Author Topic: Finally want to make the switch to Blu-Ray. Help me with some questions please?  (Read 8324 times)

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Offline chinoh151

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So for the past few days I've been going back and fourth with myself whether I'd like to make the big switch from DVDs and Blu-Ray. And I've finally decided that I'm going to do it. But first, I'd like to get some opinions and maybe some questions answered from you guys (most of the things I read online are based in the US and I wanted local opinion). Thanks in advance!   :)

1. My TV is a SONY BRAVIA 32". Would this support the Blu-Ray format? It does say that there is a plug in for the HDMI Cable (which I heard was needed). Will I notice a difference compared to my DVD viewings? Would a bigger television be necessary?

2. Should I buy a surround sound system? How does the sound on Blu-Rays fair on the televisions speakers?

3. Can someone please explain all these REGION things to me. I mean we are all familiar with R1, R3, etc. for DVDs but how does it work for Blu-Ray? And are there any Blu-Ray players available in MANILA that caters to all regions?

4. I read something about only being able to use your Blu-Ray if you have internet connection or something? Can someone please clarify this with me because I don't get it all all. lol sorry

5. Lastly, I'd love to hear about your viewing experiences when you made the switch (was it worth it? do you see the difference? has cinema changed for you?)

THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE, AND I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM EVERYONE SOON (hopefully in the next two days cause that's when I want to buy my player and start my collection!)

CHEERS!  O0

Offline Moks007

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Yes definitely worth the upgrade.
Let me try to answer your questions. Everything depends on your budget. You can have a starters budget.

1. When I started my upgrade, I also started with a 32 incher and I thought there is not much difference between dvd and bluray. I then started to upgrade my tv to 55 inches and then now a projector (yun cheap lang) and blu-ray looks and sound great. What I would recommend is for you to keep your 32 inches for general viewing like cable tv and some blu-ray viewing like mga love story, comedy etc. Then just purchase a cheap 1080p 3d projector (if you have space), like acer 6510bd, benq 1070 and some other brands na basta less than 1000 dollars sa america. Ok na ang pricing dito. Check the display / projector thread for more info. Then check out our marketplace. You can get a manual pull down screen by elite screen na cheap lang. Total cost will be around 60 thousand (50 thou pj + 10 thou screen). If you buy a 55 inch to 65 inch tv, puede din. I'm not updated sa pricing but I think it can cost more than the projector. I have a projector in my bedroom at 9 feet away. Now the pj is for the kick butt movies like Lord of the rings extended edition, Lone survivor etc hehehe...

2. Yes, television speaker sucks. Start ka sa 5.1. I started din sa 5.1 now running 7.2 kahit sa small space and it sounds awesome to me. No room treatment or anything kasi bedroom.

3. Most blurays are region A, You can buy at amazon usa then ship thru jac or just buy from our sellers dito sa marketplace. Region A are the ones mostly sold here at astroplus, marketplace etc. If I were you for starter just get the pioneer bluray player. I forgot the model meron ata 4000 to 5000 pesos. It will play region A bluray discs and Region 1 and 3 dvd discs afaik.

4. Internet connection, I don't bother unless it's a firmware upgrade for the blu-ray player. Some bluray discs kasi meron special features thru internet.

5. It is well worth it. My suggestion is to really get a projector if you have space. Surround sound is also fantastic. It is really a spectacular experience. If you really love movies and into collecting discs then go for it. Save money and buy the gears. For me, it's an investment naman.

Hey man good luck and I hope you jump into the blu-ray bandwagon.

Cheers.


« Last Edit: Jan 27, 2015 at 12:28 PM by Moks007 »

Offline mattia

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Go for bluray!

1)  Your Sony 32 is fine to get you started.  But best to switch to a bigger TV :  46" up.  There are lots of HDTVs you can get for a good price. For the best viewing experience, get the Plasma instead of the LED.  It's cheaper but may consume more power.  But it's well worth it.

2)  Ideally, yes.  Get a surround speaker system.   5.1 pwede na. Better if the receiver has an HDMI connection for better audio experience.

3)  Most of the BDs sold here at PDVD are region As.  Minimal lang naman ang ibang region so you're OK with a BD player that can read only Region A bds.  And some BDs are region free so it's fine.  I started with a 2nd hand panasonic BD player which I got for less than P2K and it's still working fine.  Then I upgraded to a Panasonic 3D Bluray player for less than P4K.  Yun nga lang, it doesn't read my region 3 DVDs. 
So when my old dvd player conked out, I bought a 2nd hand, rarely used Samsung DVD player just last Christmas for a measly P600.  I "hacked" it so region free na ang DVD ko.  Then with a some calibration with my HDTV, I now enjoy my old DVDs!  It's like watching them again for the first time.

Don't worry about the region coding for BDs.  Mas malawak ang sakop ng Regions ngayon so you won't have a problem even if you avoid BDs other than region A.  And as I said, madaming BDs ang region free. 

4) No need for internet connection. I have a SMART TV with Wifi and I simply use it for firmware upgrade.  That's it.  My son sometimes use it for Facebook pag puno ang laptop at desktop namin hehehe.  But trust me, minimal use or none at all.

5)  It's a blast.  I've been into BD for the past 3 to 4 years and I am still thrilled watching my favorite movies in HD!! 

YOU WON'T REGRET IT.  GO NA BRO...

Offline frootloops

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Hi Chino! Into collecting again? Not much LE and gift sets sa BD locally. 

Offline chinoh151

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Thanks Moks007 and mattia! This was a big help and quite encouraging. Wish me luck cause I'm off to the mall to purchase to my player and speaker! I'm exciting for my viewing experience tonight!  :D

Hi Chino! Into collecting again? Not much LE and gift sets sa BD locally. 

Hello sir! I've never stopped collection, just stopped posting on here for awhile because I got quite busy. But as my excitement for Blu-Ray begins to brew, I think I'll be here a lot more again! Hope all is well!  :)

Offline mattia

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Hi Chino! Into collecting again? Not much LE and gift sets sa BD locally. 

Agree.  Ang now that I am into rewatching my old DVDs with my newly calibrated HDTV, mas Ok pa rin ang packaging ng DVD than BD!

---

Bro, try getting a Samsung BD player if you will buy brand new sa mall.  Also, ayaw mo ng mga BD players for sale here at PDVD?  Madami available na mura :

http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,197389.0.html

http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,197866.0.html

http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,184090.0.html

Offline chinoh151

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Agree.  Ang now that I am into rewatching my old DVDs with my newly calibrated HDTV, mas Ok pa rin ang packaging ng DVD than BD!

---

Bro, try getting a Samsung BD player if you will buy brand new sa mall.  Also, ayaw mo ng mga BD players for sale here at PDVD?  Madami available na mura :

http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,197389.0.html

http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,197866.0.html

http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,184090.0.html

So does the quality of DVDs become better when played through the blu-Ray player?
I actually browsed through the market place last night but I thought it would be easier rin for me to buy at a shop since I need to pay in credit it card. Thanks for the heads up though. :)

Offline mattia

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So does the quality of DVDs become better when played through the blu-Ray player?
I actually browsed through the market place last night but I thought it would be easier rin for me to buy at a shop since I need to pay in credit it card. Thanks for the heads up though. :)

Yes and "it depends".

Yes because BD players can upscale your DVDs via the HDMI.  For more on the upscaling process :  http://hometheater.about.com/od/hometheatervideobasics/qt/dvdvidupscale.htm
http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=212091

But then again, it depends on your HDTV.  A bigger, full HDTV will definitely show the difference.  Also the video processors being used now by Samsung, LG, Sony and others make an incredible viewing experience even for DVDs. 

Enjoy to the max!

Try mo rin sa Sights and Sounds Shang Edsa where our member E-Reply is the owner.  Makaka-discount ka sa kanya kahit credit card. 

Offline jas

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Try mo rin sa Sights and Sounds Shang Edsa where our member E-Reply is the owner.  Makaka-discount ka sa kanya kahit credit card. 

I think Sights & Sounds temporarily closed their physical shop at Shangrila. Sir Vic (E-Reply) is now selling via online. Check out his threads in the Home Theater Hardware section of the PDVD Marketplace.

Additional reference:
http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,197488.0.html
« Last Edit: Jan 27, 2015 at 03:55 PM by jas »

Offline chinoh151

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Thank you for all the help you guys! Got a Pioneer Blu-Ray player and some new home theatre speakers. Very basic stuff but pretty great for a beginner! Loved my viewing of Scorsese's "Casino", my first disc, today! Cheers!  :D

Offline jonjon

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Congrats sir!!!  Takbo na sa Marketplace.  Dami BDs na for sale dun na mura!!!  O0

Offline Dracula

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Congrats sir!!!  Takbo na sa Marketplace.  Dami BDs na for sale dun na mura!!!  O0

Tapos the next format comes along and you have to buy them all over again! haha

Offline Gob_Loves_Sony

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no need to make a switch...movie downloads has utterly destroyed blurays and dvds a long time ago..lol

Offline Moks007

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no need to make a switch...movie downloads has utterly destroyed blurays and dvds a long time ago..lol

Destroyed? Afaik physical media is still making billions of dollars. Are you talking about legal downloads or torrent downloads? Some of us like to collect and buy the real thing. Studios continue to release a lot of bluray titles and the dvd library is massive. Actually old television series are still being released on dvd. Im getting ready to buy wkrp in cincinnati and welcome back kotter, full seasons!!

I recently bought breaking away, one of my favorite sport movie of all time. Yes i spent 70 dollars on this movie because i really love it. Bluray is alive and kicking.

Offline Oldboyracer

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no need to make a switch...movie downloads has utterly destroyed blurays and dvds a long time ago..lol

Downloading is OK providing you get a good download, if not & you are happy to watch sub standard material (by this I mean induced artifacts, jumps etc. due to lost data in the download) then no problem. Me, I download to see if the film is any good & if so I buy the disc. I do realise that budget has a big say in how you obtain your movies but if you go to the trouble of setting up an HT system you want the best PQ & sound available. 
Emotiva XSP-1 & XPA-DR2, SMSL VMV D1, ND8006
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Offline coastal

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Same here. DLs are mostly reference if its good to have unless its really unavailable in bd format.

Offline Schnauzer

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sorry to bump this old thread but,  to most beginners and those who would like to jump into BD (from DVDs and downloaded contents) is there a popular rentals for BDs???
I remember the laserdisc days in the 90's where I could just make a visit to the mall and rent several LDs for the weekend.
So meron or madami bang BlueRayDisc Rentals???

Offline zram18

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blue ray for sale marami sir,just check here Marketplace section.

pero blue ray for rent walang ganun unlike betamax/VHS/cd/dvd by ACA Video or Videocity in the past.

Offline ramsey

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After my 6yrs old dvd player died, Im also planning on getting a Pioneer blu ray player p4500 yata price. Problem is my receiver has no hdmi, so for audio Ill have to use the coax cable. For video naman, hdmi connected to the tv from player. Isa pang problema, wala pa kong blu ray disc..haha. Question ko lang po, pwede na ba ganung connection? Video: hdmi cable player to tv. Audio: coax cable player to receiver(no hdmi).

Offline Schnauzer

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No Rentals is a turnoff for me, kasi once I watch a movie wala ng thrill panuorin unless it is an action type of movie and/or a musical concert. I would only watch a movie several times if it's a classic film but otherwise,  I don't realy watch it for several times alam ko na kasi ang mangyayari :-( but that's just me

Player to TV - pwedeng HDMI for Video (and also Audio)
Player to Amp/Receiver - pwedeng Coax cable (for digital signal, I think it function as an Optical cable too)
« Last Edit: Dec 23, 2015 at 05:46 PM by Schnauzer »