any alternatives to PS3 for...

[zor]

playing divx and/or wmv and/or xvid and the like (in addition to blu-ray)?

Of secondary importance is being able to play MP3 and/or WMA and the like.

My current player is profile 1.0 and I feel uneasy that it won't be supported forever to be compatible with the latest discs (no problems so far but some discs take a long time to load -- I have Philips BDP 9000).

And if I do decide on a PS3, do you recommend the current 40GB model or the upcoming 80GB model (that will come with Metal Gear Solid)? I'm not interested in the games. I'm guessing the 40GB will be quieter?

[Marquoz]

Originally Posted by zor

playing divx and/or wmv and/or xvid and the like (in addition to blu-ray)?

Of secondary importance is being able to play MP3 and/or WMA and the like.

My current player is profile 1.0 and I feel uneasy that it won't be supported forever to be compatible with the latest discs (no problems so far but some discs take a long time to load -- I have Philips BDP 9000).

And if I do decide on a PS3, do you recommend the current 40GB model or the upcoming 80GB model (that will come with Metal Gear Solid)? I'm not interested in the games. I'm guessing the 40GB will be quieter?

If you do go with a PS3 and aren't interested in games at all, you may as well as go with the 40GB model. The 80GB model includes backwards compatibility for the PS2 games, which would be a moot point for you. Right now there is a great sale at Walmart where you can get the 40GB for 399$ with a 100$ gift card. Best Buy is also matching it while Walmart has the product in stock.

The PS3 will play DivX as long as it's updated correctly (that was an older update if I am correct), it will also handle MP3s. I'm not sure how well it handles WMA/WMV as I haven't really tried to stream those, so I will let somebody else field that one.

Also with the PS3, you can upgrade it immediately to be 2.0 compliant, so you don't have to worry about it being "obsolete", or not being able to play all the features you want to see.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by zor

playing divx and/or wmv and/or xvid and the like (in addition to blu-ray)?

Of secondary importance is being able to play MP3 and/or WMA and the like.

My current player is profile 1.0 and I feel uneasy that it won't be supported forever to be compatible with the latest discs (no problems so far but some discs take a long time to load -- I have Philips BDP 9000).

And if I do decide on a PS3, do you recommend the current 40GB model or the upcoming 80GB model (that will come with Metal Gear Solid)? I'm not interested in the games. I'm guessing the 40GB will be quieter?

No standalone player so far that handles all that you are asking for.

The PS3 can't play XVIDs or WMVs. It does play MP3s and WMAs.

I'd recommend getting the MGS4-bundled 80GB PS3 coming out later this month. For another US$100 than a 40GB, you get the Dual Shock 3 controller (which costs US$55) and MGS4 game (which costs US$60) on top of an 80GB HDD. The 80GB PS3 also plays SACDs and has two things the 40GB version doesn't have - 2 additional USB ports and a card reader memory cards.


fuad

[TheEnd187]

actually the PS3 plays most Xvid/DivX videos i have. im not too sure about the WMV, and i havent tried watching WMV-HD files yet but i think WMV-HD support was added a while back as wel as DivX certification

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by TheEnd187

actually the PS3 plays most Xvid/DivX videos i have.

It could be that your files were wrongly labeled. That is why Xvid plays. Strictly speaking, it shouldn't.

The PS3 is currently undergoing testing to get a complete Divx certification. Until then, some Divx encoded files may not play.

im not too sure about the WMV, and i havent tried watching WMV-HD files yet but i think WMV-HD support was added a while back as wel as DivX certification

No on WMV and no on WMV-HD. VC-1 videos, sure.


fuad

[zor]

Originally Posted by Marquoz

If you do go with a PS3 and aren't interested in games at all, you may as well as go with the 40GB model. The 80GB model includes backwards compatibility for the PS2 games, which would be a moot point for you. Right now there is a great sale at Walmart where you can get the 40GB for 399$ with a 100$ gift card. Best Buy is also matching it while Walmart has the product in stock.

I would go for the Walmart deal except that I have some 200-300 dollars on a gamestop edge card for store credit. I traded in some stuff I had, thinking of using the credit for the PS3 and lo and behold shortly thereafter, Walmart does their sale! So now I'm wondering what I should do... gamestop only sells used blu-ray discs apparently and they are never going to have a sale like Walmart and I don't think the edge card is transferable. Maybe they could convert it to a regular gift card and I could sell the gift card then.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by zor

playing divx and/or wmv and/or xvid and the like (in addition to blu-ray)?

Of secondary importance is being able to play MP3 and/or WMA and the like.

My current player is profile 1.0 and I feel uneasy that it won't be supported forever to be compatible with the latest discs (no problems so far but some discs take a long time to load -- I have Philips BDP 9000).

And if I do decide on a PS3, do you recommend the current 40GB model or the upcoming 80GB model (that will come with Metal Gear Solid)? I'm not interested in the games. I'm guessing the 40GB will be quieter?

The only thing that's profile 2.0 and that will do every thing that you want it to (except play ps3 games) is a HTPC (Home Theater PC).