Any Blu-Ray Combo Devices?

[steve053]

I'm finally ready to purchase my first Blu-Ray player.

I have a Linksys Media Extender (which has been discontinued) that has decent (albiet not the greatest) functionality and a small footprint (very small box); and was wondering if there is anything that combines streaming from my network with a good BD Player.

My initial thought was the OPPO BDP-83 (http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/) as it plays just about any media and codec, has great upconversion, but you can't stream to it.

My next thought was the Popcorn Hour C-200 (http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php?pluginoption=productinfo&item_id=12) as it handles just about any media you can stream to it, but I'm not sold on the BD capabilities. You have to add a BD player, and there's no guarantee that the one you pick will work, and I'm not sure that it supports 2.0 either. Plus they still haven't worked the kinks out of the software for the networked media tank.

If I could just squish the OPPO and the PCH into one player, I'd be set. But that ain't happening.

So does anyone have any leads on a solid NMT/BD Player combo?

[BattleZone]

Given the speed that these technologies change/evolve, I always recommend against combo devices. But to answer your question, I'm not aware of any that would meet your needs. But Christmas is coming soon, and there will be many new models released in the next month or so to make it for the Christmas season, so who knows?

[hdtvfan0001]

Given the speed that these technologies change/evolve, I always recommend against combo devices. But to answer your question, I'm not aware of any that would meet your needs. But Christmas is coming soon, and there will be many new models released in the next month or so to make it for the Christmas season, so who knows?
I would agree.

They continue to advance codecs and other elements on Blu Ray disks themselves, resulting in regular firmware updates being required. Combo units would likely tend not to be updated as frequently.

The Panasonic BD80 (as low as $199.99) and OPPO BDP-83 ($499) both do a very solid job on Blu Ray and SD disk playblack. The Panny does a solid job in upconverting SD disks, but the OPPO currently reigns as #1 in SD playback - but at twice the price for the OPPO - you have to balance your decision on just what you will use this for most of the time.

Both accept some form of streaming, but only for specific services like Amazon or Netflix.

[steve053]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I agree that combo isn't always the best due to ever changing specs and codecs.

What about the PS3? It seems as though the BD player is updated regularily and is 2.0; but what about streaming, noise, and IR functionality. I thought I heard there is fan noise and an ir dongle - or am I confused with the XBox?

The only reason I was leaning toward the OPPO is that it plays non BD/DVD codecs (XVID, DVD-A, FLAC, etc.). If a unit could process streaming video and audio from my network (like the PCH) as well as play back BD/DVD's, I'd be good with it.

Steve

[hdtvfan0001]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I agree that combo isn't always the best due to ever changing specs and codecs.

What about the PS3? It seems as though the BD player is updated regularily and is 2.0; but what about streaming, noise, and IR functionality. I thought I heard there is fan noise and an ir dongle - or am I confused with the XBox?

The only reason I was leaning toward the OPPO is that it plays non BD/DVD codecs (XVID, DVD-A, FLAC, etc.). If a unit could process streaming video and audio from my network (like the PCH) as well as play back BD/DVD's, I'd be good with it.

Steve
The PS3 is known for three things....heat, fan noise, and slow loading of discs, especially in comparison to the newer Blu Ray players.

The OPPO BDP-83 appears to be getting very solid reviews.

The Panasonic BD80 also has strong reviews.

I would research both further into handling of streamed video and audio, then look into my wallet on how much was there :D, then choose one of those.

[phat78boy]

I have the C-200 and I like it so far. I also have the HDX-1000 and PCH-A110. I mention this because they have been very good in updates for their NMT boxes. It is true that at anytime they could walk away and leave you hanging, but thats true of any company.

The C-200 is a great box. It plays Blu-Ray very well and is fully capable of being updated in the future. It is also an excellent streaming box. I purchased this box for my home theater as 99% of my movie catalog is digital, but I do have a few disc purchases as well. Having one box that can do everything for 300$ is well worth it. There are a few quirks, but I am very confident they will get them straight in the next update or two.

[BattleZone]

The new PS3 Slim runs cooler, is much quieter, and like all PS3's has added the ability to bitstream HD audio, which is one of the few features it lacked previously. And it's still the fastest to start (thanks to the major horsepower of the CPU) and one of the best up-converters around.

Is it perfect? Maybe not, but it's an amazing value.

[bobukcat]

The new PS3 Slim runs cooler, is much quieter, and like all PS3's has added the ability to bitstream HD audio, which is one of the few features it lacked previously. And it's still the fastest to start (thanks to the major horsepower of the CPU) and one of the best up-converters around.

Is it perfect? Maybe not, but it's an amazing value.

I agree, if you really want something with solid BD playback capabilities and the ability to handle streaming video, etc. the PS3 combined with Playon running on a PC is hard to beat. I'm still not personally sold on streaming video to anything just based on my own hit and miss experiences with both PS3s and some BD players like Samsung and Panny, but the PS3 does a LOT of stuff for the now $100 lower price.

[steve053]

The PS3 is known for three things....heat, fan noise, and slow loading of discs, especially in comparison to the newer Blu Ray players.

The OPPO BDP-83 appears to be getting very solid reviews.

The Panasonic BD80 also has strong reviews.

I would research both further into handling of streamed video and audio, then look into my wallet on how much was there :D, then choose one of those.

I generally like Panasonic products, especially their plasma displays. Will keep the BD80 in mind.

[steve053]

I have the C-200 and I like it so far. I also have the HDX-1000 and PCH-A110. I mention this because they have been very good in updates for their NMT boxes. It is true that at anytime they could walk away and leave you hanging, but thats true of any company.

The C-200 is a great box. It plays Blu-Ray very well and is fully capable of being updated in the future. It is also an excellent streaming box. I purchased this box for my home theater as 99% of my movie catalog is digital, but I do have a few disc purchases as well. Having one box that can do everything for 300$ is well worth it. There are a few quirks, but I am very confident they will get them straight in the next update or two.

Glad to hear feedback from someone with a C-200. It looks pretty easy to add the BD player. Curious as to which one you added, as well as what quirks you are finding.

[dpeters11]

I have a 40gb PS3 and have never heard it. The XBox on the other hand...

I'd go with a PS3 as well. It's bluetooth, but it is possible to use an IR remote with an adapter. Logitech has one for the Harmony series.

[steve053]

I agree, if you really want something with solid BD playback capabilities and the ability to handle streaming video, etc. the PS3 combined with Playon running on a PC is hard to beat. I'm still not personally sold on streaming video to anything just based on my own hit and miss experiences with both PS3s and some BD players like Samsung and Panny, but the PS3 does a LOT of stuff for the now $100 lower price.

Thanks bobukcat and BattleZone-

Can the PS3 slim be operated with a Harmony remote, or do I have to use the PS3 remote? And as far as streaming from my network, does it natively play xvid, or do I have to have a media server transcode first?

Edit:

Thanks dpeters11, you answered my first question before I even had a chance to post it.

[bobukcat]

Thanks bobukcat and BattleZone-

Can the PS3 slim be operated with a Harmony remote, or do I have to use the PS3 remote? And as far as streaming from my network, does it natively play xvid, or do I have to have a media server transcode first?

Edit:

Thanks dpeters11, you answered my first question before I even had a chance to post it.

I'm pretty sure the PS3 only plays MPEG-1 MPEG-2 and MPEG-4/h.264 video formats natively. xvid and others would have to be streamed from a media server that transcodes it first.

[Stuart Sweet]

Seems to me you need a true home theatre PC. The only question is, are you willing to put up the money?

[steve053]

Seems to me you need a true home theatre PC. The only question is, are you willing to put up the money?

I've thought about a HTPC. I'm sure that I could get my 5 year old to work with it, but there is absolutely no way the Mrs. would take time to learn how to turn it on or navigate throuh more than one menue, let alone a second remote or keyboard. Just ain't gonna happen.

I have music, ripped dvd copies of owned dvd's, and saved children's programming in MPEG4 and AVI (captured via Dazzle Video Creator). This is saved on shares on my home server. I'd like a device that can read and transcode direclty from the server running Windows Home Server. I'd like to remove the 'middleman' (a pc running a media server).

Currently I have a linksys media externder which needs a pc running win media center. Support and updates for the linksys ended a few months after I purchased it. Unfortunately the linksys doesn't support HD or lossless audio codecs.

On the plus side, it has a very small footprint, supports 30 second ff, 6 sec rw, has IR that integrates with my harmony, and plays the majority of my current media.

I may just continue with two seperate boxes (replacing the Tosh HD with a new BD player). Since dbstalk has a large number of CE enthusiasts, I was hoping someone might have found my 'nirvana' device. :D

I am getting a lot of good advice and feedback!

[BobaBird]

The Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD (http://www.pioneerusa.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/Blu-rayDisc+DVD/EliteBlu-rayDiscPlayers/ci.BDP-23FD.Kuro?tab=A) has the Home Media Gallery feature. I haven't tried it. It's not mentioned on the web page but you can download the manual.

[steve053]

The Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD (http://www.pioneerusa.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/Blu-rayDisc+DVD/EliteBlu-rayDiscPlayers/ci.BDP-23FD.Kuro?tab=A) has the Home Media Gallery feature. I haven't tried it. It's not mentioned on the web page but you can download the manual.

Thanks, but it doesn't look like it's for networked shares.

[RandomBites]

I am looking at getting a Dune 3.0 Prime. It is a Network Media player that plays everything including Blu-ray and DVD iso files. It won't be shipping until Mid November though.

More info here: http://dune-hd.com/hd_players/111-dune-bd-prime-3.0.html

You can purchace from http://www.duneplayer.com

[steve053]

I am looking at getting a Dune 3.0 Prime. It is a Network Media player that plays everything including Blu-ray and DVD iso files. It won't be shipping until Mid November though.

More info here: http://dune-hd.com/hd_players/111-dune-bd-prime-3.0.html

You can purchace from http://www.duneplayer.com

I saw that too (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=166242).

I din't feel comfortable that there would be adequite support. There was a BD Prime 2.0, but it never made it to production. I also don't see an active forum or see much in firmware upgrades for the initial Dune products.

I'm going with a Panasonic BD Player (thanks for the suggestion hdtvfan0001) and an ASRock Ion 330 HTPC running Win 7 Media Center for my digital media. This way I'll have the best of both worlds.

Please let us know how the Dune works out. I was really tempted to try on myself.

[RandomBites]

I did pre-order one so I will see if/when it ships. The specs were too good to pass up since I don't have a Blu-ray player yet and I have a ton of DVD-ISO's and mkv files etc. I'm using an EGreat NMT now but will move that to the kids TV when I get the Dune.

As for community check out: http://www.mpcclub.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=99

[steve053]

I was looking at the EGreat, Xtreamer, and CinemaTube. My problem was they had relatively crappy interfaces and you had to rely on the developers for new/updated codecs. Now I do love the price point.

I'm really interested how the Dune turns out. It looks really nice.

By the way, have you seen this site that is tracking these types of devices:

http://www.iboum.com/

[RandomBites]

Thanks,

I'll post after I get it. There should be some reviews from the MPC site in a week or two.

I do like the EGreat. The interface is a bit clunky but I installed a new skin (I'm using LARS) and that makes it look nicer. It works just fine. Plays pretty much anything, streams HD from my Thesus 4100 Pro NAS without any issues. Just seams to be time to go Blue and I don't want to add another device.