PS3 vs. Standalone Need and Want help deciding

[neos_peace]

Ok people. I have read a lot of other threads on this issue, and I have read alot of people's thoughts and opinions. But I want real reasons.

I plan on getting a new player how ever people say the PS3 is the best al around so what I'm going to do is give you what I want out of a player and you people tell me based on what I want what the best is and why.

By the way I will only be using whatever for BD movies only.
1. loading speed
2. FW updates
3. HDMI output
4. Best Audio (I will be getting the onkyo tx-sr805)
5. Best picture (I already own a plazma full hd 50" TV)
6. Anything you can think of for the best optimized movie exprience.

As far as price I can always seem to find deals (I have my ways legal ones that is

If possible I want spec reasons.

[bhampton]

I've got the PS3... Don't know about the other players but I've read some of the newer ones are starting to compete with PS3.

-Brian

[Slec]

Originally Posted by neos_peace

Ok people. I have read a lot of other threads on this issue, and I have read alot of people's thoughts and opinions. But I want real reasons.

I plan on getting a new player how ever people say the PS3 is the best al around so what I'm going to do is give you what I want out of a player and you people tell me based on what I want what the best is and why.

By the way I will only be using whatever for BD movies only.
1. loading speed
2. FW updates
3. HDMI output
4. Best Audio (I will be getting the onkyo tx-sr805)
5. Best picture (I already own a plazma full hd 50" TV)
6. Anything you can think of for the best optimized movie exprience.

As far as price I can always seem to find deals (I have my ways legal ones that is

If possible I want spec reasons.

1. PS3 is one of, if not the fastest on the market
2. PS3 is continually updateable (within reason of course, it won't do your dishes....yet)
3. PS3, yep
4. PS3 does all decoding internally and send to receiver as linear PCM for HD audio. no speed bump there.
5. WAY to subjective. Your display, calibration to room conditions and so many other things can play into this. With that being said the PS3 is up near the top
6. Nyko dongle or IR2BT allow you to control the PS3 through a universal remote.

Some want a separate because they feel it works better in their AV rack. For bang for your buck, the PS3 is king. As newer models start to come out, there will be ample opportunity to snag a standalone at the PS3 price.

Good Luck

[SkillzthatKillz]

im guessing you want to stay in a reasonable price range? for the money i think the ps3 is the best player you can get right now...its future proof because of the updates, has a very quick disc loading time, built in wi-fi for the previously mentioned updates, very good pq/aq through the HDMI port, and it can either decode the HD audio codecs or bitstream (i think the only one it cant decode is DTS-MA, i could be wrong though.) i have a ps3 and i play games and watch blus on it and i love that little black box

[neos_peace]

ok but what about the video deal and when I plug the PS3 into a receiver what would happen, by the way I keep seeing the PS3 can have different size Hardrive why is this and whats the point of a harddive on the PS3 (let me guess for FW updates right?)

[sokrman14]

Depends if you are looking at a price to performance ratio, then the ps3 or the new panasonic models are my preference. If you are looking for higher quality models then the new Pioneer Elite, Onkyo has one coming out soon, same with Integra, and Denon has new models on the way.

[SkillzthatKillz]

Originally Posted by neos_peace

ok but what about the video deal and when I plug the PS3 into a receiver what would happen, by the way I keep seeing the PS3 can have different size Hardrive why is this and whats the point of a harddive on the PS3 (let me guess for FW updates right?)

the hard drive is for having the systems OS, saving games, and it allows you to put your own media (pics, music, videos, etc.) on your ps3. if you plug it into an HDMI receiver using HDMI, it will send the 1080p picture and the HD sound through the HDMI cable and then you would run an HDMI cable from your receiver to your tv. savvy?

[Clark Kent]

Until standalone players drop in price the PS3 remains the best value in BD playback. As a side bonus you get the most stable and tested Blu-ray player in the world.

[AranhaHunter]

Originally Posted by neos_peace

ok but what about the video deal and when I plug the PS3 into a receiver what would happen, by the way I keep seeing the PS3 can have different size Hardrive why is this and whats the point of a harddive on the PS3 (let me guess for FW updates right?)

FW updates on a chip, not the HDD. The HDD is used for game saves, downloadable games and content, video rentals and TV Shows and movie purchases. You can also store music, photo, your own movies there, etc...

[neos_peace]

OK folks by the way I love that "savvy?" that was just too cool. ANYWAY YOU bought me hook line a sinker. A I save up a bit more I will be getting the PS3 any recommendations on the Drive size or does it not matter, it would only be for playing movies.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by neos_peace

OK folks by the way I love that "savvy?" that was just too cool. ANYWAY YOU bought me hook line a sinker. A I save up a bit more I will be getting the PS3 any recommendations on the Drive size or does it not matter, it would only be for playing movies.

I'd go with the bigger size you can find. You will be surprised at how much you will end up using the hard drive for pictures and video that you download from the internet or from any digital recording devices that you may own. Imagine how nice it will be to have home movies at quick disposal to watch on your big screen if company comes over. You won't have to waste time fiddling with cables and such to connect the camera.

And let's not forget that you can keep MP3's on there for playback too. Instantly allowing for music over your HT setup when a group of guests are over socializing.

[DiverDRA]

Good decision. I've been an early adopter of AV technology for 40 years. I've paid higher prices because of this as I did with the PS3 (80 GB purchased a year ago for $600). I have never purchased a piece of CE equipment that I've been more impressed with than the PS3. It is not a blu-ray player - it is a media center computer with an extremely powerful Cell processor that is also one of the best blu-ray players available at this time.

You think all that you will do is use it for playing blu-ray movies but once you understand all that it can do, I bet you'll use it for so much more (I'm assuming you have some music you like to listen to and have some digital photos of family and friends you may not enjoy as often as you might like). I had my next door neighbors over right before they went to Hawaii for a family vacation and I had the PS3 show above water and scuba diving photos I've taken in HI (on 73" screen) and had the PS3 also play MP3s of my favorite HI artists (like being there with the MartinLogan speakers). They were blown away - the kids thought the old guy next door has some pretty cool toys. I also stream video through the PS3 from a PC via the network in my house. I showed them some video of black tip reef, lemon and grey sharks I took diving in Bora Bora.

I purchased my 2nd PS3 in January (an 80 GB for $500 this time) and I also gave my son a PS3 for graduation. I bought all 3 before the "war" was over so I was pretty certain blu-ray was going to win and also that the PS3 was future proof because of the technology used (I've worked for a very large computer company for 35 years so I've been around technology).

Now, some things to be aware of ... the PS3 will make more noise than a standalone BD player - this is caused by the fan needed to keep the cell processor cool. So, it's best to be placed in an open rack/shelf instead of a closed cabinet. On my main system, the PS3 is in a cabinet but I have small thermostatic controlled whisper quiet fans on the back side of the cabinet that keeps the PS3 fan from kicking into high gear and keeps the fan noise down. If you are sensitive to fan noise, beware. I very seldom notice it but there are some movies that "challenge" the PS3 and the fan ramps up. My other PS3 is set up on an open shelf and I never hear the fan. Good luck and enjoy it to the max.

Originally Posted by neos_peace

OK folks by the way I love that "savvy?" that was just too cool. ANYWAY YOU bought me hook line a sinker. A I save up a bit more I will be getting the PS3 any recommendations on the Drive size or does it not matter, it would only be for playing movies.

[neos_peace]

Originally Posted by DiverDRA

I bought all before the "war" was over so I was pretty certain blu-ray was going to win and also that the PS3 was future proof because of the technology used (I've worked for a very large computer company for 35 years so I've been around technology).

OK now what is it about the PS3 that makes it future proof I know better then most like PC that the technology gets beteer every month. SO why is it the PS3 is immune to this. You say you've been around tech to know educate me please.

[BirdManJr]

GET a PS3 you can download updates via the internet.

or you can spend your days wondering when the next firmware update disc will be delivered to your house so you can watch iron man!!!

[SkillzthatKillz]

Originally Posted by neos_peace

OK folks by the way I love that "savvy?" that was just too cool. ANYWAY YOU bought me hook line a sinker. A I save up a bit more I will be getting the PS3 any recommendations on the Drive size or does it not matter, it would only be for playing movies.

haha I'm glad you liked "savvy?" if I were you I would buy the 80 gb ps3 for $399, cuz the 160 gb coming out soon has a game bundled with it and you said you aren't going to game on the ps3. Btw the 160 gb is going to be $499.

[petterab]

Originally Posted by DiverDRA

Now, some things to be aware of ... the PS3 will make more noise than a standalone BD player - this is caused by the fan needed to keep the cell processor cool. So, it's best to be placed in an open rack/shelf instead of a closed cabinet. On my main system, the PS3 is in a cabinet but I have small thermostatic controlled whisper quiet fans on the back side of the cabinet that keeps the PS3 fan from kicking into high gear and keeps the fan noise down. If you are sensitive to fan noise, beware. I very seldom notice it but there are some movies that "challenge" the PS3 and the fan ramps up. My other PS3 is set up on an open shelf and I never hear the fan. Good luck and enjoy it to the max.

I am in the same situation buying a TV and a Blue-ray player. I have ordered a SONY TV and a SONY BDP-S550. There are two reasons for the choice: Fan-noise and a single remote (Bravia-sync). However, I believe the player has a small fan... The player will be placed on a glass table supporting the TV so there is nothing to shelter us from the fan-noise. I also have a Sony hard-disc recorder with a small fan that annoys me. Any more hints on the fan noise from the PS3 vs the BDP-S550? Also, is it possible to operate the TV from the PS3 remote?

[plowmanjoe]

my air conditioning completely covers up any fan noise created by the ps3. if people think the ps3 has loud fans, they haven't heard the xbox 360.

[DiverDRA]

Originally Posted by petterab

I am in the same situation buying a TV and a Blue-ray player. I have ordered a SONY TV and a SONY BDP-S550. There are two reasons for the choice: Fan-noise and a single remote (Bravia-sync). However, I believe the player has a small fan... The player will be placed on a glass table supporting the TV so there is nothing to shelter us from the fan-noise. I also have a Sony hard-disc recorder with a small fan that annoys me. Any more hints on the fan noise from the PS3 vs the BDP-S550? Also, is it possible to operate the TV from the PS3 remote?

To control both Sony TV & PS3, I would suggest a universal IR remote (e.g., Harmony) with the Nyko USB doggle. The only thing you will not be able to do is turn on the PS3 - but you probably will be going to the PS3 to put in a BD or game disc so no big deal.

[DiverDRA]

Originally Posted by neos_peace

OK now what is it about the PS3 that makes it future proof I know better then most like PC that the technology gets beteer every month. SO why is it the PS3 is immune to this. You say you've been around tech to know educate me please.

The Cell processor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_microprocessor

[camper]

I don't have one of the originals to compare, but I've got one of the new ones and it's quiet. Didn't hear a peep out of it watching a couple movies back to back, and the volume wasn't blaring. My wife didn't complain, and we disconnected our cable box because the humming from it (that I couldn't hear) was driving her nuts. From what I've read the new 80 gig PS3's are improved and don't have the fan problems the originals do. Standing next to my PS3, I swear I don't hear the fan at all.

camper