Buying a Second Player: Which Way Do I Go?

[nomad2010]

So I'm wanting to buy a second payer now that I bought a new 58" plasma for my basement. I want it to be profile 2.0 or at least upgradeable to it. The new Samsung one is right? But what I'm wanting to know is do I got playstation 3 or stick with a player? I mean does quality differ that much picture wise? and can the playstation handle 7.1 surround? opinions? advice? thanks..

[CAB]

what pro/pre/amp and speakers do you have?

Edit: If you want 2.0 now, I think there's one out which is the PS3 and none out that are upgradable to it.

[nomad2010]

Originally Posted by CAB

what pro/pre/amp and speakers do you have?

not bought them yet. i'm not sure what i'm going with yet.

[CAB]

Ahh, then the PS3 is your only choice today. I asked about sound gear to make sure you could take advantage of 5.1 and 7.1 out the PS3's HDMI. If you go PS3, you'll just internally decode the audio to LPCM and output it to your processor. It gives you a lot of options.

[nomad2010]

Originally Posted by CAB

Ahh, then the PS3 is your only choice today. I asked about sound gear to make sure you could take advantage of 5.1 and 7.1 out the PS3's HDMI. If you go PS3, you'll just internally decode the audio to LPCM and output it to your processor. It gives you a lot of options.

wait im almost sure the new samsung said it was ugradeable to 2.0? i know there's also a 2.1 samsung coming out in october...

[CAB]

Originally Posted by nomad2010

wait im almost sure the new samsung said it was ugradeable to 2.0? i know there's also a 2.1 samsung coming out in october...

Oh, didn't realize it was shipping yet. My bad.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Still... PS3 is the way to go.

[nomad2010]

Originally Posted by CAB

Oh, didn't realize it was shipping yet. My bad.

oh ok so there is a 2.0 player out then? so what should i go with based on picture quality? ps3 or the new samsung? i mean im sure i would use the ps3 but i don't know what is really the smartest way to go...

[CAB]

If you mean the Samsung 1500 I don't think it does 7.1 out HDMI, doesn't do internal decode of DTS-HD MA and is about to be replaced in Oct. That thing makes for a complex solution.

Edit: I have to agree with Mr. Kalbrain that the PS3 makes the most sense if you are building anew and don't have any odd control or analog audio needs. It's fast, upgradable, BD Live, pretty quiet, and very well priced.

win:win:win:win:win

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by CAB

If you mean the Samsung 1500 I don't think it does 7.1 out HDMI, doesn't do internal decode of DTS-HD MA and is about to be replaced in Oct. That thing makes for a complex solution.

Edit: I have to agree with Mr. Kalbrain that the PS3 makes the most sense if you are building anew and don't have any odd control or analog audio needs. It's fast, upgradable, BD Live, pretty quiet, and very well priced.

win:win:win:win:win

Mr. Kalbrain?

Oh wait. I was going to reply that only my father (an educator) answers to that title, but then I remembered something. Kalbrain isn't my real last name!!! So, I guess that I AM Mr. Kalbrain.

[CAB]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Mr. Kalbrain?

Oh wait. I was going to reply that only my father (an educator) answers to that title, but then I remembered something. Kalbrain isn't my real last name!!! So, I guess that I AM Mr. Kalbrain.

Perhaps I should just go with The Rock?

Edit: Or is it Mr. Rock?

[scweb13]

Originally Posted by nomad2010

So I'm wanting to buy a second payer now that I bought a new 58" plasma for my basement. I want it to be profile 2.0 or at least upgradeable to it. The new Samsung one is right? But what I'm wanting to know is do I got playstation 3 or stick with a player? I mean does quality differ that much picture wise? and can the playstation handle 7.1 surround? opinions? advice? thanks..

The new Samsung BD-P2550 (Best Buy Exclusive) is profile 2.0,it bitstreams Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, it is controllable with an infrared controller, and it has a HQV Reon processer. It also does 7.1 audio over HDMI or analog.

[bigpapy]

HOW GOOD IS THE SONY BDS350 I SAW THAT ONE TODAY AT FRYS FOR $329 I'M LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT OF MY PANASONIC BECAUSE I SEND MY PLAYER TO SERVISE AND NOW THEY CALL ME AND TOLD ME THE PLAYER WAS DAMAGED DURING THE TRANSPORTATION AND THE WARRANTY DONT COVER ANYTHING AND THEY TRY TO CHARGE ME $362 TO FIX MY PLAYER.

[un4gvn94538]

theres a thread around here with 350 reviews. and it IS upgradable to 2.0.

[krazeyeyez]

ps3 is a great player for blu's and a great game machine if thats a consideration for you, however it does not do the best job with dvd's, its not bad compared to say the panny bd-30 but it is far from good, if that samsung has a reon chip i gotta say go that route if you have a decent dvd collection that you want to look good as well. if you get a ps3 make sure your getting a receiver with hdmi if you want the HD audio codecs.

[onehothemi]

I have two PS3's and never went back, I bought 3 more, and love each and every one of them!

[Harry_Krishna]

Originally Posted by nomad2010

oh ok so there is a 2.0 player out then? so what should i go with based on picture quality? ps3 or the new samsung? i mean im sure i would use the ps3 but i don't know what is really the smartest way to go...

If you get a receiver with HDMI and can decode (Onkyo 606, 705, 806), and if you just so happen to have any HD DVD's laying around, then I would strongly suggest looking at the LG BH200. It is a dual format player (HD & BD) as well as having a very good DVD upscaller. As it was an HD DVD player, it already has an ethernet port and internal memory (required to meet the HD DVD standards - way ahead of BD which is just starting BD Live now), but can also use a USB flash drive for memory too. Right now, IF you can find any left at BB, they are $399 (or less with coupons) - not bad considering they were $1000 when they first came out. And you can rest assured that it is made with very high quality.

I own a PS3, but I PREFER BITSTREAM!!!! So, I have tried the Sony S300, S500, recently the S350, as well as the Panasonic BD30, and just before the LG I tried the Samsung 2550. Of those, the S350 and 2550 ARE BD Live ready, just needing a FW update. With the memory and ethernet already in it, the LG BH200 should be too (even mentions downloading BD data from the internet in the manual written before BD Live was created). Of all these players, I am pretty much 98% sure this BH200 is a keeper! As I do have a number of HD DVD movies, a lot more BD movies, and a ton of DVD movies, this player does it ALL for me (except play my old Laser discs or VHS tapes LOL)! And because of that, it basically replaces the need for seperate BD, HD, and DVD upscalling (Oppo) players on your rack! Oh, and YEAH - it works with my Harmony 1000 remote - no need to get another controller (Bluetooth) like you do for the PS3!!!!

Yes, the PS3 is a good all round BD/DVD/Game player, but it is NOT the best like the die hards want you to belive. But no matter what YOU may want, they will always have some excuse to tell you the PS3 is better. But the best review is your OWN. Because only you can judge what you like best, because everyone is different in how their percieve the audio and video. So why not just go out and get the LG while you can still find one, and then borrow someone's PS3 (because it is much harder to return a PS3 once it has been used) to test them side by side.

[HDPlasma]

Originally Posted by scweb13

The new Samsung BD-P2550 (Best Buy Exclusive) is profile 2.0,it bitstreams Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, it is controllable with an infrared controller, and it has a HQV Reon processer. It also does 7.1 audio over HDMI or analog.

If upconverting SD DVD is important to you, you may want to look in to this player.
The PS3 is an average SD DVD upconvert player.
Also keep in mind that if you want to use a universal remote you will need to buy an infrared adapter for the PS3 and I believe you still can't shut the power off with the remote.