Expensive BluRay Player vs More Mainstream Priced Unit

[dmw16]

I am shopping for a BluRay player to compliment my new Pioneer 101FD. I really like the look and features of Oppo BDP-83 (namely support for DVD-Audio and SACD).

However, I've seen a lot of people suggest players such as the Panasonic BD60 which can be had for about $150 or less (vs $400 for the Oppo unit).

So aside from the DVD-Audio and SACD support, are there other features that make the BDP-83 worth the ~$250 over more mainstream units?

Thanks.

 

[sivart]

Have you compared specs?

Main differences in the high-end and mid-rang players are (the OPPO may or may not include all of these)

DVD-A / SACD
Better chip for SD DVD upconversion
7.1 Analog outs for older receivers
Better warranty and support
DivX compatibility
Online features may vary.

 

[Leyawiin]

For the main function of a BR player (Blu-Ray image quality) almost all are within 9/10 of each other. The other ancillary features are pretty much up to the individual as far as whether they're worth it or not. If you don't need them, don't spend the money.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Some high end dvd/bd players also qualify as pretty good CD players.

 

[Fallengod]

Ive been searching for my first blu-ray player too. The OPPO is basically this from what I have read. It is the best player for people who want basically the best performance and video/audio quality. It does lack other features though that others have. No wifi, or streaming etc.

This has been a chore shopping for a blu-ray. I think I have it narrowed down to the panasonic bd60 or 80, PS3, LG390, pioneer maybe.

They all have different stuff from supporting mpeg4/divx/xvid, streaming different things like netflix, amazon on demand, etc etc, older audio outputs, wifi. Its a tough choice. : /

Some have poor dvd play back, some dont support divx. Some have lower video/audio quality than others. Bleh....

Let me know which you decide on, cause it might help me.

I personally dont know if I care much about wifi, but netflix support would be nice. I want top quality video/audio, good dvd upscalling and perfomance, and divx/xvid support for tv shows I dl. I also dont want to spend over $260 or so, but I may have to if I go PS3 route.

 

[mshan]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2035508&highlight=

 

[dmw16]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2035508&highlight=

Now on their site for $500. Guess I missed it

 

[mshan]

Might want to still go into your local Best Buy and check price (mention price you saw if they quote you msrp and see if they can offer you same deal JackBurton got).

 

[dmw16]

No dice at the Best Buy getting a steal on the Pioneer 23FD.

So I am considering the Pioneer 320 or Oppo 83.

I also considered the PS3 Slim, but I have read that it doesn't deliver the PQ of the other options. However, when BluRay 3D comes along the PS3 will almost certainly get upgraded via software but I am not sure about the other units.

I will probably grab the Pioneer or Oppo; whichever I can find for less.

 

[AndroidVageta]

No dice at the Best Buy getting a steal on the Pioneer 23FD.

So I am considering the Pioneer 320 or Oppo 83.

I also considered the PS3 Slim, but I have read that it doesn't deliver the PQ of the other options. However, when BluRay 3D comes along the PS3 will almost certainly get upgraded via software but I am not sure about the other units.

I will probably grab the Pioneer or Oppo; whichever I can find for less.

BD 3D is the only reason why I would get the PS3 for BR...a word of caution though...my brother recently visited for the holidays and brought his PS3...5 out of the 5 Blu-rays he watched became real distorted and not even watchable about half way through. They play perfectly on my HTPC. I know this doesnt happen to all PS3...but no BR's we tried ever played thru completely with no problems...DVD's and games worked perfectly...just something to think about. The PS3 is a gaming console first, remember this.

 

[Dari]

BD 3D is the only reason why I would get the PS3 for BR...a word of caution though...my brother recently visited for the holidays and brought his PS3...5 out of the 5 Blu-rays he watched became real distorted and not even watchable about half way through. They play perfectly on my HTPC. I know this doesnt happen to all PS3...but no BR's we tried ever played thru completely with no problems...DVD's and games worked perfectly...just something to think about. The PS3 is a gaming console first, remember this.

Maybe it's because there's something wrong with his PS3?

OP, get the PS3 and the PS3 remote. You won't regret it. The Netflix and DLNA support are great. Gaming is icing on the cake.

 

[zerocool84]

BD 3D is the only reason why I would get the PS3 for BR...a word of caution though...my brother recently visited for the holidays and brought his PS3...5 out of the 5 Blu-rays he watched became real distorted and not even watchable about half way through. They play perfectly on my HTPC. I know this doesnt happen to all PS3...but no BR's we tried ever played thru completely with no problems...DVD's and games worked perfectly...just something to think about. The PS3 is a gaming console first, remember this.

Maybe it's because there's something wrong with his PS3?

OP, get the PS3 and the PS3 remote. You won't regret it. The Netflix and DLNA support are great. Gaming is icing on the cake.

Yea my PS3 and every other PS3 I know people have play fine. PS3 is a great Blu-ray, always gets the latest updates, and even supports 3D Blu-rays.

 

[JackBurton]

Now on their site for $500. Guess I missed it

Elite products always show the list price when advertised. Walk into BB and ask to see if the player is on sale. Hopefully the sale is still going on.

Edit: Ouch, just saw your last post about no deal at BB. Sorry about that man.

 

[JackBurton]

No dice at the Best Buy getting a steal on the Pioneer 23FD.

So I am considering the Pioneer 320 or Oppo 83.

I also considered the PS3 Slim, but I have read that it doesn't deliver the PQ of the other options. However, when BluRay 3D comes along the PS3 will almost certainly get upgraded via software but I am not sure about the other units.

I will probably grab the Pioneer or Oppo; whichever I can find for less.

The Pioneer 320 is a great player, especially if you can get a good deal on it. It's pretty much the same player as the 23FD, with a few less small features. The picture and audio (analog) quality are great on it, and it upscales DVDs very nicely. It will also give you Kuro link which should allow you to control your BD player with your Pioneer TV's remote. It's really just a solid player all the way around.

The Oppo 83 is another very nice player which provides great picture quality, however I'd rank it lower in audio quality when using it's analog section. If you are using HDMI all the way through and bitstreaming, both players will sound the same though. As for DVD upscaling, the Oppo does a fantastic job. One of the best upscaling players around. The Oppo is also a much faster player . It will load BDs just about as fast as the PS3 (which is pretty dang quick). And lastly, Oppo provides second to none support. They respond very quickly with firmware releases if there is a problem with a title playing and their support for the hardware is also amazing.

All in all, both player are VERY nice, and you really can't go wrong with either one. However I'd say the MAIN difference between the two is speed. If you want the fastest player and are willing to pay for it, the Oppo is a good choice. The 320 really isn't that slow, so if you don't mind waiting a little for your BD to load, the 320 is a good choice. And if you can get the 320 for around $250, it is a GREAT choice.

 

[blackangst1]

Some high end dvd/bd players also qualify as pretty good CD players.

Except many, inclusing high end, dont support lossless If thats important to you, better check for sure and dont assume.

 

[JackBurton]

BD 3D is the only reason why I would get the PS3 for BR...a word of caution though...my brother recently visited for the holidays and brought his PS3...5 out of the 5 Blu-rays he watched became real distorted and not even watchable about half way through. They play perfectly on my HTPC. I know this doesnt happen to all PS3...but no BR's we tried ever played thru completely with no problems...DVD's and games worked perfectly...just something to think about. The PS3 is a gaming console first, remember this.

The BD player should be the least of your concerns with 3D Blu-ray. In order to take advantage of 3D Blu-ray, you'll need a compatible BD player AND TV. You may even need to upgrade your receiver too. So I really wouldn't factor in 3D Blu-ray when trying to decide on a BD player today.

 

[cheesehead]

A friend of mine has a $100 BR player, and it works really very well - even with the 1080P image thrown on a 120" projection screen.

 

[themisfit610]

Of course it does, because all BluRay players will decode the same exact uncompressed video stream. There are some extremely minor differences in the way the player might transmit this stream, but all players will display a BluRay disc over HDMI 99.95% identically.

It's digital, you know?

DVD is an entirely different story, since there are so many ways to upconvert DVD to 1080p.

~MiSfit