Decisions & Questions

[Brent]

Originally Posted by acomire

I know there has been discussion on whether or not you can tell the difference with 1080i vs 1080p but truthfully, how good with the PQ be with what I have? When I watch the demo movies on Best Buy and they look awesome but how much of that awesomeness is due to movie being played on a 1080p set?

I would assume that the blu-ray movie would have much better picture quality over watching a HD movie on DirecTV - but again, is that a safe assumption?

I know I would not achieve deep color with my tv being on HDMI 1.1 but I was thinking of swapping my Onkyo to the 605 to get the TrueHD & DTS HD. Is that a smart move?
AJC

If you like what you see with your HD channels on DirecTV, then you will love blu-ray movies (even at a sub-1080p level). The quality of broadcast HD just isn't in the same ballpark as a blu-ray player decoding AVC in your living room and sending it directly to your set over an HDMI connection.

[richard lichtenfelt]

Check the paragraph under the editors note. http://reviews.cnet.com/game-accesso...tag=prod.txt.2
"Truth be told, the Sony PlayStation 3 is currently the Blu-ray player we use to test a lot of the HDTVs we get in for review here at CNET. As potentially higher performance Blu-ray players come out, that may change, but right now the PS3 is one of the best Blu-ray players on the market."

[Downhere]

I have to agree with those suggesting the PS3. Heck, get the 60 or 80 gig version and get rid of your PS2, you won't need it since you can play back PS2 games on the 60/80 gig PS3's.

[acomire]

Originally Posted by Downhere

I have to agree with those suggesting the PS3. Heck, get the 60 or 80 gig version and get rid of your PS2, you won't need it since you can play back PS2 games on the 60/80 gig PS3's.

I hear you and completely understand. With the ages of my kids, I know the PS3 would not be used for games only for movies. I really am liking the idea of a standalone component in the rack.

I think I am gonna hunt for some deals on the Panny 30.

Thanks, everyone

[tru_to_blu]

Your welcome!!!!

32" lcd VIZIO 720p/1080i
80gb PS3 / Blu-ray player
3 PS3 games getting Uncharted or Assassins tonight
4 Blu-ray discs / soon to own 10 more

[stockstar1138]

if you don't want to go with the PS3, which is what i would strongly reccomend, than the Pannasonic BD-30 is the next player i would reccomend. i'd just like to point out, you never have to play a game on your ps3 and it is still a great value.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

if you don't want to go with the PS3, which is what i would strongly reccomend, than the Pannasonic BD-30 is the next player i would reccomend. i'd just like to point out, you never have to play a game on your ps3 and it is still a great value.

I will reiterate the common recommendation here...the PS3 is the best option out there for the money. Especially at $399 plus you set Spiderman 3 in the box, instant gratification.

I would also second stockstar's thought on a backup, the new Panasonic BD-30 would be a great second choice.

Originally Posted by acomire

I would assume that the blu-ray movie would have much better picture quality over watching a HD movie on DirecTV - but again, is that a safe assumption?

I know I would not achieve deep color with my tv being on HDMI 1.1 but I was thinking of swapping my Onkyo to the 605 to get the TrueHD & DTS HD. Is that a smart move?

I appreciate everyone responses and welcome suggestions. I am in camp blu-ray, I just want to make the correct decisions.

Thanks!

AJC

Well to answer some of your other questions. I have a 1080i set and the picture is outstanding! Also watching DirecTV, typically the transmissions are in 720p, plus the bandwidth is not there for true HD, I mean it is there but the amount of compression that is used is ridiculous. So yes Blu-ray movies are night and day better than DirecTV. The Onkyo 605 is a great entry level choice to get into lossless audio. You can find it for $399 and is well worth it.

Now for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-MA, using a PS3 will not make a difference in the audio being decoded by the 605. The PS3 can only output PCM for Dolby TrueHD, DTS (1.5 Mbps core), DD and DD+. If bitstreaming audio is important to you for your Onkyo to decode, then you would want to go with the Samsung (with firmware updates) or the Panasonic since these two can send out the raw bitstrems for TrueHD and DTS-MA for the player to decode.

Hope this helps.

[acomire]

Originally Posted by Brent

If you like what you see with your HD channels on DirecTV, then you will love blu-ray movies (even at a sub-1080p level). The quality of broadcast HD just isn't in the same ballpark as a blu-ray player decoding AVC in your living room and sending it directly to your set over an HDMI connection.

Brent - That is exactly what i wanted to hear. Thanks so much for the clarification.

[Grisle]

I'll vote for the PS3 too...I'm surprised to hear you Wii is getting so much use...mine is long gone. If you're really set against the PS3 then the 30 is going to be my next vote.