NOTE: I've moved this post into its own new thread topic. (Post previously located at http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/medi...hd-dvd-rw.html)
You're pretty much on task with those selections.
Blu-ray burners:
For the the best BD-R burner, look at the BD-R computer drives made by Pioneer.
- Specifically, in 2011, look at those Pioneer 206 burners, like the Pioneer BDR-206. (And Amazon.com tends to have the best prices, about $110 or so.)
- Generally speaking, any Pioneer BD-R burner is your best choice. That was true of DVD, too.
Pioneer drives are reported to work well with LTH BD-R media, too, which is a nice bonus. Get yourself some
low-cost Verbatim LTH BD-R from Amazon, and you're all set to burn BD-R.
Variations in model letters are often due to one of these reasons:
- SATA vs IDE
- Retail packaging vs "bulk" or "OEM packaging (or rather lack thereof, often shipped as a "bare drive" in basic wrapping). The retail packages are sold in stores, on shelves, while OEM drives were manufactured and packaged for bulk users (like computer makers, aka OEMs).
- Errors in descriptions. For example, the JVC DR-M10 DVD recorder is actually the DR-M10U. Strictly speaking, there is not a "DR-M10" model. Same for the JVC HR-S9800U S-VHS VCR, and others like it.
- Country coding. The "U" in a JVC player/recorder often meant it was created for the North American market (USA), while "EK" signified Europe.
I've started to create HD content myself, and may start to look at Blu-ray production. Right now, everything is being used in a streaming capacity. But some disc-based expansion may be in my near future for 2011.
Blu-ray players:
At this point in time, I firmly believe all Blu-ray players are the same. Sure, fans of units will naysay and disagree. Reviewers would do the same, as my comment would make their reviews look pointless. But in all honesty, most standalone Blu-ray players act the same. Unlike DVD players, where readers tend to vary wildly, we're still in a fairly early era of Blu-ray, where most all players are being made by name brand companies. In fact, due to the low saturation of Blu-ray in general, it may always be that way -- just like it was with Laserdisc.
Buy the player you want based on its features -- i.e., streaming playback (Netflix, MLB, etc), MKV on USB, etc.
I don't see problems with either of these:
.... note that the BDT210 is the "old model", as the Panasonic DMP-BDT310 is out. (
$200 from Amazon)
Not that being the previous model is a bad thing. I don't equate old to bad, or new to good. Age is separate from quality, when discussing many products.
In fact, I may get myself that BD75 model. For $89, full BD-R playback support, and the MKV on USB function, I'm tempted.
If you have more questions, just ask.
