Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Shackeng on 06 December 2010, 13:09:59
-
As I know there are some experts on techie stuff on here. What should I look for (apart from cheap) in a blu ray player?
TIA :y
Edit: Also what should I look for in HDMI cables? I have an LG 42LD790 TV and a Humax Freesat recorder - arrives tomorrow(?) I think I need these to join them up. :y :-? :-/ :y
-
I think if you go for a cheap one you will be stuck with the firmware, so if ever there is an update you'll have to get another one. I have a PS3 which is used for BluRay, Media center and iPlayer... hardly for games at all but the firmware is flashable thus more future proof :y
-
ps3 is the best bet right now :y
i spent a stupid amount on "future proof" hdmi cables before accepting that it doesnt make a difference to picture quality, dont get the cheapest tho as you want decent connections :y
-
gayStation is the most future proof right now, as fony own the BRD spec, and BRD was a way of fony trying to sell more gayStations than Microsoft could Xboxes (and still they failed ;D).
That said, you can pick up some cheap BRD players currently, far cheaper than a gayStation, and likely to be far more reliable. Though the gayStation can be used as a games machine, obviously.
For HDMI cables, don't believe the hype and BS. Its a digital signal. You don't need oxygen free copper gizmo lets-all-play-soggy-biscuit-all-over-it. Cheap egay ones are fine, as long as they meet HDMI 1.3 standard.
-
PS3 is a very good BluRay player, not the cheapest but it is updated, and is also usable for games.
TB - I think you protest too much!
-
HDMI cables - as long as they are mechanically OK anything should do, just the very cheap ones might not be as well made.
Some kit comes with them already (anything Freesat HD)
-
Done some searching
BD logo - Sony
BD development mainly Sony & Philips with a few other biggies like Matsushita and Pioneer
Not owned by Sony
Anyway TB, a lot of formats are Sony developed and are usually among the best, a lot fail due to market forces.
To be honest Toshiba were up against it with HDDVD when all their competition were going BluRay.
BD was put into PS3 for capacity reasons as well as trying to whin the HD optical disc war. Quite a few games are using a full BD as well.
-
...For HDMI cables, don't believe the hype and BS. Its a digital signal. You don't need oxygen free copper gizmo lets-all-play-soggy-biscuit-all-over-it. Cheap egay ones are fine, as long as they meet HDMI 1.3 standard.
I beg to differ... If you have high end equipment you can see the difference. But for most people, anything will do :y
-
Done some searching
BD logo - Sony
BD development mainly Sony & Philips with a few other biggies like Matsushita and Pioneer
Not owned by Sony
Anyway TB, a lot of formats are Sony developed and are usually among the best, a lot fail due to market forces.
To be honest Toshiba were up against it with HDDVD when all their competition were going BluRay.
BD was put into PS3 for capacity reasons as well as trying to whin the HD optical disc war. Quite a few games are using a full BD as well.
Sony own the spec. They run the spec. Look in any trade mag and you will see how up-in-arms their 'partners' are over fony changing the spec on a whim, firmly slamming the door in their 'partners' faces ;)
-
...For HDMI cables, don't believe the hype and BS. Its a digital signal. You don't need oxygen free copper gizmo lets-all-play-soggy-biscuit-all-over-it. Cheap egay ones are fine, as long as they meet HDMI 1.3 standard.
I beg to differ... If you have high end equipment you can see the difference. But for most people, anything will do :y
We shall agree to disagree on that one.
If it had analogue components it, I'd agree with you. But on a purely digital signal, the cable has to be just good enough to stop any bit flipping. Which over a short length, it won't unless the cable is faulty ;)
-
I'm beginning to wish I hadn't asked.
I never play games, and will only rarely play DVD's (usually because my kids can't think of any other kind of present, I think we have about twelve we've never unwrapped yet.) However, I do like my Freeview Humax, so am upgrading to a Freesat Humax to go with the new HD TV. I don't really need a blu ray player, but thought I might as well complete the set with one.
So, which blu ray player for HD DVD's only is recommended, and which leads to connect it with? :-? :-? :-? :-/ :-/ :-/ :y :y :y
-
I'm beginning to wish I hadn't asked.
I never play games, and will only rarely play DVD's (usually because my kids can't think of any other kind of present, I think we have about twelve we've never unwrapped yet.) However, I do like my Freeview Humax, so am upgrading to a Freesat Humax to go with the new HD TV. I don't really need a blu ray player, but thought I might as well complete the set with one.
So, which blu ray player for HD DVD's only is recommended, and which leads to connect it with? :-? :-? :-? :-/ :-/ :-/ :y :y :y
HDDVD is dead
Look for any reasonable brand BluRay player from Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Philips type of companies - may be worth getting an all in one with surround sound.
-
I bought one of the following from Amazon last Christmas - at much less than the RRP (can't remember what).
http://whathifi.com/Review/Sony-BDP-S350/
It's linked into a Sony 40 inch 1080 TV by one of the 3 quid HDMI leads from eBay and performs well.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1m-PURE-HDMI-Cable-LCD-Plasma-HD-Lead-PS3-HQ-Ends-3ft-/190473931607?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item2c59218b57
-
I'm beginning to wish I hadn't asked.
I never play games, and will only rarely play DVD's (usually because my kids can't think of any other kind of present, I think we have about twelve we've never unwrapped yet.) However, I do like my Freeview Humax, so am upgrading to a Freesat Humax to go with the new HD TV. I don't really need a blu ray player, but thought I might as well complete the set with one.
So, which blu ray player for HD DVD's only is recommended, and which leads to connect it with? :-? :-? :-? :-/ :-/ :-/ :y :y :y
HDDVD is dead
Look for any reasonable brand BluRay player from Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Philips type of companies - may be worth getting an all in one with surround sound.
Thanks for yours Martin :y :y :y :y
-
I bought one of the following from Amazon last Christmas - at much less than the RRP (can't remember what).
http://whathifi.com/Review/Sony-BDP-S350/
It's linked into a Sony 40 inch 1080 TV by one of the 3 quid HBMI leads from eBay and performs well.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1m-PURE-HDMI-Cable-LCD-Plasma-HD-Lead-PS3-HQ-Ends-3ft-/190473931607?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item2c59218b57
Thanks Z, I'll check them out, exactly the sort of info I need. :y :y :y
-
Someone told me that some Blu Ray players have Wi Fi. Presumably this would enable them to play the BBC iPlayer. Anyone got experience of these? :-? :-? :-? :y
-
Someone told me that some Blu Ray players have Wi Fi. Presumably this would enable them to play the BBC iPlayer. Anyone got experience of these? :-? :-? :-? :y
If you are getting a Freesat HD PVR - that will already have BBC Iplayer.
As to BD players - I know the games console does.
-
Someone told me that some Blu Ray players have Wi Fi. Presumably this would enable them to play the BBC iPlayer. Anyone got experience of these? :-? :-? :-? :y
If you are getting a Freesat HD PVR - that will already have BBC Iplayer.
As to BD players - I know the games console does.
How does that work Martin, can it receive programmes you have missed, via the dish?
-
Someone told me that some Blu Ray players have Wi Fi. Presumably this would enable them to play the BBC iPlayer. Anyone got experience of these? :-? :-? :-? :y
If you are getting a Freesat HD PVR - that will already have BBC Iplayer.
As to BD players - I know the games console does.
How does that work Martin, can it receive programmes you have missed, via the dish?
OK we have a small number of PVRs, also I have put a small hub in the sitting room by the TV, PS3, Humax HDR and BT Vision* box all on the internet.
Part of the spec for Freesat is that if a network connection is available the FS box is able to do BBC Iplayer, on Freesat it is part of digital text.
That said it is also on the PS3.
* Free from BT at the time but requires permanent internet access
-
Sounds magic, but will my freesat box with iPlayer play previously missed prgrammes? I would have thought it would need an internet connection. :-?
-
Sounds magic, but will my freesat box with iPlayer play previously missed prgrammes? I would have thought it would need an internet connection. :-?
Yes it does
-
OK, thanks very much. :y :y :y
-
I'd say a PS3 for a Blu-Ray player, my son got one and that's all it was used for really. I have to agree with TB about HDMI cables, my dad bought a £69.99 one from comet, I got a £6 from amazon, no difference what so ever on a 50" Samsung TV.
-
I'd say a PS3 for a Blu-Ray player, my son got one and that's all it was used for really. I have to agree with TB about HDMI cables, my dad bought a £69.99 one from comet, I got a £6 from amazon, no difference what so ever on a 50" Samsung TV.
Remember a PS3 is still over £200 and cheap BD players are about £100, so unless you want to do some games better off with a budget BD player.
HOWEVER - if you fancy playing a game it is cheaper than any other console plus a BD player.
As to games, for ages not interested as I am not very good and got fedup of going back to beginning, the recent generation games are generally easier and are usually fun.
-
Ps3 also has a web browser usable with a blutooth key board, I player as said, storage for pictures, videos and music through your home cinema speakers.
I very rarely play games on it, but if non of all that appeals then yes stand alone blu Ray for you.
Any v1.3 hdmi cable will do ime, unless cable length is over 5 meters or so, to another tv for instance, but even then £30 covers it for a £10 meter joby.
Hth
Ps Samsung tv owners won't notice any difference in hdmi quality anyway from what I have seen :-X
-
Ps3 also has a web browser usable with a blutooth key board, I player as said, storage for pictures, videos and music through your home cinema speakers.
I very rarely play games on it, but if non of all that appeals then yes stand alone blu Ray for you.
Any v1.3 hdmi cable will do ime, unless cable length is over 5 meters or so, to another tv for instance, but even then £30 covers it for a £10 meter joby.
Hth
Ps Samsung tv owners won't notice any difference in hdmi quality anyway from what I have seen :-X
Some games are better than a lot of films!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaVsmnpEtE0
Some adverts are very clever.
-
Thanks for all the inputs guys.
I think therefore, that I will go for a standalone player with wifi. Humax freesat has just arrived, and the dish goes up on Friday, so looking forward to the HD pictures.
I put my old flat screen 32" Philips (£1100 in 2003!) on freecycle, and it went within two hours.