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[Shackeng]

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

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. :-? :-/

[Gaffers]

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

[Banjax]

ps3 is the best bet right now 

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 

[TheBoy]

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 ).

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.

[Martin_1962]

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!

[Martin_1962]

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)

[Martin_1962]

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.

[Lazydocker]

...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

[TheBoy]

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

[TheBoy]

...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

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

[Shackeng]

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? :-? :-? :-? :-/ :-/ :-/

[Martin_1962]

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? :-? :-? :-? :-/ :-/ :-/

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.

[Dishevelled Den]

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

[Shackeng]

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? :-? :-? :-? :-/ :-/ :-/

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

[Shackeng]

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.