Ps3 vs s550 (Quality)

[versacestl]

I know this has been addressed many times, but I would like to get down to one core component between the Ps3 and the Sony s550. Disregarding the fact that the s550 supports DTS-HD MA, I would like to compose a thread discussing just the Video qualities that the two support. I have NOT heard many differences on Video quality between the two and just wanted a second on Which is better and why (VQ) and if you can even tell on the best of TV's.

[drago3451]

I owned both machines and can say that the Blu-ray video quality is about the same. The upconversion between the two is a different story. The S550 does a much better job with standard DVDs than the PS3.

[mzab24]

The PS3 supports DTS-HD MA as well with an update I believe.

[CptGreedle]

The PS3 does indeed support both TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. The upsample quality of the PS3 with DVDs could be better. I hope that they release an upgrade to enhance this upsampling.
I can't say anything about the s550 though. I hear it is good.
If PQ is all you care about, get the s550 for DVD upsampling, or whichever is cheaper if DVDs don't matter to you.

[quest88]

Originally Posted by versacestl

I know this has been addressed many times, but I would like to get down to one core component between the Ps3 and the Sony s550. Disregarding the fact that the s550 supports DTS-HD MA, I would like to compose a thread discussing just the Video qualities that the two support. I have NOT heard many differences on Video quality between the two and just wanted a second on Which is better and why (VQ) and if you can even tell on the best of TV's.

We need a showdown of PQ. I know it's hard to do but Bluray.com has done a great job comparing different blu ray players. We'll just have to wait.

[versacestl]

If this is a debate just against upscaling or upconversion... I have a Hd-dvd that i use to play regular dvds if the ps3 doesn't do that great of a job.. Its a paperweight since toshiba lost the competition, so i might as well use it for something. Unless everyone is talking about something else. I believe it is the Toshiba A-30 Hd-dvd player that i have.

[drago3451]

OP your original question was for video quality so that is what we left it with. If you want we can get into other advantages / disadvantages between the two systems. Connection options, Bitstream ability, load Speed, etc....

[Sonny]

I have both, & there the same to me as far as BD PQ is concerned...

[versacestl]

Well connection wise.. The best way to connect both is by HDMI, so i don't see how there can be a better way to connect for video.. Again, i am still interested in the VQ between the two... And someone said the ps3 can be updated to support the SQ that the s550 supports. So, it sounds like ps3 has its advantages over the standalone. I don't really care about the gaming aspect but its there if i change my mind.. Any other VQ differences?

[Themoth]

Originally Posted by Sonny

I have both, & there the same to me as far as BD PQ is concerned...

don't think you will see much of a difference unless you get into SOny's ES line..

[drago3451]

Originally Posted by versacestl

Well connection wise.. The best way to connect both is by HDMI, so i don't see how there can be a better way to connect for video.. Again, i am still interested in the VQ between the two... And someone said the ps3 can be updated to support the SQ that the s550 supports. So, it sounds like ps3 has its advantages over the standalone. I don't really care about the gaming aspect but its there if i change my mind.. Any other VQ differences?

I was talking audio hook-up many more options.

[frieda]

Just my opinion, when it comes to PQ you must decide for yourself, look at the same BD movie on the PS3 and on the BDP-s550 connected to the same TV.
Some will say the PQ on the PS3 is better other will say the BDP-S550 is better on some will say it is the same, so only you can decide which one is better.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by versacestl

Well connection wise.. The best way to connect both is by HDMI, so i don't see how there can be a better way to connect for video.. Again, i am still interested in the VQ between the two... And someone said the ps3 can be updated to support the SQ that the s550 supports. So, it sounds like ps3 has its advantages over the standalone. I don't really care about the gaming aspect but its there if i change my mind.. Any other VQ differences?

The PS3 will never be able to bitstream - but it does decode the HD codecs enternally - so does the S550. The 550 as tested by Sound and Vision has better PQ (ps3 fails a lot of test that the 350 passes as well as the 550), and yes, the 550 has better upconversion. If this is just for HT I would choose the S550 over the PS3 because its more versitile in an HT sort of way. The PS3 is valuable if you game or if you wish to search the web ect., but if its just for home theater - you will be well satisfied with the S550 The HT advantages are now in the standalone court.

[prerich]

P.S. These are some test reports of test conducted with several players to include the PS3 concerning PQ:

Home theater Magazine test for PQ: You need to buy the December issue of HT to see all of this but here's the scores

Sony s350 - 3:2hd/pass 2:2hd/fail 3:2sd/pass 2:2sd/pass MA SD/pass Pixel crop/pass Video Clip/pass Chroma resolution/pass Luma Resolution/pass Scaling/Excellent

Sony PS3 - 3:2hd/NA (doesn't support) 2:2HD/NA (doesn't support) 3:2SD/fail 2:2SD/pass MA SD/pass Pixel crop/pass video clip/pass Chroma Resolution/pass Luma Resolution/pass Scaling/Good

LG-BH200 3:2HD/pass 2:2HD/PASS 3:2sd/pass 2:2sd/pass MA SD/pass Pixel crop/pass video clip/pass Croma Resolution/fail Luma Resolution/pass Scaling/good

Panasonic BD55 and 35 passes all test and has excellent scaling

Pioneer bdp-51fd passes all test except for 2:2hd and has excellent scaling

So the ps3 in quality is being surpassed by standalones not to mention features that are important to HT hobbiest (analog 7.1 outs, balanced outputs ect). Pick up the December issue of HT to see the results. Not to mention that the LG-BH200 is still one of (if not the only) Multi-region player out there.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by prerich

The PS3 will never be able to bitstream - but it does decode the HD codecs enternally - so does the S550. The 550 as tested by Sound and Vision has better PQ (ps3 fails a lot of test that the 350 passes as well as the 550), and yes, the 550 has better upconversion. If this is just for HT I would choose the S550 over the PS3 because its more versitile in an HT sort of way. The PS3 is valuable if you game or if you wish to search the web ect., but if its just for home theater - you will be well satisfied with the S550 The HT advantages are now in the standalone court.

I disagree! If it is "just for HT" I would recommend the PS3 over the S550. The PS3 is an insanely versatile media centre that turns your HT into something much more versatile with wireless networking to any/all computers in the house (or on the network - some neighbours like to share ). That means that you can have music/video/pictures stored anywhere within 3 houses streaming to your HT room with the press of a button.

Perhaps you should have been more clear... "if you don't ever think that it is possible for you to even consider this media streaming option, THEN the S550 is the best option."

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

I disagree! If it is "just for HT" I would recommend the PS3 over the S550. The PS3 is an insanely versatile media centre that turns your HT into something much more versatile with wireless networking to any/all computers in the house (or on the network - some neighbours like to share ). That means that you can have music/video/pictures stored anywhere within 3 houses streaming to your HT room with the press of a button.

Perhaps you should have been more clear... "if you don't ever think that it is possible for you to even consider this media streaming option, THEN the S550 is the best option."

I honor your opnion, but when you add networking its something beyond HT. I believe the OP is looking for great upconversion and BD playback - standalones have more options in these areas than the ps3 and can be configured with older receivers. The S550 is a monster in this area. I'm talking individual BD playback on one set

Example - If I had a Lexicon prepro with 7.1 multi-out, but no HDMI, I would definately go with a Panny or Sony standalone. The PS3 is HDMI dependent when it comes to the lossless codecs - there's no way around it with the ps3 - unless you want to listen through the optical One of the biggest benifits of BD is the sound. The Panny and the Sony offer people with older receivers or high-end prepros (Lexicon/Synthesis, Fosgate Audionics, Anthem, Aragon -ect.) to keep there existing machinces while still being able to enjoy lossless audio. And I have aready gone over the upconvertion and PQ virtues of the newer standalones. The bar has been raise a notch and the price has been lowered

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Perhaps you should have been more clear... "if you don't ever think that it is possible for you to even consider this media streaming option, THEN the S550 is the best option."

You are correct here As a computer person - I generally dont stream stuff to my machines (I do have a server that I'm working on but that's just for the main HT also). When I think of media streaming, I think of automation - that's why I didn't go there So I will make it very clear - If your are just looking for great BD playback, excellent upconversion, and audio options besides HDMI - a standalone is the way to go . I hope you like this Petra (solid as a rock ) Hope I got it right