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    Invelos Forums->General: General Home Theater Discussion Page: 1 2  Previous   Next
Help me make the jump to HD 3D
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DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorTaro
Registered: February 23, 2009
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I'm thinking more and more of making the jump to HD 3D. However, in order to have an idea of how much I'll need to save up for additional equipment, I'd need some input.

First of all, here's my current setup:
- TV: Panasonic Viera TX-L37 (LCD 1080p)
- Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR506
- Blu-ray player: PS3 slim

Okay, so to go HD 3D, I'll need to at very least get:
1. a new TV (thinking again of getting a Panasonic Viera, perhaps a TX-P50GT30)
2. a new receiver? I think this Onkyo cannot handle pass-through video for HD 3D, so I'll need to get a new Onkyo receiver: HD 3D capable and 7.1 lossless sound capable. Any suggestions?
3. To get HD 3D with lossless sound, a new player will be necessary as the PS3 downsamples audio when using HD 3D, but that can wait (cost effective thinking!)

Any suggestions?
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 Last edited: by Taro
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The TV you selected is a good choice. I own the Panasonic Viera TC-P42GT25 Plasma and am very pleased with it.

I'm very partial to Onkyo and currently own the Onkyo TX-NR708 7.2 channel receiver.

As far as a 3D Blu-ray player goes, I own an older Panasonic DMP-BDT100. If I had the money I'd go with integrated WiFi. The Panasonic DMP-BDT310 has integrated WiFi and goes for around $175.
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DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
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Registered: March 18, 2007
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I just got an LG 3D TV and I am very impressed with it. I like the fact that it uses the cheap glasses, so all the ones I saved from seeing movies in the theater work fine.

I also got an LG 3D BD player. They have both wired and Wi-Fi models. LG has good remote control integration between the units. The "smart" functions for playing Netflix, YouTube and DLNA to my server media are awesome.

The LG TV will also synthesize 3D from any 2D source. Looks pretty good, especially when there is high contour contrast (such as landscapes, human bodies, etc.  ), or some other key to distance - the algorithms are amazingly good. They seem to "know" when one actor in a scene is standing in front of the other or in front of a tree, etc.

I am also a huge fan of Onkyo. If I were you, I would test with your existing one before upgrading. Then you can decide on exactly which new features you are missing, if any.

I'm sure other brands are just as good. Just sharing only the bits of the universe that I know about.
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 Last edited: by mediadogg
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributordee1959jay
Registered: March 19, 2007
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Get yourself a 3D blu-ray player with two HDMI-outs, and you won't need a new receiver!

Examples:
  • the fabulous Oppo BDP-93EU

  • this Panasonic machine.


  • Thus, you can use one HDMI player connection to output 3D video to your new screen, and the other one to output audio to your Onkyo.

    Oh, and the Panasonic GT30 is an excellent choice! (although personally I would also consider a VT30, especially since I just saved you buying a new receiver...      )

    P.S.
    I just read that your Onkyo does not decode HD lossless formats. Which means you need a player that will decode them and then send them either over HDMI as PCM or through multichannel analog connections. Both machines I mentioned will do that for you, but if you decide to choose a different player, you need to pay attention that they have these capabilities.
     Last edited: by dee1959jay
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    Quoting dee1959jay:
    Quote:
    Get yourself a 3D blu-ray player with two HDMI-outs, and you won't need a new receiver!

    Examples:
  • the fabulous Oppo BDP-93EU

  • this Panasonic machine.


  • Thus, you can use one HDMI player connection to output 3D video to your new screen, and the other one to output audio to your Onkyo.

    Oh, and the Panasonic GT30 is an excellent choice! (although personally I would also consider a VT30, especially since I just saved you buying a new receiver...      )


    For the cost of that pretty OPPO player he can almost get a new Onkyo Receiver AND a Panasonic 3D BD player .
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    DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributordee1959jay
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    You need to take into account that prices in general for AV gear are higher over here in Europe. E.g., in the US the Oppo will retail for $499. Alternatively, the cheapest you can find the Panasonic DMP-BDT310 in Belgium, where Taro lives, is around 200 euros (around $240).
     Last edited: by dee1959jay
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    Quoting dee1959jay:
    Quote:
    You need to take into account that prices in general for AV gear are higher over here in Europe. E.g., in the US the Oppo will retail for $499.


    You realize I was exaggerating just a little ...well, almost . On Amazon I can get the Onkyo TX - NR609 7.2 for $390.97 and the Panasonic DMP-BDT310 for $174.99: $565.96 .
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    DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributordee1959jay
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    No harm done!     

    And, of course, the Oppo is SO good you wouldn't regret it, even at that price. 
    DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorcvermeylen
    Registered: March 13, 2007
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    I bought the Samsung UE55D7000 a few months ago. I really like the 3D quality of this one. This one uses the acitve shutter system, so 3D is presented in 1080p Full HD. I heard this is not the case for Phillips 3D sets. No idea what is used in the Panasonic.
    In Belgium you can get the Samsung 55" for about 2400€, the 46" for about 1600€ and the 40" for about 1400€.

    I had the Onkyo TX-SR705. This receiver had a very nice warm sound, but I never got a good surround out of it. I redid the calibration multiple times, changed my rear speakers, but I couldn't get what I wanted.
    So I replaced it with a Yamaha RX-V1067. The sound is a little less warm, but surround is much better. This is receiver only available through Yamaha Pro dealers, and will cost you around 1000€.
    The lower versions are RX-767 for about 580€, and the RX-567 for about 370€.

    The Playstation 3 should be capable of playing 3D movies as of firmware version 3.50.

    Personally, I have a Sony BDP-S470 region B and a Samsung BD-D6500 region A player. If you want a dedicated 3D BD player, you can get it in the 150 - 200€ price range. I don't see much added value in more expensive models.
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    Chris
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    Quoting cvermeylen:
    Quote:
    I bought the Samsung UE55D7000 a few months ago. I really like the 3D quality of this one. This one uses the acitve shutter system, so 3D is presented in 1080p Full HD. I heard this is not the case for Phillips 3D sets. No idea what is used in the Panasonic.


    Panasonic uses the Active Shutter system as well.

    Quote:
    The Playstation 3 should be capable of playing 3D movies as of firmware version 3.50.


    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.
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    DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorcvermeylen
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    Quoting Bad Father:
    Quote:
    Quoting cvermeylen:
    Quote:
    I bought the Samsung UE55D7000 a few months ago. I really like the 3D quality of this one. This one uses the acitve shutter system, so 3D is presented in 1080p Full HD. I heard this is not the case for Phillips 3D sets. No idea what is used in the Panasonic.


    Panasonic uses the Active Shutter system as well.

    Quote:
    The Playstation 3 should be capable of playing 3D movies as of firmware version 3.50.


    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.


    I personally never been a fan of the PS3 for Blu-Ray, as it isn't capable of bitstreaming the HD audio formats. Or has that been updated in later firmwares as well?
    As I don't play games a standalone player will do just fine for me 
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    Chris
    DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributordee1959jay
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    Here are some tests of the Panasonic TX-P50GT30:
    WhatHifi (British)
    AreaDVD (in-depth German test, resulting in a "Reference" qualification; if you can't read German, use Google Translate).

    Similar tests of the VT30 models:
    WhatHifi
    AreaDVD (conclusion: Masterpiece).

    Both British tests result in the Best TV Award 2011 in their size class.

    I rest my case...   
    DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorBad Father
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    Quoting cvermeylen:
    Quote:

    I personally never been a fan of the PS3 for Blu-Ray, as it isn't capable of bitstreaming the HD audio formats. Or has that been updated in later firmwares as well?


    The PS3 bitstreams HD audio just fine...just not when playing 3D movies. It's not that the PS3 can't do it, it can, but Sony opted for video quality rather than have to hear users complain about stuttering and so forth.
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    Quoting mediadogg:
    Quote:
    I just got an LG 3D TV and I am very impressed with it. I like the fact that it uses the cheap glasses, so all the ones I saved from seeing movies in the theater work fine.


    You may save $$$ on the glasses but you lose in the long run...resolution-wise. Active Shutter transmits full HD 1080p to each eye while Passive 3D TVs split the resolution with half going to each eye. You lose some detail going the Passive route .
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    DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributordee1959jay
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    Fully agree!
    DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorTaro
    Registered: February 23, 2009
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    Thanks everyone for the wonderful feedback. Given all this information, I'm seeing two possible plans:

    Plan 1 (cost: +/- 2.000 euro) > HD 3D but no HD audio
    - Buy a Panasonic Viera TX-P50GT30
    - Buy an Onkyo TX-SR609
    - Keep PS3 as BD Player

    or

    Plan 2 (cost +/- 2.300 euro) > HD 3D with HD audio using two HDMI cables
    - Buy a Panasonic Viera TX-P50GT30
    - Keep the Onkyo TX-SR506
    - Buy an OPPO BDP-93EU (using dual HDMI outs: one for video, one for audio)

    I'm inclinded to go with option two as I'll ahve HD audio and since it's Oppo, perhaps the opportunity to make the player region free?

    Whatever the case, I'd better start saving up 
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     Last edited: by Taro
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