Video Processor Question

[watching tv]

I am looking at BDP/Media Players, I have it narrowed down to a couple, one user a processor by Anchor Bay VRS and one uses Sigma 8642, it is beyond me to compare these, can anyone offer an opionion, and does anyone know what the PS3 slim uses/

[IrritateGuy]

if you have a good HDTV with native support for 24fps and 1080p, then it really shouldn't matter what's in the bluray player. If the source content matches what your display can do natively, then there is no reason to process the data to alter it to fit the TV. The only time you need a high quality video processor in the bluray player is when the source content has to be drastically altered from the original on the disc to some vastly different format for the output to the TV.

The second aspect of this topic is the quality of the format converter in the TV itself. In my experience, most higher quality TVs do a much better job of converting a non-native input to the native format for the screen. As such, I would rather send the signal in its original format to the TV and let the TV do the converting. In that scenario the bluray disc player doesn't even need a video processor, it will simply send whatever is on the disc to the TV and the TV will convert it to fit the screen.

Yet another twist to this topic is what your receiver is doing to the signal. In my setup I have my Preamp/Processor convert the incoming signal on any video source to the native input resolution of my TV, so the only video processing going on in my rig is in my preamp/processor - not the source components or the TV.

So, where do you want to convert the video signal? I generally prefer the TV, but I find it easier in my case to do it in my receiver. With my professionally calibrated TV, the way I am doing it looks as close to perfect as my ISF Tech has ever seen, so I am happy.

The PS3 uses the Cell processor for the video processing with Sony's professional grade algorithems doing the work. That's why the output from the PS3 for both BluRay and DVD is considered among the absolute best in the industry.

[watching tv]

Thanks that is alot of great information, the PS3 is a front runner for sure, only downside is having to get an infared adapter to function under my Harmony One.

It is also important to get some future compatibilty with a new player, network and streaming options are nice and the PS3 even has some basic Web browsing abilities.

One last consideration for me is CD audio quallity, I am currently runnung a Older Sony BDP-S300 x HDMI to a Denon AVR3808ci X 3.1 to B&W 684 fronts, B&W HTM-61 center, a small 8" Paradim Sub, (no rears yet X 5.1, hope to add soon), (Pioneer PDP-5010FD plasma)

I need to replace the BDP S300 with an all in one player that will also do a great job playing CD's too, if the processor in BDP's is not big deal if I use the AVR3803ci via HDMI, is the ability to do a "great" job playing CD's determained by anything special if I am connected to the reciver by HDMI or is it the setup of the reciver, how do BDP habdle CD signals to the reciver?

I am currently focusing on either the Oppo BDP-83, Dune BD Prime 3.0 or the PS3 Slim

again any feedback is approciated

[yromj]

If you connect your playing to your receiver via a digital connection (which HDMI is), then your processor's DAC's will do the decoding of the digital signal. This is what you want since your receiver can also apply bass management to the signal this way.

Of the players you listed, the Oppo is probably the best choice, based on reputation alone. Personally, I feel that the PS3 is a really cool machine but there are better choices for players now.

BTW, does the slim do SACD playback? Just curious about that.

John

[mzpro5]

Simple choice - you want a great universal player get the Oppo. You won't be sorry.