Which "smart" LAN BluRay player?

[mikeford]

I have a HTPC, still have my cable DVR and Time Warner Cable, just added a Netflix streaming acct for my wife's Nook, but I've heard people are fairly happy with a Cheap Samsung BD player for getting Netflix etc to the TV. Suggestions on models? Are all of them friendly with a media PC and various file formats? I run Win7/64 Pro with WMC with a wired and wireless gigabit network.

 

[mikeford]

I've done a little searching and it "looks" like all I need is a Blu Ray that is DLNA and I am good to go?

 

[thomsbrain]

Why not just use the HTPC?

 

[smitbret]

Don't oversimplify things with DLNA. Many devices support DLNA but the codecs and containers they can support are anything but standardized. If you really want to set up a streaming system from your PC, you'll need some good front end DLNA software like Mezzmo, PlayOn or Tversity that makes sure the stream you are sending to the BR player is going to work.

That being said, the Panasonics get favorable recommendations. So do the Samsungs, but I hear they don't support true FF/Rew over streaming, only "skip".

The standards and support are getting better all of the time, but it's still kind of the wild west out there. More info on what exactly you are trying to do would be helpful.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Don't oversimplify things with DLNA. Many devices support DLNA but the codecs and containers they can support are anything but standardized. If you really want to set up a streaming system from your PC, you'll need some good front end DLNA software like Mezzmo, PlayOn or Tversity that makes sure the stream you are sending to the BR player is going to work.

That being said, the Panasonics get favorable recommendations. So do the Samsungs, but I hear they don't support true FF/Rew over streaming, only "skip".

The standards and support are getting better all of the time, but it's still kind of the wild west out there. More info on what exactly you are trying to do would be helpful.

I love my Panasonic BD110. Plays Netflix and Amazon, as well as others, and DLNA. You can sometimes find it under 80 bucks on sale:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMP-.../dp/B004LNFJCQ

Agree with the above - don't expect anything DLNA to be simple. You can frequently expect to have to modify a configuration to add a device profile...and sometimes that's not enough. I use Plex to stream, by the way, and I love it. If you are not trying to stream from an iso, it's the way to go...and I have the Plex app for android and webos to use with my Touchpad.