Almost too low.  For DLNA streaming with subtitles (SRT) not only perfect, but virtually the only true BR player

Almost too low. For DLNA streaming with subtitles (SRT) not only perfect, but virtually the only true BR player

LG BP420 3D Blu-ray player (Smart TV, DLNA, HDMI, 1080p upscaler, LAN, USB) (Electronics)

Customer Review

This review compares the LG BP420 with the Philips BDP7700. (Find Accordingly detail and in both products).

Actually, maybe you should oppose the Philips to something "bigger" LG BP660, the BP420 is ready from the outset to less extras, but I have the LG spontaneously bought from discount store around the corner for a very good price and the "flagship" of Philips to compared ordered to do so. To the great model of LG I can not say anything, but I do not need, the smaller model takes it easy on the Philips. The price of LG has risen from last 89 to 95 currently, almost too right! If you consider that the Philips has risen from 135 last again to currently about 153. Absolute nonsense, since no new firmware update was what the problem resolves.

For now, one more thing. I was at the Blu-Ray player particularly important that the playback over the network works very well Keyword DLNA.
I also want to note that I am Blu-Ray beginners, I have read a lot of reviews beforehand and due to the fact that actually any inconvenience can be found at each manufacturer and each model, I as Philips sympathizer just this brand have preferred and several models were shortlisted (3380, 5500, 7700). But thanks to Amazon and around the reviewers I was also attentive to the LG BP420 and when I took the offer spontaneously, should this be the same against a strong opponent, the Philips BDP7700, may say.
The Philips devices have all on an unstable software, which make the system to crash repeatedly. I knew that and took it consciously. I say from the outset that I biased went to the thing, I was on the side of Philips. All the more surprising the bottom line: LG perfect score, Philips .. Well no!

Brief overview of the striking difference at first glance:
- The Philips wireless integrated, the LG is not. While retrofitting the LG should be possible via WiFi dongle, but maybe you should just have a look in this regard for the LG BP660 over.
- The Philips has two USB ports, front and rear. The LG just a front.
- Optical audio output both digital output, the LG only two coaxial connectors (stereo) while the Philips all have (7.1 Sorround).
- The cable of the LG is firmly connected to the device, the Philips is plugged into the device. Is that important? Not really, just for Philips because of crashes constantly from. So if the socket is difficult to reach, you pull the plug from the unit.
- For those who take it seriously: The power consumption of the Philips to be 15 watts in operation, in standby 0.25 watts. When LG in operation and 12 watts in standby 0.00 watts. The LG actually goes out completely, while the Philips a small red light. Ready to start the LG is still a little bit faster.
- Although there is only a matter of taste but what the look is As for the LG to be regarded as a simple standard, while Philips is already a feast for the eyes. Nice design, with touch buttons on the top.

The test (Who wants to read only the key differences which may crollen down and read from item 9)

1 - Firmware Update
Right from the beginning I did an update using a USB stick with two players. Worked with both problems and you should probably also prefer to do so you are right up to date.

2 - Picture
Both very good. Someone who stood meant that Philips is better. I see no difference in the quality really. It's just tremendous. As a Blu-Ray beginners I have to admit, almost too powerful. Sometime is also good times with the detailed recording of the sebaceous glands in the face of an actor. About one thing I was shocked but: so detailed and sharp the image is so striking it is out of focus even during fast camera movements and blurred the contours. Is that normal for Full HD? Maybe I would rather stay in DVD quality? Above all, I have tried several Blu-Rays with two players and both make the picture on exactly the same points in exactly the same kind of focus. If the blur and camera shake with So is not normal for Full HD, then it is not before the players. (I tested by 5-star HDMI cable on a 5-star TV (Samsung D Series) LED). I do something difficult to form an opinion about it, just trust all other times, the praise the image of both players. Fortunately, however, I use the player ultimately solely on a projector, where the blur and camera shake does not attract attention. (Good thing, although I have many Blu-Ray, to the extreme sharpness but not so sharp'm :-P)
Oh, reminds me: 3D. I'm really sorry, but in spite of my 3D TV and now the 3D player I have no interest in 3D and therefore I have also no 3D film. Unfortunately no experience in this respect = \

3 - Sound
Nothing to say, nothing to complain about, concerning. The quality anyway. For audiophiles, there is an optical output for both. If you want to connect a Sorround system via coaxial can only at Philips, LG has only two outputs for stereo.

4 - Volume
Finally, a point at which there is a clear difference. The Philips is inaudible. The LG hums quietly with. There to Philips therefore nothing more to say, for hypersensitive probably right, but the LG is not loud or anything. Unless one looks exclusively silent films, in my opinion, you need not worry about the volume to make. It is absolutely moderate and from a distance of 2-3 m anyway also no longer perceptible. With me is the even directly to me and does not bother me, but know Beamer users that there is no silent Beamer always, in quiet scenes always moves along a ground whirring. In addition to the beamer LG is maybe not noticeable.
Oh, the volume comes naturally only from the disc drive, and so is also silent on USB or network playback of LG.

5 - Charging time
With both players to complain about anything and both at the same speed. In BR discs is seconds and the few more noise when reading are absolutely not noisy or bad or whatever. (Some exaggerate the real immeasurably, or simply have a faulty device caught).

6 - USB playback
Both players outstanding. Hard drives and sticks (USB 2.0 / 3.0, FAT32 / NTFS) are easily recognized and played all formats. (. As if I had all tested Let's say: the most popular formats). Much there is to it.

7 - Ethernet
The connection via the LAN jack is for both .. uh yes what a word I'll take it now? .. Easily, works, all well Best ..
W-Lan, only the Philips to provide so. I've already written at the beginning that I here actually compare two different model sizes, therefore the lack of Wi-Fi is the LG no negative point, you must decide whether you need the same and buy previously. One can the LG Although with a WiFi dongle to upgrade, but at this point, perhaps again the hint for larger model ?! Personally, I do not need just wireless, I am for the firm and reliable cable connection.
The wireless feature of the Philips I have but of course tested and can only report positive, works perfectly. Receives very good and streaming, even Full HD MKV, creates yet. Super.

8 - Apps / Internet Content
This is a point which is not so much interested me. If I anschmeiße the Blu-ray player, but then always to look to the decisive projects a movie. I have the whole course angetestet something and as expected, everything is for me more a gimmick that I can make more effective and less nerve-wracking at the PC. There may be for some serious stuff (max cathedrals?), Or for certain people even things of special interest (eg whole Stromberg episodes), but one must please inform himself. Philips has more apps, of which anyway most only work insufficiently, but in principle are the LG and Philips in their app offering same, sometimes even absolutely identical. Most importantly, all these apps are one thing: annoying. Total immature. Anyone surfing even with its Blu-ray players on the internet or on Facebook? Test way I once called Google, I could not enter something into the search box.
But some seem to work quite well, such as max cathedrals. I have just found on the LG, but not extensively tested, because I have no account. Perhaps there max cathedrals on the Philips, but I just do not see it, because two of the apps are defective with me or "empty"; about the search I found but no max cathedrals. Although the use of apps totally paralyzed, is haltingly and partially to disengage and not working properly (the Philips more than the LG) is never completely crashed the Philips surprisingly here. Some videos of the LG once had a failure and unresponsive, but as extreme as the Philips it was not, you could still make out the device by remote control and after 10 seconds it was again ready to go. From a crash you can not talk here, the apps are simply a totally unnecessary thing and could have been left out completely in two in my opinion.
When App "Cinetrailer" LG had a disadvantage because in the trailers two-thirds of the screen was covered with a semi-transparent gray area. I thought a short time to a kind of "censorship". But when Philips running smoothly. Even during my testing phase, however, already appeared another firmware update on the LG (which I was advised by the unit itself and this time, incidentally, had made quite practical and easily directly via the Internet cable, instead of via USB), and it then the problem was with the trailers also fixed.

So far, the two seem to give nothing, but I have been saving the serious differences and the all-important points come now:

9 - (remote) operation
I will still leave the same in connection with the operation to be found under "Software", here only times for remote control. I was a bit disappointed when I unpacked the Philips and the remote control was exactly the same as that of my 4-5 year old Philips DVD Player. Naturally adapted to Blu-ray with corresponding keys but otherwise exactly the same. What's that supposed to Philips? Okay, the remote control is not just ugly, but you can save even more merciless? Admittedly, it is the pressure point of the arrow keys has improved somewhat, I hate this remote anyway.
The remote control from LG is indeed to denote the addition of Philips from the optics, just as a standard. (Image can be seen here at Amazon). In natura but the remote is even more beautiful, but above all it is a lot better in the hand, feels much better, expresses itself much better and is built perfectly.
Also (partly belongs to "Software"), there are huge differences when communicating with the device. When Philips catastrophic, reacts only when sighting properly and also not liquid (Not on the batteries, I've exchanged). When LG is a dream, absolutely smoothly, from any direction, in any direction, so must it be!

10 - Software / menu / use
Here we come to one of two absolute Knack points of the whole. First of all, I have much more to report on the software, as only the incidents of Philips.

I know the constant crashes of the Philips device you should know from the outset. Indeed, I also. As Philips sympathizer I tried the idea on the matter ranzugehen that the "perfect" player just crash every now and then "MUST". And I thought: "I'm not that picky, I know the 'slow' maneuvering through the menu already from my old DVD player, I can do that, every now and then crashes are okay." And you know what, I regard the crashes actually not as extreme and pull it just a ZIP code. And, although the crashes are partially dramatic than expected. So if you let the movie run times at Philips, everything works without problems. But the crashes come up in the menu. (No crashes I had when browsing on the hard disk and in the use of uninteresting for me Apps). One can reasonably counteract the crash by clicks through slowly and carefully. Slowly and carefully, as if a remote control or software already imposes. I have a theory: Philips has programmed aware that the instrument commands are not quickly accept a row. How So? Because otherwise it just Keeps Crashing! And then there is unplug. The crashes are partially reconstructed, which is not at all times. And sometimes you have to do anything for it, you start the player and depend directly on at the start itself. All in all, the use of Philips a disaster.
And at LG? Hach LG, this is just a dream. Well actually it is as you would expect, as it must be. But compared to Philips, it is of course much more significant. Short anecdote about this: I have not spared permanent mounting and dismounting when testing devices for days. When I then connected after prolonged use of the Philips again the LG, I have caught me by clicking on the menu even then, as I was at the grin! (No Schei'ß, honest happened. I think that says it all off). Everything runs smoothly and directly. The player is never crashed me. Even if he seemed to be very long or even crashed some invited, I was able to bring him back by the "Return" key. Unthinkable at Philips when the time has taken something in attack, then leave to the times rather do otherwise is to be immediately pulled irritated and it needs to plug the.

The menu is the way with two very nice and tidy. I find, however, that the software of LG is much more elaborate and sophisticated and offers more. Here are some examples.

BSP 1 "pop-up menu"
So everybody knows on the remote control keys with which you can change the audio and subtitle tracks directly. When Philips entirely conventional: Klick is changed and an understated font information above it. But some Blu-Rays have eg times over 20 subtitles. So you want to back a subtitle, so you would have more than 20 times press the button to get there again. Much more logical, of course to use the pop-up menu, where you can a number of settings directly perform throughout the movie, including up also (in submenus!) Audio and subtitle tracks which then can be also by arrows "reverse" switch.
When LG is solved much more intelligent. Clicking on Tonspur- or subtitle button always opens the pop-up window. Sounds only stupid, but the pop-up window on the LG is much better than the Philips, because there is no submenus. Here are important current settings to each other and can be listed by keys (right, left) provide both forward and reverse change. So now you click on soundtrack, the pop and the soundtrack area opens is already selected and modified. Clicking subtitles, subtitles are selected. In the end, much more useful, more efficient and faster than with Philips. (Anyone objecting would like "Who will change because even during the movie constantly soundtrack or subtitles?" Answer: I Respectively people who films and series like watching eg in English and in between will switch just quickly just in understanding problems Fast access to.. soundtrack and subtitles is not outrageous and personally very important to me.) If you open the pop-up window the way as with the dedicated button, then the selection is at the time specified in the format "current time / total time". Here you can also change the arrow keys in one minute increments, the time and jump straight there via OK (sounds really spectacular, but in my opinion a very useful feature!). Alternatively you can enter the exact time with the number pad. At Philips it is such a time search incidentally also, in pop-up window by a lot more clicks from the submenu accessible, there but also with numeric data entry.

BSP 2 "linearity of lists when Philips"
This linearity, so that you can run like the subtitles in one direction only, the Philips elsewhere sometimes. That is, it has for example a list in front of him and know that the requested selection is at the very end, then you have to click through at Philips. When LG smart again, instead of clicking Next you just click once on back and is right at the end of the list. That's the way it has to be!
Okay, the own menu lists the Philips in which these "linearity" there are not as long. Okay, eg when a USB hard drive with lots of folders you can actually also like the LG jump to the end. But the problem culminates in the network. Because they have forgotten it. There Philips has again this linearity and if you want to browse through long lists folders on the network, it is called click click click. In one direction, down! Not even a view exchange offers Philips, LG has as a view in which the elements are in the grid, so you can skip the same multiple folders at once. Perfect.

BSP 3 "finite lists the Philips network"
Now comes something incredible. Another problem that occurs in the network. Since one Browsed times the network's hard drive through and ends up in a folder, where large numbers of elements (sub-folders), then click their way laboriously continue (jump to the end is not so) and if you have hopefully down slow enough so that the player also yes does not crash, then one notes that something is missing. Short times recounted, 105 folders. To show more the Philips refuses easy. Wat? So dassessa .. dassisdoh Hello? What can I say? Bullssshh! A knock-out criterion for me. Real ma The LG. It shows all, period.

11 - Network Streaming / DLNA
The second sticking point, as mentioned, was important for me. I watch as to 20% to 80% per discs and USB and network. If someone asks why I did not just buy a media player that is designed for the purpose of quasi network streaming (WD TV Live, D-Link Boxee Box, etc.). On the one hand, these devices do not have a Blu-Ray drive and I want just once can now and then insert discs. Secondly, I would indeed even drag a media player as an addition to Blu-ray players into consideration when the Blu-ray player would not manage the network streaming clever, but he does now but obviously. Thus, a media player is unnecessary just for me.

So the idea: A memory (hard disk) on the network, which is fed by the PC and of the "feed" the Blu-Ray players can.

The problem: Just because a device is DLNA certified, you are not right on target. DLNA is the way an association which aims to ensure the interoperability of different devices ([...] Thus, the devices should be connected and then mutually "recognize" and work together. Unfortunately, the DLNA certification of the player alone is not sufficient to give access over the network to a storage (eg shared folder on hard drive) and play videos from there (or I at least do not attempt it).
There are different solutions. One of them (the most common?) Would be, if you own a router that has an integrated DLNA-enabled media server. This means that the router from a store on the network (or even a connected to the router via USB hard drive) streams the videos to Blu-ray players. (Costs from 50; for good devices (Fritz boxes) sometimes up to 200).
Another comfortable but by far the most expensive method would be a NAS server. This is a device that provides hard disks on the network. Is primarily used to centrally create backup copies of computers on the network, but also streaming video on the player. (Costs of a clever system at least 200).
I opted for the third solution: A media server program on the PC. Of which there are many, after a brief search, I ended up at the "Wild Media Server", unfortunately a fee ($ 15), the trial but fully functional. Class program offers all sorts of settings. Installed program, Blu-ray players recognized, defined external hard disk as archive server started. Done. The player can now be accessed directly on the external hard drive and all videos (including Full HD MKV) are played smoothly and without problems. Both the LG, and Philips. The Philips is especially likely to crash the network and has the mentioned criticisms that long lists "scroll" in one direction only to have and that the number of displayable elements is limited to 105. Playback of the video, however, is excellent at both players and whether Full HD MKV or AVI, it is all played smoothly.
That's quite remarkable that a video that is on an external HDD through the USB cable, using the PC via the router, by 40 m network cable, by a second router (access point) for Blu-ray players fully on the other side of the house is streamed, "just so". Genial, I thought, the license for the program is purchased.
Then came the disillusionment. External subtitles (.srt -. / Sub-files, etc.) are not working. Not both players! Since I was bitterly disappointed and have for days trying to resolve the issue. This Media Server programs can also "Transcoding". That is, transfer the video file is not in its original form, but they encode, if the player himself so the file can not play, previously in a common format for the player to. That requires a lot of computing power, which can not offer my PC. However, since both players play on its own every format, a transcoding is not required. But since subtitles were not working at two, I had to try the transcoding and simply not worked. In retrospect, I'm glad that there were these problems, because it has saved me from unnecessarily spend money for the license. So I've tried other media server programs, the "Universal Media Server" for example, works just as well and is even free of charge. But the subtitle problem could not solve this program.
In the end I am "Nero MediaHome 4 Essentials" ended up with. The Nero brand should be many a household. The actual program costs about 40, no idea what "Essentials" costs, is a stripped down version, for example, transcoding not supported (I do not need anyway, if only the subtitles would work). AND Tadaaa, yes it works. 1A, awesome! The program is compared to the other totally spartan and does not provide a thousand settings (the one without transcoding with the other eh all not used) but it works just perfectly! Namely, with the LG, as I'm probably come on the program? LG has the program kindly settled for free with the package! So let's be honest, LG .. respect! All the while she lay there, the solution.
I do not know why, but I have recently again unpacked the Philips, to see whether the program which also get along. After initial difficulties, the was even well, the Philips is recognized and streaming works. But subtitles again! Thus, the Philips is when it comes to network (all the very latest now) failed. Back in the box!

Incidentally, there is no doubt in relation to the external subtitles when streaming on the network with no guarantee for the solution with the NAS and not to the router. In this respect, one is almost already fully equipped for about 95 with the LG. The only drawback: The PC / Media Server must be running during this.

- Conclusion individually for the Philips BDP 7700
I am torn 2-3 stars. I think 3 star reviews are the least popular, because they are neither one thing whole. But always it depends on what kind of claims they will, I could pull off directly all the stars, because the device is rather useless for network playback in the end, but then all cry out on that do not use this feature. Therefore, (only) 1 star deduction for it. The criticisms are anyway largely due to the software and are therefore theoretically recoverable. (Only) 1 fat star deduction for unstable software and the constant crashes. Due to poor operability, the "Undurchdachtheit" and the inability of Philips, despite serious problems, and erzürntem feedback to provide a solution for not only this product but virtually all model series, I decide still a star deducted.
With a clever software of Philips would actually almost the perfect Blu-ray player. Super design, super quiet, super image. But that alone is not refilled on stars, considering what is possible even for less money. If at some point a firmware update comes that resolves all problems, then let it be me point out, and I correct my vote. Until then, I can not recommend the players, or only when you following all can be answered with YES:
- I'd like a nice device that also preying on my shelf for what and whose design I'm ready, extra spending money.
- With the most important thing is that the player must be absolutely quiet.
- I'll just use the player occasionally, and then in a very conservative way: pure Blu-ray Disc, finished.
- With all this MKVs and AVIs and the network thing I've nothing to do.

- Conclusion individually for the LG BP420
If you can do without Wi-Fi, and is not overly sensitive when the drive moderate hums softly, totally, and if you want to connect any Sorroundanlage via coaxial, then this player is uncompromisingly the first choice. Is an omnivore and plays everything whether via USB or network. The service is excellent, thought the software. The picture quality is 1A. Is more expensive devices in every way, on the contrary, even in many ways superior. Especially if you also want to use it to access over the network on video, no desires leaves open the LG. 5 stars - Full buy recommendation.

- The final movement (out of personal need out)
Before anyone comes to the insane idea that I was LG employees or something: NO! I had until now not a single unit of which, this is my first LG player. Here is the house full of Philips devices. If both players would be equal to have been good, then I would have had no problem that spend 50-60 more for Philips because I as I said Philips sympathizer am / was. I also do not mind spending money on a good feeling. How often it happens that you buy something, and the only bad feeling is a guilty conscience because you have paid too little money? -D Crazy.
At this point, again thanks to Amazon and its reviewers that you have made me aware of the LG BP420. Otherwise I would as always simply relying on Philips and therefore all wrong. In the Internet age and the simple right to return, I can every stop only, not easy to insist only on a device, but if you can advance the money, several to order and then to decide only.
I do not want to be cynical, but maybe Philips should focus more on the beautifully designed home appliances and leave the other, the complicated electronics such as LG! =) Because a case Philips equal completely written off, of course, is total nonsense, but LG, you have gained a new friend.

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