Any reason why not to buy a PS3 as a Blu-ray player - Blu-ray Forum

GeorgeCaplan · 11-20-2007, 03:51 PM

Hi

I know many of you here do have a PS3 as your Blu-ray player. And it sure makes a lot of sense. Particularly with PlayTV coming next year.

But are the any disadvantages with going with a PS3 rather than a stand alone player from Sony, Panasonic etc. Or to phrase it differently. Any advantages with the more conventional players

The only thing I can think of is physical appearance.

patrick99 · 11-20-2007, 03:53 PM

The PS3 puts out a lot of heat and for that reason may not work well in a rack, if that is an issue for you.

Go Blu · 11-20-2007, 03:54 PM

Non that I can think of.

The on-board memory and processor make it one of the fastest loading BR-Players available.

Then you add the built in WiFi for firmware updates which really makes it one of the best BR players you can buy.

Not to mention all the other stuff it can do.

davidPS3 · 11-20-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go Blu

Non that I can think of.

The on-board memory and processor make it one of the fastest loading BR-Players available.

Then you add the built in WiFi for firmware updates which really makes it one of the best BR players you can buy.

Not to mention all the other stuff it can do.

I agree. Don't forget the non existant load times for movies vs. the stand alone players. The comment on the heat issue is somewhat true, but if you get the new 40 gig, the heat seems to be much lower in output on these units. The new unit also is quieter. I have a 60 and a 40 and think they work great for movies as well as some gaming.

quexos · 11-20-2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go Blu

Non that I can think of.

The on-board memory and processor make it one of the fastest loading BR-Players available.

Then you add the built in WiFi for firmware updates which really makes it one of the best BR players you can buy.

Not to mention all the other stuff it can do.

Add the fact it can have its profile upgraded by firmware and the real question becomes: why buy a stand alone player when you can get it all + huge processor power for games on the PS3 ?

CptGreedle · 11-20-2007, 04:03 PM

It's super fast, runs all BD's flawlessly, will have all the firmware upgrades, has an HDD for storing movies, tv shows, music, pictures, games, etc..., plays PS1, PS2, PS3 games, goes online....
As long as you buy the BD remote, I'd say the PS3 is the BEST BD player available.

love blu or go home! · 11-20-2007, 04:03 PM

The ps3 doesn't have IR only Bluetooth witch sucks when I spent $260 on a logitech Harmony 1000 remote that controls everything but the stupid ps3. I'm going to replace it with a standalone blu-ray player this holiday.

venusiansky · 11-20-2007, 04:08 PM

PS3 cannot bitstream Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD-MA audio over HDMI. It gets down-converted to regular Dolby or DTS multichannel. I just found out about this when I got my new Onkyo TX-SR705. I just use PCM.

Beta-guy · 11-20-2007, 04:13 PM

I think for a functionality standpoint the PS3 is the best ATM, meaning that in a year or 2 you might look at a standalone (as the prices will have likely dropped and they'll provide the same functionality with less heat, and likely less power but not sure about that)

CptGreedle · 11-20-2007, 04:14 PM

Universal remotes is the ONE thing that PS3 lacks. But i hate universal remotes, for soo many reasons.
If you loose one remote, you lost all the remotes.
They are often too hard to program
They usually do not have the buttons you want
The labels are rarely accurate to the function
They are pricey as hell
They have the word universal in them, which is an evil studio (

)
They don't always work with all devices.

I only use 3 remotes at home.... the cable remote which also turns on the TV, the AV receiver remote which is too complex for any universal remote to handle, and the PS3 remote. I personally LOVE the bluetooth remote, I never need to point it at the PS3, so even if someone is in front of me or something else is in the way, I can still pause it.

But yes, the PS3 does not, right now, support DTS HD-MA. But rumor has it that it will, and there is no reason it should not be able to add this ability with a firmware upgrade. Question is, does your AV Receiver support it also?

MacDaddyOJack · 11-20-2007, 04:21 PM

You can't do high def audio with the PS3! That matters WAY more to me than a 1.5 minute load time.... My Samsung BD-P1400 is very nearly perfect, I do not want a PS3 for Bluray playback.

venusiansky · 11-20-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

But yes, the PS3 does not, right now, support DTS HD-MA. But rumor has it that it will, and there is no reason it should not be able to add this ability with a firmware upgrade. Question is, does your AV Receiver support it also?

My receiver supports both Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD-MA. I cannot even get Dolby TrueHD over HDMI. My receiver receives it as regular Dolby Digital. I tried this out with CE3K. It has both Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD-MA. I just set the PS3 to output Linear PCM.

Teazle · 11-20-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

You can't do high def audio with the PS3! That matters WAY more to me than a 1.5 minute load time.... My Samsung BD-P1400 is very nearly perfect, I do not want a PS3 for Bluray playback.

You're right, no "high def audio" on PS3 except lossless PCM and SACD playback.

Sonny · 11-20-2007, 04:23 PM

No DTS-HD MA YET!!!!

frank_t · 11-20-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by venusiansky

PS3 cannot bitstream Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD-MA audio over HDMI. It gets down-converted to regular Dolby or DTS multichannel. I just found out about this when I got my new Onkyo TX-SR705. I just use PCM.

Just to be clear: Dolby TrueHD is decoded internally and is output as multi-channel PCM.

kknight · 11-20-2007, 04:27 PM

Blu-ray stand alone players offer full lossless audio support and is quieter then the PS3.

welwynnick · 11-20-2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeCaplan

Hi

I know many of you here do have a PS3 as your Blu-ray player. And it sure makes a lot of sense. Particularly with PlayTV coming next year.

But are the any disadvantages with going with a PS3 rather than a stand alone player from Sony, Panasonic etc. Or to phrase it differently. Any advantages with the more conventional players

The only thing I can think of is physical appearance.

I’ve been thinking about this as well. The advantages seem to relate to the flexible, networked, software architecture that allows convenient, ongoing functionality and performance improvements. The disadvantages I’m aware of are:

High power consumption, dissipation and fan noise (debatable).
No analogue multi channel audio outputs (HDMI needed for HD audio).
I think HDMI V1.3 output does not carry HD bitstream audio (though this may be decoded to LPCM in future?)
Bluetooth remote control needs dongle to use with universal remotes (still no remote power & eject)
Profile 2.0 support not clear.

I think there’s a few more, but other folks with experience will need to chime in.

Nick

mnelsoneorm · 11-20-2007, 04:29 PM

I have to agree with all the above posts that are for and against some features of the PS3. I too have a universal remote that won't work with the PS3....but I never use it anyway! If the batteries go dead it loses it's programming, which is a pain to set up in the first place. And then it for the most part works on macros to perform functions like "watch a DVD" which should then turn on the proper equipment to do that and set all the inputs correctly.......yeah, almost never works. So I just use all my remotes when the kids aren't around to destroy them. If the kids are around then I only use the comcast remote which can at least control the volume and channel and use the TV speakers.

The heat could be an issue. It pumps out a lot of hot air and you need to move it away with a fan if you're going to put it in any kind of enclosure (in other words, you need to add a fan to the enclosure to move the hot air out and bring in fresh air).

One of the best features for me is the built in card reader. I have a nice camera and take a lot of pictures of the kids. Of course they want to see them right away so I just put the card in the PS3. It does a really good job of displaying the pictures in the highest res that my TV can do (still lower res than the pictures at 10.2 megapixel) and it's fast. Faster than all those cheapo USB card readers you can plug into your computer. I have an expresscard reader for my laptop to save time.

I also like to store music on the hard drive so I don't have to worry about changing discs. The PS3 can also do DLNA and pull music, pictures, and movies from your computer over the network so it's somewhat like a "media center extender" if you've ever looked into that. If they could get a tuner and DVR in the PS3 then I would probably have it on all the time.

I wish I could compare a standalone to it but I'm sure someone here will reply with that info. I would probably just buy another PS3 if I need another player.

Sonny · 11-20-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kknight

Blu-ray stand alone players offer full lossless audio support and is quieter then the PS3.

My Ps3's are silent !

Sonny · 11-20-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnelsoneorm

I have to agree with all the above posts that are for and against some features of the PS3. I too have a universal remote that won't work with the PS3....but I never use it anyway! If the batteries go dead it loses it's programming, which is a pain to set up in the first place. And then it for the most part works on macros to perform functions like "watch a DVD" which should then turn on the proper equipment to do that and set all the inputs correctly.......yeah, almost never works. So I just use all my remotes when the kids aren't around to destroy them. If the kids are around then I only use the comcast remote which can at least control the volume and channel and use the TV speakers.

The heat could be an issue. It pumps out a lot of hot air and you need to move it away with a fan if you're going to put it in any kind of enclosure (in other words, you need to add a fan to the enclosure to move the hot air out and bring in fresh air).

One of the best features for me is the built in card reader. I have a nice camera and take a lot of pictures of the kids. Of course they want to see them right away so I just put the card in the PS3. It does a really good job of displaying the pictures in the highest res that my TV can do (still lower res than the pictures at 10.2 megapixel) and it's fast. Faster than all those cheapo USB card readers you can plug into your computer. I have an expresscard reader for my laptop to save time.

I also like to store music on the hard drive so I don't have to worry about changing discs. The PS3 can also do DLNA and pull music, pictures, and movies from your computer over the network so it's somewhat like a "media center extender" if you've ever looked into that. If they could get a tuner and DVR in the PS3 then I would probably have it on all the time.

I wish I could compare a standalone to it but I'm sure someone here will reply with that info. I would probably just buy another PS3 if I need another player.

My Logitech 1000 touch screen's are the best thing since HDTV & Blu-ray!

11-20-2007, 03:51 PM	#1
GeorgeCaplan Member Member since:Jul 2007	Any reason why not to buy a PS3 as a Blu-ray player Hi I know many of you here do have a PS3 as your Blu-ray player. And it sure makes a lot of sense. Particularly with PlayTV coming next year. But are the any disadvantages with going with a PS3 rather than a stand alone player from Sony, Panasonic etc. Or to phrase it differently. Any advantages with the more conventional players The only thing I can think of is physical appearance.

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11-20-2007, 03:53 PM	#2
patrick99 Special Member Member since:Jun 2007	The PS3 puts out a lot of heat and for that reason may not work well in a rack, if that is an issue for you.

11-20-2007, 03:54 PM	#3
Go Blu Special Member Member since:Feb 2007	Non that I can think of. The on-board memory and processor make it one of the fastest loading BR-Players available. Then you add the built in WiFi for firmware updates which really makes it one of the best BR players you can buy. Not to mention all the other stuff it can do.

11-20-2007, 04:03 PM	#6
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	It's super fast, runs all BD's flawlessly, will have all the firmware upgrades, has an HDD for storing movies, tv shows, music, pictures, games, etc..., plays PS1, PS2, PS3 games, goes online.... As long as you buy the BD remote, I'd say the PS3 is the BEST BD player available.

11-20-2007, 04:03 PM	#7
love blu or go home! Active Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:NYC, New York Trading Score:3	The ps3 doesn't have IR only Bluetooth witch sucks when I spent $260 on a logitech Harmony 1000 remote that controls everything but the stupid ps3. I'm going to replace it with a standalone blu-ray player this holiday.

11-20-2007, 04:08 PM	#8
venusiansky Active Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Pittsburgh, PA Home Theater Gallery:7 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:74 DVD collection:8 Blu-ray reviews:11 Trading Score:1	PS3 cannot bitstream Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD-MA audio over HDMI. It gets down-converted to regular Dolby or DTS multichannel. I just found out about this when I got my new Onkyo TX-SR705. I just use PCM.

11-20-2007, 04:13 PM	#9
Beta-guy Expert Member Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:23 Blu-ray reviews:1	I think for a functionality standpoint the PS3 is the best ATM, meaning that in a year or 2 you might look at a standalone (as the prices will have likely dropped and they'll provide the same functionality with less heat, and likely less power but not sure about that)

11-20-2007, 04:14 PM	#10
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	Universal remotes is the ONE thing that PS3 lacks. But i hate universal remotes, for soo many reasons. If you loose one remote, you lost all the remotes. They are often too hard to program They usually do not have the buttons you want The labels are rarely accurate to the function They are pricey as hell They have the word universal in them, which is an evil studio ( ) They don't always work with all devices. I only use 3 remotes at home.... the cable remote which also turns on the TV, the AV receiver remote which is too complex for any universal remote to handle, and the PS3 remote. I personally LOVE the bluetooth remote, I never need to point it at the PS3, so even if someone is in front of me or something else is in the way, I can still pause it. But yes, the PS3 does not, right now, support DTS HD-MA. But rumor has it that it will, and there is no reason it should not be able to add this ability with a firmware upgrade. Question is, does your AV Receiver support it also?

11-20-2007, 04:21 PM	#11
MacDaddyOJack Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Richmond, VA PSNetwork: MacDaddyOJack Trophy Level: 12(4%) Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:71 Blu-ray reviews:23 Trading Score:4	You can't do high def audio with the PS3! That matters WAY more to me than a 1.5 minute load time.... My Samsung BD-P1400 is very nearly perfect, I do not want a PS3 for Bluray playback.

11-20-2007, 04:23 PM	#14
Sonny Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray reviews:6 Trading Score:1	No DTS-HD MA YET!!!!

11-20-2007, 04:27 PM	#16
kknight Senior Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Minnesota Blu-ray reviews:55	Blu-ray stand alone players offer full lossless audio support and is quieter then the PS3.

11-20-2007, 04:29 PM	#18
mnelsoneorm Member Member since:Sep 2007	I have to agree with all the above posts that are for and against some features of the PS3. I too have a universal remote that won't work with the PS3....but I never use it anyway! If the batteries go dead it loses it's programming, which is a pain to set up in the first place. And then it for the most part works on macros to perform functions like "watch a DVD" which should then turn on the proper equipment to do that and set all the inputs correctly.......yeah, almost never works. So I just use all my remotes when the kids aren't around to destroy them. If the kids are around then I only use the comcast remote which can at least control the volume and channel and use the TV speakers. The heat could be an issue. It pumps out a lot of hot air and you need to move it away with a fan if you're going to put it in any kind of enclosure (in other words, you need to add a fan to the enclosure to move the hot air out and bring in fresh air). One of the best features for me is the built in card reader. I have a nice camera and take a lot of pictures of the kids. Of course they want to see them right away so I just put the card in the PS3. It does a really good job of displaying the pictures in the highest res that my TV can do (still lower res than the pictures at 10.2 megapixel) and it's fast. Faster than all those cheapo USB card readers you can plug into your computer. I have an expresscard reader for my laptop to save time. I also like to store music on the hard drive so I don't have to worry about changing discs. The PS3 can also do DLNA and pull music, pictures, and movies from your computer over the network so it's somewhat like a "media center extender" if you've ever looked into that. If they could get a tuner and DVR in the PS3 then I would probably have it on all the time. I wish I could compare a standalone to it but I'm sure someone here will reply with that info. I would probably just buy another PS3 if I need another player.

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