BluRay Player recommendations

[Youthman]

In the link to the FAQ above I think, it states that the volume from the HD audio may be not as loud and that volume difference alone can be a factor in what you are hearing.

Seems you have a very good memory. I found the information here.

Why is it when I play Blu-ray Discs on my PS3 that uses one of the
lossess audio formats (e.g., Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD-MA), and with the
PS3 doing the decoding and outputting via LCPM over HDMI, it doesn't
sound a good as when using a standalone BD player and using bitstream
output to my Audio/Video Receiver (AVR) with the AVR doing the decoding?



Assuming have correctly set up the PS3 to decode these advanced
lossless formats and it is outputting the decoded lossless audio in
LPCM format over the HDMI output to your AVR then the most likely
reasons are:

• The
  audio level being output from your AVR for the PS3's LPCM input is
  typically lower than what the AVR is outputting after decoding the
  bitstream received from the standalone BD player. Even slightly louder
  audio will sound better to most listners. You can increase the audio
  level from the PS3 when playing BDs by pressing the key on on the PS3
  controller, or remote, with the triangle icon and from the 'control
  panel' that is displayed selecting the icon that looks like a speaker.
  Try increasing the volume level by just one or two increments and see
  if this helps. However, increasing the audio volume too much using this
  PS3 control can result in distortion in the loudest passages so don't
  increase the volume level more than necessary. Alternaively you can
  just increase the volume level on the AVR a little to produce a level
  equal to what you have heard when using a standalone player.

• Your AVR may produce a difference in the audio quality due
  to how it is processing incoming LPCM vs. internally decoded audio. The
  better AVRs will buffer and re-clock the incoming LPCM (to correct any
  timing errors in the bit spacing) while many lesser quality AVRs will
  not. Also some AVRs provides for bass management only for audio decoded
  by the AVR. This is a limitation of the AVR not the PS3.

[Kila]

I REALLY suk at the PS3 navigation.

Sorry for being dense here, but do you mean that the Xbox is easier to use (control) to play games on? Thanks! []

[Cal Blacksmith]

A bit more looking at standards and I found here in a 2006 HDTV mag article in part;

"Dolby TrueHD

Dolby TrueHD can support up to 14 discrete of lossless 24-bit/96 kHz
audio channels at bit rates as high as 18Mbps, although HD DVD and
Blu-ray Disc standards currently limit their maximum number of audio
channels to eight. Dolby TrueHD is 100% lossless audio, delivering
audio playback performances in the home that are bit-for-bit identical
to studio masters, designed for next generation HD DVD and Blu-ray
formats."

So it seems that there is still room in the standard to expand a wee bit. Interesting article.

[Cal Blacksmith]

I REALLY suk at the PS3 navigation.

Sorry for being dense here, but do you mean that the Xbox is easier to use (control) to play games on? Thanks!

Well, I have never played on an Xbox but I have no trouble with the menu layout on the PS3. Once you see that it is a 7 parralel path computer, not just a game system, it is a little more clear (who needs a duo core when you have 7 processors??? ) The main menu even has a item for installing Linux as a secondary operating system, built in, right from Sony!

[USNRET]

Hi there farrier,

I REALLY suk at the PS3 navigation.

Sorry for being dense here, but do you mean that the Xbox is easier to use (control) to play games on? Thanks!

Well, I have never played on an Xbox but I have no trouble with the menu layout on the PS3. Once you see that it is a 7 parralel path computer, not just a game system, it is a little more clear (who needs a duo core when you have 7 processors??? ) The main menu even has a item for installing Linux as a secondary operating system, built in, right from Sony!

I do not play video games at all so I was referring to how intuitive the controls are for menu navigation and DVD play between the xbox and ps3. I may have to say now that they are equally bad in that regard because of the newest firmware on the xbox is a little more confusing. Now remember that I use these boxes about once every 2 weeks or so therefore I never get proficient in navigation.

My 7 yo prefers the xbox controls for gaming but he has more time on it.

[Cal Blacksmith]

I agree that the standard game controler sucks for navagation of BD. That is why I spent the $25 and bought the remote for the PS3. It works just like any other DVD player remote (bluetooth) thoug there are IR remotes available so that you can use "standard" all in one remotes like the Harmony etc.

[Youthman]

I agree that the standard game controler sucks for navagation of BD.

Yeah, that took some getting used to. Still can sometimes be awkward. I'm looking at buying the Nyko Bluwave remote and the Harmony One. The Nyko is an IR remote that hooks up to the PS3 via USB. With it, I will then be able to control the PS3 with the Harmony One remote.

[laager]

I use a Panasonic BD-35. Good picture, Terrible features. For example, you cannot set it to send HD audio via PCM but send standard DTS or Dolby bitstream. It's PCM or bitstream for everything.

Another thing is that the response time for menu access is abominable.

[Rudy81]

I like my BD-55, but it does have some less than desireable features. Keep an eye out for the upcoming release of the new Oppo. It should do just about everything.

[ssh]

Oppo will ship early May to its' priority list orderers, so it won't be long before it's available.

SSH

[BerserkNitro]

Oppo IMHO is the best player hands down for yr money..Yes there is probably better but your talking $$$$..Oppo is going to be the one to beat. Its not perfect yet but darn close..