BD Players With Backward Capability

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Sylvia

Jul 11, 2009 - CDT 2:41 PM

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Thank you all for your replies! It looks like I asked at the right time! I will have to go to Walmart to check out the $98 deal!

While reading reviews of the sale player and others at Amazon.com, I saw a number of customers complaining about "firmware" updates that were needed straight out of the box. As I've never had a Blu Ray player before, I'm not all that familiar with firmware and these upgrade requirements. (I'm used to the old-style dvd players that are ready to run as soon as they are hooked up to the tv, and was surprised to learn that many Blu Ray players need computer upgrades to function properly with all discs.)

Is there some sort of tutorial online that discusses what one needs to know about firmware, upgrading, the accessories for the player? Thanks again!

posters5

Jul 11, 2009 - CDT 3:49 PM

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Sylvia,

Many of us have Magnavox Blu-ray players or related machinery. The company that makes the Magnavox Blu-ray players also sells them under other brands. We haven't needed to install firmware updates for these things, so you don't have to worry.

posters5

Jul 12, 2009 - CDT 1:01 AM

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Sylvia,

Don't forget...if your TV has an HDMI connection, you also need to get an HDMI cable to connect between your Blu-ray player and the TV. The free cables that come in the box will only give you DVD-quality video, which would defeat the point of getting into the Blu-ray game in the first place. You can find cheap HDMI cables on the Internet, though if you want to get one in Wal-mart while you're there shopping for the $98 player, you can probably get one for $15 to $25.

KungFuTaco

Jul 13, 2009 - CDT 1:47 PM

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Just to add my thoughts I have a Philips Bluray player. It has had 2 firmware upgrades both to fix problems on standard dvd's both the the DVD's I have never seen. So I have not even bothered with the updates. Never had a single movie not play. And I rent every new release that comes out on Bluray from netflix. Its only profile 1.1 though.

Henning

Jul 14, 2009 - CDT 8:21 AM

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Regarding firmware updates.

Some players are worse than others.

I got a Panasonic DMP-35 player and I have not met a disc that it will not play and therefore not upgraded it yet.

If your budget is $100 you should go for the Wal-mart deal. However, if it is closer to $200 I would go for Panasonic over the Funai clones.

[Post edited by Henning on Jul 14, 2009 - CDT 8:22 AM]

wolvinator

Jul 14, 2009 - CDT 8:40 AM

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I second what Henning said. Panasonic is the way to go when it comes to perfection on BluRay. I have the DMP-BD60 and havn't had a single skip on any BluRay or dvd yet. Also, the Panasonic player is very slim and nice looking while the Magnavox models tend to be large. If you do go to Walmart avoid the Samsung BD-1500(which they usually have in stock) because it runs very hot on the bottom. I had a Samsung but returned it. As far as updates go, you are bound to need one at some point no matter what model you get.

Falcon01

Jul 14, 2009 - CDT 9:30 AM

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I also have a Panasonic BD 35 and have not experienced a single issue with any disc. Plus the picture quality is top notch so if you can afford it, even a used one, grab one!

bladerunner1

Jul 14, 2009 - CDT 12:23 PM

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get a ps'3. it also plays neat games. and it does your cooking for ya too. it also comes with a swimming pool and three exotic monkeys.

Sylvia

Jul 14, 2009 - CDT 1:08 PM

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Thanks, Bladerunner, but I'll hold out for the next generation of Play Station - you know, the one that takes out the garbage, walks the dogs and cleans up after the exotic monkeys.

Seriously, thank you all for your replies! Finding the "right" player isn't as easy as I first thought would be, but it I'm glad for all of the helpful comments and information found on this site! I look forward to going Blu!

John J. Puccio

Jul 15, 2009 - CDT 12:24 AM

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Sylvia,

If it's economy you're looking for, any of the Funai clones are excellent for $150 and under. They're great value for the money. If you can afford one, though, the Panasonics are about as good as Blu-ray players get, and Costco has one for $198.

John

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