I prefer LCD. I'm too worried about light reflection to try out a Plasma. I saw a 52" Sony LCD the other day for $1399. That's the lowest I've seen from them.

They have so many models I can't keep track of them. He got the 46" XBR6 for $1750ish. about 1900 with the tax. They seem to have a good, better, best, better than good but not as good as better, better than better but not quite best, almost best, almost better, almost better than best but not quite, pretty good but better is better and Holy Shit Look at that!

That's only '08 models. Don't get me started on the '09.

here's a pic of the Sony BDV-E500W 5.1 setup. This one comes with wireless rear speakers. This is something I'd like to have. $800.

Oh wow! That is nice! I've always thought of getting Wireless speakers but heard bad things about them. Would be great to replace my current system with.

It appears analog outs have been dropped from both models. Odd.

My parents have a Pioneer system with wireless rears that they've had for at least 3 years I'd guess. I've never noticed any problem with the wireless aspect of the speakers like interference from other devices. Not to say that it can't happen, but I haven't heard it and my parents have never mentioned it. There are many more wireless choices now from good companies like Panasonic, Sony, and Samsung, so I'd expect the technology is even better now. I think they often get a bad rap because people are comparing them to audiophile systems, not other HTiB systems. They do solve some common configuration problems for a lot of people very nicely. The wireless part is a bit of a misnomer because you still need to plug them into an electrical outlet in the back part of the room.

Exactly! I have a Logitech system that works just fine...for what it is. I have "good" speakers in the HT room, but for a multi-purpose value setup, they work just fine and compare with any of the typical HTiB setups. They are not "audiophile", but wouldn't be if they were wired either. That's not their purpose in life. They still beat just using the TV speakers by a mile.

Sony BDP-S550 Owners:

This player makes a few little noises while loading discs. HOWEVER, something new has started happening that has me a tad concerned. I'll use Quarantine as an example. I loaded it in the player last week. Heard the normal loading sounds. But noticed something different once I sat in my chair. I usually sit about 5 feet from my tv. All of a sudden, I hear this vibrating type sound coming from the player. It sounded like the disc was spinning a million times faster than usual.

Once the movie began, the noise went away. But I've been noticing that on a few discs lately. Seems to kick into serious overdrive when it is loading certain parts of the disc.

Anyone else?

I watched Quarantine BD on my S550 a while ago and never had any issue with it.

Anybody know much on the Denon 2500? I feel like Amazon is trying to get me to buy. I wouldn't pay that much for a receiver at this point though. If they had some of their lower cost models I'd be really tempted.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...cId=1000343931

I also noticed BB had one of the Pioneer models at $200 or $300 off in the ad this week.

The new, smaller, better Pioneers launch soon. Don't buy the current one.

Well, I have the Sony BDP-S350 and this weekend I had trouble playing Appaloosa...it wouldn't even load. I went ahead and did a network update and was able to play the disc. However, at about 1:16:35 it froze and wouldn't play again until 1:32:25. First time I encounter any problem.

No issues with my 550 as of now.

The Denon 2500 is pretty primitive by current player standards: Profile 1.1, no onboard decoding of lossless codecs last I checked (might have been added with a firmware update). The advantage of the player would be high quality DACs and good upscaling. But there are better BD players for the money. Unless you really did want one of the other components Amazon is selling in that offer.I agree with Giz, do not buy the current Pioneer players, wait for the new ones. Pioneer had major issues with implementing DTS-HD MA decoding. Pioneer may also be leaving the Blu-ray player business after this coming generation of players (or they will sell rebranded players, which is about the same thing). [I assume that everyone knows that Pioneer has abandoned the plasma display business and the current generation of Kuro displays is slated to be the last. Pioneer has been harder hit by the economic downturn than other CE manufacturers.]

That is odd. I am assuming they will keep selling the 550 since it will be the only player with analog outs.

Yeah, that's what it seems like. I'll be selling my S550 as soon as the new LGs hit. I think I'm going to go with the LG390. Netflix is looking like it might be used fairly often and being wireless is a good thing.

For whatever reason, my Sony 550 seems to have improved on upconverting since the last update. Has anyone else noticed? It may just be my eyes playing tricks on me, but I swear the last few dvds I've watched seem to look a little better than they did before. And just like with Cuckoo's Nest, I did a comparison between the dvd and BD of Silence of the Lambs. They look closer in quality on my 40" LCD than I would have expected. The color on the BD doesn't seem much improved. It does have some extra detail, but I'm not sure that is worth the $24.

I still prefer my LG BH200 for upconverting over the S550. I've been watching Reaper S1 on DVD and I can tell the difference between which player I am watching the show on.

I was previously using the Panasonic BD30, which is probably partly why I think the 550 is so great at upconverting.

Just got back from Best Buy. First time in quite a while they had a supply of Blu-Rays in stock. The s350 was $299 and they had about a dozen. No s550's, a few Panasonic BDP-51's and a couple Sharp and Insignia's. The did have a smokin deal on some S300 display models - only $339!!! I know, hold me back, I may want to grab some.

Engadget posted pricing info from Panasonic on the new players (due next month):

A BD80 will likely be my first foray into Blu-ray.

Well I bit the bullet and finally made the jump. Picked up my first Blu Ray player today. Ended up with a S350 from Wal-Mart for $299. Also picked up Cars($24), Total Recall($10), and T2($10). Very happy with the quality so far. Will be getting all the Pixar films of course.

My local Borders has the s350 for $300. I might go for it as a second player to my PS3 because I have just over $300 in Borders gift cards and I'm concerned that they are on the verge of going under.

That's a legitimate concern. Every time I see a list of retailers in troubloe they are on the list. $300 obviously isn't a bargain price but sometimes you just gotta have it.

what would u guys say would be the best blu ray player for around 200 bucks?
all i want is a standard blu ray player doesnt need any added special features i just want a reliable player that will last me a couple years