Blu-ray Players

[PC-LAD]

So I'm about done trying to sort out my ps3 to play back my blu-rays with surround sound, I get poping consistently. So Im in the market for a sub 100 quid smart system new or used that will play my 5.1 through optical. At the moment its Panasonic's DMP-BDT180EB or waiting till black friday deals on xbox one x's. Anyone got any advice?

[watercooled]

Are you interested in UHD or just standard BD? It's something worth considering if you're in the market to buy one anyway.

In all honestly I don't have much advice to give but I'm interested to see what others post.

[PC-LAD]

Are you interested in UHD or just standard BD? It's something worth considering if you're in the market to buy one anyway.

In all honestly I don't have much advice to give but I'm interested to see what others post.

I wouldn't mind uhd but i don't need it. I primarily want to move for the surround sound

[watercooled]

Does your TV have optical out? I've just had a look at a few players and it doesn't seem to be a common feature, even on the UHD ones.

[PC-LAD]

Does your TV have optical out? I've just had a look at a few players and it doesn't seem to be a common feature, even on the UHD ones.

Looks like my reply this morning didn't send. I'm not actually using a TV, I'm using my monitor which has no audio ports. I suppose the next question would be how effective are external bluray drives and can i play surround sound out of them. I know my pc can play 5.1 but would the media be processed my computer or the chip in my speaker? It's looking quite likely I'll be trying to get that oneX at christmas

[watercooled]

If you're going down the PC route I think you have to ensure the whole setup is HDCP compliant, and I believe the requirements are even more restrictive for UHD BD.

However, these are a thing, though I've no idea how good they are: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Converter-O.../dp/B016XMDKXC

[AGTDenton]

It's looking quite likely I'll be trying to get that oneX at christmas

I'd wait until then you get a gaming system and a 4k bluray drive with a S/PDIF connection for a very reasonable price.

[PC-LAD]

If you're going down the PC route I think you have to ensure the whole setup is HDCP compliant, and I believe the requirements are even more restrictive for UHD BD.

However, these are a thing, though I've no idea how good they are: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Converter-O.../dp/B016XMDKXC

Im already using the converter XD, I have a switch, pc and ps3 hooked up.

[Smudger]

I thought all BR players came with optical out, but checking my Sony BDP-S6500, it appears not.

You could probably pick up a 1st-gen UHD player for not much these days, my Samsung k8500 is out of use since I got a Panny 820, that has optical out...

[PC-LAD]

I thought all BR players came with optical out, but checking my Sony BDP-S6500, it appears not.

You could probably pick up a 1st-gen UHD player for not much these days, my Samsung k8500 is out of use since I got a Panny 820, that has optical out...

Is there any real quality difference that you have noticed between the two players? I am most intrested in the player's ability to handle dolby audio decoding though as that is the downfall of my PS3. I do find it intresting that your samsung has fell in value vs its panny equivalent of the time being that the UB900 goes for 200+ on ebay whereas i can pick up the samsung for 70 at cex.

[Smudger]

In terms of picture quality in hdr10, not much difference, although the panny has hdr optimiser. Main difference is that the new one does hdr10+ and dolby vision. I've never tested the audio conversion as I've always used hdmi out to an amp and done bitstream. Back in the day when there were only 2 uhd players, the ub900 was definitely the premium of the two, and it's new price reflected that. The k8500 didn't take long to be offered at half price when you bought a telly, which is what I did.

[ExusEngineer]

Yeah, came to the same conclusion recently