What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

My friend's 6 year old 50" Panny plasma just gave up the ghost last night and we ordered him a 58" Samsung 3D plasma to replace it. Now he's looking for a decent 3D capable Blu-ray player to go with it. I've done some searching and haven't found anything that gets consistently good reviews. Any suggestions?

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

what does "gave up the ghost" mean?

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

To die, or in the case of inanimate objects, to cease working.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

depends a little on what other features you want, but my vote would go to the Panasonic DMP-BD85K.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

Stolen from slickdeals....seems like a good deal.

Panasonic SC-BTT350 Full HD 3D Blu-ray Player + 5.1 Sound System W/ Avatar 3D Mail in Offer + Free Shipping $218.88
6ave electronics has the Panasonic SC-BTT350 5.1 Channel 3D Blu-Ray Cinema Surround Home Entertainment System WITH a mail in offer for Avatar 3D .

Full HD 3D Blu-Ray Disc Playback True to Cinema Picture Technology, Wi-Fi Ready VIERA Cast's online content includes YouTube, Picasa Web Albums, Pandora Internet Radio, movies streamed from Netflix, exciting sports from FOX Sports, and tweeting web Communications with Twitter. iPod/iPhone Playback, Total Power: 1000W

Next highest price just for the Panasonic SC-BTT350 is $229.00 at walmart but it doesn't include Avatar 3D. Which has a resell value of over $100.00

Link 6ave [6ave.com]

Link for Avatar 3D Blu ray [6ave.com]

UPDATE: Use Coupon code AFL4COUPON and take off $9.12 Making it $218.88

UPDATE: Amazon price lowered to $231.03 with Free shipping w/ prime Link amazon.com [amazon.com]

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

Is it a typo on the cnet site, or is it true about "no 3D Blu-ray support"? That, excellent picture quality and netflix streaming are his main priorities in the unit.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

Interesting. Hadn't really considered a Blu-ray player and speaker system combo. He is in the market for speakers though...but I had hopes he would finally graduate to an AV receiver. Not sure what model the player is as well.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

If I wasn't buying the Denon universal player I'd probably just get a PS3.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

LOL....I didn't even see that there was a 5.1 system with it...probably NM....I made the incorrect assumption this was a new Panny player on sale....

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

As much as I love and still use my PS3 if I was buying TODAY for a player alone (no interest in gaming or media center) I probably wouldn't go PS3.

Sure at its introduction and even for a couple of years it was the best BD player option. But not so much...

-it doesn't have analog outputs. I know a dying feature. But for those who refuse to give up their nice sounding, non-HDMI receiver it is a big deal if you want to give lossless a try.
-currently it can cannot do 3D and lossless at the same time. And I wonder if it ever will.
-blutooth remote is just nuts....(yes a $40 adapter makes it seemless but you shouldn't have to do that).

Are these deal breakers? Maybe not. But if buying today certainly something I would look at and consider.

IMO, one of the best features of the PS3 has always been the easy FW upgrades. They were one of the few to link to the net. Now many (most?) decent players do.

Now, one thing that is hard to argue with is the reliability. I have had zero problems with it. And yes, I was one of those that waited in line when it initially came out to get. I didn't get one (even waiting in line), but than a week later the guy from the store recognized me and pulled one out of the back for me. So I've had it a long time, with lots of usage, kids, gaming, wife using....never a problem.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

Hmmm. Can you elaborate on this?

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

Oops! I looked too quickly at the Panasonic website. The model I'd recommend is the DMP-BDT210.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

Since 3D is a priority, the PS3 is not a very good choice. From the PS3 website:
A player that was actually designed with 3D in mind would be a better (and less expensive) choice.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

See the note above...

I'm "guessing" but I think FW upgrades can only go so far. Then you need some HDMI hardware changes.

But with the PS3 if your watching 3D, the audio will be regular "lossy" 5.1, not HD or lossless. Personally I don't think it is a big deal. IMO I don't think most people have the audio system to really notice or appreciate or whatever you want to say about lossless. I've barely been tempted to upgraded my receiver so I could go lossless.

But again, "if buying today" and 3D was important, than I'd at least keep that in mind. Now if I had younger kids who were into gaming (or I was into gaming), and/or wanted to use as a media center, I'd get a PS3 to use with 3D and not really worry or care much about losing lossless just on 3D.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

Glad I didn't go with a PS3 then. :)

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

I believe that's the case. The HDMI chip in the PS3 doesn't have the bandwidth capability to do two HD video streams and lossless audio simultaneously.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

I'm sure you did a typo, but just to be crystal clear...

The PS3 can and does it wonderfully HD video and lossless audio. Yes, all the way up to "true" HD video of 1080p with lossless audio.

What it cannot do is 3D with lossless audio.

Personally I have no interest what-so-ever in 3D. So not really an issue to me. I'm looking at new displays for purchase this spring (bonus time) and it will not have 3D. So I'll continue to use and love the PS3.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

Nah, no typo, I don't think. The key word is "two." I'm fairly certain that 3D video requires (at least the bandwidth equivalent of) two HD video streams and the PS3's HDMI chip can't handle those bandwidth requirements plus the bandwidth required for lossless audio.

But yes, it can do a single HD video stream and lossless audio just fine.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

I feel the same way. No interest in 3D and the PS3 has been flawless. The updates are fast and painless. It does a great job with streaming. I think I even played a game on it once.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

My bad...you are correct. I must of read your post to quickly....you did say two HD VIDEO signals....I read it as two HD signals....and thinking HD video and HD audio was two....

Anyway...yes...you are correct and I agree!! Sorry if I added confusion!!

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

Thanks...seems like that model is just about to be released. Specs look pretty good...maybe a review will pop up shortly.

Re: What's the best 3D BD player for $200-$300?
 

While I agree the PS3 is a great BD player, if I was buying a player now (and didn't plan on using the console for gaming) I would probably go a different route. It's more expensive than most of the new units, and using the controller to navigate, etc. is not ideal. Yes, you can buy a remote to get around that...but what's the point? Don't get me wrong, my PS3 has been rock solid...but it no longer has the edge it once did over standalone players.