If you were me, how would you upgrade?

[Moyer]

And please, no suicide jokes

My current "setup":

30" Samsung Dynaflat 1080i HDTV (no HDMI). Bought used for $100.
Xbox 360 Pro, half a dozen games.
Roughly 85 standard DVDs.
No surround sound

I know, not much to work with...

The TV is a frickin tank. Weighs about 140lbs. Makes my Xbox look a little better and I get local HD channels over the air, but that's about it. Have quit buying standard DVDs, only renting until I upgrade.

I was looking at a cheap Samsung upconverting DVD player/surround sound set, but that seems silly assuming Blu-Ray will be everywhere soon.

I'm currently going back to school and only working part time, so I can't just go buy a nice 50" LCD, BD player, receiver, etc. w/out going into debt. And I'm not a big fan of going into debt to buy luxery items that depreciate at an incredibly high rate. So here's my totally newb questions:

With my current TV (no HDMI), would I notice a big difference when switching from playing DVDs on my Xbox to a PS3 or Blu-Ray player (both with standard DVDs & BD)?

Assuming Microsoft isn't coming out with a Blu-Ray add-on for the Xbox this Christmas, should I consider selling my Xbox at Gamestop and upgrading to the PS3 80GB for $400? One thing that's stopping me is that I would want decent surround sound with the upgrade, and that seems generally more expensive when you buy the player & receiver separately.

Am I silly to even be thinking about Blu-Ray when my current TV doesn't have an HDMI input?

Thank you.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Moyer

And please, no suicide jokes

My current "setup":

30" Samsung Dynaflat 1080i HDTV (no HDMI). Bought used for $100.
Xbox 360 Pro, half a dozen games.
Roughly 85 standard DVDs.
No surround sound

I know, not much to work with...

The TV is a frickin tank. Weighs about 140lbs. Makes my Xbox look a little better and I get local HD channels over the air, but that's about it. Have quit buying standard DVDs, only renting until I upgrade.

I was looking at a cheap Samsung upconverting DVD player/surround sound set, but that seems silly assuming Blu-Ray will be everywhere soon.

I'm currently going back to school and only working part time, so I can't just go buy a nice 50" LCD, BD player, receiver, etc. w/out going into debt. And I'm not a big fan of going into debt to buy luxery items that depreciate at an incredibly high rate. So here's my totally newb questions:

With my current TV (no HDMI), would I notice a big difference when switching from playing DVDs on my Xbox to a PS3 or Blu-Ray player (both with standard DVDs & BD)?

Assuming Microsoft isn't coming out with a Blu-Ray add-on for the Xbox this Christmas, should I consider selling my Xbox at Gamestop and upgrading to the PS3 80GB for $400? One thing that's stopping me is that I would want decent surround sound with the upgrade, and that seems generally more expensive when you buy the player & receiver separately.

Am I silly to even be thinking about Blu-Ray when my current TV doesn't have an HDMI input?

Thank you.

What's your budget, friend? (And I did not know Microsoft had plans for such an add-on...can anyone else confirm this?) And I am not sure about the output resolution via Component cables on the PS3...if it can be 720p or 480p...but Blu-ray player first, I would say (depending if the PS3 can do 720p via component, I'm unsure).

[crackinhedz]

I think if you are unsatisfied with your TV, then that should be the first upgrade.

If you like your TV, then I think a bluray player can only make it better.

As for trading in your Xbox for a PS3...I personally would. You'll be getting a gaming machine (which shares many titles with Xbox) and bluray player all in one.


(ps3 will output 1080i over Component just fine)

[Moyer]

I "think" the Blu-Ray add-on for the 360 was just a rumor, more about consumer hopes than business plans.

You can't upconvert anything through component cables though, can you? There is a such thing as an HDMI to DVI cable (looks like my TV does have a DVI input), which I think I could use to get around component cables if need be.

As far as budget, I'm not sure. Depends what I would get for my money I guess. Switching to a PS3 or buying a Blu-Ray player for less than $300 is something I would do right away if it'll make a big difference with my current TV.

I don't even know what good budget options are out there for adding surround sound to BD player or PS3.

Am I happy with my TV? I was much happier until I realized it didn't have an HDMI input. I don't think I'll know until I figure out how it'll look playing Blu-Ray.

[Beta Man]

I don't think you can "upgrade" just "Start building" you're basically gonna start from scratch


I'd get a Blu-ray player on sale from Amazon (wasn't one $225 or so??? ) and shop around for a good deal on a t.v...... you have a pretty small t.v., so a 37-40 inch 720p depending on viewing distance would be a good buy in my opinion.... and the "sub 40" " t.v.s are pretty reasonably priced.

[Moyer]

Maybe I should try renting a PS3 and a couple Blu-Ray movies?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Moyer

Maybe I should try renting a PS3 and a couple Blu-Ray movies?

and pick up an HDMI-DVI cable to test out.

[Anthony P]

With my current TV (no HDMI), would I notice a big difference when switching from playing DVDs on my Xbox to a PS3 or Blu-Ray player (both with standard DVDs & BD)?

You should be able to see a difference, now if it is a big difference or not would depend on your definition.

Since you said you stopped buying DVDs, I would so go with BD first and upgrade the rest as you save up.

Assuming Microsoft isn't coming out with a Blu-Ray add-on for the Xbox this Christmas, should I consider selling my Xbox at Gamestop and upgrading to the PS3 80GB for $400? One thing that's stopping me is that I would want decent surround sound with the upgrade, and that seems generally more expensive when you buy the player & receiver separately.

If you can afford it, then the PS3 option looks good. As for HTIB, there is someone that is working on one but don't know when it is coming out. You are right that HTIBs tend to be less expensive but they also tend to be of poor quality and without knowing the BD HTIB I would not recommend that route.

If you are in a dorm or a small bachelor pad or something like that, I would go BD player first, TV next and 5.1 third. In many of those situations (student small tight places) you can't have a proper 5.1 set-up. The two in the back are rear speakers and should actually be in back of the seat/head and so you really need a couple of feet or more (in a perfect world I would say 5' or more) which is not easy in small tight places

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Moyer

With my current TV (no HDMI), would I notice a big difference when switching from playing DVDs on my Xbox to a PS3 or Blu-Ray player (both with standard DVDs & BD)?

If your HDTV has component input, then yes you'll notice a difference between DVDs and BDs.

PS3 can output 1080i over component, and the multi-out cable is not expensive.

Assuming Microsoft isn't coming out with a Blu-Ray add-on for the Xbox this Christmas, should I consider selling my Xbox at Gamestop and upgrading to the PS3 80GB for $400? One thing that's stopping me is that I would want decent surround sound with the upgrade, and that seems generally more expensive when you buy the player & receiver separately.

From the sound of it, you're on a WAY tight budget to want all of these things. Home Theater In A Box with BD players are still trickling in and cannot be had for US$400 (think over US$700).

A PS3 costs US$399. A HTiB with HDMI audio/video input like the Sony HT-SS2300 costs US$399; it's not cheap and for just US$100 more, you could get a BETTER surround sound system.

Am I silly to even be thinking about Blu-Ray when my current TV doesn't have an HDMI input?

No, because you don't know. Only you can decide if home theater is suitable for your current situation.


fuad

[sparksj]

I think you would do well to get a PS3.

You will notice a difference between DVD vs. Blu Ray. However, for the size of your TV, component vs. HDMI would hardly be noticed, if at all.

As far as selling you XBOX 360, I wouldn't. Game Stop is going to screw you in what they would give you for it. You would lose enough money in the process, that it wouldn't be worth it. I'm guessing they wouldn't give you more than $100 for it.

My suggestion is find another way to make the same amount of money that they would give you for the xbox, and then buy the PS3. Then you'll have both systems (Because lets face it, I know there are a lot of PS3 fans on this forum, but no matter what is said about the 360, it does have some benefits). It's not worth selling if you have to lose money on it.

Have a yard sale, mow some lawns, whatever it takes. There are better ways to make up the difference than to take a loss on the 360.
ROCK ON!

[Krudy]

Personally, I'd start saving up for the TV. That's the centerpiece of your HD setup.

Any components you pick up will ultimately be bottlenecked by the capabilities of your TV. Once you get the TV, then I would worry about the blu-ray player. Then the receiver, then the speakers.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Krudy

Personally, I'd start saving up for the TV. That's the centerpiece of your HD setup.

Any components you pick up will ultimately be bottlenecked by the capabilities of your TV. Once you get the TV, then I would worry about the blu-ray player. Then the receiver, then the speakers.

Speakers and receiver last?! Then again, I'm more of an audio man - I would definitely choose sound as the centerpiece of a HT setup. But unless you are similar, and I'm going to assume not, definitely upgrade your TV first. But you will notice a HUGE difference in the picture quality.

[pBLU-RAYs3]

If anyone is looking to upgrade & need ideas then check out my sig below my post.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by 3HD-RED60

If anyone is looking to upgrade & need ideas then check out my sig below my post.

Uh, which part would you recommend- the chicken or the 10" TV?

10" black & white tv w/no sound
Sony pbox 360 blu-ray player
KFC "finger licking good" 8 piece original for 9.99
blu-ray movies: 9991(stolen) & iron man3 (purchased)
Zq@679-#Qstd*^)$Gtv3-XR7"cGl/^--(you figure it out)

[pBLU-RAYs3]

^^
I was joking. That's just my sense of humor. I'll cut it out from now on. Can I haz cookie now, purdy puuurrrrdddddyyyyyy puh-leaze?

[Disco]

I would just keep saving money for now, as you are able to get by with what you have.
Once you are financially able upgrade your TV.

Best of luck with it!

[ixlegitballinxl]

i'd get a new tv first, get full enjoyment of the 1080p bliss.....

[Blaumann]

I would get any kind of Blu-ray player, that you can connect to your HDTV, maybe with an analog component output, whatever your HDTV accepts and has a true HD signal.

You can buy Blu-rays rather cheap online and/or used, so it's affordable even for students.

If you are into gaming, then the PS3 would be something i would look very hard at.

[DeadDog]

In case you decide to go for the PS3, by using the live.com 30% cashback deal you can save atleast $100 buying on ebay with paypal. Just a suggestion.

Good Luck

[PanasonicPlasmaMan]

you will notice a difference for sure but it will not be that great of a difference. Trade in your 360 and get a ps3 i read that the xbox 360 can not run java so it will not be coming out with a blu ray add on. The ps3 is a stronger machine and uses blutooth and will eventually make the 360 look obsolete. The games are pretty similar except for fable 2, gears of war, Halo, and Halo wars but similar games exist on the ps3 and of course you also get a blu ray player.

First thing i would do is upgrade TV
Then Blu ray
Then sound system