BR drive or PS3 ?

[Lord_Phan]

ps3 is not cheaper than a bd drive

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Replicant

PS3 not only is cheaper but also is the best Blu-ray player out there atm. It helps that the DVD upconversion is the BEST out there.

A PS3 is not cheaper than a BD Rom drive. If it is - tell me where to get a PS3 for less than $200.00. And a PC will KILL a PS3 in DVD upconversion - No contest there! PS3 upconverts to 1080p 24fps, PC can exceed 1080p at 60fps (and greater). The pc advantages are far too great and the PC's hardware (especially this guy's PC) exceed the capabilities of a PS3. Advantage PC.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by prerich

PS3 upconverts to 1080p 24fps, PC can exceed 1080p at 60fps (and greater). The pc advantages are far too great and the PC's hardware (especially this guy's PC) exceed the capabilities of a PS3. Advantage PC.

Only if his PC monitor supports it. This is not about processing power. It's about daily use.

Upconversion of DVDs for PCs is not going to yield a HD picture either on a monitor, HDTV or HD projector. If the OP is going to be sitting on his computer desk to watch movies, then he can either get the burner or a PS3 (newer widescreen monitors have DVI/HDMI input. If not, he shouldn't get the burner.


fuad

[prerich]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

Only if his PC monitor supports it. This is not about processing power. It's about daily use.

Upconversion of DVDs for PCs is not going to yield a HD picture either on a monitor, HDTV or HD projector. If the OP is going to be sitting on his computer desk to watch movies, then he can either get the burner or a PS3 (newer widescreen monitors have DVI/HDMI input. If not, he shouldn't get the burner.


fuad

This is true - most people who build htpc, make sure that their monitor is up to task (at least wxga resolution perferably qxga resolution) No need to worry about interlacing - all PC output is progressive scan.

[SJM]

The pc/ps3, regardless of any Blue Ray drive will be hooked up to a Dell 27"
1920x1200 monitor & an Acer 24" 1920x1200 monitor, both with HDCP...if this info helps! I will have to use a dvi/hdmi cable/adapter for the ps3 on the dell (preferred). The acer has both dvi/hdmi hdcp.

I could also hook any pc/ps3 to a 32" LCD, but only at 1080i.

It's a great set-up, i play online poker for a living and compfort is of high piorty. I have something similar (better) to this, accross the centre of my bed.

Watching HD movies should be great!

[Skygod]

All the points listed are good; but here's one thing that I think has been skipped over:

With the PS3, you have free access to the Playstation store, giving you the opportunity to download 1080P Blu ray trailers and movie trailers.

When I have friends over and want to show off my tv and PS3, I play them 1080P trailers of 10,000 BC and Accross the Universe right off my PS3 harddrive.

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by Skygod

All the points listed are good; but here's one thing that I think has been skipped over:

With the PS3, you have free access to the Playstation store, giving you the opportunity to download 1080P Blu ray trailers and movie trailers.

When I have friends over and want to show off my tv and PS3, I play them 1080P trailers of 10,000 BC and Accross the Universe right off my PS3 harddrive.

1080p trailers?
10,000 BC?

http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/10000bc/hd/

Across the Universe HD Trailer?

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/acro...iverse_hd.html

FREE!

[Skygod]

touché then I guess.

but does apple allow you to download the free demo of Skate or MLB the Show?

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by SJM

The pc/ps3, regardless of any Blue Ray drive will be hooked up to a Dell 27"
1920x1200 monitor & an Acer 24" 1920x1200 monitor, both with HDCP...if this info helps! I will have to use a dvi/hdmi cable/adapter for the ps3 on the dell (preferred). The acer has both dvi/hdmi hdcp.

From my limited experience in testing out a PC with a BD burner, BD software player will not allow you to have two monitors to be part of the desktop either as a copy of the desktop or an extension of the desktop. So if you wanna play a BD movie on the PC, you have to disable one of the monitors. It's part of the copy-protection measures.

If you want to have the same setup but with a PS3 hooked up to the DVI/HDMI input on one of the monitors, then that's fine.


fuad

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by Skygod

touché then I guess.

but does apple allow you to download the free demo of Skate or MLB the Show?

Why would I want a PS3 demo for a computer?
If you already have a PS3, great!
If you don't, downloading a PS3 demo is... useless.

[Obiit]

You could dabble with a Pioneer BDC-202 blu-ray reader at £100? Not as much as the writer

[Skygod]

Originally Posted by dadkins

Why would I want a PS3 demo for a computer?
If you already have a PS3, great!
If you don't, downloading a PS3 demo is... useless.

Huh? That's my point - one more reason to buy a PS3 for your blu-player; the free demos. (Obviously wouldn't need to use the Apple service for movies or demos).

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Skygod

All the points listed are good; but here's one thing that I think has been skipped over:

With the PS3, you have free access to the Playstation store, giving you the opportunity to download 1080P Blu ray trailers and movie trailers.

When I have friends over and want to show off my tv and PS3, I play them 1080P trailers of 10,000 BC and Accross the Universe right off my PS3 harddrive.

Trailers? You can download 1080p trailers from Quicktime! Advantage PC. (And quicktime trailers are free).

[prerich]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

From my limited experience in testing out a PC with a BD burner, BD software player will not allow you to have two monitors to be part of the desktop either as a copy of the desktop or an extension of the desktop. So if you wanna play a BD movie on the PC, you have to disable one of the monitors. It's part of the copy-protection measures.

If you want to have the same setup but with a PS3 hooked up to the DVI/HDMI input on one of the monitors, then that's fine.


fuad

Not so fast - I presently do that with with 2 HDMI monitors - any one heard of AnyDVD HD? HDCP is made mute with it.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Skygod

touché then I guess.

but does apple allow you to download the free demo of Skate or MLB the Show?

Those are games - and he's not a gamer. But if your really want to show off a game - Run Crysis at your max res and your fps at 85hz!!!! You could even get a free demo of it...And play it!

[SJM]

Some invaluable advice here for both devices!

Thanks again.

I'm going to buy the Blue Ray drive for sure, although i could have easily opted for the PS3.

With the spec of my pc, i feel confident that i'll get good results with the drive after reading some of the replies here.

If i feel the drive is a little outdated in a year or so, i'm sure they will be significantly cheaper than they are now, and especially since everyone will now just be buying Blue Ray...so easy/cheap(er) upgrade.

[glogrono]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Definitely go with the PS3. It offers out-of-the-box simplicity with futureproofing due to easy and frequent firmware upgrades.

Plus, it will never stutter during playback like most PCs will.

I have a Dell with an almost identical setup as what you've listed and I've played over 20 blu ray movies. None of them ever stuttered once. My CPU never went higher than 35% and memory was about the same. Unless you do alot of gaming, I recommend getting the pc and make sure you get an HTPC case so it can go in your livingroom.

[BluDrum]

easy, PS3!


Not even a second thought!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by SJM

Some invaluable advice here for both devices!

Thanks again.

I'm going to buy the Blue Ray drive for sure, although i could have easily opted for the PS3.

With the spec of my pc, i feel confident that i'll get good results with the drive after reading some of the replies here.

If i feel the drive is a little outdated in a year or so, i'm sure they will be significantly cheaper than they are now, and especially since everyone will now just be buying Blue Ray...so easy/cheap(er) upgrade.

There's wisdom speaking again - I love the sound of it!!!!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by glogrono

I have a Dell with an almost identical setup as what you've listed and I've played over 20 blu ray movies. None of them ever stuttered once. My CPU never went higher than 35% and memory was about the same. Unless you do alot of gaming, I recommend getting the pc and make sure you get an HTPC case so it can go in your livingroom.

Hot dog! You sound like an HTPC'r! What's your rig like?