Don't buy an expensive Blu-Ray player until you have read this months magazine

Petruchio:

If I may sway the conversation into more friendly territory....  how much difference does an expensive BD player make?

I am particularly interested as I am in the process of upgrading my kit, and am thinking about getting either the Sony BPD-S570, or the more expensive Denon DBP-2011 (£230 and £600 respectively). What exactly is it about the Denon (or any other £500+ BD player) that is worth the extra cash? I'm happy to spend the extra money if it's worth it... I suppose I should also mention that I will be running it through the Monitor Audio RX6AV speakers and Denon AVR-3311 amp.

Do you need the Sony 570 or Denon 2011, if you'll be using HDMI and no onboard decoding, then you don't need the 570, the 370 would do. Although I reckon the new Sony 770 and Denon 1611 would be a better choice and will probably be a similar price when released soon.

If you want your player for just blu-ray then there probably won't be much difference between the 370 and more expensive players in terms of picture and movie sound. But if like me, you'll be using it for SACD and DVD-A, the better chassis construction and internal components of a player like the Denon 1611 should be worth the extra.

daveh75:

Ronald Archiebald:

It would appear that a Sony BDP-S370 would suffice in the real world, and is all the blu-ray player you will ever need!

Ah, but the 'real world' isn't a one size fits all world-The S370 doesn't have multi-channel analogue outs, so is no use to those who have older amps without HDMI, but want the benefits of HD audio.

Daveh75,

Good observation, although one would assume that the older non-HDMI amps would now be a thing of the past, with the advent of the ever changing technology resulting in cheaper yet more technologically advanced components?

Ronald

Ronald Archiebald:

daveh75:

Ronald Archiebald:

It would appear that a Sony BDP-S370 would suffice in the real world, and is all the blu-ray player you will ever need!

Ah, but the 'real world' isn't a one size fits all world-The S370 doesn't have multi-channel analogue outs, so is no use to those who have older amps without HDMI, but want the benefits of HD audio.

Daveh75,

Good observation, although one would assume that the older non-HDMI amps would now be a thing of the past, with the advent of the ever changing technology resulting in cheaper yet more technologically advanced components?

Ronald

Some of the older non hdmi amps knock spots off the latest offerings. I would not change my non HDMI Yamaha unless it went wrong in a big way.

Was all the testing done by blind tests, as this may be the reason they could not see any difference.

I'm in the market for a new blu-ray player. Will be bitstreaming HD audio so my main concern is picture quality. Have been considering the Oppo 83. New models of the Pioneer and Marantz. Would be good to play .MKV via USB external hard drive.

How much difference is there in picture quality from say a 200 pound player to somether 500+

 

 

Prime Cuts,

As ever, it would be best for you to audition a number of blu-ray players in the different price category and decide for yourself, this again being a rather contentious topic!

Ronald

I am not understanding this thread, does it have to do with HDMI cables or Blu-Ray players?

I dont know what was said in the mag, maybe people should fill some of us in, that have not seen the mag.

 

Prime Cuts:

I'm in the market for a new blu-ray player. Will be bitstreaming HD audio so my main concern is picture quality. Have been considering the Oppo 83. New models of the Pioneer and Marantz. Would be good to play .MKV via USB external hard drive.

How much difference is there in picture quality from say a 200 pound player to somether 500+

 

 

Read the mag when it comes out, and that will answer your question.

What I got from it is that changing a single component is perhaps not as important as getting the BDP, amp, speakers working together.

Have to say going from PS3 to current BDP saw a big jump in PQ. Can't comment on SQ as didn't have 5.1 with PS3

hammill:

Reread the original, stand by my statement.

I've been lucky enough to attend a BQ. I therefore realise how the day maps out and that like myself, the other two attendees are amateur reviewers/not reviewers, and different opinions are inevitable. I have a budget to some, mid level to others system. One of the other guys had a decent style home cinema system and BigAir has a high end to some, crazy high end to most, set up. We disagreed on a few things, agreed on others. However, our testing was far from stringent. It was blind, yes, but a proper testing by the team would take about a week and we did about an hour or so.

My point is to conclude, after reading the BQ in the mag, that a component is not that important, well, it's ridiculous.

Lately, there seems to be a lot of baiting of the mag. So much so that I'm spending less time on the forum and can see me not bothering in the future. If you think that the mag is biased or not accurate, don't buy it or use the forum.

Gerrardasnails:

Lately, there seems to be a lot of baiting of the mag. So much so that I'm spending less time on the forum and can see me not bothering in thefuture. If you think that the mag is biased or not accurate, don't buy it or use the forum.

Would hate you to be put off by the current reduction in signal to noise ratio here, Mr Snails - your contributions are always worthwhile...

Gerrardasnails:

My point is to conclude, after reading the BQ in the mag, that a component is not that important, well, it's ridiculous.

 

People read the magazine and jump to conclusions. The fact is, its a VERY small base of readers that take the tests, which means theyre statistically insignificant

Im also not impressed by the lack of calibration. Swopping one bluray for another might mean a calibration of the tv is in order. (Shouldnt be if they both display whats been read, but I believe the dearer sony runs through filters so id suspect that needs calibrating first). How clean is the mains? The people being tested already believe that 'somethings' been changed so that will bring in the placebo effect. etc etc etc

As tests go, theyre very poor, and NOT to be taken as gospel. 

That said, I love reading them. I find them intriguing

Please tell me that there is at least a wee tweak of the video settings?  Surely if there are qualified staff on the payroll, they could calibrate the displays?  The audio side is fair enough, disconnect, connect, listen but for a test of video performance, at least give the gear a chance!

Now that I have had the chance to read the article I feel competent to comment.

The reporting of what took place and the comments is very accurate (Thanks Jonny)

The picture quality between the 2 Bluray players was virtually identical, played through the Sim projector we were treated to a truly cinematic experience.

However the sound from the Q Accoustice was truly awful. It was harsh and tiring, typical of the worst overblown sound heard in some cinemas. It wasn't until they were replaced by the reference speakers that I felt able to relax and enjoy the show. We wanted to hear these speakers played through the Yamaha, but this was not part of the test.

Having read some of the comments in this thread, all I can say is people are trying to make excuses for the results of the test, probably because they have spent unnecessary money on their systems.

Knocking the size of the sample is unrealistic. Providing those taking part had no idea of the changes being made then the opinions are valid.

Gerrardasnails:

hammill:

Reread the original, stand by my statement.

I've been lucky enough to attend a BQ. I therefore realise how the day maps out and that like myself, the other two attendees are amateur reviewers/not reviewers, and different opinions are inevitable. I have a budget to some, mid level to others system. One of the other guys had a decent style home cinema system and BigAir has a high end to some, crazy high end to most, set up. We disagreed on a few things, agreed on others. However, our testing was far from stringent. It was blind, yes, but a proper testing by the team would take about a week and we did about an hour or so. My point is to conclude, after reading the BQ in the mag, that a component is not that important, well, it's ridiculous. Lately, there seems to be a lot of baiting of the mag. So much so that I'm spending less time on the forum and can see me not bothering in the future. If you think that the mag is biased or not accurate, don't buy it or use the forum.

My original post was a bit tongue in cheek, just to get a discussion going, but this is the second time that What HiFi have bravely printed BQs which suggest that highly recommended expensive products are hard to differentiate from good quality cheaps ones by normal people.

My conclusion from reading the BQ is that three HfiFi/AV enthusiasts can scarcly tell the difference between a £100 blu-ray player and a £1000 blu-ray player althought they were really concentrating on the task in hand. This was with a top notch projector. What this shows me is that decent blu-ray players have become a cheap commodity product and unless you have special requirements such as SACD/DVD-A -(that is why I have an Oppo) or analog outs, you are probably wasting your money buying anything more expensive than the Sony and you should spend it elsewhere (the BQ suggests speakers, but red wine or more Blu-rays are also good options). The reviewers are amateurs, but guess what, so am I and they are more likely to reflect my views than the What HiFi staff who are experienced at finding the most subtle of differences.  I am sure there are many people with £1000 blu-ray players who feel a bit sick and would like to rubbish the BQ, but that has little to do with the facts.

That it is is possible to get a brilliant blu-ray player for £100 should surely be a matter for celebration.