PS3 Fan Noise/Upconversion Coming?

[JAuritt]

Just purchased a PS3 (perhaps the only one available in my area) online at Circuit City and have yet to pick it up. I was convinced to buy one by many on the forum pages as well as a glowing article on it's attributes as a Blu-ray player to which I was directed on the forum.

HOWEVER, being the anal, worrisome person that I am, I'm having second thoughts based on some of the info I'm now receiving via the forum - mainly that a number of people are saying that the fan noise from the PS3 is very loud, and naturally that bothers me. Of course, probably just as many are saying that the fan noise is NOT a problem, so I don't know who or what to believe at this point.

Also, I've been told that SONY is planning to drop the upconversion block on the PS3 sometime in March, which has not been substantiated or even mentioned by anyone else. This is also important to me, as I have over 600 titles on standard DVD.

So, before I pick up my PS3, is there any other information anyone can provide me on either of these issues? I'd really love to feel confident that I am doing the right thing.

Thanks

[Maximus]

From what I have heard the PS3 is very quiet just read a few of these comments and this is from a usually very anti-Sony/PS3 website.

[ProvenFlipper]

My PS3 is whisper quiet expecially compared to the 360.

[dialog_gvf]

Obviously nobody can say every PS/3's fan is quiet, but I would argue it is defective if it isn't. And with availability comes your ability to easily exchange the unit.

Mine is whisper quiet too. My DTheater deck is WAY louder. And my computer (a Dell with an amazingly quiet fan) is louder still.

Gary

[Spankey]

If the player has plenty of ventilation, and you are watching movies, the PS3 is whisper quiet. I barely feel the heat. When playing games, and the processor and sound card are pumping out graphics, the fan is a bit higher. Still, this is hardly a problem for movies. Just keep the player well ventilated and don't put it in an enclosed rack.

[Avarond]

Mine is also very quiet and to this point trouble free.

[dobyblue]

Very quiet console for sure. Don't hesitate to pick it up.
Sound and Vision's review
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hd-...c-players.html
Article on the March update
http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36188

[Ascended_Saiyan]

The fan will be loud if it does not have room to breathe properly. I have my PS3 standing up slightly behind my TV (on the stand). It is quiet as hell. I can't hear it at all (even during the quiet scenes in my movies).

[Casey]

yea its a quiet fan. ive never noticed the fan sound over the audio coming from my sound system.

i doubt you would noticed fan noise unless you were playing games/movies on mute

[u_nick]

yeah, mine is so absurdly quiet i sometimes forget its on.

[JAuritt]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Very quiet console for sure. Don't hesitate to pick it up.
Sound and Vision's review
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hd-...c-players.html
Article on the March update
http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36188

Okay, I'm finally 100% convinced about the fan noise not being a consideration, thanks to the input I've received. Just one last question from a rookie in these matters regarding the upscaling upgrade: if and when it becomes available as a firmware update, how do current PS3 owners become aware that it IS available? Do I just need to stay on top of forums like this, or is there some other way I will get notification?

Thanks again for all the help. You've lowered my blood pressure considerably about this purchase.

[phranctoast]

You could just check from your ps3 once a week or so. Its the first option under the config on the XMB.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by JAuritt

Also, I've been told that SONY is planning to drop the upconversion block on the PS3 sometime in March, which has not been substantiated or even mentioned by anyone else. This is also important to me, as I have over 600 titles on standard DVD.

Sony has hinted they have their professional A/V equipment people (interesting, I guess it is a toy for them) working on SACD improvements and DVD upconversion.

March is a rumour, and probably wishful thinking. I think when they do it, they'll want it to be spectacular.

March may be when they add DTS-HD Master Audio decoding to the PS/3.

Gary

[dialog_gvf]

Oh, at some point, they'll do upconversion of DVD and BD to deep colour over HDMI 1.3.

Gary

[JAuritt]

Originally Posted by phranctoast

You could just check from your ps3 once a week or so. Its the first option under the config on the XMB.

Guess I'll figure that part out when I actually have the PS3 in hand...thanks

[Iceman_II]

I understand your concern about lack of upsampling support, but hey, that should be a very small concern, its comming, be patient, good things come to those that wait...

If it is that much of a concern, leave your current DVD player hooked up in the system as well... if nothing else, it will let you show DVD and BD side by side for direct comparison (I do that with "the searchers" and it blows my friends away)

[JAuritt]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Sony has hinted they have their professional A/V equipment people (interesting, I guess it is a toy for them) working on SACD improvements and DVD upconversion.

March is a rumour, and probably wishful thinking. I think when they do it, they'll want it to be spectacular.

March may be when they add DTS-HD Master Audio decoding to the PS/3.

Gary

Thanks...the more I hear the more I'm convinced the PS3 was the absolutely right way to go

[JAuritt]

Originally Posted by Iceman_II

I understand your concern about lack of upsampling support, but hey, that should be a very small concern, its comming, be patient, good things come to those that wait...

If it is that much of a concern, leave your current DVD player hooked up in the system as well... if nothing else, it will let you show DVD and BD side by side for direct comparison (I do that with "the searchers" and it blows my friends away)

Yeah, patience has never been a virtue I possessed, especially when it comes to home video. However, in this case I will take a valium and enjoy watching my Blu-ray movies while waiting

[HDTV1080P]

DOBYBLUE,Thanks for the link to Sound and Vision article. I am glad that Samsung finally fixed the players picture quality problems with a firmware update. The Samsung now has a better picture quality output. One thing the firmware update will not do is change the fact the first generation Samsung is a 1080I Blu-ray player that up converts the images including Blu-ray to 1080P. One can purchase a Samsung Blu-ray player for $499 for a new one or $465 for a factory refurbished one on EBAY. The Sony Playstation is so much better value for $499. Playstation has true 1080P output, plays Super Audio CD’s, HDMI 1.3, etc. The only thing that is great about the Panasonic Blu-ray player is that it plays DVD-Audio discs and DVD-RAM support. Upconversion of DVD’s is a minor issue for me and it sounds like the Panasonic does a poor job. Firmware update might fix this. I hope Pioneer’s second generation Blu-ray player plays both regular CD’s, Super Audio CD’s and DVD-Audio discs.
I am glad that all the Blu-ray companies offer firmware updates many standard DVD players did not offer firmware updates for some models.

[Smallville206]

Originally Posted by u_nick

yeah, mine is so absurdly quiet i sometimes forget its on.

Same here, I was expecting it to sound comparable to my 360 when I turned it on and was pleasantly surprised to hear how quiet it was, or should I say not hear.