Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Which BD player to get

This is topic Which BD player to get in forum The Afterlife at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Scott Balko (Member # 438) on 02-13-2012, 08:57 PM:

Well, I've got it narrowed down to the Oppo BDP-93 or BDP-95. The 95 has got all the factory sound upgrades, but I'm not sure if they are going to be worth the extra $500 over the 93. I'm going to be running this through the cp200 and JBL 4675's in my screening room, so I do want the best sound I can get. My question is, are the sound upgrades for the analog outputs only, or are they beneficial for the sound process entirely. I guess what I want to know is do I have to get the pricey unit to get the sound I want or will they both do the same performance if I use the correct output?

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 02-13-2012, 09:23 PM:

I think you get the benefits both ways? I am looking at that as well as the new Cambridge Audio and Arcam players.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-14-2012, 12:06 AM:

I know nothing of Oppo players, but the sound upgrades would have to be for the analog outputs only. The only way to get better sound out of a digital output is to use really expensive HDMI cables which "improve" the bits (I think it changes the font of the 1's and 0's so that they are easier to read). What are these upgrades that they speak of? Better DAC? That's really all it could be. Not sure of any DAC that is good enough to cost $500, though.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 02-14-2012, 10:50 AM:

Aren't new Blu-ray players (made after December, 2010) subject to the "analog sunset" rule? Players made before then could output 1080p HD over component video cables. The analog sunset rule states newer players are supposed to limit video quality on component outputs to 480p. Only HDMI is allowed to output 1080p.

Posted by Scott Balko (Member # 438) on 02-14-2012, 05:59 PM:

I did a little more research and yes, Joe is right. The upgrade is a SABRE32 DAC on the analog output. It's the same DAC that's used in the W4S DAC-2 unit that sells for $1599 and that unit alone is called an inexpensive top line DAC. So what DAC/preamp unit would work best for interfacing with the cp200?

I haven't had time to look for any good information on the "analog sunset" rule, but I'll be using the HDMI anyway, so that will be a non-issue for me.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-14-2012, 06:24 PM:

If you're using HDMI, then the DAC will make no difference.

Posted by Scott Balko (Member # 438) on 02-14-2012, 08:10 PM:

Right, but doesn't it have to be converted to analog and amplified before it will be something that can be used by the cp200?

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 02-14-2012, 08:28 PM:

It's a question of which DAC is better? The processor receiving the HDMI signal or the players DAC?

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 02-14-2012, 08:34 PM:

Why do you care about sound or DAC quality at all when you want to ruin it anyway with a CP200?

- Carsten

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-14-2012, 08:38 PM:

Be careful of sync issues when outputting HDMI video and analog audio. Even the crappiest DAC will be better than anything the CP200 has had fed to it before.

Posted by Scott Balko (Member # 438) on 02-14-2012, 09:52 PM:

You know Carsten, you may have a valid point to your smart ass comment about my equipment, and if so, would you please make it. I'm on here to try to learn from those who could help me out to make my efforts more fruitful and for you to make a comment like you just did not only insults me, it's doesn't benefit me one little bit. So if you could enlighten me as to why my cp200 is going to ruin everything, I would like to hear it.

I guess I didn't consider that there may be a sync issue here. Please elaborate. I'm just trying to be able to use my theatre sound system for the video instead of just for film. And, by the way, I think that it sounds pretty damn good at this point.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 02-14-2012, 11:03 PM:

Scott, you need to develop a thicker skin if you want to hang with this crowd. Carsten wasn't being a smartass, and he has a valid point.

To answer specifically, the CP-200, even with upgraded cards, has a signal-to-noise ratio lower than even the basic DACs, higher distortion than most digital sources, a slightly restricted frequency response compared to the digital source, etc.

You are NOT going to notice enough of a difference between the OPPO's original DAC and the $500 upgrade to justify the cost IMHO.

The delay issue is simple to explain: HDMI, because of it's signal structure and the pain in the ass HDCP crap WILL have a lag in the video output compared to the audio. You would be wise to process both the HDMI AND audio through a good A/V receiver (DO NOT USE DENON, they suck) and adjust the audio delay to re-sync the sound with the picture.

If you output the audio directly from the OPPO, either the player or some other device will need to have a delay capability or you will have sync issues. (If you use the HDMI output that is. If you use the component out the delay is negligible or non existent.)

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-14-2012, 11:08 PM:

It really depends on the player. Like I said, I know nothing of Oppo. What is cool is that I output my audio on the PS3 via HDMI but the video is output video component (it looks better on my 1080i TV than HDMI), yet everything remains in sync. And I'm saying that as long as you are outputting one of the lossless flavors (DTSHDMA, Dolby TrueHD, Lienar PCM) you are feeding your CP200 a better signal than it has ever been fed before. It rapes the DA20 or DTS or even 70mm mag (Guttag will argue against this point). But basically my point is that it's going to sound pretty good, all other things considered. granted on some movies you may need to adjust the EQ/levels within the CP200 to compensate for the home remix. Also, can the CP200 handle 7.1 channels?

Posted by Scott Balko (Member # 438) on 02-15-2012, 09:51 AM:

Thanks for the info Tony. And yes I understand that a person needs a thick skin on things, but the insult that I was refering to was that Carsten's "drive by" reply, while awakening me to possible problems that I had not considered, didn't give any useful input. Maybe he didn't have time and maybe I was a little quick to respond as a result of my own ignorance. No hard feelings Carsten.

Anyway, Tony and Joe, now at least I've got some information that I can use. Thanks [beer]

And Joe from what I know, the 200 is only a 5 or 6 channel. The sub is just a pass through with out the 560 card.

Posted by Scott Jentsch (Member # 1681) on 02-23-2012, 07:12 PM:

To me, the -95 model's audio upgrades seem best suited for the "$50 for a power cord" crowd.

It may be because I am unaware of the amazing differences that this super-duper DAC can bring to the party, but my guess is that spending $500 on room treatments would be money better spent as far as audio quality improvements go.

I enjoy good sound, but after all these years of being in the home theater hobby, I have yet to be tempted to go the "separates" route of having all kinds of specialized components to do all the various functions that a $1,000 receiver can do within 90-95% of the performance of the separates, for a fraction of the price.

It's your money, so spend it the best way you see fit, but I wouldn't spend an extra $500 for the -95 over the -93. I consider the $500 price tag of the -93 plenty of money already...

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 03-07-2012, 05:58 PM:

I got the oppo 93 a couple months ago, and I love it. I'm a little disappointed that there's no Amazon streaming app on it, but maybe that'll be put on a future update.

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 03-08-2012, 05:53 PM:

I've had an OPPO BDP-93 for about 8 months or so, and I think it's incredible in every aspect. I cannot fault it!

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 08-24-2012, 05:30 PM:

Well, it's time for me to get a new player now but need a certain feature set:

-3D is a must
-Can play AVCHD from USB
-Can play a list of mkv, .ts, etc. in succession from a USB drive
-Can do lossless on files mentioned above
-NTFS or something better than FAT32
-1080/50 would be awesome, but not a deal breaker. I like a lot of British television.

I have a Sony BDP-370 now and it does almost all of that save for 3D, NTFS, and 1080/50. I just picked up a Panasonic BDT220 and while it can do 3D and NTFS, almost everything else mentioned above won't work.

I'd also like to not spend more than $200, which pretty much eliminates the Oppo units sadly because they can do just about all of that save the 1080/50 from what I hear...

AJG

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-27-2012, 10:03 AM:

On the BPP-93 from Oppo, can you disable the onscreen display of controls like "play," "pause" etc.?

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 08-28-2012, 01:01 PM:

My dad is interested in finally buying a Blu-ray player. But he has an old rear projection screen TV that doesn't have any HDMI inputs. He need a Blu-ray player with component video outputs that actually outputs 1080p HD over component video connections. Are any companies besides Oppo still making Blu-ray players with component video outputs?

Posted by Ron Funderburg (Member # 4561) on 08-28-2012, 02:09 PM:

Bobby I haven't seen any. I have projectors I would like to set up as well that have the component input and DVI but not HDMI. They only do 1080i though. Optima I think is the brand. Great pictures my TV is only 1080i as well but upgrading anything is not an option right now. I have to get this doctor crap worked out and have the next surgery as soon as I can.

I hope your father what he needs though.

Oh I heard that the manager of the Carmike in Lawton had moved away. Was that your friend?

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 08-28-2012, 02:50 PM:

Didn't the "Analog Sunset" rule kick in last year? Starting with the 2011 model year, BD players aren't (or weren't) supposed to allow 720i/p or 1080i/p signals out via component outputs - for current machines it's supposed to be HDMI only for HD pictures from now on. Older players will still have the ability to output HD via component. Or did that all change or get delayed? I bought a new Panasonic player in 2010 but have no need to use anything but the HDMI outs - the "crippled component outs" are not an issue for me.

Posted by Ron Funderburg (Member # 4561) on 08-28-2012, 06:02 PM:

well you can always use a HDMI to DVI cable which is what I do with my projectors. I don't know about a rule on outputs.

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 08-28-2012, 09:43 PM:

Bobby didn't specify whether his dad's projection TV has DVI inputs. Many TVs of that vintage do not, just as they don't have HDMI inputs. But the set does have component inputs.

Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 08-29-2012, 12:02 AM:

You can't completely disable the onscreen displays on the BDP-93. You can play most discs without it coming up, but it would still be nice to be able to turn it off completely. One of the biggest annoyances is when switching audio or subtitles on 4x3 material, the picture will stretch out to 16x9 while the display is on. (It does not do this when showing the time display.)

Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 08-30-2012, 11:01 PM:

Just go with a PS3. at least , it can do stuff other than play BluRays. Who knows how long BluRay will be a healthy format? They took way too long to settle on BluRay just when inferior but decent enough(for the mainstream) HD streaming has come into play.

I dont understand why even the Chinese are loathe to supply us with BluRay burners. It's not like they care about legalities. I find it annoying that as media quality has increased in quality, it becomes tougher for the common person to record and archive favorite recordings like we did in the VHS era.I want to see affordable easy to use HD recorders. Sure, go ahead and turn off the HD outputs for recording movie channels. But I want to archive my sports recordings in an easy manner. DVD Burners just dont cut it.