Buy Now or Wait?

[JayAuritt]

I'm not very technically knowledgeable about Blu-ray (yet, anyway) so please excuse me if this seems like a rather elementary question to ask. I'm dying to purchase a blu-ray player, but I keep asking myself if it makes sense to buy now or to wait...not so that the price comes down (although that certainly would be nice) but so that I can be assured that I won't have to buy another player in a year or so when hdmi 1.3 and/or advanced audio capabilities (7.1, lossless options, etc.) are available without requiring firmware updates (assuming that firmware updates for such things will even be available for the player I purchase). Is anyone waiting for such things, or is there no need to wait? Please help!

[Spankey]

You can buy a PS3 now with HDMI 1.3. It's a great player. I'd feel cofident enough to make it my only player for the long term.

[shamus]

Originally Posted by sltmag

You can buy a PS3 now with HDMI 1.3. It's a great player. I'd feel cofident enough to make it my only player for the long term.

If your worried about this sort of thing then PS3 is the way to go. They wont abandon it for a gen 2 etc. It will be here for the long hall!!!

[BLu-Balls]

Originally Posted by shamus

If your worried about this sort of thing then PS3 is the way to go. They wont abandon it for a gen 2 etc. It will be here for the long hall!!!

I totally agree

[dialog_gvf]

I agree. The PS/3 will always be at the leading edge of what is Blu-ray. And Sony has a lot of plans to expand its ability as a home media server.

Gary

[nobody]

Buy it now!!!! The PS3 supports HDMI v1.3. A standalone player is gonna run you at least that that much $$$$$ already. With the PS3 you'll also get a high end gaming console with it.

[Iceman_II]

And, the PS3 supports 7.1 if you use HDMI to your reciever/amp

[JAuritt]

Okay, but if I don't want to do my blu-raying thru a ps3, what then? is it worth it to wait and what would the advantages be to waiting or not waiting?

[Maximus]

If you don't want a PS3, I would personally recommend a Panasonic, excellent PQ and soon to be upgraded AQ negating the need for HDMI 1.3, the only thing that this player doesn't do is 1080p24, but so it affects so few people I don't think it matters that much.

[Banjo]

PS3 is pretty much the best deal you can get on the market... and one of the best Blu-Ray players from what I read.

Definitely worth the bucks as I have one myself. I have a Blu-Ray remote for it too as well.

[mbslrm]

Get a PS3 now, or get a player after July.

[dobyblue]

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hd-...c-players.html

Lots of your questions answered in this article.

[Nismobeach]

Buy a PS3. It's the best Blu-ray player deal for the money as it's cheaper than any other unit, has the most features, looks better, and doubles as a gaming console/internet browser/computer (via Linux)/multimedia device.

[C6 Z06]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hd-...c-players.html

Lots of your questions answered in this article.

Great read Doby. Thanks.

[JayAuritt]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hd-...c-players.html

Lots of your questions answered in this article.

Thanks for the article, and thanks to everyone else for recommending going with the PS3. I'm definitely leaning that way now, EXCEPT for the fact that I have over 600 movies on standard DVD that I was hoping to upconvert with a blu-ray player which, I now understand, isn't possible with the PS3. I guess there's no way around that.

[Rivera213]

Well mate, what i am gonna do is wait til the LG Hybrid Blu-Ray/HD-DVD player drops in price a bit & then get that so i can buy & play either.


https://www.blu-ray.com/images/playe...h100_front.jpg

[Iceman_II]

Originally Posted by JayAuritt

Thanks for the article, and thanks to everyone else for recommending going with the PS3. I'm definitely leaning that way now, EXCEPT for the fact that I have over 600 movies on standard DVD that I was hoping to upconvert with a blu-ray player which, I now understand, isn't possible with the PS3. I guess there's no way around that.

In March, Sony is supposed to remove the block on upsampling

[JayAuritt]

Originally Posted by Iceman_II

In March, Sony is supposed to remove the block on upsampling

Thanks Iceman. I'm a blu-ray novice so, for now at least, I need things spelled out in black and white: am I correct that if what you say does indeed happen in March then it will affect ALL existing PS3s as well as new ones? And is what you say just a rumor at this point or more solid than that? Give me the right answer on this one and my mind will be made up! By the way, are PS3s easily attainable, or are they still difficult to find? Thanks!

[Dirty Bubble]

Personally, I'm waiting for Samsung's 2nd generation Blu-ray disc player, the BD-P1200, to come out in April. It's equipped the industry leading video processor, the Hollywood Quality Video (HQV) processor, a powerful unit similar to ones used by Hollywood studios in production. Like the PS3, it has a HDMI 1.3 digital Interface. Plus, it has a minimalist design, which I like.

I can't give you a direct link to the product, but I can give you the link to a menu of products that you can click on for an in depth description with pictures from the Samsung Exhibition at the ICES(International Consumer Electronics Show)2007 that took place on Jan 8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

http://www.samsung.com/common/micros...s2007/main.asp

[Nismobeach]

All firmware upgrades are applicable to all PS3s. In regards to availiblity, they are pretty easy to come across atm. Honestly your best bet is to check out your local Gamestop as they currently have an offer where you get $100 off the purchase of a PS3 with the exchange of a working PS2.