Blu Ray player

[Tan]

After being bought some films on blu-ray for my birthday, I think its time a bought a player.

I am looking at players from Sony, Panasonic and Pioneer, there is a huge range available. I have set a budget of up to £150 but not sure if I need to spend the top end of the budget or if around £70 will buy a good enough player.

I am not too bothered about smart features, as I have a smart TV and an Apple TV in the set up, but do want good picture and sound.

 

[IanA2]

Do you have a PS3?

 

[Tan]

Do you have a PS3?

No PS3, not a gamer.

 

[st13phil]

Panasonic. Great quality for not many pounds.

 

[IanA2]

Panasonic. Great quality for not many pounds.

Agreed.

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

I'd hunt out a used marantz or similar as they will do a great job of up scaling old DVDs too.

 

[V12]

http://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/blu-ray-players

 

[BTB 500]

No PS3, not a gamer.

Even if you never play any games it's still an excellent DVD/Blu Ray player (with upscaling etc.). Also gives you access to all the on-demand services (iPlayer etc.) on your TV, if you don't already have that. And you can play video, music, pictures, etc. stored on any computer that's connected to the same router.

 

[moonloops]

As long as the player has all the features you want and it spits out zero's and ones in the right order out of the HDMI port there's no point paying megabucks.

I'm currently using a Panasonic and is perfect.

 

[jaymanek]

We find the PS3 too much of a faff to use as a DVD Blue Ray player... controllers and menu's etc...

Especially when its left to the females to try and operate it....

Im sure its easy once you know how..

I won an LG blu ray player recently... perfect job done...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I quite fancy this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DEF2YCU/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

 

[mr. shr]

If your budget is 150 pounds, get one of the Sony or Panasonic offerings about about the 70-90 pound mark as they do the job perfectly. Check the What HiFi reviews.

 

[BTB 500]

We find the PS3 too much of a faff to use as a DVD Blue Ray player... controllers and menu's etc...

Especially when its left to the females to try and operate it....

Im sure its easy once you know how..

The official Sony Bluray remote for the PS3 is under £15 if you shop around - no messing about with the game controllers. Disc auto starts if you put it in after turning the PS3 on (from the remote), couldn't be much simpler! We use it all the time.

Blu-Ray disc remote control for SONY PS3 bluetooth PlayStation PS 3 wireless | eBay

 

[jaymanek]

We had that remote but it still brought up the menu each time... my mother and sister could never do it and had to call me each and every time... so that was that..

 

[BTB 500]

Oh well. I think there's a menu setting for on the PS3 for 'disc auto start' ... maybe that's set to off for some reason.

 

[IanA2]

We had that remote but it still brought up the menu each time... my mother and sister could never do it and had to call me each and every time... so that was that..

Women in my house ever get custody of any remotes....

 

[Iwoody]

I`m sure Tesco are selling both Panasonic and Sony Bluray players for £50.00, if your just after a basic player I`m sure one of these will fit the bill perfectly.

 

[Tan]

I quite fancy this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DEF2YCU/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

I was looking at this one also, but am not sure what corners have been cut to produce it as its a budget model.

Having been through the What HiFi best of reviews, I have shortlisted a few.

Sony BDP-S5100, can get this in the sales for £110, although this player gets really good reviews, I think the looks are a bit gimmicky and its about to be replaced by the BDP-S5200 and the Sony site indicated that it would be about the same money.

Sony BDP-S790, this is the one that I think is the best in my budget, just can't decide if the £150 on sale price, is worth it.

Panasonic DMP-BDT230, looks like a good machine and would work well with my Panasonic TV.

Panasonic DMP-BDT330, good machine but at £160, is probably just not worth it.

Another one that I have looked at is the Yamaha BD-S473, appeals as these are sold by AV specialists and not just the high street retailers.

 

[V12]

Well, I have no experience of any of the particular models so this won't be helpful at all.

BUT

I have had some very good and some very very bad Sony products, same with Yamaha.

With Panasonic and Pioneer, I always felt like I really got my moneys worth. Cheap or expensive, they were always great.
I had a near top of the range Pioneer DVD player some years ago and it was an excellent piece, was absolutely head and shoulders above the Sony it replaced.

 

[mr. shr]

I was looking at this one also, but am not sure what corners have been cut to produce it as its a budget model.

Having been through the What HiFi best of reviews, I have shortlisted a few.

Sony BDP-S5100, can get this in the sales for £110, although this player gets really good reviews, I think the looks are a bit gimmicky and its about to be replaced by the BDP-S5200 and the Sony site indicated that it would be about the same money.

Sony BDP-S790, this is the one that I think is the best in my budget, just can't decide if the £150 on sale price, is worth it.

Panasonic DMP-BDT230, looks like a good machine and would work well with my Panasonic TV.

Panasonic DMP-BDT330, good machine but at £160, is probably just not worth it.

Another one that I have looked at is the Yamaha BD-S473, appeals as these are sold by AV specialists and not just the high street retailers.

I really don't think they'll be any noticeable difference in any of the models you list. (The Sony was 200 pounds when I was looking to buy a player so probably a good deal for 150.)

Stick a zero on the end of your budget and then you're talking serious kit. But those players will be connected to displays equal to such performance.

For the money you're talking of spending (i.e. budget player) you'll be fine with any in your shortlist. I'd stick will Pio, Pano or Sony.
From your list, I'd go for a Sony. (Probably 790 but this will soon be replaced too I would have thought?)
Some of the Panos have a mouse pad type thing on the remote. Bit fiddly I think for some people. Have a look before you commit to one.
Although if you already have a Pano tv you'd probably be able to use that remote for the blu ray player too?

Whatever you go with, I don't think you'll be disappointed as these budget machines do an excellent job for very little money.
All imo of course.