Let's Discuss HD Combo Players!

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 13 Jan 2008, 23:32

Bisc the guy who made the firmware for my toshiba is supposedly working on one for the newer models.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 13 Jan 2008, 23:34

BiscLimpkit wrote:Cool I might get the E30 or whatever it's called? Pretty cheap HD DVD player - maybe Toshiba will release another region 0 firmware.

if you do be quick-i think the free 7 disc deal runs out at the end of january

nows a good time to get a player as some fools on forums are panicking and selling their discs at reasonable prices.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Jan 2008, 00:01

Those fools are well funny. The amount of people who've jumped to massive presumptions over HD-DVDs future is crazy.

Bisc the guy who made the firmware for my toshiba is supposedly working on one for the newer models.

Cool. Is he working on any SD DVD hacks for BD? He's an Aussie right?

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 14 Jan 2008, 04:00

I wouldn't panic and sell my HD discs.... on the other hand I wouldn't choose now to get "into" HD-DVD.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 14 Jan 2008, 09:56

bradavon wrote:
Cool. Is he working on any SD DVD hacks for BD? He's an Aussie right?

He's an angry aussie who has been banned twice from avforums. not heard mention of him hacking BD players.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Jan 2008, 19:27

I kind of agree Mark but with HD-DVD exclusive releases like Terminator 2 still coming, HD-DVD isn't dead yet. I know you dislike the TC of Terminator 2 but you can see the point.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 14 Jan 2008, 19:29

Oh I hope to order than HD-DVD player before the end of Jan then... maybe...

I don't even have an HD-TV lol. But it would motivate me to buy one if I had the Toshiba.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 19 Jan 2008, 15:02

Samsung have released a new firmware to fix most/many of the BD+ and BD-J issues:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/18/sa ... ally-fixed

While it's great Samsung have released a new firmware fixing many of the BD+ and BD-J issues the player still has way to many problem disc reports over at AVS for me to buy one.

I've waited so long for a Combo Player I really want to import one but I just know there is a good likelihood I'll have problems. That and it still doesn't support Profile 1.1. I believe Samsung still say they'll add DTS-HD and TrueHD 5.1/7.1 but nothing has been mentioned about Profile 1.1.

It looks like I'm waiting until May to get the 5500 which will have much newer firmware out of the box and Profile 1.1 support.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 26 Jan 2008, 18:38

According to Samsung the plan always was to release the 5000 in the UK in March. I'm not sure if I believe it. See here:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showpost ... count=1681

The 5000 will then be discontinued in May

-

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/23/the- ... ed-in-may/

It would be a pity if they killed the 5000 off entirely considering it has more to offer in some areas than the 5500.

That article makes any interesting point that the chip at the heart of the 5000 and LG BH200 is shit, and Samsung are going to try again with a better chip.

It's looking very likely my first HD Player will be the 5500 and at the time due to the lack of Analogue outputs I'll be forced to upgrade my Amp too (to get HD Lossless Audio), which I didn't really want to do.

I'll have so many HD Discs by the time I can actually play them

.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 29 Jan 2008, 22:28

Finally a review:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/29/sa ... 00-review/

Reading that review it doesn't come across that bad on it's own merits but compared against other HD Players it does fall short. I still suspect Samsung will iron out the disc playback problems and provide TrueHD/DTS-HD support. Then it will be a stella piece of kit. But what about Profile 1.1?

That said 6 month is a long time to wait for fixes/alterations that were promised at launch.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Jan 2008, 09:59

"All Blu-ray players have disc compatibility issues, which is expected with so many specs changing, but the BD-UP5000 takes it to the next level. Users had to wait until January 15th to watch titles like Resident Evil:Extinction that were released on January 1, which, in the grand scheme isn't that bad -- but in some cases are stuck with 2-channel audio. But we were having problems with a whole array of older titles; in fact, we weren't able to see any menus on a number of flicks including Die Hard, HQV test disc, Planet Earth (BBC), and worst of all, we couldn't see the english subtitles on Letters from Iwo Jima which doesn't contain a English sound track -- doh!

disgraceful samsung released the thing in that state.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Jan 2008, 12:59

My feeling is the Player needs another firmware update before it's ready for mass market distribution. I suspect it's why they've barely been pushing it and have delayed an International launch so many times.

It plays both BD and HD-DVD. This should be a Player Samsung are really pushing but they're not. LG's first attempt was an even bigger embarrassment *. I also suspect Samsung are now considering this a learning curve and will (probably) get it right with the 5500.

The talk of the 5000 being discontinued adds to that theory.

* Pity their second attempt wasn't much better. That said it does seem to have much less disc problems, not that anyone really bought it too find out. It to is very hard to get hold of.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Jan 2008, 13:37

but there are numerous problems with samsungs standalone players aren't there? they certainly have/had serious trouble with fox discs.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 30 Jan 2008, 15:49

Anyone else wish HD-DVD had won the format war?

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 30 Jan 2008, 16:40

Nope, since the PS3 has no problems.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Jan 2008, 17:46

saltysam wrote:but there are numerous problems with samsungs standalone players aren't there? they certainly have/had serious trouble with fox discs.

Aren't most of those now ironed out?

I still stand by my opinion I don't want two players. So I will be going Combo sooner rather than later.

Markgway wrote:Anyone else wish HD-DVD had won the format war?

I do. For regional coding if nothing else.

I do think all these problems will iron themselves out given time. Once Profile 2.0 is out properly things will settle down. I think the important update is 1.1 though as 2.0 just adds Web Access (I think).

Not that these problems are specifically Profile related.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Jan 2008, 20:07

New blu-ray players shouldn't be suffering these problems. my 15 month old E-1 and almost 12 month old ps3 play all discs flawlessly.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Jan 2008, 20:08

gasteropod wrote:Nope, since the PS3 has no problems.

can't believe a collector of movies would want a region coded format to win,especially someone who is hamstrung by having a Region B player

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Jan 2008, 20:46

saltysam wrote:New blu-ray players shouldn't be suffering these problems. my 15 month old E-1 and almost 12 month old ps3 play all discs flawlessly.

Of course but given time BD Players will be fine, region coding aside.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 30 Jan 2008, 20:57

Brad, have you actually bought a player or are you still playing the waiting game?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Jan 2008, 21:05

I'm still waiting :shock:

I'm not just saying it. I really would've bought the Samsung 5000 Combo but it's just too risky. I really hope to by May though. Even if the 5500 isn't perfect I've decided to bite the bullet and buy it or the 5500 anyway. I cannot wait "forever". I've already been waiting since last Summer.

Unless the 5500 has a major flaw of course. I don't consider the 5000 to have major flaws, just enough to stay clear (until more firmware fixes come).

p.s - It will be a Combo Player when I do eventually buy one though. That much I do know.

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 30 Jan 2008, 22:21

saltysam wrote:
gasteropod wrote:Nope, since the PS3 has no problems.
can't believe a collector of movies would want a region coded format to win,especially someone who is hamstrung by having a Region B player

I didn't at first, but then I realised it was the right choice. Looks like I was right.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Jan 2008, 22:38

gasteropod wrote:
saltysam wrote:
gasteropod wrote:Nope, since the PS3 has no problems.
can't believe a collector of movies would want a region coded format to win,especially someone who is hamstrung by having a Region B player
I didn't at first, but then I realised it was the right choice. Looks like I was right.

i was even smarter i got both and made sure my ps3 was a Region A version

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Jan 2008, 22:39

bradavon wrote:
saltysam wrote:New blu-ray players shouldn't be suffering these problems. my 15 month old E-1 and almost 12 month old ps3 play all discs flawlessly.
Of course but given time BD Players will be fine, region coding aside.

shouldn't they be ok now? they aren't cheap.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Jan 2008, 23:28

We're going round in circles, essentially agreeing with each other

You already know the answer to that question. I didn't say they shouldn't be okay now. We need to work with what we've got and expect them to work sooner rather than later.