How Do You Audition a BDP?

[paritosh]

hello friends,

i'm planning to build my HT setup within a couple of months. thanks to your response and suggestions to my thread on my HT setup layout in DYI, I have now finalised the speaker placements and the consealed wiring has been arranged. for AVR + Speakers, i have shortlisted (out of a tiny list to chose from in my city!) Onkyo 508 + 728 and HK 142/255+JBL Studio One, but before that, I would like to buy a BDP to beam video to my Panny 42C10D

Thankfully, here at Rajkot almost all entry level BDPs are available ex stock. I'm not talking about the hi end stuff like Oppo and like... but we do get Sony, Samsung, Phillips, LG, Panasonic and also Onkyo and HK in here.

Now, since I'm going to start checking the options, I would first like you to guide me what are all the criterions that one needs to look at (this que may sound very childish, but it really is bothering me a lot)?

1) What are the latest techs available in the BDPs whiH are going to rpove absolute essential in future?

2)What are the hottest features that I must not compromise on in order to make this purchase future proof (other than 3D which I'm not a big fan of and also do not have the display for the same.)

3)Must I buy a region free one? which region free models are available?

4)I'm not a techie so won't be able to include any kit by my self to make the player region free / upgrade the firmware. in this case, which players are the esiest / user friendly when it comes to updating a firmware (say by just hooking the player up to the net?

pls suggest which are the good choices other than sony 307S? I'm ready spend upto 15k for the player.

pls guys, do post your suggestions, I really value them as they have proven really helpful for designing my Living Room HT layout.

regards,
paritosh

 

[baijuxavior]

I would suggest you buy a region free player or a region A player, if you intend to watch a lot of imported Blu-ray discs. Usually indian movie br discs are region free. Sherwood is the only one region free player in your budget. you can hack it using remote control codes. No need to install modkits etc. Another one is onida, but i'm not sure about it's region free capability. One of our forum member has a sherwood bdp on sale. Please check your pm.

 

[jatinmalhotra]

First Check your Priorities. See what features you want rather than buying what will become hot in future. Things are changing so rapidly that a Player bought today will be outdated a year from now.

Do you need 3d, DLNA , WIFI and Analog audio out etc.

I got a Sony 380 From Amazon via SYW, Total Cost 8K. It doesn't has 3d or DLNA or WIFI built in, you will need to buy a separate adapter.

It plays MKV with DTS and DD flawlessly , and M2ts with DD tru HD and DTS MA with no issues with NTFS disc. IT has 2 USB ports and PQ is great.

my suggestion is to get a player from US with Region A, it will play US sourced Blu-rays, Via Ebay/amazon and region Free.

I have around 15 Blu-rays and its much cheaper to get discs from there. In Any case most Blu-ray available in India are region free.

You just need to be a little care full while buying.

What I am saying is that rather than going for a region free player you can circumvent issue buy getting a region a player.

 

[paritosh]

@biju, thanx, i'll check the p-msg. you've mentioned Sherwood BDP. which model and what is the MRP in stores for that and what would be a good price to buy?

@jatin, which model of onida? also, you said, one needs tobe careful while selecting BD source, what is it that one has to watchout for? do you mean the region coding on the disc?

i'll be sourcing my BD media mostly from our local store. but those will be selected and collectable titles only, say like Dark Night, Avatar, Metrix trilogy, etc. Mostly i'll be playing DVDs.

 

[just4kix]

Biju means the Sherwood 5004. I will recommend that you buy Onida BDX-1110.

Hollywood Blu-ray discs in India are expensive at nearly Rs.1200 - Rs.1500, except for some Disney discs which are sold at Rs. 700. Indian BDs are also expensive.

You can also go the import route for region-free player. Check here: Multi Region Blu-ray dvd player Blu Ray dvd player bluray multi region code free

 

[paritosh]

Dear JFK,

Thanks for replying.

Can you tell me what are the good prices for the Sherwood as well as Onida? The dealers here in Rajkot quote you prices which are generally higher than MRP / routine prices at which the gadgets are available elsewhere. So, unless one has a good idea of proper prices, one will end up paying more. So, pls do revert.

Regards,
Paritosh

 

[jatinmalhotra]

@paritosh Mine is Sony BDP-S380 , read my response its mentioned there.
Yes I meant region Code on the Disc.

Blu-ray in Indian Stores are costly that is why I went with Sourcing from US. For the same reason I got a Region A player.

He He... I am also collecting only a few Blu-rays only.

Blu-ray.com - Movie collection

If you are buying BD from Local store, you will need a Region C player or all Region Player.

Up conversion from DVDs leaves a lot to be desired, it is poor to say the least, Capable up scaling players are costly , Oppo - 93/95 best in there price range.

Once you go Blu-ray there is no going back to DVDs.

 

[paritosh]

well.... i've got a sizeable collection of DVDs with me! what happens to them? My existing Sony DZ 120 is going into the parrents' room. Should I plan to get an El-cheapo DVD player like Phillips / LG / Sony / Onida with HDMI out along with BDP for them. Is that a good idea?

 

[jatinmalhotra]

A bdp is same as a DVD player for PQ,and sometimes better , If you are happy with DVD on a 42 inch LCD then you have that covered. BDP will do fine for DVDs. A better player will ofcouse be a treat for eyes. like Oppo.

 

[baijuxavior]

@biju, thanx, i'll check the p-msg. you've mentioned Sherwood BDP. which model and what is the MRP in stores for that and what would be a good price to buy?

@jatin, which model of onida? also, you said, one needs tobe careful while selecting BD source, what is it that one has to watchout for? do you mean the region coding on the disc?

i'll be sourcing my BD media mostly from our local store. but those will be selected and collectable titles only, say like Dark Night, Avatar, Metrix trilogy, etc. Mostly i'll be playing DVDs.

The sherwood model is Sherwood bdp-5004. This is an american company so you will need to import it. Amazon.com: Sherwood BDP-5004 Blu-ray Disc Player (Black): Electronics

The price will come around 11k - 12k
If you are interested I have one.

Dear JFK,

Thanks for replying.

Can you tell me what are the good prices for the Sherwood as well as Onida? The dealers here in Rajkot quote you prices which are generally higher than MRP / routine prices at which the gadgets are available elsewhere. So, unless one has a good idea of proper prices, one will end up paying more. So, pls do revert.

Regards,
Paritosh

The onida model is BDX 1110 BDX 1110 BLU RAY

It was available for Rs 5k at http://ezone.futurebazaar.com/Product/Audio+%26+Video/DVD+Players/Onida+BDX1110+Blue-Ray+Player/2450714

well.... i've got a sizeable collection of DVDs with me! what happens to them? My existing Sony DZ 120 is going into the parrents' room. Should I plan to get an El-cheapo DVD player like Phillips / LG / Sony / Onida with HDMI out along with BDP for them. Is that a good idea?

Buying a dvd player is not recommended. You can watch dvds in blu-ray player as well. Once you start using Bluray discs or even Blu-ray rip movies you will never like to watch dvds again. Even a 2gb brrip movie is far better than dvd in terms of picture quality.

 

[paritosh]

a bdp for 5k???? reallyyyyy?????

how does it perform? any issues with it? how is it inferior to Sony 307? and any issues using it to beam media to my Onkyo AVR?

 

[just4kix]

a bdp for 5k???? reallyyyyy?????

how does it perform? any issues with it? how is it inferior to Sony 307? and any issues using it to beam media to my Onkyo AVR?

That Onida was on sale for 2 days only at eZone. Check oif still available. The regular price viz. MRP, is just below 13k.

 

[baijuxavior]

It is now available at ezone. Grab it immediately before it goes sold out.

 

[paritosh]

i'll chech that today itself.

any other brands? i've heard good things about LG also

 

[madhurkishore]

Did not want to create a new thread for my requirements as the same thing was being discussed here.
Since BRDs in india are region free, Can I get Region A players somewhere in India? What about models from samsung,sony and LG that are now coming below 15k? Which one would be a really good choice?
Does sites like Amazon ship in India? And if yes, what would you suggest then?
My requirements are a basic Blu Ray player. There were very little chances that I was going to buy BluRays from US, but there are some titles that I am not able to find in India. In that case, getting them from US through Amazon would not be a bad idea.
Are there any specific sites with a vast collection of BluRays to be delivered in India? Flipkart and Infibeam have, but some titles are not available in BRs.

 

[just4kix]

Did not want to create a new thread for my requirements as the same thing was being discussed here.
Since BRDs in india are region free, Can I get Region A players somewhere in India? What about models from samsung,sony and LG that are now coming below 15k? Which one would be a really good choice?
Does sites like Amazon ship in India? And if yes, what would you suggest then?
My requirements are a basic Blu Ray player. There were very little chances that I was going to buy BluRays from US, but there are some titles that I am not able to find in India. In that case, getting them from US through Amazon would not be a bad idea.
Are there any specific sites with a vast collection of BluRays to be delivered in India? Flipkart and Infibeam have, but some titles are not available in BRs.

While it is safe to say that most blu-ray discs sold in shops in India are region-free, it is not always true. I purchased The Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian in India (Rs. 699/-), a Disney DVD marked Region A/B/C (meaning all regions). But it does not play on my Region A Sony BDP-S360.

All BDPs sold in India with the possible exception (not confirmed) of Onida BDX-1110 are Region C compatible. You cannot get Reg-A player in India unless it is imported by someone.

Amazon.com ships to India but the shipping costs for Blu-Ray discs are expensive. Heavy items can be shipped to India via Aramex Shop&Ship or Borderlinx. You can purchase almost anything from Amazon.com and get it shipped to India.

Amazon.co.uk has a scheme of free shipping to India (for books, DVDs, BDs) till Aug, 15. You can try that. Amazon,UK does not ship electronic items and other such appliances to India.

 

[jatinmalhotra]

@ madhurkishore Try Global Shopping: Buy from International Stores like Amazon, Victorias Secret, A|X, Best Buy & many more in India, delivered to your doorstep. you can buy anything from Amazon from this site. I have a very good experience with them.

Region A player would be hard to find in India.

I have Sony 380, region a and am satisfied.

Buy from Amazon and Ebay.com directly. Its much cheaper to get it shipped to india.

 

[baijuxavior]

Region A blu-ray players are not available in India readily. India is region (zone) C. You need to import them. You can import from Amazon, but you will need to pay shipping charge, customs tax etc. You can buy blu-ray discs from this site also http://www.bollywoodblu-ray.co.in/

FYI - I have a region free sherwood bdp-5004 which i'm unable to use with my local made home theatre speaker system due to remote control conflicts. If interested pm me.

 

[rajudhs]

Onida bluray region free player available @reliance digital JP Nagar Bangalore for 4990 GRAB it guys