PS3 or a Blu-ray player?

[ethanwa]

If you want a standalone and want to save about $100-$150 then get Panasonic BD35. You don't need the 55 if you have HDMI (the 55 just adds analog outs). Also, if bitstreaming and region-free mods matter to you (which it doesn't to most people) then get this player. This player also has a display and IR remote for easy Universal remote programming, which the PS3 doesn't have.

If you want an all-in-one system with games, hard drive, etc etc then get a PS3. And if you want the player that loads Blu-ray discs the quickest, get the PS3.

I have both systems and they are both great. It just depends on the features you're looking for between the PS3 and a stand-alone. Picture quality on both is equal... some reviews say the BD35 is better but I am not sure I believe that.

Ethan

[ozzman]

If i had to choose i would say ps3 for the simple fact that it gives you more.

I don't use the Ps3 right now for movies but i have tried it out and it looks and sounds the same as my 1400 blu-player the ps3 does load faster but that has'nt ever been a big deal for me.But it might be a Big deal for you

[midrange]

Ps3. more options.. gaming, and blue tooth

[LeeC22]

I've not actually seen my PS3 play back a BR movie consistently smoothly yet, there always seems to be some amount of occasional frame drop.

Just wondering if this is a common or isolated problem or whether all BR players suffer from it. Or whether the nature of my job makes me a bit more sensitive and it's not a commonly noticed problem. I know there used to be issues with network connections causing frame drops with BR playback a long time back. I just find it really distracting to watch a film and seeing the slight judders.

Just a point about the updates on the PS3, I think it is worth mentioning that every update, is 120MB. It's a bit of a drag if you want to do something NOW and the PS3 wants to spend a couple of hours updating. And don't forget, if you have any non-uk DVD's, they won't play in your UK PS3, and that's something I doubt they will ever fix in an update.

Oh and someone mentioned Sony having good drives in them. Beware, whilst their audio and dvd drives have always been top quality, the one part of their consoles that has always been suspect is their drives/lasers. PS1 used to have the upside down problem, PS2 used to go through lasers for fun.

I think you have to accept that compromises are going to be made when you produce £300 of non-specific hardware, compared to a £300 standalone player. Which is why I'd rather spend £300 on something with the circuitry to do one job, than £300 on something full of circuitry to do everything. It's no different to audiophiles and separates over does-it-all systems really.

[elninoloco7]

I have both the Playstation 3 and Sony BDP-S350 and both are great players; I also work at best buy and get asked these questions all the time. If anything I would highly recommend the PS3 over a standalone player for the money. My reasons being, if you have an older receiver with HDMI input that can input audio as well (HDMI 1.1) you can get DTS HD Master Audio and DTS TRUHD without having to buy a new receiver as the PS3 can decode it itself. With the new firmware update, it is able to now Upconvert regular dvd movies. Pretty future proof, a gaming system, wireless connectivity, BD Live 2.0, for the price of other players over $600 PQ ad SQ is the same for the most part.(PS3 is about $400)

Now if you have just a basic 5.1 receiver and don’t play much video games, and just mainly want to watch movies, I would recommend a standalone, either the Panasonic DMP-BD 35 or the Sony BDP-S350 which can be found under $300 at retailers. (Best buy has the Sony on sale for $250 and the Panasonic DMP BD 35 $230)

--Recommended players for you current Set-Up
If you have ------
1. HDTV with or without a 5.1 basic home theater (a non HDMI receiver)
Sony BDP-350, Samsung BDP 1500, Panasonic DMP 35, PS3 (ONLY if you plan to game) or any other bluray player lower priced than the players above (ex. Insignia $190 or Magnavox $160is, etc)

2. HDTV with Home Theater that has at least HDMI 1.1(accepts audio via HDMI) AND/OR if your receiver has 5.1 or 7.1 Analog RCA Input
PS3 (Even if you don’t plan on EVER gaming and ONLY if your receiver has HDMI audio), Sony BDP-S550, Panasonic DMP-BD55, or Samsung 2500 (Samsung doesn’t support built in DTS HD MA Audio as of yet but does decode Dolby TRUHD)

3. HDTV with Home Theater Receiver that decodes DTS MA Audio and Dolby TRUHD (Must use HDMI from bluray to receiver then out to TV)(HDMI 1.3)
Sony BDP-350, Samsung BDP 1500, Panasonic DMP 35, PS3 (PS3 ONLY if you game/PS3 cannot bitstream new audio format and must be LPCM to the reciever)

Hope this helps! =)

[guitarist155]

Originally Posted by LeeC22

I've not actually seen my PS3 play back a BR movie consistently smoothly yet, there always seems to be some amount of occasional frame drop.

Just wondering if this is a common or isolated problem or whether all BR players suffer from it. Or whether the nature of my job makes me a bit more sensitive and it's not a commonly noticed problem. I know there used to be issues with network connections causing frame drops with BR playback a long time back. I just find it really distracting to watch a film and seeing the slight judders.

i have never seen my ps3 do this i suspect it was a bad ps3 causing this issue and network connections shouldn't have anything to do with the playback as it's from a disk through a buffer.

Originally Posted by LeeC22

Just a point about the updates on the PS3, I think it is worth mentioning that every update, is 120MB. It's a bit of a drag if you want to do something NOW and the PS3 wants to spend a couple of hours updating. And don't forget, if you have any non-uk DVD's, they won't play in your UK PS3, and that's something I doubt they will ever fix in an update.

the only time you have to update the ps3 is when you want to use the store or go online, all in machine stuff (BD, games, etc ) do not require this. this is simply to keep hackers out of the machine and to bring you new amazing features.

Originally Posted by LeeC22

Oh and someone mentioned Sony having good drives in them. Beware, whilst their audio and dvd drives have always been top quality, the one part of their consoles that has always been suspect is their drives/lasers. PS1 used to have the upside down problem, PS2 used to go through lasers for fun.

yes lasers can go bad in almost anything, i have 2 stand alone dvd players used rarely that had the lasers go out in them, i had my ps3 laser go out and from the time the box got to my door it was only 1 week till i had another at my door at no charge.

Originally Posted by LeeC22

I think you have to accept that compromises are going to be made when you produce £300 of non-specific hardware, compared to a £300 standalone player. Which is why I'd rather spend £300 on something with the circuitry to do one job, than £300 on something full of circuitry to do everything. It's no different to audiophiles and separates over does-it-all systems really.

this is true with most BUT the ps3 uses BD for the games so it uses the same electronics, also the processor in the ps3 is amazingly fast so it only needs one core to run the ps3 the others are left for processing the video, audio, etc. which means it is very reliable and won't cook itself trying to play for along time.

and sadly just because you spend the same amount of money or more on something doesn't make it better. the saying "jack of all trades, master of none" has never met the ps3

[Colglizity]

I wish I would have known the Panny BD35 was coming out or I wouldn't have bought a PS3... anyone wanna buy one????

[mdabb]

I would look at it a couple ways.

First........... you own an X-Box so you obviously like to game. The PS3 is a pretty good BD player in it's own right and unless you have something against playing games on the PS3 it would be a great choice for the $399 area. Top notch as far as being able to play BD's on it , I can't ever remeber not being able to play a movie on it because of a FW update. Downside no bitstream of HD audio or analog out, and a sometimes a "loud" (debatable) fan may bother some while watching movies.

Then you may like the appeal of a stand-alone player. It is possible to find a Blu-ray player with better PQ than the PS3. Bitsream HD audio, and analog out. Fits in an AV rack better and quiet running. Disc playability varies from player to player, but for the better part most players out there play every disc from the get go. Sometimes you may have to wait on a manufacturer to release a new FW. A stand-alone is a good choice................ you may find one you like cheaper than a PS3 and you might be glad you got one a little more expensive than it.

No matter what you should research for yourself the players in your price range. At least you'll know your options and what you like and dislike about them. Ask owners or read some of the threads about the models you are looking at. Find out a little bit. You'll make a much more informed decision in the end and will likelier be happy about it. You can always take the random choice of a stranger though.

[crackinhedz]

PS3 wants to spend a couple of hours updating

you must have dial up 56k.

...only takes 5-10 minutes for me.

[ozzman]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

you must have dial up 56k.

...only takes 5-10 minutes for me.

LOL,Now that's funny LOL

[whatster]

The PS3 is for games and makes more noise then a stand alone player, so my preference is a normal BD Player

[bhampton]

The PS3 is for games .... and a lot more.

My PS3 is also used for Blu Rays, CD's, SACD's, Upconverted DVDs, MP3's, MP4's (HD Movie trailers and home movies), pictures, and via it's media server capabilities it can see the other computers in my house that serve pictures and video over the network. It also has a web browser and some people use the PS3 to aid cancer research at Stanford Labs via Folding at Home.

I have mine outside of the theater (with Bluetooth you don't need line of sight to use the remote though I do have an IR repeater anyway) so noise from the player itself is not an issue for me.

I see it as more of a multi-media computer than a player. So that's a plus for some and a minus for others. Not everyone want's something that versatile.

-Brian

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by nica

Hey everyone,

I've bought a nice Samsung LCD television two weeks ago, and I love the sharpness and quality when I play on my xbox.

Now I want to have a Blu-ray player that will add the final touch to what I had in mind. I really care a lot for image quality so I would like to hear this from people who know what they're talking about -- you.

What should I do? Get the Playstation 3 (80GB) or a Blu-ray player?
Of course there are bad ass Blu-ray players far better than the PS3, but I don't want to spend more than the price tag of the PS3 -- $399

So if I were not to spend more than $399, is a PS3 the best choice?
I don't care much about the time I have to wait till it loads etc. -- as long it plays with great quality. That is what matters most for me.


Thank you so much for your help!
~

There's really not a lot of bad ass Blu-ray players that are better than the PS3. Sure, there are players that can bitstream lossless audio, and others that can upscale DVDs better, but I think it's hard to say there are better overall players than the PS3.

Can you give some details of the rest of your setup? If you have an A/V receiver that is HDMI equipped but doesn't have built in decoders for Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA, I would suggest buying the PS3 since it decodes everything. If you have a non-HDMI equipped receiver, I would consider a standalone player that has 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog outputs and run audio through those.

It really depends on your current setup and preferences. Since you already have an XBox, I'd be inclined to get another console with the PS3. That would also give you access to all major PS3 exclusives like Metal Gear Solid 4, Killzone 2, and Little Big Planet.

[Beta Man]

I have a couple of PS3s and no games..... they're easy to update that's for sure.


Not sure about the reliability of the various stand-alones, but one of my PS3s just died on me...... probably had less than 50 hours of use on it too..... kinda sucks, but I'll get it fixed, and be up and running.

For those "Saving" their PS3s by buying a stand-alone to play movies on..... I'd say a PS3 is like anything else... could die in the first few days, or work faithfully for 10+ years.....

[guitarist155]

Originally Posted by whatster

The PS3 is for games and makes more noise then a stand alone player, so my preference is a normal BD Player

haha our bdp-s350 makes the same amount of noise as my ps3 ( not alot ) guess i just have a quiet ps3

[tacoreed]

It depends:

Do you want to spend $300 for a player that only plays movies, or pay $400 on a player that plays movies, plays games, connects to the internet (even with wifi), has built in bluetooth, and can access the PSN for movie downloads and rentals.

To me its a no-brainer. PS3

[triple-x]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

you must have dial up 56k.

...only takes 5-10 minutes for me.

i agree.. he must have slow or No speed internet.. not Highspeed. mine take 5min.. i have 6mbps comcast running wired.

that aside. i have a samsung bd-p1500 a sony bdp-s350(both relatively new) and a ps3 which i have had since launch nov 17 2006.
i bought the stand alones just to compare to the ps3 and to output bitstream and let my AVR do the decoding, and aside from the ONE positive i have found on the stand alone players, which is bitstreamed HD audio plays back about 3 to 4db higher than lpcm, i have yet to find any other reasons to not play BDs on my ps3. I cant even pause and frame forward on the s350(havnt tried on the 1500 yet). and the fast load times, on board HD audio decoding WHICH ALLOWS THE PS3 TO PLAY THE PRIMARY HD AUDIO & THE SECONDARY AUDIO(sound fx on ur pop up menu etc.) easy fw updates, no flash drive needed for BD live, etc. im evening typing this from my ps3!
The ONLY REAL reason I MIGHT choose to keep the stand alone player(s) is given the amount of gaming I do, it will reduce the wear and tear(mileage) i put on the ps3..that and maybe to put one upstairs.
So given your position...PS3 .. no brainer IMO.

[crackinhedz]

I cant even pause and frame forward on the s350

...if I understood this correctly, all you need to do is in the settings: Pause Mode = Frame

[AquaDSLGuy]

If you have already got a 360, all you need to get a stand alone Blue Ray Player. Don't get sucked into Sony's trap just like many did with the PS2/DVD. How many of you still use your PS2 to play DVD's? That's right, none. For games you clearly have the better system in the 360 and any games worth buying are cross platforms anyway.

Get a stand alone player with profile 2.0 and your be much better off than having a lousy PS3 collecting dust. looking aweful and outdated with your system years from now.

Don't get a PS3 only to have it sit on your shelf to play blue rays. I guarantee if you get a stand alone player it will be connected to to TV much longer than a crapy PS3 will ever be.

STOP BEING BRAINWASHED BY SONY!!!!!

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by AquaDSLGuy

If you have already got a 360, all you need to get a stand alone Blue Ray Player.

I tuned out of your argument after you called the PS3 "lousy" and "crapy" (sic). I would've considered your post if you were really a BD advocate. But you're not.

You're a 360 fanboy. Deal with that.


fuad