Last one I swear...Blu-ray question (Oppo)

Glowrdr

So I've read every review I can find, searched dozens of forums, and after a tedious bit of research, I've come to the conclusion that I will be getting the Panasonic DMP-BD85K (~$170)

Here is where I run into a conflict. I'm one of those people that like to buy something once. Granted, technology changes, and I do stay up on my tech stuff. But the stuff I buy generally is ahead of the game enough, that when something new comes out - it's not worth the upgrade.

With that being said - is it worth waiting for the mass-release of the Oppo 93? I don't mind the $500 price tag for a product that sounds like it is leaps and bounds above the rest in quality. Sounds like something that will be around for me down the road (unlike the POS H/K DVD player it's replacing)

Being my first BDP, how often do things "change?" Am I better off spending $170 now and buying a good quality, yet expendible player when the next big thing comes along (HDMI 1.x), or should I be looking to buy the Oppo and know I'll have a quality piece of equipment for years to come?


Thanks. I know you guys are probably sick of my rants. If you knew all of the research I do before I buy anything - you'd be sick of being here all the time too. lol Merry Christmas all

Sherardp

Buy the Oppo, you got the cash. Just do it.

leroyjr1

The Oppo 93 is an outstanding unit. My best bang for buck purchase was my PS3. I bought it a couple years ago and it was ahead of its time and to date it's still one of the best bang for buck units that does everything. After less than a year of owning my oppo 83 the 93 comes out and I definitely regret buying it.

cheddar

Just my two cents but I'd line up the player with your actual needs. If you need most of the functionality of the oppo, then by all means get the latest one. But if the function set is overkill for you, then put the money towards something else in your system to make sure each component is optimized for the system you're building.

thuffman03

+1 on PS3 is the best bang for the buck.

cheddar

Also, most tech parts of blu-ray are mature by now. The only part that may change dramatically over the next few years is 3D (if it survives). And that may or may not be something you even want.

Glowrdr

The factors I'm considering in the Oppo / Panny / PS3 debate are:

Panny - Does everything I need, minus 3-d and DLNA (which really isn't required, I get along fine without it now)

Oppo - Does everything now (EVERYTHING it seems for the market).... but will it in a year as mentioned

PS3 - I want (need) something that supports 7.1 Analog which rules this out.


So it sounds like Oppo is king of the hill - but it's like expecting to buy a PC and have it for the next 20 years.... just isn't going to happen. I think I really "want" to have the Oppo, but my head is telling me no. I'd hate to get it and regret it next year, which sounds like a very real possibility. Grrrr.

vc69

The 93 is going to be an amazing player by all accounts I have read. My 83SE is absolutely outstanding. I happen to think it's the best A/V money ($800) I have probably ever spent. If you want the best at a price point that is affordable to the casual hobbyist, it is unbeatable. I plan to own mine for a few more years as it serves all of my needs. I don't HAVE TO HAVE the latest model number.

Caveat: I have a large collection of SD-DVD's. The Oppo's upscaling ability is quite impressive. IF I was only doing video playback of ONLY BR discs (which I am decidedly NOT, I use my player for 2ch audio more than anything else) I would not have gotten the Oppo. All decent BR disc players are basically capable of outputting an unscaled 1080 picture that is quite watchable. So if BR playback is all you require, you might be just as happy with the Panny.

Glowrdr

vc69 wrote: »

Caveat: I have a large collection of SD-DVD's. The Oppo's upscaling ability is quite impressive. IF I was only doing video playback of ONLY BR discs (which I am decidedly NOT, I use my player for 2ch audio more than anything else) I would not have gotten the Oppo. All decent BR disc players are basically capable of outputting an unscaled 1080 picture that is quite watchable. So if BR playback is all you require, you might be just as happy with the Panny.

That is exactly what I was looking for. I read things, and after a while, you forget some of the details.

I do not even own a BR disc yet. I've got a little over 700 SD-DVD's (this is actually my attempt at future-proofing my DVD player that's on the fritz)

I also own a decent collection of DVD-A (purchased when I had my Acura, which has since been sold)

Because of the direction I see the future of media going, I do not expect that I will be replacing my collection of DVD's with BR discs. Granted, I will probably pick up a couple hundred over the years perhaps, but I don't foresee myself accumulating an entire "library" of BRD's like previously.

Any idea how long it takes Oppo to go from pre- to post release? Sounds like the 93 should have already been released, and I know there are some pending details still lurking out there about file compatibility, and business partners when it comes to streaming/apps.

Your advice/statment just swayed my Panny purchase from 95% sure, down to about 25% - just wish it was actually available.

vc69

I would most definitely wait on the 93 or if analog audio is very important then wait on the 95 (I think in June). If you are in a big hurry, find a used 83. They should be plentiful soon and you can keep it for a second or resell it later. The standard 83 will get you by and the picture for SD-DVD's is astounding.

TNRabbit

leroyjr1 wrote: »

The Oppo 93 is an outstanding unit. My best bang for buck purchase was my PS3. I bought it a couple years ago and it was ahead of its time and to date it's still one of the best bang for buck units that does everything. After less than a year of owning my oppo 83 the 93 comes out and I definitely regret buying it.

Yes but you've been using it for a YEAR now....

Glowrdr

Analog Audio is a must, but I don't know that I can say it is "important" for me or not. I currently use an optical connection for my 5.1 to my receiver.

Will I notice a difference in the sound from analog to digital, or probably not? (for example, if I had the 83, I probably would not pay to have it upgraded)

Though I like my things, $500 is the absolute max I would be looking to spend in this economy (especially with Wifey not working currently). That's double what I really was looking for, but I realize the Oppo would be more of an investment, rather than something to get me through.

(Within the next 2-3 years, I will probably pick up another receiver and move my current H/K downstairs - eliminating my need for the analog and the upgrade)

leroyjr1

TNRabbit wrote: »

Yes but you've been using it for a YEAR now....

My ps3 get alot more blu ray time than my oppo because I love the blue tooth remote and pq is equal IMO. My rotel cdp 1072 sounds better and gets all my cd playback time. A waste of my money IMO. Many claim it sounds better than many $1000 cdp's, I don't think so.

Now SD-DVD's got all playback using the oppo. It does a great job upconverting.

cheddar

Glowrdr wrote: »

Will I notice a difference in the sound from analog to digital, or probably not? (for example, if I had the 83, I probably would not pay to have it upgraded)

All digital signals must be converted to analog sooner or later. 'Cause speakers are pure analog and are the last piece in the chain before it hits your ears. All you're doing by using analog outs of the player is doing this conversion sooner rather than later. And so the analog chips in your player become important since you're bypassing the chips in your AVR.

If audio is important to you, you should definitely notice an upgrade when going from the lossy sound compression of your DVDs to the lossless options on blu-rays. Even over analog outs instead of hdmi. Lossless multichannel sound over optical isn't possible.

leroyjr1

Glowrdr wrote: »

Analog Audio is a must, but I don't know that I can say it is "important" for me or not. I currently use an optical connection for my 5.1 to my receiver.

Will I notice a difference in the sound from analog to digital, or probably not? (for example, if I had the 83, I probably would not pay to have it upgraded)

Though I like my things, $500 is the absolute max I would be looking to spend in this economy (especially with Wifey not working currently). That's double what I really was looking for, but I realize the Oppo would be more of an investment, rather than something to get me through.

(Within the next 2-3 years, I will probably pick up another receiver and move my current H/K downstairs - eliminating my need for the analog and the upgrade)

Just my opinion but I would upgrade the receiver before the bdp.

tonyb

Or buy the Panny and put the difference towards a new receiver.

leroyjr1

cheddar wrote: »

All digital signals must be converted to analog sooner or later. 'Cause speakers are pure analog and are the last piece in the chain before it hits your ears. All you're doing by using analog outs of the player is doing this conversion sooner rather than later. And so the analog chips in your player become important since you're bypassing the chips in your AVR.

If audio is important to you, you should definitely notice an upgrade when going from the lossy sound compression of your DVDs to the lossless options on blu-rays. Even over analog outs instead of hdmi. Lossless multichannel sound over optical isn't possible.

HD audio sounds a lot better thru hdmi vs analog out.

vc69

leroyjr1 wrote: »

HD audio sounds a lot better thru hdmi vs analog out.

Not necessarily Leroy. It depends on individual setups, gear, and taste. Many would disagree.

Glowrdr

Not that I don't value your opinions, but is the H/K AVR635 that big of an issue that I need to replace it? The only option that I can see that I'm missing is HDMI ports. Power, inputs, outputs, pre-outs, everything seem to be right in line with some of the best receivers out there currently.

I read the upgrade comment earlier, but wasn't sure if that was related to the receiver or if it was talking about the BDP not being worth the upgrade.

Granted, I do realize that I'm due for a new receiver in the near future - I'm kind of a skeptic (maybe even defensive?) when the thought of my $1200 receiver has become the bottleneck in my system over a broken DVD player.

Can I really replace my receiver for under $500 and come out ahead? Granted, the Oppo would move itself right up to the top of my HT totem pole - but eventually everything would right itself again. Gotta start somewhere right?

My thought (if I'm 100% for the Oppo, which is still undecided) - even though it's more than I need (Oppo); Should I spend $170 on a BDP just to turn around and buy the $500 a year later? I generally like to buy what I want first, and skip wasting money on something to get me by. I'm not saying in 10 years I might replace some stuff. I'm saying give me a year before I have to drop a grand on a different AVR.

Sorry for the rant, I just don't feel that the H/K is my primary focus at this exact moment in time. I've currently got a broken DVD player, and am looking for a replacement. Yeah, I can wait a month or two fro the Oppo to come out if that's what I decide, but that's not the same as buying a new receiver and not watching a movie for a year either.

DanAckerman

There is this option to convert PS3 Sound to Analog for 7.1

http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI%20switch%204x2_7_1audio.html

Kind of pricey though.

Sherardp

Go to Oppo's website, sign up for notification and they will send you an email to purchase. It won't take long before they offer it to you either. I had my offer within a week.

blueboxer

I thought the PS3 could stream lossless LPCM, is analog multichannel really a huge improvement over that?

Glowrdr

blueboxer wrote: »

I thought the PS3 could stream lossless LPCM, is analog multichannel really a huge improvement over that?

No - but my receiver doesn't have HDMI - that's my whole pickle with analog. Actually digital is the preferred method, but it requires getting a new receiver, and the cheap ones won't cut it for me.

leroyjr1

vc69 wrote: »

Not necessarily Leroy. It depends on individual setups, gear, and taste. Many would disagree.

Well, I tried mine both ways just to get some experience with the analog out on my blu ray player and it was a night and day difference.

TrashyTrucker

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Well, I tried mine both ways just to get some experience with the analog out on my blu ray player and it was a night and day difference.

+1 HDMI. What up Leroy....

I was told by my local dealer that the only way to get DTS on blu ray is thru HDMI?
Is that true?

samnor

TrashyTrucker wrote: »

I was told by my local dealer that the only way to get DTS on blu ray is thru HDMI?
Is that true?

I dont think thats true. dts-hd shd be available over 7.1 analog outs assuming the BDP will decode it on board.

cheddar

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Well, I tried mine both ways just to get some experience with the analog out on my blu ray player and it was a night and day difference.

Analog outs require a separate callibration of the player since you are bypassing the AVR's digital processing. You also need to figure out if you need to manually boost the LFE output by +10db. This is a required step that AVRs perform automatically if they get bitstreamed dolby or DTS lossy or lossless.

Analog outs require a bit more work to get them dialed in. But shouldn't be a night and day difference unless something is messed up somewhere along the chain.

cheddar

TrashyTrucker wrote: »

I was told by my local dealer that the only way to get DTS on blu ray is thru HDMI?
Is that true?

It's not true...

Lossy DTS and Dolby can be sent over old school digital connections like optical as well as the analog outs of a capable player.

HDMI is required to bitstream DTS-HD MA and TrueHD and to transmit the third lossless format, uncompressed PCM. A player can also internally decode DTS-HD MA and TrueHD into PCM and transmit it over HDMI. In either case, the PCM can further be converted to analog and transmitted over analog outs if the player has the capability.

TrashyTrucker

cheddar wrote: »

It's not true...

Lossy DTS and Dolby can be sent over old school digital connections like optical as well as the analog outs of a capable player.

HDMI is required to bitstream DTS-HD MA and TrueHD and to transmit the third lossless format, uncompressed PCM. A player can also internally decode DTS-HD MA and TrueHD into PCM and transmit it over HDMI. In either case, the PCM can further be converted to analog and transmitted over analog outs if the player has the capability.

Perhaps that is what the dealer meant was the aforementioned DTS-HD MA and true HD! Nevertheless, thanks Cheddar for the heads up.

Matt :biggrin: