awdawdawdawdawd

LG BD390 Blu Ray Player Review

August 16, 2009

Blu-ray players are finally hitting their stride this year with very good performances to go along with lower prices. Even the “base” models are loaded with features and excellent performances. The higher end models from the major manufacturers are priced well below $400 mark. This is far lower than the previous generation players. LG’s high end model, BD390, is priced around $350 and is crammed with features. LG adds very nice features on top of the already very competent BD 370 model.

Features

LG was the first to introduce media streaming with the BD300. BD300 was the first player to incorporate Netflix streaming on the Blu-ray player. Since BD 300, most of the Blu-ray players have copied the media streaming capabilities with their player in one form or another. Some opted to use the Netflix streaming and some have opted to go with some other services. Most players already support plethora of features on top of Blu-ray playback functions. BD390 features includes the integrated WiFi capability, Netflix streaming, Youtube and CinemaNow streaming, and media playback via network connection similar to the Samsung’s new players. The Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio are natively decoded via onboard decoder. Also, BD390 includes the 7.1 analog out output. You should have no problem with audio decoding with the BD390. As with other latest Blu-ray players, the BD 390 comes with 1GB of onboard storage. As expected, the BD390 will be fully compliant with Profile 2.0.

Design

LG continues the flush front panel design it utilized on the BD370 model. While you won’t mistake BD390 for BD370, the glossy finish and flush front panel are all part of the BD390’s design. With the panel design, the front looks less cluttered. The LCD sits in the central area and is not visible until information is displayed. The playback function buttons are located on the right side of the player. A plastic cover hides the front USB port at the far right side of the player. As with any other glossy finish, the material tend to be a dust and finger print magnate. Otherwise, it is fairly nice looking player. The back of the player houses all the connectivity. The component and 2 channel audio out is provided for the older television sets. The HDMI and RJ-45 are located next to optical and coaxial digital audio output ports. We would have liked another USB port but it is not a big drawback as you don’t need a WiFi dongle like Samsung player for WiFi functionality. The big addition over the BD370 model is the inclusion of the 7.1 channel analog audio output. If you own receiver with HDMI input, you might not consider this a big addition. Otherwise, it’s nice inclusion for people with older receivers.

Find out how you can save up to 50% off on name brand Blu-Ray Players!

Remote

The included remote is very functional remote. The layout is pretty good with directional buttons in the middle and the special function buttons separated by different colors. The playback function buttons are located below the special function buttons. The numeric buttons and other less used buttons are hidden beneath the sliding cover at the bottom of the remote. This was nice design feature as it hides away the seldom used buttons. I found this design to be really nice as it made the remote less cluttered. If you need to use the numeric buttons often, this might cause some hassle. But, most users will appreciate the out of sight numeric buttons.

Find out how you can save up to 50% off on name brand Blu-Ray Players!

Performance

There’s not too much to say about BD390’s performance. The video/image quality is superb like most other Blu-ray disc players. The new crops of players all have similar video/image quality in Blu-ray playback as well as DVD upscaling. BD390 performed flawlessly on all three Blu-ray titles. Batman Begins and Matrix discs showed no moiré or jaggie defects. All the action sequences displayed without any blocking or blurring artifacts. The less action intense title, Marley and Me, had no problem with colors or any other defects. The area of great improvement is the loading speed over the past LG players. Samsung players all improved greatly in loading times. The BD 390 also does great job with loading time improvement. It is nearly twice as fast as the previous generation players. The loading time used to be hideously long on older players with some player taking minute or so to load certain discs.

Audio

The audio quality greatly depends on the home theater setup. As such, it is important for the Blu-ray player to have good decoding and output options. The decoding quality is similar across many different manufacturers. BD390 handles all known decoding option and includes the 7.1 channel analog output for added bonus. The overall audio decoding quality was on par with other players.

Overall

I was very impressed with all the formats the player was able to decode. The BD 390 can decode MP3, JPEG, PNG, AVI, Divx, and MKV. MKV file containers are usually used for high definition encodings as well as great many formats. This is the first player that actually managed to decode MKV files without too much trouble. The media streaming capabilities were easier to set up than the Samsung version. The included software had no problem setting up the connection to the PC. The included streaming services are more than adequate to cover all the streaming needs. Youtube and Netflix are fairly well known video services. The CinemaNow is similar to Amazon Video on Demand service that offers new video releases for rental.

If I had to purchase a new Blu-ray player, this would be the player to get. It is packed with features and boasts some of the best performances. And, all this comes at relatively low price point of $350. This is a highly recommended player.

Pictures

Buy LG BD390 Now and Save Money!

LG BD 390 Network Blu-ray Disc Player
Sale Price: $489.99
Average Rating:

Description

Blu-ray Disc Player w/1GB Memory, 7.1 discrete analog output, BD-P, Netflix HD, YouTube, CinemaNow Full HD 1080P Output via HDMI, DVD 1080p Up-conversion.

Features

Networked Blu-ray Disc player connects to Netflix and YouTube streaming video without a computer via Ethernet and Wi-Fi (802.11n)
Full HD 1080p output for Blu-ray Discs and upconversion of standard DVD video to 1080p
BD Live capable for accessing bonus content from BD-Live Blu-ray Discs; Dolby TrueHD/Digital Plus and DTS-HD; 1 GB built-in memory
Outputs: 1 HDMI, 1 component, 1 composite, 1 analog audio (L/R), 1 digital optical audio, 1 digital coaxial audio, 1 discrete 7.1 channel audio
Includes remote control and component AV cable; measures 17 x 2.2 x 10.9 inches

Video

Discuss This Review at Blurayforums.net

Click here to find out how you can save up to 50% off on name brand Blu-Ray Players!

Written by admin · Filed Under Exclusive Reviews, LG Reviews

Review of DMP BD70V Blu Ray Player

August 16, 2009

VHS and Blu-Ray Combo?

The switch from VHS to DVD was helped along by the DVD/VHS combo units in the early days. The switch from DVD to Blu-ray was more easily accomplished as you can play DVD discs in Blu-ray player. So, there should be no need for a VHS/Blu-ray combo. Apparently, there is a market for such unit. The Panasonic DMP-BD70V is the first and only VHS/Blu-ray combo player on the market. We are not sure how much of market research went into the decision. However, they must have some data showing a demand for this player. The DMP-BD70V boasts same set of features as the DMP-BD60 model on top of the VHS playback function.

Features

As stated earlier, the DMP-BD70V has the same set of features found on the DMP-BD60 model. Like DMP-BD60, the DMP-BD70V comes with Profile 2.0 and high definition audio decoding. Instead of Netflix and Pandora, the DMP-BD70V supports the Viera Cast and Amazon Video on Demand service like the DMP-BD60. The Viera Cast is Panasonic’s proprietary online streaming service. While not as robust as Netflix or Pandora, it is a nice bonus. The Viera Cast suite includes the Youtube service as well as Picasa web picture suite. The Amazon Video on Demand does have newer videos for streaming than the Netflix. Overall, the features mirror the DMP-BD60 model.

Design

As expected of the combo player, the unit is bulkier than other Blu-ray players. However, compared to DMP-BD60, it is about 2 lbs heavier. The VHS slot and Blu-ray slot are located at the top half the player with LCD on the bottom half. The flip down face plate on the right side houses the playback function as well as SD card slot and USB slot. As far as the aesthetics go, it is not the most sophisticated looking player. The connectivity for DMP-BD70V include component video, HDMI, RJ-45, composite audio/video, and SPDIF output.

Find out how you can save up to 50% off on name brand Blu-Ray Players!

Remote Control

The remote control for the DMP-BD70V doesn’t change much from the previous remote controls. It is very similar to the remote control from the DMP-BD 60 model. The top of the remote houses the volume and channel buttons. This can take some time getting used to since most remotes have them in the middle or the bottom. However, there is separate volume button for your receiver. This is particularly convenient if you have receiver set up and don’t have a universal remote control. The numeric buttons are right below the channel and volume buttons. The playback function buttons and directional buttons are in the middle. The menu buttons surround the directional pad. The bottom of the remote houses the special function buttons like Viera Cast and set up buttons. Overall, it’s a solid remote control. It’s not Harmony but you can do much worse.

Performance

The Blu-ray performance mirrors the DMP-BD60 model. The movies tested on the DMP-BD70v fared no better and no worse than the DMP-BD60. The video and image qualities were top notch with no noticeable defects like moiré or jaggies. The fast moving sequences were spot on with no problem. As with DMP-BD60, the loading times were not as fast as the Samsung or LG players. The new generation of players from Samsung and LG has improved the loading time dramatically over their previous models. This is not true for the Panasonic players. While it does improve upon the older models, it is not as significant as the players from Samsung or LG.

Sound

Unless you are an audiophile, you will not notice significant differences between audio qualities from this model or other comparable players. The DMP-BD70V is very comparable to the audio performances found on DMP-BD60. The DMP-BD70V can natively decode Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and the DTS HD audio formats. These should cover most decoding needs for most consumers. The only drawback on audio front was the lack of 5.1 or 7.1 analog audio output. If you have receiver, you won’t miss the lack of output. However, if you don’t own a receiver, you might want to invest in a receiver if you plan to utilize the existing speakers.

Overall, the DMP-BD70V is very good Blu-ray player. As far as the VHS performances go, the upscaling of VHS to high definition resolution can’t really compare to DVD or Blu-ray. However, it does look better than the playback from VHS player. I can’t imagine anyone needing a VHS player to go along with their Blu-ray player as you can easily convert VHS to DVD with very minimal effort. Regardless, if you absolutely need a VHS player to go along with Blu-ray player, this is a perfect player to get. Even if it is the only VHS/Blu-ray player on the market.

Pictures

Buy DMP-BD70V Now and Save $$

Panasonic DMP-BD70V Blu-ray Disc/VHS Multimedia Player
List Price: ~~$399.95~~
Sale Price: $346.39
You save: $53.56 (13%)

Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Average Rating:

Description

Panasonic's DMP-BD70V combines a high quality image with enhanced networking functions, including Panasonic's VIERA Cast internet functionality for enjoying online entertainment from YouTube, Amazon VOD, and more...

Features

Blu-ray Disc/VHS combination player with SD memory card slot and USB
Multi-media capability allows for convenient playback and up-conversion of content from any media storage format--VHS, DVD, CD and more
7.1-channel lossless audio decode and bit-stream output for exceptional sound
VIERA Cast internet functionality for enjoying online entertainment from YouTube, Amazon VOD, and more
Intelligent auto standby for more efficient power usage

Discuss This Review at Blurayforums.net

Click here to find out how you can save up to 50% off on name brand Blu-Ray Players!

Written by admin · Filed Under Exclusive Reviews, Panasonic Reviews

Samsung BD P4600 Blu Ray Player Review

August 13, 2009

Samsung generated a lot of buzz when they previewed the BD-P4600 at the 2009 CES. Not only did it have great number of features, it also had a very unique design not seen on previous Blu-ray players. Following the Touch of Color design schemes on other electronics, The BD-P4600 boasts glossy finish and red colors bleeding from the rounded edges. It might be aesthetically pleasing but serves no practical purpose when it comes to the actual playback. Another big feature of BD-P4600 is the ability to mount the player on the wall instead of shelving it in your entertainment center.

Loaded with Features and Options

Functionally, the BD-P4600 is identical to the BD-P3600. It boasts same features and playback capability. The BD-P4600 is a Profile 2.0 player that comes with on-board 1GB memory as well as the WiFi dongle. Because of the design, Samsung has chosen to remove the 7.1 channel analog output. Otherwise, it has the same audio decoding capability. It can decode Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential. The ability to stream Netflix and Pandora is carried over from BD-P3600 and BD-P1600. Another welcome carry over is the ability to stream media files from your computer. Also, the included Wi-Fi dongle is extra $80 if bought separately.

Design

If you are seriously considering the BD-P4600 for extra $50, you are most likely attracted to the design or the option to mount it on the wall. No other player offers an out of the box mounting solution. Whether it’s worth extra $50 is questionable. Having said that, Samsung BD-P4600 is a beautiful looking player. The rounded edges accentuated by Touch of Color scheme makes it a very aesthetically pleasing player to look at. At about 8 x 18 inches, the player is definitely on the smaller side. And, the overall thickness of the player is just 1.7 inches. This makes it one of the smallest Blu-ray disc players on the market. The entire player lacks any hard buttons to speak of. Instead, the player features flush buttons that light up when the player is powered up. Otherwise, the LCD and the buttons are “hidden” and out of the way when powered down. Due to the design, the player lacks the traditional loading tray for the disc. Instead, Samsung has implemented slot loading system on the side of the player. The bottom of the player houses the connectivity ports. These include the HDMI, RJ-45, video and audio out, digital audio out, USB, and power input. All these ports are housed in a compartment with a flip down door. Also, you can close the door even with all the connections.

Find out how you can save up to 50% off on name brand Blu-Ray Players!

Remote Control

The included remote control doesn’t deviate from BD-P1600 and BD-P3600. The numeric buttons are located at the top of the remote with playback functions right below it. The channel and volume buttons are located in the middle of the remote control. The directional and BD-J disc buttons are placed at the bottom of the remote. The BD-J buttons are color coded in red, green, yellow, and blue and are used for special features. The dedicated subtitle and audio buttons are nice additions for on the fly switching. Overall, the redesigned remote control is a step above the previous generation remote controls. Most of the advanced home theater users will want to purchase a programmable remote like Harmony remote controls from Logitech.

Performance

Aside from form factor, the BD-P4600 mirrors the performance of BD-P3600. That is to say, it is almost identical to BD-P3600. There were no discernible differences between the video processing qualities. The three identical movies tested on the BD-P3600 were also used to test the BD-P4600. As with BD-P3600, the movies showed no moiré or jaggies. The fast action sequences produced no blurring or blocking artifacts. As with BD-P1600 and BD-P3600, the loading time was very fast. The loading time of the new Samsung players are by far the best. The loading times are quite noticeable when tested against other Blu-ray players from Panasonic or Sony players. The streaming quality of Netflix and Pandora are on par with watching or listening on the computer. You need high speed internet to get the best possible quality for the Netflix streams.

Audio and Sound

The audio performance is identical to that of BD-P3600 as well. The player is capable of decoding Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essentials out of the box. Due to the design constraints, the BD-P4600 lacks the 7.1 channel analog output support. The BD-P3600 is the only new Samsung player capable of 7.1 channel analog output. If you are considering the BD-P4600, make sure you have receiver capable of HDMI input and output. Other than that, the quality of Pandora streaming was very capable.

Network Capability and Issues

As with BD-P3600, the BD-P4600 is capable of streaming media files from your PC. This is a big addition to the Blu-ray player for people that have large media collection on their PC. However, the setup is not very user friendly. You need some working knowledge in networking process to get it up and running. The automatic detection and setting feature is useless as it failed to detect the PC on the network. As with BD-P3600, you need to manually input IP and log in address every time you connect to the network PC. I’m confident Samsung will refine this through firmware updates.

Other Thoughts

I did not utilize the mounting kit that was included with the player. If you choose not to mount the player on the wall, you can use the stand that comes with the player. The player sits on the stand on a slanted angle giving it a unique look. The biggest problem I see with mounting it on the wall is the wire management to make it look presentable. Until we get truly wireless player, you will have to punch some holes in your wall if you want the wires to stay out of sight.

The street price of this player is roughly $400. This is about $50 more than the BD-P3600 model. Both players have exact same functionally and components except for the lack of 7.1 channel analog output on the BD-P4600. If you are willing to part with $50 for unique design, BD-P4600 will not disappoint.

Pictures

Buy Samsung BD-P4600 Now and Save Money!

Samsung BD-P4600 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player
List Price: ~~$349.00~~
Average Rating:

Description

Innovative Blu-ray Disc® technology meets sleek Touch of ColorTM style, with Samsung's BD-P4600. In addition to the advanced Blu-ray picture quality on your HDTV, the subtle elegance of the Touch of Color accent contributes a perfectly modern look in any living room...

Features

Plays Blu-ray high-definition discs (selectable output resolution: 1080p/1080i/720p signals available through HDMI output only)
Built-in audio decoding to PCM for Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential
Netflix video and Pandora music streaming (subscriptions to these services required)
Wi-Fi capable (includes wireless USB adapter)
Wall-mountable (includes wall-mount hardware)

Limited time special discount on Samsung BD-P4600 Blu-Ray Player. Click here to Order Now!

Video