Aussie's need more choice

[shueardm]

I'm tired of only having 2 choices.

1. Panasonic at $2700 and
2. Samsung 1000 at $1600

Why is it that there are many more players we still dont have in Australia? <grumble>

PS. PS3 I dont consider to be real player.

[Deciazulado]

It's my player. and a damn good one. Great image this side of a perfectly tuned up $$$$ film projector. So the only limiting is the one you set yourself to.

[shueardm]

Not questioning the quality but it doesn't play discs when you insert them (if i'm told correctly) you need to select data disc mode first.

[Deciazulado]

Here's how I watch movies. No need to select anything, just insert disc and press a button:


For watching movies, I always leave the crossbar on "Video" (It stays there if you do nothing)


So you insert a disc on the slot and after 8 seconds you see a disc icon show up, you press the remote and it takes you directly to the FBI warning and plays the movie or menues etc (depending on the disc)


So, it's insert, and press one button.

(Since it's slot loaded you don't even have to close a tray)

To eject you stop and eject, insert another disc, icon shows up, press remote.

At no time do I select anything.

I swap discs a lot looking at different scenes and it's quick and simple.

I have v. 1.51 of the software

[Blue]

Originally Posted by shueardm

PS. PS3 I dont consider to be real player.

Agreed it's not a real player it's an unreal player. I even have a remote that looks very similar to DVD players remote, except for a big difference you don 't have to point the remote at the PS3, the PS3 doesn't even need to be in the same room! The other advantage of the PS3, it will take more kindly to the evolution of Blu-ray. The next gen must have 1GB memory. Not a problem for the PS3, just a little more HDD space lost. I'm not what you could call a gamer, but for watching movies it's great. I assume you don't have any DVD's with multiple menu's as there are more remote arrow presses on them than getting a BD to work with a PS3.

[Shin-Ra]

I take it the autostart option is only for games? Otherwise you could enable that and not even have to one-button-select the default-highlighted BDMV icon.

[BLu-Balls]

Originally Posted by shueardm

I'm tired of only having 2 choices.

1. Panasonic at $2700 and
2. Samsung 1000 at $1600

Why is it that there are many more players we still dont have in Australia? <grumble>

PS. PS3 I dont consider to be real player.

I guess you don't read any hi-def, sound & Vision or anything that has to do with reviewing the PS3 or anyother BD players because the PS3 is ranked pretty high

PS. Sorry about your lack of selection down unda

[stevei]

My PS3 auto-plays my BD movies. With the player turned off, I just put the disc in the slot, and it automatically powers on, grabs the disc, and by the time I've gone and turned my amp on, got the tv remote control and switched it to HDMI input, the disc has generally already started playing. From what I've heard it's faster to start playing the disc than a standalone BD player.

However I do share your frustration at player availability, it's the same in the UK, Samsung 1000 for £500 vs £280 for a Toshiba HD DVD player. Even the PS3 is £400, so equivalent to $800 compared to the US price of $600.

[SomethingForKate]

Originally Posted by shueardm

PS. PS3 I dont consider to be real player.

Most of the world outside of the US and Japan only have two models of stand-alone Blu-ray Disc players. And they're stupidly expensive.

But I, on the other hand, would call the PS3 a real player where the PS2 wouldn't count as a proper DVD player for the following reasons:

1) It loads faster that current stand alone players
2) It comes with audio decoding for HD sound sources as well as the standard DD & DTS tracks
3) It is currently the only HDMI 1.3-spec device on the market and so plays back BDs to full 1080p over HDMI just like standalones.
4) It sports a network connection (wired & Wi-Fi) for downloadable upgrades which make it more future-proof than standalones considering the BD spec is yet to be finalized.
5) It accounts for the highest percentage of HD playback devices in homes around the world

I have one and am very pleased with it.

SFK

[Scorxpion]

Originally Posted by shueardm

Not questioning the quality but it doesn't play discs when you insert them (if i'm told correctly) you need to select data disc mode first.

With version 1.60 firmware update this issue has been fixed,Once you insert the disc in the slot the movie plays all the way

[BLu-Balls]

What it comes down to is that the PS3 is rated very highly among the standalone BD players.

-You can update the firmware wirelessly
-It plays virtually every BD movie available, which is more than other BD players
-Firmware updates are constant, etc

Anybody who contests that The PS3 is not a Blu-ray player should readjust their way of thinking. True that the PS3 is not a BD player first as it is a console system first. But don't dismiss it as a spectacular piece of kit.

[shueardm]

Hi guys. I can see you all love to use the PS3. That's actually what I will en up getting simply because of cost (and I have children).
It's good to hear that the new firmware makes it easier.

I think that my original clarification was more a point of view that....... I would prefer the look and simplicity of a dedicated player-tis all.

[Blofelds Cat]

Originally Posted by shueardm

Not questioning the quality but it doesn't play discs when you insert them (if i'm told correctly) you need to select data disc mode first.

Of course the PS3 can play discs automatically on insertion. the function is called 'auto start' (which is the unit's default mode and can also be switched off); not only that but discs load faster than all the standalone's currently available here in Australia.

I am not now nor ever have been a 'gamer'. My interest in BluRay only extends to home theatre application i.e. hi-def movies and TV content.

I originally chose to purchase a PS3 purely for financial reasons i.e. it was $500 cheaper than the cheapest standalone and $1700 cheaper than the most expensive standalone available here in Australia.

I initially perceived the PS3 as a compromise in both quality and price. After all, it wasn't equipped with 8 analogue outputs making it impossible to get DTS HD-MA, Dolby TrueHD or even Uncompressed PCM into the analogue inputs of my receiver - audio functionality being an equal priority to video for the home theatre enthusiast.

But my impressions about the PS3 being a unit of compromised inadequacies was turned completely on its head when I got it home and discovered the unit's options and flexibility.

First and foremost the PQ of the PS3 is stunning and every bit the subjective equal of the current Aussie flagship standalone from Panasonic (my display is a rather good 55" Plasma).

Second - and of equal importance to home theatre afficionado's - the audio functionality of the PS3 allows far more flexibility and scope than any standalone currently available on our shores due to its ability to decode DTS HD-MA and Dolby TrueHD internally then send the decoded discrete streams down an HDMI cable as uncompressed PCM. My Yamaha RX-V1700 receiver, in turn, sends the PCM channels to the relevant speaker. In other words, I am enjoying DTS HD-MA now and don't have to wait until amps/receivers/processors with inbuilt decoding for the HD audio formats come on the market at inflated prices. Standalone players cannot decode DTS HD-MA (none of the BluRay movies I've purchased have Dolby TrueHD audio).

Third, the PS3 has a 60Gb HDD (which can be replaced with any standard SATA HDD) onto which can be stored pictures, audio and a growing list of raw video files - it can even playback HDV streams. You can even install the Linux OS on the HDD and the PS3 will take care of the partitioning and installation. A bonus for many is it's ability to play MP3 files and compatible video files directly off DVD data discs.

Fourth, it can access the internet either by direct connection to the internet or by wi-fi as part of a network (a bluetooth keyboard and mouse can be added for a more convenient and streamlined web experience). Even if the PS3's internet capabilities was only used to download firmware upgrade's (which the PS3 downloads and install's with the absolute minimum of fuss), it's well worth it.

Fifth. Fifth? ...oh yes, it plays games.

In summary, no standalone BluRay player can hold a candle to the PS3. It's a no-brainer no-contest scenario. I count the PS3 unit in my top three best hardware purchases of the last twenty years.

You'd be a fool to dismiss it out-of-hand as not being a 'real' player because it sh!ts on the BluRay competition from a great height in every comparative way and then some.

[Blofelds Cat]

As I've already posted about the PS3 option as a player, I'll address the issue of software availability here in Australia.

Yes, it's limited and I do not agree with the current marketing policy of movie distributors which dictates that hardware sales drives software availability. The same thing happened when DVD launched.

I'm of the opinion that software availability drives hardware purchasing more than the reverse model. If the average uninformed consumer looks at the BluRay rack and see's a decent selection of quality titles, they are far more likely to develop an interest in a bit of kit that will play those movies.

But regardless of the merit, or lack thereof, of my opinion's on marketing, above, it cannot be argued that there is actually no excuse for the dearth of titles from Sony Pictures.

I may be an amateur marketeer but if the electronics arm of Sony develops and then launches a new format such as BluRay then a reasonable person might think it pretty bl00dy obvious that to maximise consumer acceptance of the new format, Sony's movie studio arm, Sony Pictures, would licence a good chunk of quality titles to Sony's home entertainment division for BluRay release on or around the date of that format's launch in a given territory.

So while I perfectly understand why there's a limited selection of BluRay movies and programming from other studio's, I'm struggling to understand why Sony would be following the same strategy i.e. let's see how our BluRay hardware sales go before we support our BluRay format by releasing movies for it.

It seems that one corporate hand of Sony has itself by the balls while the other is gripping its throat.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Blofelds Cat

In other words, I am enjoying DTS HD-MA now and don't have to wait until amps/receivers/processors with inbuilt decoding for the HD audio formats come on the market at inflated prices.

The PS3 can't decode DTS HDMA just yet. Just DTS Core at 1.5Mbps.

Originally Posted by Blofelds Cat

But regardless of the merit, or lack thereof, of my opinion's on marketing, above, it cannot be argued that there is actually no excuse for the dearth of titles from Sony Pictures.

Actually there is. There are really not a lot of Blu-ray Disc replicators in the world, especially not the ones that can do BD50. So the bottleneck is not the authoring studio but the replication plants.


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[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by shueardm

Hi guys. I can see you all love to use the PS3. That's actually what I will en up getting simply because of cost (and I have children).
It's good to hear that the new firmware makes it easier.

I think that my original clarification was more a point of view that....... I would prefer the look and simplicity of a dedicated player-tis all.

Good move in deciding to choose the PS3.

It is the fastest Blu-ray device so far (faster than even the Samsung & Pioneer) and is the most future-proof so far.

I hope you'll be happy with your upcoming PS3 purchase (as others have been pleased with theirs as well)

[Blofelds Cat]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

The PS3 can't decode DTS HDMA just yet. Just DTS Core at 1.5Mbps.

PS3 with Firmware v1.6 does indeed decode DTS HD-MA and the discrete channels are sent, as PCM, to an amp/receiver/processor via HDMI.

However, if you are talking about optical audio output then you are correct i.e. DTS Core only.

My PS3 > 7.1 Receiver > Plasma display chain is HDMI all the way and I can assure you that I am enjoying DTS HD-MA as well as Uncompressed PCM.

[Blofelds Cat]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

Actually there is. There are really not a lot of Blu-ray Disc replicators in the world, especially not the ones that can do BD50. So the bottleneck is not the authoring studio but the replication plants.
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I may be a little out of touch with all things BluRay but aren't there significantly more Sony BluRay titles in current release in the US? In fact aren't there more BluRay titles in general in current release in the US?

I've got the US/Region A versions of Black Hawk Down and Superman Returns and although NTSC, the PQ and AQ are still bloody superb. So if the local industry can't provide then they should import non-region flagged US titles until local production can be met (naturally this could only be done with titles from studios who have distribution rights in the appropriate territories).

I also believe that the UK has many releases which Australia does not.

These are not insurmountable problems merely ignored ones.

[stevei]

Originally Posted by Blofelds Cat

My PS3 > 7.1 Receiver > Plasma display chain is HDMI all the way and I can assure you that I am enjoying DTS HD-MA as well as Uncompressed PCM.

How do you know that the PS3 isn't decoding the DTS HDMA as DTS Core and sending the uncompressed version of that down the HDMI cable?

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=4934

Incidentally I've always hated the way DTS sounds and really wish Fox had included a standard DD 5.1 track as well on AvP. The DTS on AvP played through my amp (denon avr 3802) is either too loud or too quiet all the way through the film, I was constantly having to adjust the volume all the time, up to hear what people were saying then down to avoid deafening the neighbours. I'm never buying another blu-ray disc where the only audio is DTS, I never have this problem with DD soundtracks.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Blofelds Cat

I may be a little out of touch with all things BluRay but aren't there significantly more Sony BluRay titles in current release in the US? In fact aren't there more BluRay titles in general in current release in the US?

Yes and yes to both questions. But it doesn't mean that there is inadequate bookings for BD replication. BD50 replication is booked up. BD25 replication booking is more abundant.

So if the local industry can't provide then they should import non-region flagged US titles until local production can be met (naturally this could only be done with titles from studios who have distribution rights in the appropriate territories).

Importing non-region flagged by SPHE Australia is not good business. As you can see with US releases, the numbers are not there. It is hard to justify importing costs to a BD market that had only just been launched. It probably is a lot cheaper if consumers import them by themselves. You also bypass Aussie censors.

I also believe that the UK has many releases which Australia does not.

Could be. But then I don't think Australia has a BD replication plant. EU has a few, I think.

Originally Posted by stevei

Incidentally I've always hated the way DTS sounds and really wish Fox had included a standard DD 5.1 track as well on AvP. The DTS on AvP played through my amp (denon avr 3802) is either too loud or too quiet all the way through the film, I was constantly having to adjust the volume all the time, up to hear what people were saying then down to avoid deafening the neighbours. I'm never buying another blu-ray disc where the only audio is DTS, I never have this problem with DD soundtracks.

The reason you are hearing major fluctuations of volume between the actors' voices and the sound effects comes from the dynamic range of the movie. The quiet moments are quiet but when the movie needs to be loud, it can be really loud. Most well made modern movies are like this. You won't get this from the movies from the mid-70s and before.

Now the reason you are getting a good dynamic range in the DTS tracks and not getting the same range in Dolby Digital is because of DialNorm. DialNorm is instituted in the Dolby Digital bitstream but more importantly it is enforced by either your player or your receiver; DialNorm is not available for DTS. When DialNorm is turned on, the voice and the sound effects have relatively similar dynamic range. When it is turned off, dynamic range is restored. You really only want to turn DialNorm on if you're watching movies at night or if you have highly sensitive neighbors.


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