Blue Ray players/Playstation 3

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Does anyone know anything about Blue Ray players? I'm looking to buy one. I spoke with a guy in Best Buy who told me that the Playstation 3 is as good as anything else on the market and that he would recommend it over the other Blue Ray players. I don't play video games that frequently and own an Xbox 360 and Wii, so the gaming thing is not a BIG deal.

As far as my television, it's a 42" Samsung plasma at 720 pixels (or whatever it is, I know it's not the 1000+ one).

I do not have an elite sound system. I live in a pre-war apartment in Brooklyn, so I'm not going to do a fancy set up and foment a tenant uprising against me for blasting my movies at high volume at midnight.

Any advice?

[Walker]

I bought a new tv this past Christmas from Best Buy (46" Sony Bravia) and the PS3 came with the tv. The Blue Ray DVD's are clearer than regular DVD's and they are more expensive than regular DVD's. As far as buying the PS3 for just a Blue Ray player i wouldn't do that. You can get pretty cheap ones at walmart. I don't have a super surround sound either. Just the PS3 and the TV is all i have. I play video games so the choice made sense to me. I would go with just a Blue Ray player

[SalvadorMontenegro]

More than anything else, I need a new DVD player. The one I have is over a decade old and the quality is, at this point, not very good. I don't intend to buy very many Blue Ray movies right now, only a few of my favorites that would look particularly nice with the upgraded quality.

I do play video games, but I'm trying not to, because they take up waaaaaaay too much time. I don't know what PS3 has to offer that I can't get on my 360, anyway.

I think you have a point. I think I'll just go with a high quality player that is cheaper than the PS3.

Thanks.

[Perished]

More than anything else, I need a new DVD player. The one I have is over a decade old and the quality is, at this point, not very good. I don't intend to buy very many Blue Ray movies right now, only a few of my favorites that would look particularly nice with the upgraded quality.

I do play video games, but I'm trying not to, because they take up waaaaaaay too much time. I don't know what PS3 has to offer that I can't get on my 360, anyway.

I think you have a point. I think I'll just go with a high quality player that is cheaper than the PS3.

Thanks.

PS3's are pretty cheap these days anyway, and you do get the added bonus of gameplay... Top quality DVD/Blu-Ray player too :thumbup1: And there's the added bonus of it being a Sony gadget, a brand you can trust in.

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Well, it's $300 without a game. $350 + Madden.

The thing is, I'm at a point in my life where I need to focus on getting myself together. I just finished community college and am looking to go to a top tier university. I don't really need to be playing video games all day. I like to play them, but I get hooked and they consume me. This is the reason I've completely avoided Starcraft 2, as much as I want to play it (I was addicted to playing the original on Battle.net).

I think I'm developing my solution through repeated postings here. Haha.

[AmishFury]

the PS3 is a good blu-ray player but it's not something i would suggest for someone who only wants a blu-ray player

i haven't kept up with the latest and greatest but if you want one that can do netflix streaming check out samsung and sony they tend to get a fair bit of praise

if you want the BEST but don't care about streaming and money is no object then look to oppo... not only a great bluray player but also the best DVD upscaler and supports a couple high end audio formats (SACD and DVD-A) but it's $290-$500 depending on the model

[Harvitz81]

oppo's are the best blu-ray player for the money. I own a PS3, but still want an oppo someday.

[raisindot]

I have a PS3 (well, it's technically my son's, since it was a Bar Mitzvah present, but that doesn't keep me from horning in on it) and have never used it with BlueRay (since I don't have it attached to a HD TV). But it's nice to know that if I do upgrade the TV I can use it with BlueRay.

The only disadvantage I've seen with the PS3 as a DVD player is that its menu system (using the controller) isn't very intuitive or easy to see. They do have dedicated remote controls you can buy, but I don't think it changes the interface.

Another advantage of using a PS3 is that its operating system can be upgraded through the Internet, in case new developments in Blue Ray come along. Also, since it's internet connectible you can also buy and download movies as well instead of using BlueRay disks. The PS3 built in hard disk can be replaced with any small notebook drive. I replaced my original 40 gig with a 350 gig unit. The instructions are easy and it took less than ten minutes.

Jeff in Boston

[AmishFury]

Another advantage of using a PS3 is that its operating system can be upgraded through the Internet, in case new developments in Blue Ray come along.

which has happened more than once... first the profile 1.1 update, then the 2.0 update, then the update that added DTS-HD decoding, and next month (if there are no further delays) 3D blu-ray support will be added

the only thing i wish the PS3 did as far as bluray playback goes is offer a few extra audio options
1. the ability to set a mixed output option which will output LPCM for LPCM, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD tracks while bitstreaming lossy DD and DTS tracks
2. a mono LPCM output option

[Tripnastic]

My PS3 is primarily a blue ray player for me, I rarely play games on it. The quality is good and it works well. Another feature (and I think all blue ray players might do this) is that it up-converts regular DVD's to hi def. They won't look like blue ray, but they'll look better than your old dvd player.

I also have the netflix DVD and do streaming content on there all the time, another added bonus.

[Walker]

Yea, there not very cheap. I thought they had come down till i priced them at Best Buy for a friend last month. And i understand aboit not wanting to sit around all day playing video games. When i turn that thing on all else goes out the window. I just finished 4 hrs of game play. I need to chunk this thing out the window!! My PS3 is my gaming unit, DVD player, and my internet since some jackhole infected my laptop. But if you don't want a gaming unit save the 300 bucks and get you a player for half that and use the rest for some classic Blu Ray movies




Well, it's $300 without a game. $350 + Madden.

The thing is, I'm at a point in my life where I need to focus on getting myself together. I just finished community college and am looking to go to a top tier university. I don't really need to be playing video games all day. I like to play them, but I get hooked and they consume me. This is the reason I've completely avoided Starcraft 2, as much as I want to play it (I was addicted to playing the original on Battle.net).

I think I'm developing my solution through repeated postings here. Haha.

[noahpictures]

The PS3 is my only Blue Ray player and it's excellent. It streams Netflix movies which is awesome! I have the 360 and love it (Modern Warefare2 anyone? :w00t:) and it also streams Netflix. So even if you don't like the games on PS3 (only games to play is Uncharted 1 and 2), it is worth it for the Blue Ray and the Netflix stream. I got my PS3 from Amazon.

[thunderball]

I love my PS3 and BlueRay movies look awesome through it. I know you're a busy guy but do yourself a favour and get the two Uncharted games...awesome. :thumbup1:

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Clearly this board is infested with Sony representatives, because only one (maybe two) people recommended anything OTHER THAN THE PS3!! :angry:

Well, I guess I'll have to get the PS3. Bon voyage, work, school, love life! :biggrin1:

[raisindot]

Clearly this board is infested with Sony representatives, because only one (maybe two) people recommended anything OTHER THAN THE PS3!! :angry:

Well, I guess I'll have to get the PS3. Bon voyage, work, school, love life! :biggrin1:

Well, sir, you were asking about the PS3 as a BlueRay player, which was basically an invitation for us PS3 enablers to come out of the basement.

:lol:

To be honest, I use the PS3 simply as a game machine in the basement. It's just not comfortable to watch a movie down there. If I ever get a real HD TV for the living room, I'd get a dedicated BlueRay player if I were interested in it. Personally, I'm not all that interested in BR at the moment. I've got a large DVD collection (which I know you can play on BR machines), and am quite okay with the video quality of them.

Jeff in Boston

[SiBurning]

I'd say stay away from the PS3 if you only want a Blu-Ray player. A lot of people say it can be loud because it's really a computer. It also uses an oddball AV Multi Out connector which isn't the most elegant or useful solution. The PS3 is supposed to be a good player, but you can get a better player these days for the money.

The main thing you want to watch when you pick a player is that it has the audio and video outputs you need now and for any upgrades you're planning later. This is especially important and complicated with audio.

[Bertilak]

Today's Blu-ray players are much more than Blu-ray players. I just got a new one and it was really an eye-opener seeing what else is available through it. The new players support a wide variety of streaming content (video and audio) and work with many other sources, like Netflix. Seems to me the writing is on the wall that physical Blu-ray disks will eventually be obsolete, or at least not the primary source of content. Netflix is only about $9 a month and you could watch a high-def movie every night for that one price. Another example is the Berlin Philharmonic available for a reasonable fee. This aspect will continue to expand. These should be called "Media Players" and not "Blu-ray players".

Unfortunately my ISP cannot provide me the bandwidth to take advantage of all that!

The figures are as follows. Streaming video requires 2.5 Mbps but I only get 1 Mbps. I couldn't even get that until they installed a new transmitter within range of my house. Each of these only supplies 11 Mbps total. (They do over subscribe that so it supports more than 11 accounts.) They are experimenting with new technology that within a couple of years will probably give me what I need but by then the increased use of streaming content will push that envelope.

This leads to the one cloud on the horizon. ISPs are beginning to charge for bandwidth use. My ISP is a small regional WDSL company and I talked to the guy who runs the place. Something needs to happen with the pricing model. Right now the ISPs are eating the cost of delivering all this streaming content by adding more and more equipment to supply the bandwidth to service the same number of customers. Each of those transmitters costs several thousand dollars plus fees to the tower owner and the ISPs increased maintenance costs. The ISPs are in essence subsidizing Netflix (etc.).

I jokingly suggested that he reverse the charges to the content provider and he said that wasn't out of the question. He said they can limit bandwidth not only to the receiving end but also from the source and charge the sender for usage of the ISP's resources.

It will be interesting to see how all this works out in the next few years. Perhaps improved technology will continue to keep the bandwidth costs down to the point where a new pricing model isn't needed. Or maybe we will have metered bandwidth like just about every other utility (water, gas, electric, etc.). Or maybe Netflix will need to pay some of the cost.

EDIT: Forgot to mention -- Firmware update via Internet is pretty standard for these things. I would be surprised if any of the mainstream players couldn't do it. Perhaps some of the super high-end players that appeal to the real audiophiles (the guys with tube amps!) might not.

[global_dev]

oppo's are the best blu-ray player for the money. I own a PS3, but still want an oppo someday.

I have some Oppos'.. a BDP-83 and a DV-981HD. I wouldn't recommend them to an average consumer... i think that to appreciate the subtle and not so subtle differences you need to have decent equipment, sources, and environment and most people know little about any of that... I am not an audiophile snob and love the SACD, BR audio and upscaling... but the value is not there for everyone...

[xpavar]

I'd say stay away from the PS3 if you only want a Blu-Ray player. A lot of people say it can be loud because it's really a computer. It also uses an oddball AV Multi Out connector which isn't the most elegant or useful solution. The PS3 is supposed to be a good player, but you can get a better player these days for the money.

The main thing you want to watch when you pick a player is that it has the audio and video outputs you need now and for any upgrades you're planning later. This is especially important and complicated with audio.

I have a dedicated blu-ray player and a PS 3. The older PS 3's were somewhat noisy, however I have the newer slim model and it is just as quiet as my Panasonic blu-ray player.

One benefit of the PS 3 that many people don't know about is that the hard drive is a 2.5" sata drive, exactly the same drive that are in laptops today. If you buy a PS 3, there is really no reason to buy the model with the larger hard drive. I currently own the 120GB model, however I have swapped the stock drive out for a 500GB Seagate laptop drive. I'm no tech weenie but, it wasn't that difficult to do. There are guides on the internet to do this.

The audio output is not a factor if you have a HD TV with a free HDMI connection. HDMI outputs both audio and video through one cable.

[SiBurning]

The audio output is not a factor if you have a HD TV with a free HDMI connection. HDMI outputs both audio and video through one cable.
This is true, so far as it goes. But there's an assumption here that you're only hooking it up to a tv and not an audio system. Going beyond that simple setup can be complicated and frustrating. Even sending the output from the tv to a stereo system could mean not being able to sync the audio. There may also be problems in matching a player to an av receiver, since they don't all work together for all audio formats. It's all way too complicated. (Thanks, Sony!)

My point is just to warn anyone thinking of buying a player that it might not "just work" in a more complicated system, so you need to at least make sure you can match things up properly, particularly when it comes to decoding the various audio formats. The issues are mostly whether to decode in the player or the av receiver, and whether you can stream the format from the player to the receiver, and even just plain 2 channel analog output can be a problem with some players. The PS3, for example, needs that av multi out to do this (iirc).

So just make sure it has the outputs you need for the formats you want.

[xpavar]

My Denon 889 has no problems working with the PS 3. With the newer AVRs you can usually choose which device does the audio processing, the player or the avr.
However, the OP says he doesn't have an audio system, so this is all water under the bridge.

[AmishFury]

This is true, so far as it goes. But there's an assumption here that you're only hooking it up to a tv and not an audio system. Going beyond that simple setup can be complicated and frustrating. Even sending the output from the tv to a stereo system could mean not being able to sync the audio. There may also be problems in matching a player to an av receiver, since they don't all work together for all audio formats. It's all way too complicated. (Thanks, Sony!)

My point is just to warn anyone thinking of buying a player that it might not "just work" in a more complicated system, so you need to at least make sure you can match things up properly, particularly when it comes to decoding the various audio formats. The issues are mostly whether to decode in the player or the av receiver, and whether you can stream the format from the player to the receiver, and even just plain 2 channel analog output can be a problem with some players. The PS3, for example, needs that av multi out to do this (iirc).

So just make sure it has the outputs you need for the formats you want.

HDMI is a lot less complicated than you make it out to be

no AV receiver? no problem just plug into TV
have AV receiver? does it accept audio over HDMI? connect PS3 to AVR then run HDMI cable from AVR to TV... PS3 can automatically detect supported audio options over HDMI
AVR an older model with no HDMI? send HDMI to TV and use optical to receiver

the biggest headache would be HDCP issues which are completely unrelated to the PS3 or sony

home theater setup is only complicated if you make it complicated

[ImaWestie]

We have a PS3.
I upgraded the HDD before I had even turned it on. It has my entire music collection (which is nothin,g extraordinary) on it plus a bunch of ripped dvd's.
We added PlayTV, and it is an "acceptable" PVR. It's certainly no TIVO, but... one box (ok, one "powered" box plus a USB box).

I dunno about state-side, but down here where a large % of us only have free-to-air/broadcast TV... it makes a games machine make pretty good sense.

Oh yeah, you can play some good shooters on it too... but it seems to suck for kid-friendly games (other than Rock Band etc).

[SalvadorMontenegro]

How do I connect to the Internet via the PS3? Do I have to pay for something? Do I have to subscribe to some sort of service? I presently have Verizon Wireless in my apartment.

The idea of streaming Netflix to my PS3 is nice (although I have a WII and 360, now) and being able to download Blue Ray updates is appealing, as well.

[xpavar]

The PS 3 has a built-in wireless adapter. You can also connect through wired a connection. The Playstation has a CAT5 slot on the back for connection directly to a router or bridge. I connect using the wireless option at present, but I am probably going to purchase a wifi bridge for faster speed. Running 50 or so feet of CAT5 cable from my router to the PS3 is not an option for me. Ther are no fees for connecting the Playstation to the internet. Although, the Netflix service does cost extra.

[Mr_Amazing]

My setup involves a computer, HDTV, and a PS3. Having the computer made sense for me to go 1080p as opposed to 720 on the television as I can (and do) use it as a monitor. The PS3 games typically use a higher resolution and so it made sense for me.

For you, what is the benefit of having a BR player/PS3? Your television isn't capable of maximizing the resolution of a BR movie. To that extent, I would simply wait until you get 1080 before you get the BR/PS3. Now, do you have your computer attached to the television? If so, you could look into downloading movies in 720 directly onto the computer and playing it on the TV as a monitor. That way you don't spend the money on the BR/PS3 and still have the ability to watch movies when you want.

[SalvadorMontenegro]

My setup involves a computer, HDTV, and a PS3. Having the computer made sense for me to go 1080p as opposed to 720 on the television as I can (and do) use it as a monitor. The PS3 games typically use a higher resolution and so it made sense for me.

For you, what is the benefit of having a BR player/PS3? Your television isn't capable of maximizing the resolution of a BR movie. To that extent, I would simply wait until you get 1080 before you get the BR/PS3. Now, do you have your computer attached to the television? If so, you could look into downloading movies in 720 directly onto the computer and playing it on the TV as a monitor. That way you don't spend the money on the BR/PS3 and still have the ability to watch movies when you want.

Part of the issue is that my DVD player is ancient. It's over a decade old. Really, what I need is an upconverter, but considering that I would like to watch Blue Ray movies at some point, as well, a Blue Ray player seemed to make the most sense. Are you saying that Blue Ray will not improve the quality of the movie at all given that my present television is 720? That blows.

I don't know anything about technology. I just love movies and want to be able to watch them with the optimal (This is relative, because I do not have a lot of money. Optimal within my budget.) audio and video technology.

Thanks for all the responses, guys.

[xpavar]

A 720P television is still cosidered a High definition television. In fact, some experts say it is almost impossible to detect any difference between a 720P set and a 1080P set at screen sizes less than 46".

http://reviews.cnet.com/720p-vs-1080p-hdtv/ See #9, paragraph 3

[Mr_Amazing]

Part of the issue is that my DVD player is ancient. It's over a decade old. Really, what I need is an upconverter, but considering that I would like to watch Blue Ray movies at some point, as well, a Blue Ray player seemed to make the most sense. Are you saying that Blue Ray will not improve the quality of the movie at all given that my present television is 720? That blows.

I don't know anything about technology. I just love movies and want to be able to watch them with the optimal (This is relative, because I do not have a lot of money. Optimal within my budget.) audio and video technology.

Thanks for all the responses, guys.


Not at all, the Blu Ray disk will certainly show an improvement over the current dvd format. I'm just pointing out that with regards to the ability of the Blu Ray, you are missing out on some of what it is capable of (meaning it can produce a better image than the tv allows) because the tv is 720p.

$100 is about what you can get for a bottom of the line Blu Ray Player (the cheapest Sony is $150). The PS3 retails at $300 for a new 160gb unit and moves up to $350 for the 250gb version. If you really don't intend on playing games on the PS3, you don't really need it.

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Well, guys, I opted for the PS3. The deciding factor was the option to stream Netflix movies with the PS3's free wifi. That's too good to pass up.

I got the 250 GB system that came with Madden, which sucks. Whatever you do, do not send me video game suggestions! :blushing:

[Cuttingboard]

Well, guys, I opted for the PS3. The deciding factor was the option to stream Netflix movies with the PS3's free wifi. That's too good to pass up.

I got the 250 GB system that came with Madden, which sucks. Whatever you do, do not send me video game suggestions! :blushing:

Like a previous poster said, the Uncharted series is awesome. Love my PS3!

[AmishFury]

Whatever you do, do not send me video game suggestions! :blushing:

ok instead of recommendations of games to buy i'll recommend a few games to not bother with

Lair... in case you haven't heard the controls suck... out of the box they only offer motion controls which are unresponsive and the analog stick controls that were made available through a patch are still unresponsive... game had great promise (riding a dragon... developed by the same company that made the rogue squadron series) but failed massively at delivering

Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom... I enjoyed the Untold Legends games on the PSP great hack and slash RPGs that use the same engine as the Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance games that i loved on the PS2 but the PS3 game is oversimplified garbage with a save system that takes a massive step backwards and the graphics are pretty weak

Haze... now this one gets a lot of unfair hate because it was massively overhyped but it is mediocre and has some hilariously bad voice acting... you can always check the demo if you want a good laugh

[SalvadorMontenegro]

So, I had no idea you have to buy an HDMI cable in order to get the high definition experience. I thought that the cables that come with the unit would suffice. I put in a movie and was disappointed that it looked exactly the same as my old DVD player. I ordered a $3 cable from monoprice.com, received it today and the difference is night and day. $3 makes a world of difference with my many hundreds of dollars contraptions.

I'm really enjoying the Netflix streaming experience. I wish they had more movies, but I've watched a couple of good ones already. Very pleased with it. I just have to keep myself away from the games...

[AmishFury]

yes the cable that sony includes with the PS3 is just the composite AV cable which is only a half step above an RF unit on picture quality

to get HD you must either purchase a component AV cable (the one with the red green and blue plugs) or HDMI

with component you are limited to a max of 1080i and DVD upscaling will be disabled (you can do 1080p over component with the PS3 IF your TV supports it and ONLY with games and the system menus bluray will be limited to 1080i)

with HDMI the limits are whatever your display supports... (even does 3D bluray with the most recent firmware update)

[SalvadorMontenegro]

The guy at Radio Shack was pushing hard for me to purchase a $100 HDMI cable. I looked online at some PS3 forums and everyone there said you should buy whatever is cheapest. I bought one from monoprice.com for, including shipping and handling, a total of $5.96. The quality is a tremendous upgrade over the standard AV cables. Whether it's as good as a $100 cable, I don't know or care. I'm happy to have saved $94.04. Money I can use to buy some gam... Damn it. Money for rent. :biggrin1:

I had no idea these cables existed until Tuesday. I've been playing my Xbox 360 on my HD TV without one for over a year. I could never understand why the graphics on the IGN.com reviews were so much better than on my TV.

[breadstick]

I don't know if you've explored the option yet, but if you have a relatively fast PC, you can rip your DVDs on the PC and stream them to the PS3 with a free program called PS3MediaConverter. It converts on the fly, so it will play almost anything you throw at it. I do this with my media server at home and it's amazing.

[AmishFury]

The guy at Radio Shack was pushing hard for me to purchase a $100 HDMI cable.

those things have such massive markup.. a guy i know who works for a store where the employee discount is cost plus a small percentage said all those expensive cables are dirt cheap... TVs are another thing that are massively cheaper with the discount


I don't know if you've explored the option yet, but if you have a relatively fast PC, you can rip your DVDs on the PC and stream them to the PS3 with a free program called PS3MediaConverter. It converts on the fly, so it will play almost anything you throw at it. I do this with my media server at home and it's amazing.

unless you store the DVDs without reencoding the audio/video and stream them without any transcoding you'll always lose quality... and it's not that difficult to play the disc directly