ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Loving my new LG GX OLED 4K panel. Looking at getting a 65" for another room.
Obviously it looks at it's best with the best source. ie. 4K is so good I can't even explain how good.
With this in mind, tempted to get a 4K Blu-ray player. I still have an old Oppo 103 standard Blu-ray. Which would would you recommend which is reasonable value?
With Samsung and Oppo out of the market, our choices are getting limited. I've been really happy with my Sony UBP-X700 UHD player. B&O created a PUC for me for it that controls everything and even uses the Home and Info buttons of the BeoRemote One. It has Dolby Vision and SACD. It also has dual HDMI connections to be able to send sound to non-4K BeoSystems.
I've found that some of my 1080p blu-rays no longer play well in my Oppo 103 but they do in the Sony.
However, I find that DVDs do NOT play well in the Sony, but they do play well in the Oppo 103.
I would recommend trying buying on Itunes,
Almost same quality, but much cheaper and much faster and convenient
Beovision Harmony 77" 2nd Gen, Beolab 5, Beolab 17, Beosound 1, Beoplay M3, Beoplay Portal, Beoplay Earset, Beoliving Intelligence
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Oppo UDP-203 is fantastic machine.But,since production ceased,their price doubled on ebay.Two years ago I was lucky to get brand new one from ebay uk for 780 €.If you can find used one at convenient price,go for it.
Beogram 6500 MMC2,Beosound Ouverture,2xBeolab 8000,2xBelolab 4000,Beolab 2,Beolab 7.2,Beo4 navi, 2xBeocom2,Serene,Beosystem 3 mk3,H6 2nd gen,Earphones E8,A8,A9 keyring,Beoplay A1,Bottle opener,Beoplay A2 active(thanks Botty)Wine Set(thanks Botty),4Ktv Samsung 55'',Beolab 7.1 with 42''Panasonic plasma,,Oppo udp-203, LinTronic.
Isn't the Panasonic 820 supposed to be the no brainer choice? (from what many reviewers say / said).
I have. suspicion that the Pioneers produce better audio (marginal, but may matter for a big setup), but they're v expensive.
the Panasonic at 300 quid seems to be the go to, now that its price has fallen fro launch.
I've had so many DVD and Blu-Ray players over the years that I'm accepted them as having limited durability -- like tires on my car. My Oppo blu-ray player proved to be no different as it has started giving me problems. To me, it's just better to pay less than what I did for an Oppo and replace them every few years. Most discs these days come with a digital copy for iTunes/MoviesAnywhere for casual viewing. However, when it comes it a big cinematic experience, I like to have my discs that have better sound.
Had the same question just recently, Panasonic good choice if no BD Audio/SACD or DVD Audio required. If you want High Res Audio from Disc, Sony is the best choice if you want a new one from the store. Only downside of the Sony (I have the 800m2) is not out switching for Dolby Vision (which almost all other player have, only Sony knows why not).
Comments like go for streaming are not helpful if you have tons of discs and you want the best audio quality, also concert/music content is harder to find online.
The only streaming service/download with full audio is the Kaleidescape store for their devices. Cool stuff but big budget and only available in the US and UK. Would be my first choice...
Emil Jensen: I would recommend trying buying on Itunes, Almost same quality, but much cheaper and much faster and convenient
iTunes streamed 4K will never hit the bitrate of a Blu-ray 4K.
"Overall, Apple TV+ streams at approximately half that of a UHD Blu-ray disc"
That's fairly significant. On top of this, the audio quality doesn't get close to a Blu-ray. You get uncompressed audio from a Blu-ray!
Lastly, iTunes 4K is approximately 8GB. A Blu-ray 4K DVD is usually 66GB! And those extra GBs is the uncompressed audio. I agree that the image quality won't differ too much from the disc version, but the audio is hugely different.
You cannot beat the raw data from a Blu-ray or UHD Blu-ray disc. The entire point of spending the big bucks on these top-of-the-range TVs is that we get the best experience on the market. Not compromise to save a few bucks or hassle. Hence the reason for asking for a UHD player recommendation!
Obviously the big downside of 4K UHD discs is the cost. Some are incredibly priced. You can buy a Blu-ray discounted for £5 and the UHD version is still £20!
But on the flipside, so many films are still not streaming in 4K on iTunes - things like Django Unchained or Hateful Eight. All available on UHD, but HD-only as a stream.
Sandyb: Isn't the Panasonic 820 supposed to be the no brainer choice? (from what many reviewers say / said).
In the end, I've gone for the LG UBK90 4K UHD Player - primarily as it works seamlessly with my LG GX, the remote and, I'd assume/home, the BeoRemote.
Its amazing the price difference isn't it?
While discs are clearly a shrinking format, they will remain highly priced as they transition to a niche enthusiast only format.
I'm not a big collector of discs, but having only a 12-65 and regular BluRay player, I've picked up a decent amount of my favourite films on Blu-ray for 7-8 pounds each, once their initial release window is out of the way. Joker on reg Blu-ray is still 14-15 pounds, but will drop soon enough ( I can wait) to 8 quid.
UHD discs though will, I think, remain quite expensive.
moxxey: Emil Jensen: I would recommend trying buying on Itunes, Almost same quality, but much cheaper and much faster and convenient iTunes streamed 4K will never hit the bitrate of a Blu-ray 4K. "Overall, Apple TV+ streams at approximately half that of a UHD Blu-ray disc" That's fairly significant. On top of this, the audio quality doesn't get close to a Blu-ray. You get uncompressed audio from a Blu-ray! Lastly, iTunes 4K is approximately 8GB. A Blu-ray 4K DVD is usually 66GB! And those extra GBs is the uncompressed audio. I agree that the image quality won't differ too much from the disc version, but the audio is hugely different. You cannot beat the raw data from a Blu-ray or UHD Blu-ray disc. The entire point of spending the big bucks on these top-of-the-range TVs is that we get the best experience on the market. Not compromise to save a few bucks or hassle. Hence the reason for asking for a UHD player recommendation! Obviously the big downside of 4K UHD discs is the cost. Some are incredibly priced. You can buy a Blu-ray discounted for £5 and the UHD version is still £20!
Sandyb: Its amazing the price difference isn't it?
It's just to do with two things really:
1) Preparation of a UHD disc takes some serious work as there's so much data involved, so they'll want to recoup these costs
2) Replication. Hugely expensive. Those 66GB HD DVDs aren't 'off the shelf' so cost some serious money
According to this, regular DL 50GB Blu-Ray prices start a $3.95: https://www.blankmediaprinting.com/blu-ray-printing for 7500 units! The 66GB and 100GB capacity 4K UHD Blu-Ray discs must be even more expensive.
moxxey:In the end, I've gone for the LG UBK90 4K UHD Player - primarily as it works seamlessly with my LG GX, the remote and, I'd assume/home, the BeoRemote.
vlohjr1: moxxey: In the end, I've gone for the LG UBK90 4K UHD Player - primarily as it works seamlessly with my LG GX, the remote and, I'd assume/home, the BeoRemote. Unfortunately the beoremote one does not work with sky q.
moxxey: In the end, I've gone for the LG UBK90 4K UHD Player - primarily as it works seamlessly with my LG GX, the remote and, I'd assume/home, the BeoRemote.
Unfortunately the beoremote one does not work with sky q.
Oh no! Didn’t realise that.
I quite like the LG pointer remote, but wish it was better designed. Shouldn’t look this poor on the top-of-the-range GX.
moxxey:Oh no! Didn’t realise that. I quite like the LG pointer remote, but wish it was better designed. Shouldn’t look this poor on the top-of-the-range GX.
vlohjr1:Unfortunately the beoremote one does not work with sky q.
moxxey: Emil Jensen: I would recommend trying buying on Itunes, Almost same quality, but much cheaper and much faster and convenient iTunes streamed 4K will never hit the bitrate of a Blu-ray 4K. "Overall, Apple TV+ streams at approximately half that of a UHD Blu-ray disc" That's fairly significant. On top of this, the audio quality doesn't get close to a Blu-ray. You get uncompressed audio from a Blu-ray! Lastly, iTunes 4K is approximately 8GB. A Blu-ray 4K DVD is usually 66GB! And those extra GBs is the uncompressed audio. I agree that the image quality won't differ too much from the disc version, but the audio is hugely different. You cannot beat the raw data from a Blu-ray or UHD Blu-ray disc. The entire point of spending the big bucks on these top-of-the-range TVs is that we get the best experience on the market. Not compromise to save a few bucks or hassle. Hence the reason for asking for a UHD player recommendation! Obviously the big downside of 4K UHD discs is the cost. Some are incredibly priced. You can buy a Blu-ray discounted for £5 and the UHD version is still £20! But on the flipside, so many films are still not streaming in 4K on iTunes - things like Django Unchained or Hateful Eight. All available on UHD, but HD-only as a stream.
I get what you a saying, but for me the Blu-ray is a dead format.
Yes it is better but,
Much more expensive as you say your self, I gave 20£ for all three Batman movies in 4K HDR, also the HD movie I have bought is upgraded freely.
Second point, and that is what is doing it for me is convenience.
When you start the movie you actually start it right away, not like Blu-ray disc that takes forever incl. trailers.
And you do not have to pick it up and so on.
Third Point,
Yes there are some movies that are on UHD Blu-ray that are not yet upgraded in the Itunes store, but it will be and it will be free. And in Denmark there are much more UHD content on Itunes than on UHD Blu-ray.
Further more I only expect that the quality will raise over time on streaming in generel, but Blu-ray will die out.
And lastly remember that you do not have PUC controls, and in that regard maybe CEC have improved since I had it, but let us know have that works.
But for any means buy a Blu-ray player, you will get the best quality. I tried it and know what I am missing.
Emil Jensen:I get what you a saying, but for me the Blu-ray is a dead format. Yes it is better but, Much more expensive as you say your self, I gave 20 £ for all three Batman movies in 4K HDR, also the HD movie I have bought is upgraded freely. Second point, and that is what is doing it for me is convenience. When you start the movie you actually start it right away, not like Blu-ray disc that takes forever incl. trailers. And you do not have to pick it up and so on. Third Point, Yes there are some movies that are on UHD Blu-ray that are not yet upgraded in the Itunes store, but it will be and it will be free. And in Denmark there are much more UHD content on Itunes than on UHD Blu-ray. Further more I only expect that the quality will raise over time on streaming in generel, but Blu-ray will die out. And lastly remember that you do not have PUC controls, and in that regard maybe CEC have improved since I had it, but let us know have that works. But for any means buy a Blu-ray player, you will get the best quality. I tried it and know what I am missing. Beovision Eclipse, Beolab 5, Beolab 17, Beosound 1 Google assist, Beoplay M3, Beoplay H6, Beoplay Earset
moxxey: Loving my new LG GX OLED 4K panel. Looking at getting a 65" for another room. Obviously it looks at it's best with the best source. ie. 4K is so good I can't even explain how good. With this in mind, tempted to get a 4K Blu-ray player. I still have an old Oppo 103 standard Blu-ray. Which would would you recommend which is reasonable value?
Sorry to be bit late to the thread on this, but thought I'd add a few comments given I've just bought a new Bluray player 12 days ago.
I have an V1-40 B&O TV, with which I've been exceptionally happy for the last 7 ½ years.
I've used a entry level Sony Bluray player with it for around the same amount of time - roughly 7 years.
Over the last few months it's been refusing to play some discs, having dropouts of audio and picture several times during movie playback, and lastly when switching on, sometimes the home screen will appear, and other times not, so it was clearly in terminal decline and hence the search for a new player.
I have approx. 1,000 discs - Bluray/DVD with the majority being Blurays. I also have a tiny collection of SACD's - circa 20 odd discs.
Despite being listed as being able to play back SACD's this feature has never worked with the V1-40 - as the output of DSD to PCM is an odd frequency, 88.2.mhz from memory, whereas the DAC in the V1-40 needs 48, 96 mhz etc - so when playing SACDS there's no sound.
However I like the Sony control interface and the ability to control the player over my LAN by app on an iPhone, so another sony was the first port of call.
Unfortunately quite a few owners (on AVF forums) and at least one independent review comment on the current top Sony player having issues with not playing some discs, and dropout of sound and audio on others, so putting that together with the hit and miss of whether it would play SACD's in my setup put me off a little.
Current favourite for a VFM player at reasonable price seems to be the Pansonic DP-UB820. It has the same basic chipset and HDR optimiser feature found on Pansonics flagship DP-UB 9000 player and looked to be exceptional bang for the buck.
In the high end, performance to the max bracket, the Pioneer LX500 & LX800, along with the Pansonic UB9000 appear (at least on calibrated, measured reviews) to be the best players overall, currently available. For the UB820 to offer similar performance to the UB 9000 makes it exceptional vfm.
However, the lack of SACD support on the Pannys put me off. On the other hand, the Pioneers both support SACD (still no guarantee if it would work with my setup though) but, in the case of the LX800 at considerably extra cost.
Like others here, I use Netflix, Amazon prime, and own a few movies bought from Apple iTunes. For video quality, the movies from Apple outdo those streamed from Netflix or amazon prime in my experience. But, none of them compare to an bluray (1080p) when it comes to refinement in the picture and especially sound. Apple might boast 4k movies and dolby atmos sound, But the movie file will be heavily compressed (lossy compression) and also the sound track (AAC) - despite the number of channels, - and on picture and especially sound quality grounds, none of the streaming/buying online media as yet, can compete on performance grounds with an optical disk.
If and when it does, I might give up buying disks, but until then....convenience is nice to have, but I still prefer the ultimate picture and sound quality that I can get, as it adds immeasurably to the involvement factor in the whole entertainment experience of movie watching in the home.
However, to some degree the writing is on the wall with the likes of Oppo departing the market place, and the choice of quality players thinning out.
So, after a lot of research and a degree of procrastination I settled on a DP-UB 9000 Pansonic and am very happy that I did so.
The build and perceived finish is not quite up to the standard of my now obsolete Sony 9000ES DVD/CD/SACD (2 channel only) which simply oozes luxury and engineering refinement, but, the Panny 9000 is arguably only bettered in build by the Pioneer LX800 - at over double the price.
With a dual layer chassis, brushed aluminium side cheeks and front panel, it's an understated and very elegant contemporary design. The remote is large, ergonomically easy to use and is backlit.
Performance? Well, here's a thing.
I'm of the opinion that amplifiers and CD players etc, sound more alike than different. I'm not saying they all sound the same, but I will say that differences remain on the subtle and nuance level of perception, such that in a blind ABX test on unfamiliar material, one would be hard pressed to pick differences.
On sound quality, comparing my new Panasonic 9000 with my existing Sony Bluray player (when it decides to play!) on very well known movies, both players in default 'standard' mode, over HDMI with the same HDMI lead, input and TV, and at the same exact volume level on the V1-40, the Panny is ahead in subtlety and nuance. Dialogue, score and foley effects have a sense of greater separation and clarity - it is easier to hear clear dialogue and diction over the cacophony of explosions, car crashes etc, whilst the score pushes everything along merrily. The sound field is seemingly larger, the sound grander overall, and the steering of effects more clearly defined.
Picture quality? Well apparent dynamic range re luminosity is better, re greater perceived detail in dark/black areas of the picture, along with white/highlighted areas of the picture and at the same time. The subtle nuance of light and shade seems better. Similarly with chrominance/colour - greater separation of colours and nuance of shading. Perhaps the most noticeable difference is the greater resolution and fine detail apparent. Given that the information on the disc is fixed, then to use an HiFi analogy, one would presume the player is adding less distortion and noise to the signal in it's picture processing before outputting to HDMI. Or maybe the stronger build means less vibration and therefore better reading of the disc by the drive, with less timing or jitter errors etc.
Now of course this could also be placebo, however on disks I know backwards, the increase of details and clarity on say a persons face, was quite noticeable - five o'clock shadow or clean shaven, how many hairs could be counted in the cheek stubble etc. Similarly with closeups with clothing, grass, wood, furniture etc. The overall effect of increased resolution of detail, clarity and sharpness gave the picture a considerably more 3d look, with better depth perception - one feels that one is looking into the picture, not at it.
Having said all of that, if I was doing an A/B of the two players on unfamiliar material, would I still see the differences? Perhaps - bear in mind I was playing favourite movies I've watched dozens of times, so whilst a nuanced and subtle thing, it was still visually noticeable. On unfamiliar material, I should imagine it would much harder to pick differences - just like CD players and amplifiers in fact.
Putting it's build quality, and jump in performance which has given me literally a new and enhanced collection of movie disk, and the relative price compared to the Pioneer LX500/800 twins, I'd say it's an exceptional product and excellent VFM that fully compliments my investment in my B&O kit. Am very happy with it, and would happily recommend it.
Cheers
John.. :-)
Sandyb:presumably you mean that the BR can't control Sky Q using the HDMI CEC (and webOS B&O app)? I'm hoping it does work via PUC control - I.e if you had an Eclipse / Harmony
From a bit of reading this - and searching the net, I cant find any slot loading / vertical mount 4k disc players. Does anyone know of any out or coming out ?
I had the panasonic slot loading blue ray on the back of the BV7 and have now moved that over to the LG CX - but i'd love to get a 4k disc player that can be hidden on the back of the TV.
Like @moxxey I think i may fall back to the LG for its integration and Dolby Vision - but cant hide it away ..
Emil Jensen: I get what you a saying, but for me the Blu-ray is a dead format.
I still stream content more than I watch from disc. A movie would have to be something very very special for me to spend £15 on a UHD disc! There's few movies I watch more than a couple of times - that kind of standard.
1917 would look amazing from UHD, but it's just not a strong enough film to justify purchasing.
vlohjr1:I miss single remote control much more than I thought so much so that I am considering not to renew sky q when the contract finishes and move to now TV app (not streaming in 4K though) and freeview. I mostly watch catch up tv anyway.
That's what I do right now and am moving up to Q. I find streaming sport to be a little hit-and-miss and you definitely do not get 4K. Seems utterly pointless buying an OLED 4K TV and then relegating your experience back to HD.
Although I love the single remote, I can live with a couple.
It depends on the audio system. There is no way you can tell the difference when listening to an Atmos track between iTunes 4K and the best Blu-ray player using a Stage or TV speaker. Also, when it comes to video people are splitting hairs to see differences between iTunes and 4K and given normal viewing distance and other room situations it is almost impossible. But having the convenience of iTunes (which is built into the LG TV ) is a big benefit.
I used to be very involved in AVS Forum and into Blu-Ray (also active on the Blu-ray forum). Personally on a 65 inch TV you are better off using a streaming 4K service. For the audio, IMHO even with BL 50s you won’t be able to hear a difference. The lossless audio on Blu-Ray is useful if you have a very high end audiophile system and you have very refined hearing and are looking for subtle differences etc. on the video front unless you are going to watch on a 100 inch screen sitting 10 ft away you won’t see any difference. The OLED TV processing will have more artifacts than the difference in compression between the Blu Ray and iTunes video stream.
My 2 cents worth.
B&O in my life 😊:
Generally agree, but there are a few who are a bit fussier (whether more refined or not, who knows) when it comes to audio.
And dont many disc devotees remain so because of the audio?
I dont have a ultra high end audio system - 12-65 BV with 18s front, 19 sub, 3s rear - and I could tell the difference between my Pioneer BR player vs a new Panasonic that I bought. So much so that I returned the Panasonic.
I'm not a disc devotee for the record, though I have about 50 of my favourite films on disc - some for perceived quality reasons, some because they are not all available on streaming.
And some of the audio tracks on streamed movies are actively bad - I tried to watch LOTR a year ago on Netflix, and the dialogue was so low in the mix, it was hard to follow. I put in the DVD that I had, and it was miles better, so I could finish the film. More a mix issue than a bitrate quality issue I grant you, but does illustrate the disc / streaming relative merits are at times more subtle.
Jaffrey2230: It depends on the audio system. There is no way you can tell the difference when listening to an Atmos track between iTunes 4K and the best Blu-ray player using a Stage or TV speaker. Also, when it comes to video people are splitting hairs to see differences between iTunes and 4K and given normal viewing distance and other room situations it is almost impossible. But having the convenience of iTunes (which is built into the LG TV ) is a big benefit. I used to be very involved in AVS Forum and into Blu-Ray (also active on the Blu-ray forum). Personally on a 65 inch TV you are better off using a streaming 4K service. For the audio, IMHO even with BL 50s you won’t be able to hear a difference. The lossless audio on Blu-Ray is useful if you have a very high end audiophile system and you have very refined hearing and are looking for subtle differences etc. on the video front unless you are going to watch on a 100 inch screen sitting 10 ft away you won’t see any difference. The OLED TV processing will have more artifacts than the difference in compression between the Blu Ray and iTunes video stream. My 2 cents worth.
@John
Thanks for your long and interesting post.
As for bluray player with SACD support for a V1 (and for that gen of the BV’s) there is only one that works = the OPPO player.
For the FullHD-tv’s a 103 would be the best choice - however you must purchase these second hand.
There is a tv - and there is a BV
My biggest gripe about my Oppo 103 is that it does not have an auto off. This is particularly a problem when used with a matrix since there is never a B&O command sent to turn it off. It must always be turned off manually. It's easy to forget to turn it off.
I have never had that problem with my OPPO.
What beojeff describes is probably only relevant, if the OPPO is used through a matrix.
MM
I believe that is correct.
I have the same issue with my Pioneer through the matrix.
Doesnt especially bother me though.
I think my Pioneer eventually goes to sleep anyway.
Millemissen: I have never had that problem with my OPPO. What beojeff describes is probably only relevant, if the OPPO is used through a matrix. MM
LG Blu-ray player arrived, setup Saturday. Watched The Revenant.
Picture was amazing. Absolutely flawless. Good to see no ads at all - straight in to the film.
The LG Blu-ray player was a wise idea for the LG GX TV as I knew the LG remote would control it out of the box.
My only issue is, bizarrely I'm still not convinced about the Stage. I don't think the Stage is the issue, it's because I'm *so* used to a wider sound from surround speakers, a sub and so on, sound purely from a single source (Stage) just sounds like it's trying to do too much from one unit. It sounds like it's coming from one unit and struggles to separate some of the movie audio. I can't get used to it. Feels like a big downgrade in audio experience.
Interesting, its just the reason why i have waited to change the Avant, ok the picture is not great in 4K but with additional speakers the sound is so good.
I have come to the conclusion that i will have to accept downgraded video for enhanced audio as i am not prepared to pay for the eclipse sound centre v2 as that seems an ill thought out mess and I cant get myself to part with a 3 year old panel for the eclipse- plus the fact I dont like the style of it. Horizon makes a big TV look HUGE
moxxey: LG Blu-ray player arrived, setup Saturday. Watched The Revenant. Picture was amazing. Absolutely flawless. Good to see no ads at all - straight in to the film. The LG Blu-ray player was a wise idea for the LG GX TV as I knew the LG remote would control it out of the box. My only issue is, bizarrely I'm still not convinced about the Stage. I don't think the Stage is the issue, it's because I'm *so* used to a wider sound from surround speakers, a sub and so on, sound purely from a single source (Stage) just sounds like it's trying to do too much from one unit. It sounds like it's coming from one unit and struggles to separate some of the movie audio. I can't get used to it. Feels like a big downgrade in audio experience.
Thanks for that feedback, and it resonates with me.
A Stage + GX would work for me in my bedroom, but absolutely not in my lounge. Like yourself, I am used to a big wide enveloping sound and there is zero chance the Stage would suffice for my lounge.
I'd hope the Eclipse SC can be attached to a GX (65 or 77) in a neat fashion somewhere down the road, allowing me to use my BL speakers. But I'm not sure if that will work - if a GX is flush mounted to the wall, then can an Eclipse SC really be attached to it?
So for now I dont feel the combination of a 12-65 (I still love the picture) and the audio experience with my Beolabs is more than enough for me.
Sandyb: So for now I dont feel the combination of a 12-65 (I still love the picture) and the audio experience with my Beolabs is more than enough for me.
You'd love the GX even more. Way way way better than the 12-65. We're kidding ourselves the 12-65 has a better image. I'm stunned by how good the GX performs. Far better than I expected with the right source - a 4K or top quality HD image looks stunning.
I agree the colours of the BV12-65 were a struggle to beat, but the clarity and fine detail of the GX is something to be admired. None of the silly bright sharpness you used to get on an LED panel (like my BV11-40), either. The GX looks natural.
It's so good, I'm getting the 65" for the other room. That's coming next week.
But, yes, the Stage. I don't know what to say about it as so many people rate it. I do think it's the fact the entire sound comes out of a single unit and not as effectively as, say, the A9. There's something about the sound which leaves me frustrated and constantly playing with the B&O app to improve (widen) the source and failing. I'm rarely happy with the result.
I dont doubt that the GX image is pretty special.
Guess all I am saying / thinking is that for my main room I'm not prepared to compromise my audio experience (not overall control) while my video is still very good.
What will you use for audio in your main room with your GX 65?
moxxey: Sandyb: So for now I dont feel the combination of a 12-65 (I still love the picture) and the audio experience with my Beolabs is more than enough for me. You'd love the GX even more. Way way way better than the 12-65. We're kidding ourselves the 12-65 has a better image. I'm stunned by how good the GX performs. Far better than I expected with the right source - a 4K or top quality HD image looks stunning. I agree the colours of the BV12-65 were a struggle to beat, but the clarity and fine detail of the GX is something to be admired. None of the silly bright sharpness you used to get on an LED panel (like my BV11-40), either. The GX looks natural. It's so good, I'm getting the 65" for the other room. That's coming next week. But, yes, the Stage. I don't know what to say about it as so many people rate it. I do think it's the fact the entire sound comes out of a single unit and not as effectively as, say, the A9. There's something about the sound which leaves me frustrated and constantly playing with the B&O app to improve (widen) the source and failing. I'm rarely happy with the result.
I purchased an xbox one for my 1 Gen Avant 55 to play 4k and 3D blurays. The picture quality is phenomenal. I got the xbox because I know that Microsoft will continue to support it, it has many streaming services available, and it is the only one on the market that loads discs vertically, which allows you to install it on the wall or on the back of the Avant 55.
Sandyb: What will you use for audio in your main room with your GX 65?
Haven't thought that far forward yet. I still haven't fully setup the 55" yet. Every time Sky come around to install the new dish required for Q it's raining and they refuse to go on the roof. This week will be fifth time lucky.
But I don't watch many movies. Mostly sport and TV, so luckily the Stage excels for these. It's only movies where I found it a little frustrating.
Could you connect some WISA B&O speakers potentially?
I guess with the LG WISA dongle yes you can.
Seems to stop very far short of the audio flexibility that has been / is built into Beovisions past and present.
And remember the Stage is not WISA.
With the LG dongle, you can send audio to bunch of WISA speakers, but not a combination of WISA and wired.
moxxey: Sandyb: What will you use for audio in your main room with your GX 65? Haven't thought that far forward yet. I still haven't fully setup the 55" yet. Every time Sky come around to install the new dish required for Q it's raining and they refuse to go on the roof. This week will be fifth time lucky. But I don't watch many movies. Mostly sport and TV, so luckily the Stage excels for these. It's only movies where I found it a little frustrating. Could you connect some WISA B&O speakers potentially?
Sandyb: Seems to stop very far short of the audio flexibility that has been / is built into Beovisions past and present.
True. But a lot cheaper. I don't have too many complaints. Completely blown away with the picture quality, even the built-in speaker is better than I expected (for regular TV, I often struggle tell whether the audio is from the TV or Stage as the Stage occasionally doesn't turn on with the TV) and I love the idea of the LG point remote, although the design leaves a lot to be desired.
I'd prefer the same panel on an Eclipse 100%. But the Eclipse still uses a daft 2017 panel and is still priced starting at £7000. For any TV using a 3-year-old panel, you'd think it would be about £5000 now to clear through stock and get rid of the old panels (ie. if I bought a 2017 OLED in 2020 I'd expect to pay about £500 versus £2200 for the GX 55").