Welcome to the Invelos forums. Please read the forum rules before posting.

Read access to our public forums is open to everyone. To post messages, a free registration is required.

If you have an Invelos account, sign in to post.

    Invelos Forums->General: General Home Theater Discussion Page: 1 2  Previous   Next
Help me make the jump to HD 3D
Author Message
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorTaro
Registered: February 23, 2009
Reputation: High Rating
Belgium Posts: 1,580
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
Having thought it over, I think I'll go with this option:
- keep my onkyo receiver
- buy a Panasonic Viera TX-P50GT30 + 2 active shutter glasses (total +/- 1.700 euro)
- by a Panasonic DMP-BDT300 Blu-ray player (about 200 euro)

Advantages:
- affordable if I save up for one year
- the Panasonic DMP-BDT300 has double HDMI outs, so I keep HD audio while adding HD 3D
- the Panasonic DMP-BDT300 can be region unlocked with a custom firmware update, meaning DVD & Blu-ray region free playback

Seems like a good plan?
Blu-ray collection
DVD collection
My Games
My Trophies
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributordee1959jay
Registered: March 19, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
Netherlands Posts: 6,014
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
Sure, you can do that. However you have to realize there is no such thing as a software region unlocking for Blu-ray, so the custom firmware you're talking about will only affect DVD playback, not Blu-ray playback. Another issue is that you won't be able to use any (regular) firmware updates for the Panasonic, e.g. to enable playback of some "difficult" new blu-ray releases. Installing such an update would remove the custom firmware. If you're fine with that, go for it.

If you need Blu-ray zone unlocking as well, you need a hardware modification of either the Panasonic or the Oppo. For Oppo, easy-to-install kits can be ordered here.
Alternatively, you can order the player with the modification already built-in. E.g.
here (check out Available options / Modification below the specifications)
here and
here.

I'm not familiar with similar options for the Panasonic, but I reckon they must be out there.

BTW if you need to check whether a particular blu-ray release is zone coded or not, this is a good site (start by choosing either Region A or Region C at the top, depending on the locality of the release in question).

Good luck with your decision-making, Taro!     

P.S.
If you still need a year of saving, it is practically certain that by that time at least Panasonic will have updated its range of players. With Oppo you can't be sure - they will launch new products when they're ready for it (after extensive beta testing with a small group of trusted users), not according to a fixed schedule.

P.P.S.
You can get the Panny VT-30 for less than what you estimated for the GT-30 and 2 shutter glasses, e.g. here. It comes with 2 shutter glasses and a WiFi dongle included.
 Last edited: by dee1959jay
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorTaro
Registered: February 23, 2009
Reputation: High Rating
Belgium Posts: 1,580
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
Thanks dee1959jay, that link you gave for the VT-30 + 2 glasses is a sharp price! 

Regaring region free Panasonic BD players; there are sites where they offer custom firmware that allows you to change the region of your player without hardware modification. I'm thinking of going that route with a DMP-BDT310:
http://www.firmwareinfo.com/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=94

The only downside is that you need to manually change the region of your player using a code to set it to the same code as the BD you want to watch, but I can live with that, especially seeing how they always seem to have the most recent official firmware converted to custom firmware.
Blu-ray collection
DVD collection
My Games
My Trophies
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributordee1959jay
Registered: March 19, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
Netherlands Posts: 6,014
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
Hmmmm, I have never seen firmware that can change region coding for blu-ray before! From everything I've read until now I was led to believe this was technically impossible, and it HAD to be done through hardware modifications. So I hope the firmware you found delivers on what it promises to do!

With hardware modifications it's also necessary to press some buttons to manually change the region coding for blu-ray (for DVD this isn't necessary) - there is no "all regions" setting for blu-ray.

Good luck with your endeavour! And if there's anything in the future I can assist you with, just let me know. 
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorTaro
Registered: February 23, 2009
Reputation: High Rating
Belgium Posts: 1,580
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
Thanks, I'll make sure to ask if I have more questions.

According to members at Blu-ray.com, the custom firmware does indeed work as advertised, although the site is very fickle regarding registration (you need to apply for you CFW exactly as they ask you to do, or you're banned) :

http://forum.blu-ray.com/3d-blu-ray-players/191049-looking-region-free-3d-blu-ray-player.html#post5723005
Blu-ray collection
DVD collection
My Games
My Trophies
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorcvermeylen
Registered: March 13, 2007
Reputation: High Rating
Belgium Posts: 1,946
Posted:
PM this userVisit this user's homepageDirect link to this postReply with quote
For myself, I found the simplest way was to buy a cheap unmodified player here, and import a cheap unmodified player from the states. No issues with chip modifications, and the risk of destroying your player by installing the chip.

And it has gotten easier. Amazon.com now ships Blu-Ray players to Belgium. I ordered a Samsung BD-D6500 a couple of weeks ago. Including expedited shipping and import tax it cost 170€. Ordered on monday, delivered on thursday 
View my collection at http://www.chriskepolis.be/home/dvd.htm

Chris
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributordee1959jay
Registered: March 19, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
Netherlands Posts: 6,014
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
Well, if Taro can get the Panny for around €200 and get that firmware he mentioned, his solution is cheaper than buying two 3D players with on-board Hi-def audio decoding.
 Last edited: by dee1959jay
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorAce_of_Sevens
Registered: December 10, 2007
Reputation: High Rating
Posts: 3,004
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
Quoting Bad Father:
Quote:
Video yes, Audio no. PS3 will not pass-through HD audio when playing 3D Blu-ray discs. Audio will only be Digital 5.1 max.


This was only true for the first year or so. As of version 3.70, it supports DTS-HD Master Audio on 3D titles. You still would get lossy sound if you were watching a 3D movie with Dolby TrueHD, but there only a handful of those.
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorTaro
Registered: February 23, 2009
Reputation: High Rating
Belgium Posts: 1,580
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
Quoting Ace_of_Sevens:
Quote:
Quoting Bad Father:
Quote:
Video yes, Audio no. PS3 will not pass-through HD audio when playing 3D Blu-ray discs. Audio will only be Digital 5.1 max.


This was only true for the first year or so. As of version 3.70, it supports DTS-HD Master Audio on 3D titles. You still would get lossy sound if you were watching a 3D movie with Dolby TrueHD, but there only a handful of those.

Interesting ... but that would mean you still require a receiver than can handle 3D video pass-through, right?

I think I'll get the Panasonic player. Aside from the benefit of having two HDMI outs, I'll have a region free player which opens up a world of possibilities.

I'll still keep my trusty PS3 though 
Blu-ray collection
DVD collection
My Games
My Trophies
 Last edited: by Taro
    Invelos Forums->General: General Home Theater Discussion Page: 1 2  Previous   Next