Blu-ray Disc Player Thread

[kefrank]

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

Samsung 1200 has the Reon chip (found in the Toshiba XA2). That is by far the best one available, even though the player is no longer made. I wouldn't count on it for Blu-ray playback though...

based on the comparisons i've read, the 1200 doesn't implement the Reon nearly as well as the XA2. the PS3 seems to be the best upconverter for standard def, although some of the higher end ($1000+) players may be better, i'm not sure.

[Mr. Cinema]

A BB worker on blu-ray.com says they just received skus for the Samsung 1500 ($399) and the Funai player ($349), which will have BB's Insignia brand on it. He says these are due in mid-May, so they should be up on the site soon.

[lizard]

Word from AVS is that the Pioneer BDP-05FD now has an ETA of 7/18/08 and will be priced at $800. Full information and specs will be released the week of May 5th.

[GizmoDVD]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema

A BB worker on blu-ray.com says they just received skus for the Samsung 1500 ($399) and the Funai player ($349), which will have BB's Insignia brand on it. He says these are due in mid-May, so they should be up on the site soon.

I can't remember...the 1500 is it 1.1 or 2.0?

[Mr. Cinema]

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

I can't remember...the 1500 is it 1.1 or 2.0?

1.1 Samsung takes baby steps with their players. Let's hope this one will actually play all discs.

Can't remember where I read this or how accurate it is, but the 1500 is supposed to be the first player built/designed by Samsung from the ground up.

[applesandrice]

[quote=Mr. Cinema]1.1 Samsung takes baby steps with their players. Let's hope this one will actually play all discs.[/QUOTE]


That's not scheduled for another 3-4 steps, yet . . .

[lizard]

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

I can't remember...the 1500 is it 1.1 or 2.0?

So much for my trying to keep the information in the first post of this thread up-to-date and easy-to-read!

[GizmoDVD]

Originally Posted by lizard

So much for my trying to keep the information in the first post of this thread up-to-date and easy-to-read!

My bad. On my iPhone... Dont hate me.

[GizmoDVD]

Samsung has announced that they will release their upcoming Blu-ray player, the Samsung BD-P1500, this June. The player, which will be a BonusView (Profile v1.1) player with a future upgrade to BD-Live (Profile v2.0), is the fourth generation Blu-ray player from the longtime Blu-ray supporter. It will be able to output 1080p24 video and decode Dolby TrueHD audio (with DTS-HD HR support to be added at a later date).

The inclusion of an Ethernet and USB port will allow the player to easily be upgraded to a BD-Live player. Price has yet to be announced for the player, but previous material has suggested an MSRP of $399

[Mr. Cinema]

That all sounds great. If this unit will play everything, I may consider it. I just bought a new Samsung LCD, so matching it up with a player is an option.

[GizmoDVD]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema

That all sounds great. If this unit will play everything, I may consider it. I just bought a new Samsung LCD, so matching it up with a player is an option.

Sad but very, very true. I'm still holding out hope that the UP5000 will get the firmware update the LG200 did. Its going to be $500 at Best Buy next week. It would be an awesome Blu-ray/HD DVD player if only for that damn firmware update.

[Mr. Cinema]

I read the original press release for the BD-P1500 and it only mentioned bitstreaming of HD audio, no decoding, so it's great to hear that has been included now. Also, there was no mention before that this would be upgraded to 2.0, so that's also nice to see. I'm hoping all 1.1 players that do come out will be upgraded to 2.0. There's no reason they shouldn't. The extra additions shouldn't add much to the production cost.

[GizmoDVD]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema

I read the original press release for the BD-P1500 and it only mentioned bitstreaming of HD audio, no decoding, so it's great to hear that has been included now.

(With DTS MA at a later date). Looks like DTS MA is giving everyone troubles right now.

[Mr. Cinema]

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

(With DTS MA at a later date). Looks like DTS MA is giving everyone troubles right now.

Not a surprise. DTS was late to the game when DVD launched, and now they're causing problems with BD. If Panasonic and Sony can't get their players to decode soon, they may follow Samsung and add it later this year when the kinks are ironed out.

Another thing about these players I'm interested in are the loading times. All of them are supposed to be using new chips from Sigma Designs and this is supposed to decrease loading times. And they should help with java as well.

[Jim]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema

Another thing about these players I'm interested in are the loading times. All of them are supposed to be using new chips from Sigma Designs and this is supposed to increase loading times. And they should help with java as well.

I think you mean decrease loading times?

[lizard]

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

(With DTS MA at a later date). Looks like DTS MA is giving everyone troubles right now.

Samsung has announced that they will release their upcoming Blu-ray player, the Samsung BD-P1500, this June. The player, which will be a BonusView (Profile v1.1) player with a future upgrade to BD-Live (Profile v2.0), is the fourth generation Blu-ray player from the longtime Blu-ray supporter. It will be able to output 1080p24 video and decode Dolby TrueHD audio (with DTS-HD HR support to be added at a later date).

Be aware that DTS-HD HR is NOT the same thing as DTS-HD Master Audio. If that announcement you quoted is accurate, Samsung does not plan to give the BD-P1500 DTS-HD MA decoding capability.

[GizmoDVD]

Apparently the Phillips 7200 is available at Samsclub. Profile 1.1 as well for $334!

[lizard]

^Appears so:
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...cfkjdgoodflg.0

[Mr. Cinema]

Samsung BD-P1500 has been added to bestbuy.com. $399.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1201913483931

[Mr. Cinema]

Okay, so here's some possible good news about the Panasonic BD50. It should be shipping any day now.

This according to DobyBlue, who coincidentally, works at....Panasonic. Also, a bd.com member emailed Panasonic and was told the BD50 should be releasing the first week of May.

Let's hope this info is correct!

[GizmoDVD]

So they are shipping a player that no other site lists as being available in the next 90 days and no idea what the price is? Nice

[12thmonkey]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema

Okay, so here's some possible good news about the Panasonic BD50. It should be shipping any day now.

This according to DobyBlue, who coincidentally, works at....Panasonic. Also, a bd.com member emailed Panasonic and was told the BD50 should be releasing the first week of May.

Let's hope this info is correct!

I'm eager to see the street price on the Panny BD50...

[GizmoDVD]

Originally Posted by 12thmonkey

I'm eager to see the street price on the Panny BD50...

Everything I have read points to $599

[Mr. Cinema]

A Walmart employee at bd.com posted today that they will be carrying 3 BD players soon. I'm guessing it'll be when they revamp their setup next month?

Anyways, they will have the new Samsung BD-P1500 for $348, UPC is 3672560796. Also, they'll have the Funai player (sold as Magnavox at WM) for $298 and the Panasonic BD30 for $448. No UPCs listed for those.

[GizmoDVD]

Considering how poor the $299 HD and $499 BD players sold I'm shocked their actually going to carry any BD players. I'd avoid that Funai at all costs. Hopefully the Samaumg gets reviewed better as its apparently a brand new player in every way.