Which is the better choice: A stand-alone Blu-ray player, or a PS3? Why?

[TrevorLahey]

First post; and apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

A friend of mine who used to work for a large electronics retailer said that a stand-alone is the way to go because the audio quality will be better on a high-power home theater system than the PS3. Can anyone confirm, or deny this? I don't want to give up the power, speed, and WiFi on the PS3 if the difference in audio quality is only negligible.

Thanks!

[SlmShdy1]

Audio will be the same. The only advantage I see in having a stand alone is that it's much quieter. The PS3's fan can produce some unwanted noise.

[MookDaddy333]

I like having a stand alone just for the fact that it's less wear and tear on the motor and laser of the PS3. I remember when the PS2 came out and some people who used it as a primary DVD player ended up with a busted PS2. Just remember that games load and do not have the constant spinning of the motor and use of the laser like when you watch a movie. At the same time, I'm sure that the motors are a lot more reliable now than they were 9 years ago, but that's why I prefer to have a stand alone. But the PS3 is an AWESOME player...

[BaronVH]

I am a Pioneer Elite nut. I need to say that off the bat. Bought one of the originals and the build quality is fantastic. For most people, however, a year ago I would have said a PS3. PS3's are easy to update, once were an inexpensive solution, and it plays games. Today for cheaper alternatives I would say Panasonic for a basic player. Much cheaper than the PS3. If games are your cup of tea, you can get a cheap Blu-ray player and an XBox 360 for less than a PS3 and the games are much better (as I put on my flame resistant coat). For a little more higher end Oppo makes some really nice players. As a fan of the Pioneer Elite brand, you can get a BD-Live Elite for $599 (MSRP) and the audio and video cannot be beat. For the supreme ultra end Pioneer Elite makes a $2000 player that has gotten top reviews across the boad if money is no object. Oppo is also releasing a high end player that plays DVD-Audio and SACDs that is also BD-Live.

The short answer is that if you are a playstation fan and don't have a Blu-ray player, then it is a decent buy. If games aren't your cut of tea, nowadays the PS3 is not the way to go. I just saw Wal-Mart advertising a $98 standalone player (likely version 1.0, but if you want to get a cheap player and you don't care about extras, that is 1/4 the price of a PS3.

[Johnny Vinyl]

A few years back the PS3 was by far the best choice as standalone players were really expensive, plus the PS3 was (and still is) an all-around workhorse. It plays games, CD and SACD, easy firmware upgrade ability, etc.

Although I don't play games, it was the player of choice for me back then, but I'm not sure I'd do it again in today's circumstances. I'd probably opt for the new Oppo BD-83. Don't get me wrong, the PS3 is still a great machine and I'm very happy with it. The fan noise is not really an issue for me during playback, but in standby it bothers the hell out of me and I usually always turn it off.

John

[X400]

if you play games PS3

if you don't OPPO only because you can region-free it (oppo costs more though)


so yeah PS3(ur friend is crazy)

[scweb13]

Originally Posted by X400

if you play games PS3

if you don't OPPO only because you can region-free it (oppo costs more though)


so yeah PS3(ur friend is crazy)

I thought the OPPO wasn't region free.

[Arcam_or_bust]

There is a huge difference.

Think about dvd... A PS 2 can play back DVD movies because it's a dvd drive game system. However if you get a great dvd player like an Arcam FMJ there is absolutley every difference in sound quality and picture quality, howcome?

A PS2 is built for game play back that as a side effect being a dvd drive it cane playback dvd media. Stand alone dvd players, (I'm speaking quality players) are completley devoted to dvd movie play back.

Thats the same for cd players... The PS3 is a Blu-ray format drive that can play back blu-ray media, dvd media and cd media.

A good stand alone cd player is designed only for cd's...
A good blu-ray for blu-rays...
Dvd player for DVD... etc

When you buy a $1250 blu-ray player that is devoted it will out perform any multi-fuction souce.

A PS3 sold for $350-$400 simply can't put the technology into a unit that can do every thing to exemplary levels. When a stand alone can.

Now if you compare a stand alone crap-blu-ray player to the PS3 the crap will lose out because it's crap. The PS3 is a solid buy for it's versatility not for it's high fidelity.

A high fidelity stand alone BD player should out perform the PS3.

That being said you also need high fidelity equipment also. A crap $600 flat panel t.v will make even a great bd player look like crap.

You need to equal the playing field. A PS3 will look and sound great through a mediochar set up because it's a mediochar source... but don't fool yourselves, it's not HIGH FIDELITY. It's a high value versitile player.

Happy Hunting.

[lojack1976]

As an owner of both the PS3 and a standalone I will say that the PS3 is easily the better choice in comparison to the majority of standalone players out there. Most players are considerably slower in regards to start up and load times. As far as sound quality there is absolutely no difference. Anyone who believes otherwise is fooling himself.

There are some players that offer slightly better video quality, but there aren't many and they are all more expensive. If you are not a gamer then I can see the argument for a standalone in the same price range like maybe the new Oppo which excels in video performance. I believe it sells for around $500, but I don't think there's much out there that's cheaper than the $400 PS3 that will perform as well.

[metsfan1545d]

ps3 if u can get it with the old firmware as the new firmware limits playback of discs with pal content

[sapiendut]

I've had the chance to review a Pioneer BDP-09 for a magazine. I played with the unit for a couple of days and compared it with PS3, Pioneer's own BDP-05 and Sony 5000ES. In terms of picture quality, the BDP-09 is far superior than any of them by a huge margin. Currently I'm saving up for a BDP-09. Yes it costs an arm and a leg, but it's worth every penny for all DVD upscaling, CD and BD playback. The first all around player that can actually replace dedicated BD/CD/DVD players.

Yes, it takes ages to load a movie compared to the PS3 but with a projection system, all I need to do is turn on the BD player before I turn on the projector. By the time the bulb reaches the proper temperature, the movie is ready to be played. What's a minute when the movie itself tend to be around 90 minutes or so and the PQ is superb? .

[Arcam_or_bust]

sapiendut said [QUOTE]Yes it costs an arm and a leg, but it's worth every penny for all DVD upscaling, CD and BD playback. The first all around player that can actually replace dedicated BD/CD/DVD players.[/QUOTE]

I would like to know what CD players you tested against it. Because there is no high fidelity CD player that would be replaced by a blu ray player...

I have taken a blu ray player up against a creek evo, a Arcam fmj and a cyrus stand alone cd player and the blu ray player wasnt even close.

Interested to know what they were.

Any blu ray player that upscales a dvd would look better, it's upscaled!!

As far as replacing a stand alone cd player, sorry, but no.

I also own a PS3 and a Blu-ray player and there is no doubt the blu-ray is superior. The sound is darker and sloppy in the PS3, often unable to present a proper vocal soundstage. The PS3 is quite suseptible to colour hues, the blending of soft edges. The clarity lacks definition.

I highly recommending sitting down and trying it, not just being happy with the one you have. And try it with more than and entry level blu ray you bought from best buy for $150.

[crazyBLUE]

OUCH !!

[ozzman]

[QUOTE=Arcam_or_bust;2095192]sapiendut said

Yes it costs an arm and a leg, but it's worth every penny for all DVD upscaling, CD and BD playback. The first all around player that can actually replace dedicated BD/CD/DVD players.[/QUOTE]

I would like to know what CD players you tested against it. Because there is no high fidelity CD player that would be replaced by a blu ray player...

I have taken a blu ray player up against a creek evo, a Arcam fmj and a cyrus stand alone cd player and the blu ray player wasnt even close.

Interested to know what they were.

Any blu ray player that upscales a dvd would look better, it's upscaled!!

As far as replacing a stand alone cd player, sorry, but no.

I also own a PS3 and a Blu-ray player and there is no doubt the blu-ray is superior. The sound is darker and sloppy in the PS3, often unable to present a proper vocal soundstage. The PS3 is quite suseptible to colour hues, the blending of soft edges. The clarity lacks definition.

I highly recommending sitting down and trying it, not just being happy with the one you have. And try it with more than and entry level blu ray you bought from best buy for $150.

And it begins

[sapiendut]

My CD player is Cambridge Audio Azur 840c.
My upscaling DVD player is Oppo 983.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

To answer the OP...

PS3 is far more useful than you would realize. It has easily become the best piece of electronic equipment that I have purchased in the last 20 years!!!

[ozzman]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

My CD player is Cambridge Audio Azur 840c.
My upscaling DVD player is Oppo 983.

I would hate to break this thread up but iam looking for a very good up-scaling player .How would you rate yours.
Here's my thread i just started

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...87#post2095287

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

To answer the OP...

PS3 is far more useful than you would realize. It has easily become the best piece of electronic equipment that I have purchased in the last 20 years!!!

+1. the best thing about it, is how convenient it is with the software updates.

[lojack1976]

[QUOTE=Arcam_or_bust;2095192]sapiendut said

Yes it costs an arm and a leg, but it's worth every penny for all DVD upscaling, CD and BD playback. The first all around player that can actually replace dedicated BD/CD/DVD players.[/QUOTE]

I would like to know what CD players you tested against it. Because there is no high fidelity CD player that would be replaced by a blu ray player...

I have taken a blu ray player up against a creek evo, a Arcam fmj and a cyrus stand alone cd player and the blu ray player wasnt even close.

Interested to know what they were.

Any blu ray player that upscales a dvd would look better, it's upscaled!!

As far as replacing a stand alone cd player, sorry, but no.

I also own a PS3 and a Blu-ray player and there is no doubt the blu-ray is superior. The sound is darker and sloppy in the PS3, often unable to present a proper vocal soundstage. The PS3 is quite suseptible to colour hues, the blending of soft edges. The clarity lacks definition.

I highly recommending sitting down and trying it, not just being happy with the one you have. And try it with more than and entry level blu ray you bought from best buy for $150.

Are you serious? Dark and sloppy...wow. Its mighty funny how this NEVER comes up when professional reviews directly compare the PS3 to high end players. In fact I've yet to read even one that mentions a difference at all in regards to sound.

[sapiendut]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

Are you serious? Dark and sloppy...wow. Its mighty funny how this NEVER comes up when professional reviews directly compare the PS3 to high end players. In fact I've yet to read even one that mentions a difference at all in regards to sound.

I can't hear a lick of difference in BD sound between PS3 or any other BD players out there either.