Blu Ray Player Recommendation?

dpowell

My Oppo BDP-83SE has finally worn out and I am looking for recommendations on a good replacement in the $500 or under range.

ZLTFUL

Top end of your range but for the price, hard to really beat the Sony UBP-X1100ES
Sony UBP-X1100ES 4K UHD Home Theater Streaming Blu-ray Player with HDR https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07RN2RM5Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WWCLFbJQRY066

Only complaints about the Sony UHD BD players is a manual process to turn Dolby Vision on and off. And a lack of streaming apps. There are some common ones but not as many as there could be.

rooftop59

Or go with this one if it’s just for movies and save some coin for something else:

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-UBP-X700-Ultra-Blu-ray-Player/dp/B078HXF9H2/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=sony+ubp-x700&qid=1603718198&sprefix=sony+ubp&sr=8-3

I have one in the game room and it’s been great, purely a BD player, no music or streaming. I also have the Sony UBP-x1000es in the living room and it’s been solid but rarely gets used. I got one on eBay for $80 shipped from a pawn shop...

dpowell

Thanks all. I have a separate Sony C333ES for 2 channel listening so this is purely for DVD/BD playback. The only differences i seem to be able to find between the 1100ES and 800M2 are output options on the back, longer warranty and front display but nothing to do with upgraded internals. ES sure doesnt mean what it did in the 80's/90's.

pitdogg2

ES sure doesnt mean what it did in the 80's/90's.

100%agree

They're some decent deals on older pioneer elite players if you're not opposed to used.

WLDock

dpowell wrote: »

ES sure doesnt mean what it did in the 80's/90's.

ES gear from the past in home & car audio was just awesome!

Anyway, I plan to pick up a UBP-X800M2 myself once I replace my aging 1080p 70" Sharp TV with a 4K Sony XBR. I stopped watching Blu-Rays awhile back but will pick up some in 4K in due time.

ZLTFUL

dpowell wrote: »

Thanks all. I have a separate Sony C333ES for 2 channel listening so this is purely for DVD/BD playback. The only differences i seem to be able to find between the 1100ES and 800M2 are output options on the back, longer warranty and front display but nothing to do with upgraded internals. ES sure doesnt mean what it did in the 80's/90's.

The build quality on the 800 and 1100 are leaps and bounds better than the 700. But you are right, outside of the output stage for audio, the 800 and 1100 aren't all that different.
The warranty is a selling point for me as I have had to use the warranty on TVs and other brand BDPs in the past.

I have the first gen of the 800 and kept it when I got my Panasonic 420 for the theater. And the *only* reason I don't use it in the theater is because the Panasonic's HDR optimizer is essential for the theater when it comes to Disney titles in 4K.

For $248 on Amazon, unless you *need* the HDR optimizer of the Panasonic, the 800M2 is a danged good product too.

dpowell

ZLTFUL wrote: »

The warranty is a selling point for me as I have had to use the warranty on TVs and other brand BDPs in the past.

Good point. The 3 year warranty is nice but at double the cost, i can buy a second 800M2 player as a spare.

ZLTFUL

Touche.

The 800M2 is a great player (based on my experience with the original 800) and is less than the Panasonic DP-UB420 (if you can even find it in stock anywhere).
https://smile.amazon.com/Panasonic-Blu-ray-Log-Gamma-Playback-Streaming/dp/B07YD3PXQP/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Panasonic+420&qid=1603741262&s=electronics&sr=1-1

The Panasonic is MUCH cheaper build quality-wise but has that darned HDR optimizer that makes a huge difference for me.

gyosa

If you scour the net , that Sony UBP-x700 is THE one to get .....
I believe it is one of the few Sony’s that WILL do dolbyvision automatically...

Bk

Grimster74

My choice would be the Panasonic UB820. It's at the top end of your budget but well worth it in my opinion. I have had nothing but great things to say about mine and the picture quality is out of this world. If your not already doing 4K once you do go 4K the 820 also has all kinds of HDR features to fine tune the picture quality. Here is a link, check it out.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_133UB820K/Panasonic-DP-UB820.html?tp=171

ZLTFUL

Grimster74 wrote: »

My choice would be the Panasonic UB820. It's at the top end of your budget but well worth it in my opinion. I have had nothing but great things to say about mine and the picture quality is out of this world. If your not already doing 4K once you do go 4K the 820 also has all kinds of HDR features to fine tune the picture quality. Here is a link, check it out.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_133UB820K/Panasonic-DP-UB820.html?tp=171

I completely agree with this. The HDR optimizer on all 3 of the Panasonics (420, 820 and 9000) is awesome for HDR titles that are not already in good shape (Disney owned properties are notoriously bad...new Star Wars, Marvel, etc).

My only real complaints about the 420 and the 820 is the build "feel" and a lack of IP control on all 3 models. IP control only becomes a challenge if your equipment isn't in a rack within your line of sight (mine is in a storage room across the hall from the theater). But an IR blaster easily solves that minor foible.

dpowell

ZLTFUL wrote: »

My only real complaints about the 420 and the 820 is the build "feel" and a lack of IP control on all 3 models. IP control only becomes a challenge if your equipment isn't in a rack within your line of sight (mine is in a storage room across the hall from the theater). But an IR blaster easily solves that minor foible.

When you mention IP control are you referencing control via a smart phone app?

ZLTFUL

Correct. I integrate the projector, sources, pre/pro, lighting, etc into a single iPad app for simplicity of control. A lot of devices use IP control over LAN but it is still surprising to find devices out there aimed at folks like “me” with these features lacking as it is a tiny expense in implementing in the grand scheme of things.

rooftop59

Grimster74 wrote: »

My choice would be the Panasonic UB820. It's at the top end of your budget but well worth it in my opinion. I have had nothing but great things to say about mine and the picture quality is out of this world. If your not already doing 4K once you do go 4K the 820 also has all kinds of HDR features to fine tune the picture quality. Here is a link, check it out.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_133UB820K/Panasonic-DP-UB820.html?tp=171

I get want y’all are saying about these Panasonics and that’s a reasonable argument to get one, but man that 820 sure looks like a plasticy piece of crap for $500 bucks! Don’t get me wrong, my sonys are the same way, but I paid about $200 for both on eBay, so if one breaks in a year I won’t stress about it...

ZLTFUL

rooftop59 wrote: »

Grimster74 wrote: »

My choice would be the Panasonic UB820. It's at the top end of your budget but well worth it in my opinion. I have had nothing but great things to say about mine and the picture quality is out of this world. If your not already doing 4K once you do go 4K the 820 also has all kinds of HDR features to fine tune the picture quality. Here is a link, check it out.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_133UB820K/Panasonic-DP-UB820.html?tp=171

I get want y’all are saying about these Panasonics and that’s a reasonable argument to get one, but man that 820 sure looks like a plasticy piece of crap for $500 bucks! Don’t get me wrong, my sonys are the same way, but I paid about $200 for both on eBay, so if one breaks in a year I won’t stress about it...

That's my biggest problem with the Panasonics. For similar price points, Sony gives you the 800M2 and the 1100ES respectively in metal chassis. I get that plastic is cheaper to source and manufacture but Sony is turning a good enough profit on these pieces at slightly lower prices. Hard to believe Panasonic can't do the same...although, with their 2.1 HDMI chip debacle just getting ramped up, they may have other things on their minds. Heh.

rooftop59

ZLTFUL wrote: »

rooftop59 wrote: »

Grimster74 wrote: »

My choice would be the Panasonic UB820. It's at the top end of your budget but well worth it in my opinion. I have had nothing but great things to say about mine and the picture quality is out of this world. If your not already doing 4K once you do go 4K the 820 also has all kinds of HDR features to fine tune the picture quality. Here is a link, check it out.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_133UB820K/Panasonic-DP-UB820.html?tp=171

I get want y’all are saying about these Panasonics and that’s a reasonable argument to get one, but man that 820 sure looks like a plasticy piece of crap for $500 bucks! Don’t get me wrong, my sonys are the same way, but I paid about $200 for both on eBay, so if one breaks in a year I won’t stress about it...

That's my biggest problem with the Panasonics. For similar price points, Sony gives you the 800M2 and the 1100ES respectively in metal chassis. I get that plastic is cheaper to source and manufacture but Sony is turning a good enough profit on these pieces at slightly lower prices. Hard to believe Panasonic can't do the same...although, with their 2.1 HDMI chip debacle just getting ramped up, they may have other things on their minds. Heh.

Yes that's true, my 700 is plastic but the 1000 is more substantial even though its still not what I would call a reference or ES grade enclosure. I will say that i bought mine from a pawn shop on ebay, and they literally put it in a box that it barely fit in with no padding at all, and it wasn't damaged and works perfectly. So, it does appear to have solid build quality!

Emlyn

Build quality hasn't been a priority for most Panasonic DVD and Blu Ray players over the last 20 years. Their latest UB9000 surprised me though. Seemed like they jumped into the vacant Oppo market with that one.

WLDock

gyosa wrote: »

If you scour the net , that Sony UBP-x700 is THE one to get .....
I believe it is one of the few Sony’s that WILL do dolbyvision automatically...

Bk

https://slickdeals.net/f/14472053-sony-ubp-x700-streaming-4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray-player-150-free-shipping?src=frontpage

dpowell

That's a nice deal. I sure wish they didnt make them look so cheap and low end. I'm getting by with a basic spare samsung i have on hand and it looks so lame sitting in the same rack with a sunfire cinema grande and Pioneer elite receiver.

Grimster74

Emlyn wrote: »

Build quality hasn't been a priority for most Panasonic DVD and Blu Ray players over the last 20 years. Their latest UB9000 surprised me though. Seemed like they jumped into the vacant Oppo market with that one.

Almost jumped on this player but I had no need for 2-channel listening in my theater room so I saved myself $500. When I bought my 820, the 420 hadn't been released just yet or I would have gone that route.

ZLTFUL

Was just headed hear to post that same information.

I may be picking up a second 420 just to have around.

pitdogg2

Dang they sure have gotten a lot cheaper. BB doesn't carry much in movies much here anymore either.

dpowell

I wish i could stream more but the max internet I can get at my place is 6 mbps and i get charged data overages. For now I have to keep spinning discs. I've found redbox to be a good source for picking up recent releases. If i wait long enough, i can purchase almost anything for $3.99 and the discs have always been in great shape. Granted its usually just the movie with no extras and a redbox case.

ZLTFUL

The problem with streaming 4K content outside of the normal bandwidth issues is that it is compressed down to be transported and when it is uncompressed, it usually has dropped way too much quality in both audio and video.

The visual differences between the same movie streamed at 4K and a physical 4K disc are staggering. Not to mention how much the HDR is compressed or even removed to make it easier to shove through the pipe.

But that is a rant for a different day/thread. Long live physical media!

pitdogg2

Yea Ryan buy 4k get mp3 quality

dpowell

Rick88 wrote: »

^^ While I'm not knowledgeable on the topic of streaming, I suspected this.

Ditto. I have an Audioengine B1 bluetooth receiver connected to the X1 Pre that i use for streaming FLAC files from my phone when Im not in serious listening mode. Even with the better internals of the Audioengine, my daughter and I can both hear the difference between the original CD and the Bluetooth stream in an A/B comparison. Im sure its the same for any online streaming.

Thorton

I’ve had the UBD-X800 from 2017. It’s worked flawless. I really don’t see any need to upgrade. The 4K picture is awesome. It’s quiet and does what’s it’s supposed to, for me, pass the video and audio signal. I agree with Zitful. 4K streaming is good. However, it does not match the video and sound capabilities of physical media. At least to what I’ve seen. Every new release I find a must, I buy the physical media. Period. I’m sure the Panasonics are nice too.

dpowell

Right now B&H has the Panasonic 420 for $150 and the 820 for $350. Looks like the only difference between the 2 is Dolby Vision Is there a reaon to pay an extra $200 more to get the Dolby Vision capability if i use a projector and dont habe that capability?

French_guy

How does the Xbox S compare to the players listed above? Will I see an improvement with a Panasonic 420, or a Sony X700? Or it will be kind of the same, and I would need to invest much more than $150?

BlueFox

French_guy wrote: »

How does the Xbox S compare to the players listed above? Will I see an improvement with a Panasonic 420, or a Sony X700? Or it will be kind of the same, and I would need to invest much more than $150?

Good luck on that question. It would be better to buy the Xbox, and return it after the experiment.