[kd001]

I intend to buy a Pioneer KRP-500A plasma screen and I need to buy a blu-ray player to go with it. I was advised to buy a Pioneer blu-ray player but the Sony players seem much more value for money. I am especially interested in the BRP-S550. What do you think?

I would also appreciate some specific advice on BRP-S550:
1) How is the DVD upscaling in this player.

2)I have read that if I use the S550's onboard high definition audio decoding the subwoofer sounds will be several decibels too low. But is this only if the analogue connections are used and not the digital one?

Thanks a lot

[stvn758]

That's one heck of a TV.

As no one else has answered yet I'll suggest the upscaler in the Kuro is going to be better than the one in the player by miles.

From what I can remember of a similar question asked here, if you send an SD signal to a full HD panel the set will do the upscaling. Whether you can actually switch off the scaler in a bluray player and leave it to the TV I don't know.

I can choose the resolution on my Panasonic DVD recorder sent through HDMI to my full HD panel - I just switched it from standard definition to 1080p to see if Sky looks better - I assume the Panny is now upscaling it.

[paulr2006]

The lower Sub output relates to the analogue outs

[bobcar]

The upscaling in the BDS-350 is excellent - much better than the Sky HD. I suspect it may be better than in your TV but the only way to find out is to try - probably given the quality of your TV upscaling it is unlikely to make a great improvement in any case.

The picture quality on any Blu Ray player for Blu Ray disks should be identical as you are taking a digital signal, not processing it other than lossless decoding and sending across a digital interface (assuming you send out 1080p). There are differences between players but but not HD picture quality.

[b1llygoat]

Have you thought about the PS3 as a Blu-ray player. It has the added advantage that it is upgradeable via the net keeping it up to date with all changes. From what I have heard a lot of blu-ray players are not upgradeable without purchasing a new machine. Plus you have the added advantage of the games console as well.

[bobcar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1llygoat

Have you thought about the PS3 as a Blu-ray player. It has the added advantage that it is upgradeable via the net keeping it up to date with all changes. From what I have heard a lot of blu-ray players are not upgradeable without purchasing a new machine. Plus you have the added advantage of the games console as well.

The newer ones are upgradeable if you so desire (I'm not bothered myself). For example the BDS-350 is fully upgradeable either via ethernet or CD, obviously if you want the games console the PS3 makes more sense.

[relapsed]

Yeah your best with a PS3, not like most people who own just blu-ray players that will never be upgradable unless they have ethernet cables and anything else it takes to update it.

[Atlantean]

I am considering getting a Sony BDP-S 550 Blu-ray Player - €329 is the best price I have seen so far. It looks fairly good spec - should work with my Bravia at least!

[bobcar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by relapsed

Yeah your best with a PS3, not like most people who own just blu-ray players that will never be upgradable unless they have ethernet cables and anything else it takes to update it.

So how do you upgrade a PS3 without an Ethernet cable or a CD/DVD?

[steveOooo]

it has wifi built in
i think it has got a ethernet connection? and also it plays cds

[bobcar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveOooo

it has wifi built in
i think it has got a ethernet connection? and also it plays cds

I wasn't saying it couldn't update just that it would need to use the same method as a standalone to do it so no real difference there (okay wifi may be easier for some than ethernet). Upgradeability was an advantage of the PS3 over stand alones but that no longer applies to newer models.