess about data that is not contained on the disk. With Blu-ray the information is all there, no guessing is necessary. As an alternative to getting a high dollar DVD player so it has a good video processor, I would instead get a higher end receiver that contains a very good video processor. Let it do the heavy lifting rather than your source component. The extra benefit is it can upscale all your sources, not just the DVD.

Regardless, if you are happy with the set up you have I think you are right to not mess with it. Blu-ray is nice, but at this point there is still a price premium for being an early adopter. The prices on players and disks will continue to come down. Why pay a premium for something you aren't missing anyway?

[Rangerscott]

Out of using my PS3's blu-ray and M$ HD-DVD player on my pc, I have to say HD-DVD is better.

You can not always blame the player. If the movie was not shot in HD, then they convert it to HD resolutions and the process they use can make or break a nice picture. Terminator 2 was obvisouly not shot in HD but it is on blu-ray and I've read post after post about how crappy the quality is. They did a crappy job converting it so you can't blame your player there. There is another T2 blu-ray edition out now, but I havent heard anything about it yet.

[Flexin]

YouTube- 6 Million Dollar, Home Movie Theater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wof74IUmVx0)

That looks cool in a way but I would expect a LOT MORE from 6 million dollars. It looks more like a a/v yard sale then the ultimate set up.

James

[Flexin]

The technology is there. You can upscale a dvd easily. Such things as Toshiba XDE500 & Oppo's 980/981/983 or Denon DVD2900

Sure its upscaling but if you read reviews on such products they say it will perform very well to bluray such as PS3, with SD DVD discs.

As I remember it... whenever you are debating pic or sound quality, where the debate ends is in processors. This typically goes for tvs, and media players. While I haven't spoke to the av guy at magnolia room in a while. The processor is where many things start to lack. Processor lag, etc. Like I said, I would have to stop back in for a refresher on whats what. I have a nice setup now and I simply dont care enough to worry about it.

That all being said... I drool on
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+Blu-ray+Disc+Player+with+1080p+Output/9500453.p?id=1218115045351&skuId=9500453

http://reviews.cnet.com/dvd-players/toshiba-xd-e500/4505-6473_7-33224998.htm

"r. And it almost goes without saying that the images we saw from the Toshiba DVD player did not look nearly as good as the high-definition images available on any Blu-ray player."

James

[Gas Man]

A good processor certainly makes a difference (and the PS3 is still supposed to have one of the better processors out there), but with upscaling it is still a matter of the processor trying to guess about data that is not contained on the disk. With Blu-ray the information is all there, no guessing is necessary. As an alternative to getting a high dollar DVD player so it has a good video processor, I would instead get a higher end receiver that contains a very good video processor. Let it do the heavy lifting rather than your source component. The extra benefit is it can upscale all your sources, not just the DVD.

Regardless, if you are happy with the set up you have I think you are right to not mess with it. Blu-ray is nice, but at this point there is still a price premium for being an early adopter. The prices on players and disks will continue to come down. Why pay a premium for something you aren't missing anyway?
Yeah I hear about the upscaling/converting in the recv. My denon does that now. I run all my sources into it and one hdmi to the lcd. Works well. I'm just not wanting to buy a bluray. I hate paying $20 for a DVD let alone $35+ for the br.

[marko138]

Yeah I hear about the upscaling/converting in the recv. My denon does that now. I run all my sources into it and one hdmi to the lcd. Works well. I'm just not wanting to buy a bluray. I hate paying $20 for a DVD let alone $35+ for the br.
Cheap bastard.

[Amber Lamps]

FWIW there are tons of BR disks out for $20 and they are still coming down. I've seen players for under $100... Hell, I paid $700 for my first DVD player.

[Gas Man]

Cheap bastard.

Says the man that won't buy cable or sat tv. Even when he worked for the network. :skep:

[marko138]

Says the man that won't buy cable or sat tv. Even when he worked for the network. :skep:
You know it ain't me laying down that mandate.

[Gas Man]

You know it ain't me laying down that mandate.
Shiet I know dat. You'd spend it faster than Tigger if she didn't keep you in check! :lol:

[marko138]

Shiet I know dat. You'd spend it faster than Tigger if she didn't keep you in check! :lol:
Truer words have never been spoken.

[Smittie61984]

Unless you need a Blu-ray player for your 108" top of the line LED tv and $20,000 surround system will a cheap Blu-ray from walmart be just as good for me (32" 720p LCD) as a $150-200 one from Best Buy. I'm not concerned about netflix streaming or audio that much. Just want something that plays clear and is overall dependable?

Heard this LG is $100 at Brandsmart
http://www.brandsmartusa.com/ProductViewer.aspx?c=0&m=0&sc=0&pg=1&pgs=10&pid=2004413&f=

And this one is $80 at Wal-mart...
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11319406

Is the LG worth the extra $20?

When I looked around Best Buy yesterday they didn't give too much detail other than "Superior quality and 2.0 profile" (which units from $150-400 seem to offer)