BD30 vs BD50 Long story short

[Frankie]

From Ruined,
The BD50 is apparently going to use the same upscaling as the BD30. In fact I've heard in many areas the BD50 is virtually identical to the BD30, with the exceptions of the LFE fix, audio codec decoding features, analog outs, and BD2.0 features.

Okay (deep breath) so now that I have the 30 coupled to a receiver that doesn’t have the new decoders and Panasonic decides to launch the 50 as soon as I hook up the 30,(pause) the question becomes do I return the 30 to get the benefits of the 50. Keep in mind that my gear isn’t bottom end stuff.

Is there really that much of an audio difference in all these new sound formats.

Man I hate this new audio crap. Why oh why can't they just pick one.

So keep or return?

F

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by Frankie

[i]Man I hate this new audio crap. Why oh why can't they just pick one.
F

They should, and it's called LPCM. Takes up space, but bd-50's can handle it. And all players can play it.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Frankie

Okay (deep breath) so now that I have the 30 coupled to a receiver that doesn’t have the new decoders and Panasonic decides to launch the 50 as soon as I hook up the 30,(pause) the question becomes do I return the 30 to get the benefits of the 50. Keep in mind that my gear isn’t bottom end stuff.

Is there really that much of an audio difference in all these new sound formats.

Man I hate this new audio crap. Why oh why can't they just pick one.

So keep or return?

Does your receiver have Analog 5.1 inputs? Does it do PCM 5.1 over HDMI? Or is it coax/optical only? The solution for your audio question hinges upon the answers to these questions

Also, note that the "PCM LFE Bug" on the BD 30, which only affects you if you use HDMI for audio (even if you bitstream you will be affected due to the large amount of PCM titles), most likely will not be fixable without a hardware mod - meaning a trip to the service center with the BD30 - from what I've heard.

Also, regardless of the answer to that question, remember that the BD50 adds profile 2.0 and also will likely launch at the same MSRP as the BD30 ($499) from what I've heard...

[Frankie]

I was talking more along the lines of lossless and uncompressed and the other one which I can't remember.

F

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Frankie

I was talking more along the lines of lossless and uncompressed and the other one which I can't remember.

F

Okay, but answer my question first. Do you have analog 5.1? HDMI PCM 5.1? Coax/optical?

Again, the answer depends on what your receiver can accept from the player.

edit: I see you have the HK 645. At a minimum that supports Analog 5.1.

Therefore, I would say return the BD30. With the BD50 you will get all next-gen codecs decoded internally and sent via analog 5.1 to your HK - TrueHD, DTS-HDMA, everything. In other words, you get the benefit of a "nextgen" receiver without buying a new receiver. With the BD30 you are limited to standard 640kbps DD, DTS, and PCM. While that is not completely horrible, since the BD50 is going to be the same price and give you all the audio codecs on a platter plus BD2.0 on top of that, why not return the BD30 and wait for it?

[EM3]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Okay, but answer my question first. Do you have analog 5.1? HDMI PCM 5.1? Coax/optical?

Again, the answer depends on what your receiver can accept from the player.

edit: I see you have the HK 645. At a minimum that supports Analog 5.1.

Therefore, I would say return the BD30. With the BD50 you will get all next-gen codecs decoded internally and sent via analog 5.1 to your HK - TrueHD, DTS-HDMA, everything. In other words, you get the benefit of a "nextgen" receiver without buying a new receiver. With the BD30 you are limited to standard 640kbps DD, DTS, and PCM. While that is not completely horrible, since the BD50 is going to be the same price and give you all the audio codecs on a platter plus BD2.0 on top of that, why not return the BD30 and wait for it?

That's good to know since my Onkyo has 5.1 analog inputs.

Thanks

[Shadowman82]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Okay, but answer my question first. Do you have analog 5.1? HDMI PCM 5.1? Coax/optical?

Again, the answer depends on what your receiver can accept from the player.

edit: I see you have the HK 645. At a minimum that supports Analog 5.1.

Therefore, I would say return the BD30. With the BD50 you will get all next-gen codecs decoded internally and sent via analog 5.1 to your HK - TrueHD, DTS-HDMA, everything. In other words, you get the benefit of a "nextgen" receiver without buying a new receiver. With the BD30 you are limited to standard 640kbps DD, DTS, and PCM. While that is not completely horrible, since the BD50 is going to be the same price and give you all the audio codecs on a platter plus BD2.0 on top of that, why not return the BD30 and wait for it?

I'm always a bit iffy about using analog connections . For one thing alot of times the decoders in players are not that good . I see this with my standard definition Pioneer DVD player , granted it's not a high end model but SA-CD which is pass over analog in that one is a little low on bass . I also find analog is sometimes too low in volume .

That being said since one would need an expensive new receiver to do all of these new formats digitally I can see why analog would be a desirable alternative .