Let's Discuss HD Combo Players!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 06 Oct 2007, 22:58

* You can be alerted when the BD-UP5000 is in stock at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VDG0UK

* More info on the BD-UP5000:

http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-a ... 53618.html

# 1080p output at 24 frames per second on Blu-ray and HD DVD
# HQV video processing
# Onboard decoding for Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD
# Firmware upgradeable for DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio onboard decoding (see this blog for more information)
# HDMI 1.3 port
# Ethernet port
# Stereo and 5.1/7.1-channel audio outputs (analogue outputs unconfirmed)

* More info on the LG BH200:

http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-a ... 95250.html

# Full HDi support on HD DVD discs
# Picture-in-picture support for both HD DVD and Blu-ray (fully Blu-ray profile 1.1 compliant)
# 1080p output at 24 frames per second
# Onboard decoding for Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD
# Bitstream output for DTS-HD Master Audio
# HDMI 1.3 output, with Deep Color support
# Ethernet port
# Stereo audio outputs (no 5.1)

But the LG is lacking in comparison:

HQV Support
Confirmed support for DTS-HD
No 5.1/7.1 Analogue outputs

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 08 Oct 2007, 15:15

Thanks to someone over at AV Forums I've found an early Sammy review:

http://www.hdguru.com/?p=184

This is a preproduction model so things may change but so far it's looking very tasty. Sadly it's been delayed in The States until December though

. Oh well I'm skint anyway

-

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/34169/118/

The upside being all these delays seem to be meaning the spec is getting better and better, HQV being recently announced. No word if the delays will mean DTS-HD comes on preloaded though.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 26 Oct 2007, 21:37

some more info on the samsung here

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/ ... layer/1103

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 26 Oct 2007, 22:48

Thanks Salty.

Woo hoo -

Samsung Confirms Profile 1.1 For BD-UP5000 Dual-Format Player.

Even if it sounds like you'll need a firmware upgrade first, no worries Samsung should be releasing one to support DTS-HD anyway. I wonder why they cannot ship it with both on board. It sounds like they're making sure the hardware is ready but are not going to release it with the right software. I'd have thought that will still break the BDA's decision that al players must be 1.1 compliant. I guess not.

This machine is going to rock!

(hopefully).

UPDATE: The firmware should be out a month later in January:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-enterta ... 314480.php

Some more info from the forum:

I am really surprised that the second gen LG isnt 1.1 compliant since I think it now meets HD DVD specs.

At least according to Crave... ...the other half of the news is that Samsung is dropping the 2400. Anyone have another source on this?

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=22504

Why can't LG get their Combo right? :shock: . Not that I care when the Samsung looks so tasty.

Also, exactly saying the PS3 and a HD-DVD Player is a better deal isn't a like for like comparison! -

I am very excited about this player. With the inclusion of Dolby True and DTS HD & Master decoding, the HQV upscaling processor, 7.1 analog output, full interactivity with both formats, this is going to be one great machine. Already I am seeing it show up for $799 on selected web sites. Now, if you figure the Toshiba 1080P entry player and the upcoming $399 playstation, that's around 800.00, but neither has 7.1 analog outs and neither has that beautiful Reon HQV upscaling processor.

Technically yes it is cheaper to get 2 machines for cheaper. When you do a comparison though you need to do an apples to apples comparison and the one you gave is not an apples to apples comparison. To get the features that are going to be on this Sammy you will be hard pressed to get a better deal (retail and NOT sale price). 7.1 analogs, DTS HD\MA, Reon upscaling, ect, ect. It will also be 1.1 via update (confirmed not speculated). With prices being posted at below 800 at multiple retailers this will be a steal if it pans out.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 26 Oct 2007, 22:57

for me personally 2 machines is a better option= the tosh upscales region 2 discs fantastically well and ditto for ps3 and region 1 discs. now if the uk model of this can be hacked for multiregion blu ray and SD playback i'll be interested.the us model will probably be a no go for me as there's a good chance it won't play pal discs.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 27 Oct 2007, 00:35

Have you tried the various Toshiba DVD Player remote hacks? I hear they also work for Toshiba's Hard Disk/DVD Recorders. You never know.

I doubt a BD hack will come any time soon. I get the feeling it's much harder.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 27 Oct 2007, 11:11

The only hack that has appeared for toshiba hd players was the 2 that have come through for 2 aussie models the last couple of days.via a firmware update. there are some rumours hacks for all there machines are going to be "leaked" soon.

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 27 Oct 2007, 16:00

I think I might be going to some big DVD technology event in Londin in February (or thereabouts), so i'll have to report back here about it.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 27 Oct 2007, 18:23

Cool. Is that for DVD Times?

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 28 Oct 2007, 18:42

Yeah, if I end up going i'll have to start a thread or post in here so you lot can tell me to look into certain stalls and whatnot at the event.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 28 Oct 2007, 19:43

You lucky B****

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 29 Oct 2007, 11:04

BTW where is Londin? First I've ever heard of that so called place.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 29 Oct 2007, 15:04

Turn left past Uranus.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 29 Oct 2007, 16:18

bradavon wrote:Turn left past Uranus.

Sorry, I don't swing that way. Romero is always up for a good buggering though.

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 30 Oct 2007, 12:04

EvaUnit02 wrote:BTW where is Londin? First I've ever heard of that so called place.

It's where the South Africans think our capital is!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Nov 2007, 17:07

* Confirmed onboard decoding of ALL HD Audio formats :smashin: :

http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-a ... 53618.html

Add that to the fact the Sammy (but not LG BH100 or BH200) has 7.1 Analogue outputs and I'll be able to hear the full HD Lossless Audio of PCM, Dolby True-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio from my existing Amp

p.s - Add that to confirmed Profile 1.1 support, the HQV Upscaling processor and this Player should rock!

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 03 Nov 2007, 19:15

bradavon wrote: this Player should rock!

if it ever comes out

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Nov 2007, 20:02

He he I know

. It will though of course. It's just been delayed from the end of October until the end of December. It's obvious on paper it will be awesome I just hope the execution is decent too and it doesn't have a fatal flaw or it's performance is flaky, we'll see.

Like Guinness it will be worth the waits

Here's a nice little 5 page PDF that sums up the Samsung BD-UP5000 - Dual Format HD DVD/Blu-Ray Player well:

http://www.abtelectronics.com/images/pr ... _specs.pdf

The only thing it doesn't mention is BD Profile 1.1 which has since been confirmed anyway.

Source: http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthre ... ost5785098

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Nov 2007, 16:30

Here's the world first review, see it does exist

Remember this is a pre-release model! It's best not to forget that once when reading the review. -

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hdtvs/ ... p5000.html

Onboard decoding of DTS-HD has been confirmed by Samsung. I'm reading that to mean "because it's a pre-release model".

EDIT: The serious problem for me is that it struggles to play some discs. The other problems are very subjective and the jaggie problem only effects 1080/24 TVs which I don't have anyway.

Here's a SATA drive for a Home Computer which Writes to BD and Reads from HD-DVD -

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/3517121/L ... oduct.html

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Dec 2007, 03:20

This is turning into Brad's version of "The Japanese Exploitation Thread"

LG BH200 in stores:

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stori ... 0004719845

A Review: http://www.hometheatermag.com/discplayers/1207lg200/
And Another: http://www.ultimateavmag.com/hddiscplayers/1207lg200/

Those two reviews are strange to say the least. They're clearly the same review but differ significantly in places. I suggest reading one and skimming trough the other.

From the Home Theater review, this says it all for me:

Around back you'll see one significant omission: The BH200 does not have multichannel analog outputs.

That green line for SD DVDs is somewhat worrying too, as is the lack of TrueHD. I don't expect DTS-HD right now but TrueHD should be there as standard. I hope the Samsung doesn't mess this up.

I wonder what's so hard to program about Profile 1.1? Both the Samsung and LG will have Profile 1.1 later on through firmware but have got the hardware sorted out now.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 12 Dec 2007, 13:35

Brad's version of "The Japanese Exploitation Thread"

[Eva mode on]

You fail. LG and Samsung are korean, you moron.

[/Eva mode off]

Seriously though. This is LG's second attempt at making a dual format player and they still can't get it right (no analog output). What's it gonna take ?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Dec 2007, 17:46

Very good

To be fair it does sound pretty good and not everyone needs Analogue outputs (long term I doubt anyone will) BUT when they're charging what they are for them ALL Combo Players should have them.

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 12 Dec 2007, 18:33

tom2681 wrote:Seriously though. This is LG's second attempt at making a dual format player and they still can't get it right (no analog output). What's it gonna take ?

You can't count on LG, they're shit for stuff like this. Their LCDs constantly get poor reviews.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 12 Dec 2007, 18:36

Get seperates, the end.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Dec 2007, 21:58

Oh ye of little faith, all you naysayers 8) -

Looks like its available in the US.

Posters on http://www.avsforum.com are reporting shipping & tracking numbers. One poster has even picked one up from a shop!

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthre ... ost6022737

It will be mine