Blu-Ray Player/Media Player Suggestions

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Dulouz

875 posts

Ultimate Geek

#88806 24-Aug-2011 08:58

My DVD player has stopped working and am looking for something to replace it.

I currently own a Tivo but Caspa has little content and transferring content to tivo is a hassle. Watching movies is now limited to whats on TV.

I would like a box which can play DVD's, Blu-ray and access the internet youtube, facebook etc.

What are the best options?

I don't play games so PS3 is not an option.

Any ideas much appreciated.

Amanon

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1760 posts

Uber Geek

#511022 24-Aug-2011 10:07

Do you want it to be able to be networked and play media files from a server?

Why not the PS3? At $399 its pretty complete, Sony keep up to date with firmware updates, it can be added to your network for media streaming, you can get a normal remote for it, does a good job with DVD and Blu-ray playback, has youtube, an internet browser etc has everything in your wishlist.

There are some Panasonic blu-ray players that offer limited functionality (vierra cast skype and youtube I think, not sure about facebook) and are probably cheaper than the PS3, but then they aren't networkable (until you get to the $500+ models or recorders) so no media streaming (if this is important to you). I'm not sure on the samsung Blu-ray models, I know their tvs have skype, youtube etc and some dlna stuff but its effectiveness is questionable

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clevedon

1059 posts

Uber Geek

#511160 24-Aug-2011 12:36

PS3.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#511195 24-Aug-2011 13:13

Dulouz:

I would like a box which can play DVD's, Blu-ray and access the internet youtube, facebook etc.

.

My Panasonic DMR BW880 Blu Ray Recorder does most of this plus records HD to HDD and BluRay discs. Doesn't do youtube, facebook etc but then my Sony TV (32ex720) does.
The BW880 was only $770 a few weeks ago at JB but has now been superceded by the 3D model which was down to $1195 a couple of weeks ago. Don't know if it does youtube etc yet though. Still the best way to go IMO. It's rather more expensive than just a Blu Ray Player with LAN and internet but well worth it.

WolfmanNZ

139 posts

Master Geek

#511252 24-Aug-2011 14:19

http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php?pluginoption=catalog&mainItemId=12

These look pretty nifty but the BluRay is an extra cost, plus then there are zoning concerns and power adaptors etc. I dunno if a NZ version is coming out or what price it would be.

bfginger

1244 posts

Uber Geek

#511447 24-Aug-2011 20:05

Youtube on most STBs isn't great as many official videos especially music videos are withheld from them. You're better off plugging a laptop into the TV.

B1GGLZ: I have seen the DMR-BWT700GZ sell for under $1050.

sultanoswing

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#511466 24-Aug-2011 20:41

What amp / receiver do you have? If you don't have a receiver with HDMI and capable of DTS-MA or Dolby HD, you'll be missing out on the uncompressed multichannel soundtracks which are one of the nice benefits of upgrading to Blu-ray. My old amp didn't support the latest codecs or have HDMI, so I needed to buy a blu player capable of outputting multi-channel analog.

In my case this was the Panasonic DMP-BD85GNK (http://www.whathifi.com/review/panasonic-dmp-bd85). It's probably getting hard to find now, since it's a 2010 model. It does do some internet (Panasonic's Viera Cast - which is a bit limited) and does support DLNA through wired and wireless connection (it comes with a wireless dongle).

If you decide you want one of the best blu-ray players reasonable money can buy (without the fancy internet doo-dads), then the Oppo BD93 and BD95 are the ducks nuts.

Dunnersfella

4083 posts

Uber Geek

#511495 24-Aug-2011 21:12

To be fair - the PS3 would be your best bet.
I know you don't want one necessarily, but it does tick all your boxes.

chiefie

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#511520 24-Aug-2011 22:10

We use our PS3 more for watching BD and DVD. And now we have a couple of Apple TV2 with Mac Mini Server Lion used as iTunes Home Sharing libraries.

Your best option is PS3 as it is actually more a media player device, with gaming ability.

Oh and forgot to say, Sony/PS3 has Qriocity (music subscription service) and MUBI (movie rental service) should you want more. VidZone on PS3 is great for music TV playing for party or background.

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Hobchild

623 posts

Ultimate Geek

#511534 24-Aug-2011 23:18

+1 for PS3.

toyonut

1508 posts

Uber Geek

#511540 24-Aug-2011 23:41

Why not a BluRay player like you wanted?
Sony BDP-S480 for $294
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/media-players/sony/3d-blu-ray-player-sku-21497/

http://www.sony.co.nz/product/bdp-s480

There is even the 380 for $188 but you lose facebook/internet browser and DNLA unfortunately.
http://www.sony.co.nz/product/bdp-s380

http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/media-players/sony/blu-ray-player-sku-21495/

You can even use your android or iphone to control it.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

michaelmurfy

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#511541 24-Aug-2011 23:47

chiefie: We use our PS3 more for watching BD and DVD. And now we have a couple of Apple TV2 with Mac Mini Server Lion used as iTunes Home Sharing libraries.

Your best option is PS3 as it is actually more a media player device, with gaming ability.

Oh and forgot to say, Sony/PS3 has Qriocity (music subscription service) and MUBI (movie rental service) should you want more. VidZone on PS3 is great for music TV playing for party or background.

I must say, Qriocity is quite a good service too, I just use it to play music while I am chillin'

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networkn

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#511542 24-Aug-2011 23:55

PS3, no question, who cares if you don't play games.

JimmyH

2886 posts

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#512105 25-Aug-2011 20:59

You don't say what your budget it, which would have made recommendations a bit easier.

PS3 will do most of that, but personally I deeply dislike Sony (but am not going to turn the reply into an anti-Sony essay). It is a fairly cheap and easy to set up option.

If you are happy to rip disks on your computer and save films to a hard drive, then a media player like a WD Live or AC Ryan etc might also work - some of the newer ones have facebook & youtube functionality.

An HTPC with a Blu Ray drive will do all of your list and then some, depending on how you configure it, including recording mulktiple satellite and terrestrial HD TV channels, radio, etc. Also upgradeable in future, and lacking much of the the annoying DRM that Sony seems so attached to. However, it will cost significantly more than a PS3, and be fiddlier to set up.

Dulouz

875 posts

Ultimate Geek

#512227 26-Aug-2011 09:07

Thanks for all the ideas, much appreciated. Looks like a PS3 could be worthwhile considering.

Amanon

Radiotron

169 posts

Master Geek

#516562 4-Sep-2011 20:07

Another vote for the PS3, mine has never seen a game in its life, but a great media box (esp with PS3 Media Server on LAN), and can always extend its abilities by adding PlayTV for recording Freeview - just note that if you do add that, the Freeview EPG is pretty hopeless, even with paid TVTV internet sourced EPG. The upscale of even quite tatty looking .avi to 1080p is quite decent.

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