Is ethernet connection really needed

[bluewatergrigsby]

If I decide to buy one of the new Pioneer Elite players and just want it for the great picture playback ,is it not having an ethernet connection going to be a problem or cause me not to be happy with it a year later.

[Entertainment72]

No BD live or profile 2.0 probably.. BD live might not mean too much now but trust me, a year from now it will show.

Then you'll be having to replace an expensive 1.1 profile player, then ***** about like all the other high end guru here yada yada yada..

[ToonyLoons]

I dont think BD Live will have that great of an impact in a years time. Plus it still comes down to what do you want to do. If you want to watch movies, any BD player will do for you. It wont matter if it is profile 1.0, 1.1, or 2.0. They will all play the movies.

It boils down to special features. If you want picture in picture for what ever reason, like commentary or behind the scenes while still watching the movie, then you had better make sure the player is 1.1. If you want internet connectivity for the ability to download additional special features, sharing bookmarks, internet games, online BD Movie communities, downloading new trailers, and many other possibilities, then make sure you get a 2.0 player.

So if you dont want to hook the player up to the net, you dont have to. You just may be missing out on some extra features. And maybe the ability to update firmware directly to the player.

[rragland]

Originally Posted by bluewatergrigsby

If I decide to buy one of the new Pioneer Elite players and just want it for the great picture playback ,is it not having an ethernet connection going to be a problem or cause me not to be happy with it a year later.

I have owned a Pioneer/Elite BDP-94HD for almost a year WITH ethernet connection and I have never had the occasion to use it.

[tvine2000]

no,ethernet connection is not mandatory for bd.
from all the posts i have read here and other forums people don't seem all that interested in bd live anyway.with all the concern about drm,spyware tracking by the studios people are getting turned off by 2.0.
if you do decide to a bd player with 2.0 just don't connect the ethernet

[Steve]

I know this is just my opinion, but whenever I finally buy a BD player, I have no intention of hooking it up to the internet. I don't care about anything but watching the movie.

[X-Ninja]

Well, I've used it once just to see what it was like. I answered a poll, downloaded 3 special features and 2 trailers - didn't watch them - then shut the movie off.

I can see it being useful in the future.

My only question is - Why arent you getting a PS3? There are countless reasons why thats the better choice...

[Entertainment72]

Originally Posted by X-Ninja

My only question is - Why arent you getting a PS3? There are countless reasons why thats the better choice...

why its a game sytem

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Entertainment72

why its a game sytem

It's not a game system. It's a wireless multimedia unit that happens to play games.

[Entertainment72]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

It's not a game system. It's a wireless multimedia unit that happens to play games.

But....its not a standalone so its doesn't send that placebo effect of better PQ and AQ....

Sarcastic..

[owa]

Originally Posted by bluewatergrigsby

If I decide to buy one of the new Pioneer Elite players and just want it for the great picture playback ,is it not having an ethernet connection going to be a problem or cause me not to be happy with it a year later.

At the moment, it's more of a convenience for firmware updates than anything else (imo). So far the BD Live content hasn't been all that worthwhile but that doesn't mean they won't come up with anything worthwhile. Some of the things mentioned recently seemed kind of interesting but who knows how it'll all play out. It's nice to have just in case but I don't think I'd let that be a driving force in any of my purchasing decisions though.

[bluewatergrigsby]

Originally Posted by fireman325

I know this is just my opinion, but whenever I finally buy a BD player, I have no intention of hooking it up to the internet. I don't care about anything but watching the movie.

I agree. If I want internet I'll get on the computer. All I want is the best picture on my flat screen.

[MOONPHASE]

i love doing automatic firmware downloads on my ps3 without manually having to do it myself plus i know the internet is not great on the ps3 but give it time

[aviman33]

Other than convenience of firmware updates, it's useless in my opinion. It's only for extra garbage they might stick on disc and eventually torturing you with timely commercials. Lastly they will be spying on your viewing habits and using this data to target commercials just for you. No thanks!!

John

[tvine2000]

its funny but everyone wanted 2.0,now that its heres nobody wants it.
i never wanted it,its about great looking movies

[HDPlasma]

Originally Posted by tvine2000

with all the concern about drm,spyware tracking by the studios people are getting turned off by 2.0.

But if you get a 1.1 profile player, it's not "future proof" and you can't give all your personal goodies/habbits to the studios so they can provide you with specially taylored trailers, ads and special product offers.
They also won't be able to peek into my player to see what I maybe watching at any given(permission) time.