Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: recommended Blu-Ray players

This is topic recommended Blu-Ray players in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 03-07-2011, 05:38 PM:

Blu-ray is Not My Favorite Format (tm), but it seems to be increasingly popular for theatrical screenings. What player is everyone using now?

I finally found one that I like: the Panasonic DMP-BD30. This is apparently discontinued, but still available new on Amazon and elsewhere. Its on-screen display can be disabled, it will stay in "pause" mode indefinitely, it has a six-channel discrete audio output, and it has both component and HDMI outputs. It is fast (not as fast as the Oppo, however), and has played every disk that I have tried. The main disadvantage is that it is region-locked, and a separate region-free DVD player is still necessary to play non-local DVDs.

Are there any other good options that are still in production? Are there any that are or can be made region-free? Can any of them have an HD-SDI output added?

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 03-07-2011, 06:43 PM:

The Oppo that we have works great except you can't disable the onscreen display icons. For that reason I might be in the market for something different...will have to watch this thread!

Posted by Chase Pickett (Member # 5975) on 03-07-2011, 07:12 PM:

There are electronic outlets (primarily online) that modify Blu-ray and DVD players to be region free. I'm sure you can even find that specific model Blu-ray player converted to be region free.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 03-07-2011, 09:57 PM:

If you need component output from a Blu-ray player you better be sure to buy a 2010 model player or earlier. My understanding is the "analog sunset" is being applied to any Blu-ray players made after Dec. 31, 2010. Component output on players made after that date will be limited to 480p.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-07-2011, 11:06 PM:

Scott, the DMP-BD30 was my preferred blu-ray for a few years. The only thing I did not like about it was the fact that the discrete 6 channel analog outputs sounds like the new iPods, meaning "awful". If you want quality sound, you have to use one of the digital outs, but still the player was/is very good and would play anything we threw at it without annoying on-screen displays.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 03-08-2011, 11:49 AM:

http://www.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=000410#000004

http://www.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=000635#000008

We have the Sony BDP-S550. You still get it from ebay. One of the few good players with all the necessary features.

If you want or need to buy new, I'd go with Oppo. Good idea to also buy a HDMI switcher or Splitter + a 1080p24 capable preview monitor.

- Carsten

Posted by Kevin Markwick (Member # 2698) on 03-08-2011, 06:05 PM:

Does anyone have an opinion on optimal settings for Blu Ray with the combination I have?

I'm using the aformetioned Panasonic BD-30 via an HDMI to DVI cable into the Geffen AV Cinema Scaler Pro II (DVI 2 Input)that feeds into an NEC2000C.

The picture is wonderful but video is laggy. Output set to 1080p or 2K seem to give the same results. I suspect it's a combination of settings in the Geffen and the BD player but I'm going round in circles.

Pictures from my two Satellite receivers play fine. Both via HDMI to DVI.

Any help gratefully recieved.

Kevin

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 03-08-2011, 11:42 PM:

Another vote for the Sony BDPS550. I've deployed three of them theatrically.

The screen artifacts can be disabled, as well as the screen saver, allowing you to pause in black indefinitely.

The 8 ch out can be attenuated on a per channel basis, and it can fold the back surrounds into the side surrounds for 6ch out.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-09-2011, 08:17 AM:

I have the S550 at home and I don't have too much against it. We have a customer that loves them. We have run into HDCP issues with it, however.

-Steve

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 03-09-2011, 11:22 AM:

I have the Panny BD-85 going via HDMI into our living room 34" Olevia LCD. Still going analog for the sound until I can swap in the new Denon HDMI-ready receiver to replace our current ancient Kenwood. So far I'm quite happy with the -85's picture and sound, though there doesn't seem to be a way to defeat the on-screen displays during playback.

I'll be looking for a chance to play with it some more during down time via HDMI-DMI adapters on some series 2 D-Cinema gear next week over at Caesars.

Posted by Per Hauberg (Member # 529) on 03-18-2011, 08:59 AM:

I have ordered a Philips BDP 9600, being one of the only ones on the local market, able of producing a CinemaScope-picture with subtitles in-frame rather than in a black barral underneath.
My screen is very small (15 feet), and running Scope cropped would look very poor.
Well - Philips Denmark had promised the player to be delivered two weeeks ago, but nothing happened yet, so I'm this week for the first time running a BluRay for public performances on a lend Panasonic DMP BD-65, which is doing a nice job, allthough half of the subtitling is under frame. A little off the picture size, and it works. (not optimal, but what the... -It will be better next week)

Right now, a storm of hurricane proportions goes over the danish movie business. A couple of small film distributors, specialized in "narrow stuff" movies only, have offered a couple of titles for cinema use on bluray, and the organisations are not amused. I've got one of them running now, with a picture quality on my small screen that fully equalizes my 35mm scope. This will not, for me to see -as claimed by critics, ruin the cinemas good name, but on the contrary make possible the fast distribution of films, normally only circulating in Denmark in one or two prints, being half a year or more making their way around, and being pretty worn and dirty before getting to me. I will not be hesitating, if I'm offered more of this kind.
Is this being practised in the homeland of movies, too - or are You only using BluRay on special occasions ?

Posted by Bajsic Bojan (Member # 4928) on 03-18-2011, 05:37 PM:

dp

Posted by Bajsic Bojan (Member # 4928) on 03-18-2011, 05:38 PM:

we're using Sony BDP350
+ screen messages can be disabled
+ 6ch analog out
- slow as s*** (1min to boot up, 20sec to load a DVD/BD)
- cannot get it to pause indef
- randomly does/doesn't supply 720p on component out
- region 2 locked

Similar situation to Denmark, but we're against BD distribution as we'd start to get force-fed the format if we accept it even once! (we are an art-house type cinema)

we use it for one-off presentations/previews, rental screenings, semi-pro movie showings, trailer presentation,...

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 03-18-2011, 08:24 PM:

quote: Paul Mayer
.....I can swap in the new Denon HDMI-ready receiver to replace our current ancient Kenwood.

NOOOOOOO!!!

Do NOT buy the Denon!! It is a piece of crap...the outputs WILL go to black on the slightest signal glitch, HDCP handshaking is flaky, and I had one brand new out of the box that didn't work at all...no audio or video outputs in any mode.

The older Denons from Japan were great, but the new one (Made in you-know-where) sucks ass!!

I am not sure if Marantz is M-I-C, but it is functionally very close to Denon and outperforms it in the quality department.

As for the players, I avoid Sony like the plague..slow boot-up and load times, piss-poor reliability, very touchy on marginal quality discs, and no indefinite pause.

Stick with Panasonic, OPPO, or maybe Samsung if all else fails.

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 03-18-2011, 11:56 PM:

Oh well, the Denon is sitting on top of my "to install" pile (open box special). It looks as if it had been dropped (nice crease across the top of one side of the case cover) - so it could indeed turn out to be a "project" when I fire it up. If it does give me grief at least I won't have paid all that much for it.

Back on topic, the Panasonic BD-85 has been great on the small living room display. Hoping to get some time to try it out on a 4K projector next week.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 03-19-2011, 08:26 AM:

quote: Tony Bandiera Jr
As for the players, I avoid Sony like the plague..slow boot-up and load times, piss-poor reliability, very touchy on marginal quality discs, and no indefinite pause.

Based on experience with which Sony players?

- Carsten

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-19-2011, 09:53 AM:

Note...ALL gen-1 BluRay players were ungodly slow.

The current players are MUCH MUCH faster...Sony included. In fact, Sony has a fast-boot mode too.

I have been less than impressed with SOME Panasonic image quality as compared to Denon (Same disc, same projector).

-Steve

Posted by Bajsic Bojan (Member # 4928) on 03-19-2011, 10:57 AM:

sorry, info on previous page was for Sony BDP300 (slow loading time, cannot pause indef...). Its a 1st generation device.

Of the 2nd generation,we do use BDP350 which is :
+much faster
+can pause indef
-looses sync with projector when DVD/BD is ejected/loaded (lots of 'signal lost' and flashing type of artifacts on screen)
-region 2 locked

giant nono and cant have that for the theater even if i do have shutter control on the projector.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 03-19-2011, 08:25 PM:

Our Sony 350 and 550 didn't have these issues. Yet to be on the safe side, we have a simple switcher between the player and the projector so that we control precisely when and what the audience get's to see.

There are some BluRay discs with in-program screensavers (Java based). So even if you can disable a player screensaver or OSD like on the Sonys, the program screen saver kicks in after a while in play-pause. So we decided to have an HDMI switcher + 1080p24 capable preview monitor to be on the safe side.

An ultra fast loading player is of no real benefit, because on all BluRays there's lot's of stuff happening before the main feature anyway, and skipping is not possible or prohibited.
Most of that is not related to Player speed. It may save you a few seconds when for some reason you have to restart the whole thing, but usually ypu simply have to precue to the main feature well in advance and keep it paused there anyway.

- Carsten

Posted by Sam King (Member # 4029) on 04-03-2011, 04:48 PM:

We are also looking for a Blu Ray player. We want the analog 6/8 channel out (SIDE NOTE: isn't that the only way to get Dolby Tru/DTS MA since they cannot travel over optical and the Dolby DMA8+ doesn't have HDMI in for sound?) and the ability to disable OSD. Was leaning toward Oppo, but the OSD issue now as me back as square 1.

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 04-04-2011, 01:26 PM:

quote: Sam King was the last to post
There are some BluRay discs with in-program screensavers (Java based).

We're looking at you, Universal. Please stop sucking at BluRay authoring.

quote: Sam King
isn't that the only way to get Dolby Tru/DTS MA since they cannot travel over optical and the Dolby DMA8+ doesn't have HDMI in for sound?

For the moment yes. I'm surprised to see that Gefen doesn't have built in decoding for next gen formats over HDMI. I expect they will in the future.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 04-04-2011, 05:28 PM:

Currently it seems the only way to get the various BR-only Audio codecs either through 5.1/7.1 analog out OR a AV-Receiver with HDMI in AND PreAmp Outputs.

There are some cheap HDMI audio decoders on ebay, etc,, but they do NOT decode TrueHD, etc,, only pass through.

I recommend digging up a second hand or left over Sony S550.

- Carsten

Posted by Fenando Caveira (Member # 6223) on 04-16-2011, 10:01 AM:

Noob question.

There is a festival coming and they wanto to use BRay.

in one room i have:
Panasonic PT-DW7000E
Kramer VP-725DSA

And on the other:
Barco DP90
with the barco switcher

Cant get picture with any of them!!
wy??? hdcp problem?

thanks

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 04-16-2011, 06:52 PM:

Picture - yes, HD/1080p no. You might want to buy a HD-Fury, probably the cheapest solution for the Panasonic machine, but will also work with the Barco switcher (YUV or RGB, depending on HD-Fury model).

http://www.hdfury.com/

There was a mentioning of a required gore board upgrade for series-I projectors - the DP90 is one of them - which is said to enable HDCP on their DVI inputs. However, it's an expensive upgrade, and I don't know wether it's required for european machines.

Nearly all BluRay-Players do have YUV outputs, but most of them will not deliver analog 1080p signals, only SD or max 720p Signals.

- Carsten

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 04-16-2011, 07:31 PM:

Will the HDFury do 1080p? I though it was just 1080i as well as the various analog Component solutions.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 04-16-2011, 09:01 PM:

'Supports all HD/SDTV formats from 1080p down to 480i
HDTV ready (480i/480p/576i/576p/720p/1080i/1080p48/50/60 compatible)'

- Carsten

Posted by Sam King (Member # 4029) on 04-24-2011, 01:39 PM:

I believe I am going to get us the Sony S550, how would it be best to get the 7.1 analog audio from 8 RCA connectors into my CP 650? Should I go through the DMA8+ or not?

Posted by Kris Verhanneman (Member # 5562) on 04-24-2011, 02:02 PM:

If you have an optical or coaxial out yes.
1 small cable...

Posted by Sam King (Member # 4029) on 04-24-2011, 02:21 PM:

Yes, but Dolby TruHD/DTS MasterHD cannot pass through coax/optical, you just get raw left and right channel, and many dics offer this as their only English audio option.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-24-2011, 03:47 PM:

If your player has only a coax and you require optical out Fostex makes a neat convertor that converts one to the other and is reasonably priced...

Posted by Sam King (Member # 4029) on 04-24-2011, 05:30 PM:

I am thinking this cable (http://www.infinitecables.com/pop-usa/av_s6-25-rca.htm) hooked to the 650's external 6 channel or the DMA8+'s external processor input should work. I would most likely need to Y-cable the RS and RBS to one RS and well as LBS and LS to one LS, as, and PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, I cannot get external EIGHT channel analog audio into the 650.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 04-26-2011, 09:37 AM:

Yes, if the wiring on the DB25 is compatible with the standard Dolby wiring, this cable should work.

You should definitly use the S550 7.1/5.1 analog outputs.

The Sony has it's own multichannel setup option with delay and level configuration.

You can easily make your own cable from 2-3 sets of stereo RCA cables and a D-25 connector - the wiring is shown in the CP650 installation manual, it's the same for all Dolby processors with this 6ch external in connector.
I use a set of transformers (3 stereo DI boxes), then enter the Dolby processor, without adding any hum/noise issues. You might need transformers or not, depending on your devices and installation.

You might get away with a digital S/P-DIF or stereo connection for a festival, but you never know which sound formats have been encoded before you finally get the discs. And then it maybe too late. The 5.1 analog output from the Sony to the CP650 gives you peace of mind for all possible formats - from mono over stereo and Dolby AC3/dts up to all current BluRay formats.

- Carsten

Posted by Bajsic Bojan (Member # 4928) on 04-26-2011, 01:38 PM:

@carsten:

which isolator/di box do you use to convert unbalanced? or do you get balanced out of the DI and just use one leg of the signal?

i'm currently using an ART t8 8channel isolator/transformer with varying success, but i really miss a ground loop switch

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 04-27-2011, 08:29 AM:

As neither the Sony nor the Dolby has balanced inputs, I use the transformers only for ground isolation. I have very simple stereo transformers, probably not easy to find outside germany, but any passive DI-Box with ground lift or custom cabling should do.

It really helps with 6 additional analog channels from a consumer device. I would even suggest to put something like this in front of the EX-6ch analog In as a general measure. There should be 8ch 19" units available with ground lift.

This one is 6ch, and even has level adjustment, but I don't know wether it's available outside germany:

http://www.thomann.de/de/millenium_adi6_di-box.htm

They do ship internationally, though. The Sony has slightly lower levels, especially after surround level calibration. It's still fine for our CP65, we just have to dial up to Dolby level 8-9 or so. But if the DI box offers some gain itself...

With the Sony 7.1 output and a suitable speaker/amp layout, maybe an 8ch device would be a better choice.

- Carsten

Posted by Sam King (Member # 4029) on 05-06-2011, 12:32 AM:

So I got the cable in, hooked it up to external 6-channel on the DMA8+ and only got humming. ???

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 05-06-2011, 04:59 PM:

Are you able to check proper wiring of this cable?

Did you connect the BluRay Player yet? Have you verified it is actually using the discrete analog audio outputs?

Have you checked any other source into the DMA8+, e.g. iPod?

- Carsten

Posted by Sam King (Member # 4029) on 05-15-2011, 10:44 PM:

Tried with my iPod, out of the 6 RCA connections; 1 went to RIGHT, 1 went to LEFT, 1 went to ALL SURROUNDS, and the other 3 went no where. I am so confused...

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 05-16-2011, 08:59 AM:

You should check the wiring of this cable with a multimeter (or have someone check it).
This is the reason I rarely buy 'non-standard' cables, but always choose to make them myself.

The right pinning can be found in the Dolby manual. It's more or less the same for all Dolby processors with DB25 analog connections.

The DMA8 will need to be in film or pass-through mode to output the external analog channels.

You should also make sure your BluRay Player's audio setup is correct.

- Carsten

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-26-2011, 12:15 PM:

Bump.

The Sony BDP-S280 is just "OK." It has compmenent output, a counter on the front panel, and the on-screen display can be disabled. On the other hand, it goes into sleep mode if left in pause or stop for more than a few minutes (and this seems to not be able to be disabled). It is a current (or recently-discontinued) model that is readily available online.

Posted by Callonnec Laurent (Member # 6165) on 10-27-2011, 09:36 AM:

Hi,
i was working on a similar idea (DB25 to RCA Snake) and i found than some of this cables are for Tascam audio link, so the PIN OUT RCA diagrams won't work (i find a diagram here SNAKE DB25 RCA DIAGRAM. I hope the one you get doesn't fall in this category.

Posted by William F Green (Member # 3192) on 10-28-2011, 11:31 AM:

Carsten - you mentioned an upgrade board for the DP90 to make it HDCP compliant. Does anybody know if there is an upgrade available for NEC NC800 to make the DVI inputs HDCP compliant? Otherwise we will be looking at an HD Fury to input to the proj. via the Cine IPM I guess.

With our LCD proj. we use a Sony BDP S360 which works well - it can be paused literally all day (except on Universal's BD's!)and can be set to not show on-screen messages at all.
One useful setting with this Sony is that RGB output levels on HDMI can be set to 0-255 rather than the standard setting and with our LCD projector this is vital as the auto setting gives grey-ish blacks whereas the 0-255 setting gives dark blacks (as dark as the proj is capable of). Would buy more of these if they were not discontinued.

Recently bought a Panasonic BDT 110 which I'm not so keen on at this at all. Can't adjust the RGB levels on HDMI so pic looks washed-out on LCD proj. On-screen displays can be set to 'off', BUT unfortunately after 30mins on pause it goes into 'power saver' mode (or something similar) and then proudly displays this fact on-screen when it's 'woken-up' again! Will not be buying any more of these.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 11-01-2011, 08:47 PM:

William - you're still on stereo, so I guess a lot of players should basically work for you. I remember that some Philips players allow to set the position of subtitling - could be an interesting feature as well if you do screen DVDs/BDs with subtitling.

Most current Sony players should have more or less the same feature set, so I guess you should be fine with other Sonys as well. Only that Sony doesn't offer affordable devices with multichannel analog outputs anymore.

You should be able to still get S360. We have an S550 (7.1 discrete audio output) and I would buy it second hand if needed. A lot of these machines are now exchanged for 3D players and should be still in good condition. If you do commercial screenings, a second player is certainly a good investment.

- Carsten

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 11-02-2011, 11:14 AM:

The CP650 can do 7.1 but only with digital inputs (4xAES) which requires an (expensive) option card. There is no 8 channel analog input.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-02-2011, 01:53 PM:

Why do a lot of DVD/BR players refuse to stay in Pause mode? It's not hurting anything.

I submit this is a holdover from VHS days where if you would leave it in pause for too long, it would damage the tape. Or else it's a holdover from the days when "burn-in" was an issue on TVs.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 11-02-2011, 08:18 PM:

Some plasmas and even LCDs are still somewhat prone to burn-in issues, so, a screensaver does make sense. You just need to find a player which can have it deactivated. I suggest downloading the manual, which is possible for every manufacturer, and read the part describing the setup options.

There are, however, some BDs around with their own screensaver which usually can not be deactivated. I suggest to buy a HDMI switcher/splitter and 24p capable control monitor/TV along with the BluRay Player so one can start the disc and proceed to the main feature without the audience seeing it.

- Carsten

Posted by Tommy Zackariasson (Member # 6505) on 02-03-2012, 12:10 PM:

Hi

Does anybody know if there is a windowsapp out there to control the oppo-players with rs232? Nothing fancy just play,pause etc. Of course it would be nice to have buttons to adjust the subs too... I was sure that this would be easy to find, but the only thing I've found is a module for the Crestron system...

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 02-04-2012, 06:38 AM:

The protocol is documented:

http://www.oppodigital.com/Download/BDP83/BDP83_RS232_Protocol_v2.1.pdf

It's relatively easy to create simple VBS commands to control it on any windows system.
We have done it to automate our preshow projector. You can have the command executed e.g. by a desktop Icon or F-Key.

- Carsten

Posted by Tommy Zackariasson (Member # 6505) on 02-05-2012, 05:33 AM:

Hej

Yes i know the protocol, what i wondered was if anybody knew about any (opensource) application with a nice gui to control it. Something like the Crestron module. I'm not a programmer, and there's no point in inventing the wheel over and over.

/Tommy

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 02-05-2012, 06:32 AM:

Extron's line of IP/Media/TP Link controllers would be a solution for having touchpanel or conventional button panel technology without having to really reinvent the wheel. They will supply a driver for most any device for free and you can lay it out (with partially canned solutions).

-Steve

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 02-05-2012, 06:10 PM:

I don't know any simple App. Although it would not be complicated to send out some strings after some button clicks.

There are a lot of full blown automation systems that can do this - GIRDER, CQC,Homeseer, MainLobby, etc.
Powerful, but far to complicated (and expensive) to get you going just with the Oppo. Maybe you should inquire at Oppo for a simple demonstration tool.

Or try this. Not simple, but at least free:

http://www.eventghost.org/docs/features.html

- Carsten

Posted by Tommy Zackariasson (Member # 6505) on 02-06-2012, 03:42 PM:

Thanks, a friend who can VB is looking at this right now. Ill let you know the result. /Tommy

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 05-09-2012, 04:17 PM:

Could someone please advise on an inexpensive blu ray player which outputs both BD and DVD with "full range" RGB levels (0-255)?
For the time being I have seen a SONY outputting video levels (16-235) on everything and a Panasonic outputting Video levels on DVD and full range on BD.
It would be used with digital projectors, no special requirements but the video levels.
I have a PS3; on the PS3 you can select "limited" or "full range", why this cannot be done on other players?

Thanks

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 05-09-2012, 06:24 PM:

I think the Sony Players hide it in the HDMI colour setting. Component (YCbCr) will have video levels, RGB will be full range.

AUTO should be okay as well.

- Carsten

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 05-11-2012, 04:27 AM:

Hello Carsten

Thanks for your reply. I have come across a SONY which was outputting video levels on HDMI though. It was an old unit and I was testing it with a DVD, but I am looking for something which provides full range RGB levels when running a DVD as well.
Have you got a specific model you know works well or, even better, allows for full range RGB levels in the setting menu?

Thanks!

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 05-11-2012, 08:27 AM:

I think more or less all newer models have RGB full level now since they are expected to work with computer monitors with DVI+HDCP or HDMI inputs. A lot of these displays can not deal with YCrCb or video levels. I'll see if I can look it up. Admittedly, I see the HDMI extended range setting more often on displays/projectors.

- Carsten

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 05-11-2012, 07:39 PM:

That would be great, as I said before I've just seen a brand new panasonic outputting video levels on DVDs. I don't really want to keep buying units, if any of you had a chance to check this and report it here, that would be brilliant.

Cheers
Marco

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 08-09-2012, 02:15 PM:

Bump.

Has anyone used the Pioneer BDP-V6000? On paper it looks good: defeatable OSD, 7.1 analog output, component video output, etc. Is this thing really worth $1k, though?

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 08-09-2012, 02:41 PM:

I'd never spend that much money on 'consumer electronics'. However, depending on specific features, it might make sense. The BDP-V6000 is intended for professional AV use. The RS232 port for remote control could come out handy.

I always suggest to download the full manual and check for all options that it offers. Sonys still have MOST necessary features for a cinema BD-Player. Except now for the discrete 7.1 output. I you have a HDMI capable sound processor or interface, you can get away without discrete analog outputs.

There are a few solutions now for HDMI-Audio decoders. BluRay Players are not built forever, maybe it's a good idea to split some functions into separate devices, thus it is easier to find a new player every few years.

A lot of players nowadays offer remote control capabilty over networks/through iPhone/Android. This can also be very handy, not just a gimmick.

The BDP-V6000 does not seem to be a current model - the pioneer site states information as 'archived'. Interesting device - strange it has never been mentioned in this thread before.

- Carsten

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 08-12-2012, 04:01 PM:

Carsten,

Sony got back to me confirming that ALL their player are 16-235 and not 0-255. How do you guys cope with the black level? As mentioned, a Panasonic I tried on a Christie had video levels on DVDs and Full Range on BDs.

Posted by William F Green (Member # 3192) on 08-16-2012, 06:27 AM:

quote: Marco Giustini
Sony got back to me confirming that ALL their player are 16-235 and not 0-255. How do you guys cope with the black level?

Marco, hope this helps - we use a Sony BDP S360 (which is a 2009 model I think) and this definitely does have the option to set RGB black levels on HDMI output. Not sure if Sony have abandoned the 0-255 feature on later players.
As standard (Auto) it seems to revert to RGB 16-235 which gives a 'grey' black on the LCD projector we are using with it. However manually setting RGB to 0-255 gives a genuine black and improves contrast. We have used this model for many, many public screenings and it has never failed to play any disc thrown at it.
The HDMI RGB output options on this are:
AUTO (seems to revert to 16-235)
RGB 16-235
RGB 0-255

We have tried the same player using analogue component outputs feeding a Christie Cine IPM and then an NEC NC 800 (all non HDCP compliant) and it works extremely well.

Looking online now the BDP S360 might be harder to find new - a few used ones on amazon for around £55 - for that price it's worth trying one! Check out a model or two for yourself if you can (in a sony showroom somewhere or Richer Sounds can be helpful if you have one near to you) and confirm yourself that RGB 0-255 is available from the menu.

We also bought a Panasonic (don't have the model number to hand) and this was definitely not capable of outputting 0-255, only 16-235, so we don't use this for public screenings.

Update: It seems that most Sony models after the BDP S360 only offer the option of RGB output but not RGB range selectable. Easiest way of checking is find an older model that is still available at a reasonable price and then check-out the manual online.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 08-16-2012, 06:51 AM:

Same here - my S-550 has explicit options for Auto/YCbCr(4:2:2)/YCbCr(4:4:4)/RGB(16-235)/RGB(0-255)

Newer models seem to lack these RGB options. Have you checked 'Auto'?

- Carsten

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 08-16-2012, 03:11 PM:

William,
Very kind of you, thanks.
Unfortunately I need to find a current model. Glad to know that SONY didn't tell me rubbish, they assured me they asked the developers about that.

Definitely a tough task, but thanks for your contribution, it's a starting point.
Marco

Posted by William F Green (Member # 3192) on 08-17-2012, 04:31 PM:

Good news Marco, looks like the current Toshiba BD players support full range RGB output.
According the manual for the Toshiba BDX1250 (around £60) it says that one option on the menu is:
"{Full RGB} – Select Full RGB Color space."

.. but I see no mention of being able to turn off the on-screen-display, which presumably you also want?

If you try one, let me know if it works as expected.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 08-17-2012, 05:23 PM:

Hello Will

Thanks! I will have a look at the manual and eventually I'll see if I can try one unit out. OSD is not a priority, but picture quality is!

Thanks again!
Marco

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 08-28-2012, 12:12 PM:

Hi,

I've got an answer from Toshiba, they involved Japan for me! They confirmed that it's as you say, "full RGB" is 0-255. They also said that the option won't be available if used with a DVI "converter" though.

This puzzles me, there is no conversion involved between DVI and HDMI. In fact HDMI is a DVI connection with audio (and ethernet if 1.4) bundled together. Maybe they mean I need to have a DVI HDCP capable.
Maybe it's just language barrier, I'll see if I can give a Toshiba a try.

Thanks