Could I get a straight answer please? - Blu-ray Forum

vincent5525 · 01-17-2008, 09:56 AM

Hi guys, Im your average joe looking to get into the HD market. At first I thought HDDVD was going to be the master race, what with the region coding missing, and the cheapness. However after the warner incident Ive come over to the blu side. So now Ive waited patiently for the war to be pretty much over, I cant decide what to buy. Another dissadvantage is the fact I live in Britain, which means im several months behind you guys across the pond. Ive read countless reviews, many condtridicting each other. Im not really interested in the 1.1 or 2.0 as im only a film buff. Im not really into extras. But would it be wise to wait for a 1.1 or even the 2.0 profile? At the moment Im looking at the slow samsung 1400. Thanks for your help guys.

Grisle · 01-17-2008, 10:01 AM

Honestly I've heard bad things about the 1400...I'm not sure if you're looking at it because of the price, but one of the best players out now is the PS3. It is 1.1 right now and it will be 2.0 later. I don't really care too much about that stuff either, but who knows what will come down the road so I would say you should at least go with a 1.1 player that may be upgradeable to a 2.0 player.

Welcome to the forums btw.

jorg · 01-17-2008, 10:19 AM

yes personaly id stay away from the sammys but the ps3 is great asome pq quick loading of disc and menues put not anologe audo out how mnay euros you speeding?

Need0fMany · 01-17-2008, 10:24 AM

Definitely I would recommend the PS3 and the Bluetooth accessory remote. That way you can treat it like a dedicated Blu-ray player with a fancy user interface if all you want is to watch movies. It's full featured and upgradeable and one of the cheapest player out there.

Down the road, you can then look around and play with some of the many other features like: ripping CD and playing music from the hard drive, importing pictures and movies, downloading movie trailers, using the built-in internet web browser, downloading casual games, playing Blu-ray games, etc.

CastingStones · 01-17-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincent5525

Hi guys, Im your average joe looking to get into the HD market. At first I thought HDDVD was going to be the master race, what with the region coding missing, and the cheapness. However after the warner incident Ive come over to the blu side. So now Ive waited patiently for the war to be pretty much over, I cant decide what to buy. Another dissadvantage is the fact I live in Britain, which means im several months behind you guys across the pond. Ive read countless reviews, many condtridicting each other. Im not really interested in the 1.1 or 2.0 as im only a film buff. Im not really into extras. But would it be wise to wait for a 1.1 or even the 2.0 profile? At the moment Im looking at the slow samsung 1400. Thanks for your help guys.

Hi Vincent,

As a fellow Brit I cant recommend the PS3 enough. Especially as according to What HI FI is the best equipped / specced Blu Ray player on the market. Its dead easy to get firmware upgrades for it - either via the wireless connection of the PS3 or just update it through USB.

All firmware upgrades are free.

aygie · 01-17-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincent5525

Hi guys, Im your average joe looking to get into the HD market. At first I thought HDDVD was going to be the master race, what with the region coding missing, and the cheapness. However after the warner incident Ive come over to the blu side. So now Ive waited patiently for the war to be pretty much over, I cant decide what to buy. Another dissadvantage is the fact I live in Britain, which means im several months behind you guys across the pond. Ive read countless reviews, many condtridicting each other. Im not really interested in the 1.1 or 2.0 as im only a film buff. Im not really into extras. But would it be wise to wait for a 1.1 or even the 2.0 profile? At the moment Im looking at the slow samsung 1400. Thanks for your help guys.

Maybe if you dont want the PS3 wait. Go look at the CES coverage on the home page, there is a wealth of new players coming out soon. This will include the UK.

Me personally, i have a PS3 and its awesome but i will be buyinh the Marantz player. They make the best and highest quality products. My dad still has his Marantz CD, tape deck and Amp from 25 years ago and it works (and still looks) amazing.

bhuyanp · 01-17-2008, 11:19 AM

Straight Answer: Go grab any PS3 around you, and thank me later.

Jim L · 01-17-2008, 11:22 AM

The PS3 is a great BD player and does so many other things very well (in addition) to playing games that it may be the best solution for many people.

On the other hand, the PS3 has a few shortcomings that some people cannot tolerate:

Doesn't look like a standard piece of A/V grear
Does not integrate well with Unviversal infrared remotes
The fan nosie can be annoying
The picture quallity, while good, is not the best out there.
Does not bitstream DTS-HDMA. It converts all other codecs to PCM and send them out through HDMI

In addition to the PS3, I have the Panasonic BD-30 because

Very slim form factor that looks nice in the A/V rack with other equipment
Integrates perfectly with my Harmony 880 remote
Dead silent
Boots and loads almost as fast as the PS3. It is currently the fastest standalone player on the market.
It can bitstream ALL the audio codecs including DTS-HDMA
Better picture quality than the PS3 - richer color, better contrast, and slightly sharper resolution.

You don't care about profiles, but it is worth mentioning. The PS3 will be updateable to profile 2.0 in the near future. The Panny is currently profile 1.1. It has no ethernet for added content, BUT it does have an SD memory card slot that will accomplish some of the same things that 2.0 will do. You can download the extra content to the card and place it in the player. Then it will be able to provide any of the 2.0 features for a particular film.

aygie · 01-17-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grisle

but one of the best players out now is the PS3. It is 1.1 right now and it will be 2.0 later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorg

the ps3 is great asome pq quick loading of disc and menues

Quote:

Originally Posted by Need0fMany

Definitely I would recommend the PS3 and the Bluetooth accessory remote.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CastingStones

Hi Vincent,

As a fellow Brit I cant recommend the PS3 enough.

Yes bhuyanp thank you, as no one else recommended the PS3

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhuyanp

Straight Answer: Go grab any PS3 around you, and thank me later.

MacDaddyOJack · 01-17-2008, 11:28 AM

I have a 1400 and a PS3. The PS3 does not see any movies, only games. I am also a home theater buff and the 1400 fits my movie needs perfectly. The load times are slower, but never any longer than 90 seconds. Just make sure you do the firmware upgrade before you try to watch any movies. I have not had any problems with the player and I've had it for 4 months.

Kierre · 01-17-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim L

The PS3 is a great BD player and does so many other things very well (in addition) to playing games that it may be the best solution for many people.

On the other hand, the PS3 has a few shortcomings that some people cannot tolerate:

Doesn't look like a standard piece of A/V grear
Does not integrate well with Unviversal infrared remotes
The fan nosie can be annoying
The picture quallity, while good, is not the best out there.
Does not bitstream DTS-HDMA. It converts all other codecs to PCM and send them out through HDMI

In addition to the PS3, I have the Panasonic BD-30 because

Very slim form factor that looks nice in the A/V rack with other equipment
Integrates perfectly with my Harmony 880 remote
Dead silent
Boots and loads almost as fast as the PS3. It is currently the fastest standalone player on the market.
It can bitstream ALL the audio codecs including DTS-HDMA
Better picture quality than the PS3 - richer color, better contrast, and slightly sharper resolution.

You don't care about profiles, but it is worth mentioning. The PS3 will be updateable to profile 2.0 in the near future. The Panny is currently profile 1.1. It has no ethernet for added content, BUT it does have an SD memory card slot that will accomplish some of the same things that 2.0 will do. You can download the extra content to the card and place it in the player. Then it will be able to provide any of the 2.0 features for a particular film.

Nice write-up Jim L! My money is on the Panny. Although I historically prefer Sony, it seems like Sony showed up at the prom in gym clothes with no current support for at least profile 1.1 (even the 1500 Sony ES machine

)

Jodi · 01-17-2008, 11:36 AM

Here's my answer, and it's ruler straight:

The Panasonic BD-30.

VERY quiet. Does DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD via HDMI bitstream.
PQ is AWESOME on both Blus and standard DVDs. Sound (SQ) TOTALLY rocks!!
Zippy load times just a hair short of the PS3. And I personally believe the Panny is the top 3 or 4 best all-around Blu players out there BAR NONE!

Go Panny 30!!

Jodi

Scorxpion · 01-17-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincent5525

Hi guys, Im your average joe looking to get into the HD market. At first I thought HDDVD was going to be the master race, what with the region coding missing, and the cheapness. However after the warner incident Ive come over to the blu side. So now Ive waited patiently for the war to be pretty much over, I cant decide what to buy. Another dissadvantage is the fact I live in Britain, which means im several months behind you guys across the pond. Ive read countless reviews, many condtridicting each other. Im not really interested in the 1.1 or 2.0 as im only a film buff. Im not really into extras. But would it be wise to wait for a 1.1 or even the 2.0 profile? At the moment Im looking at the slow samsung 1400. Thanks for your help guys.

GO with a PS3 if you dont care at this moment to decode DTSHDMA or else choose Panasonic BD-30 for DTSHDMA bitstreaming.

I agree with JIM L post here.

dperrone · 01-17-2008, 11:49 AM

I have the BD30, Samsung 1400 and the PS3, Like them all, I usually only use the PS3 for games as it is in a set up where I have a BD30. But for me it is either the PS3 or the BD30 and then the 1400. I have not had any problems though at all with my 1400's. But if you have the choice get the PS3 or the BD30. They are just flat out better products........

johnnyd1 · 01-17-2008, 11:58 AM

Or wait for the Panny BD50, due out this spring !

Mordak5 · 01-17-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim L

The PS3 is a great BD player and does so many other things very well (in addition) to playing games that it may be the best solution for many people.

On the other hand, the PS3 has a few shortcomings that some people cannot tolerate:[*]The fan nosie can be annoying

I have my PS3 under the telly and use as a Blu Ray player & DVD Upscaler, and have to say What fan noise?

I have never heard the fan - honest - having the PS3 under the telly may I suppose mask the fan noise I guess.

ground chuck · 01-17-2008, 12:23 PM

i represent the ps3 and fan noise like just said above is not an issue for me. other than the fact that my first 60gb had some problems and i had to return it, i've had no problems w/ my 2nd 60gb.

get wi-fi connectivity from a ps3 for firmware updates rather than waiting for a disc in the mail from samsung.

vincent5525 · 01-18-2008, 07:57 AM

Hi guys thanks alot for the info. It certainly sounds like the PS3 is the answer. The only reason I wanted a standalone player was because I play games on the PC, and have no reasom for a console. But after adding up the pros and cons, it seems like the best choice.

MOONPHASE · 01-18-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincent5525

Hi guys thanks alot for the info. It certainly sounds like the PS3 is the answer. The only reason I wanted a standalone player was because I play games on the PC, and have no reasom for a console. But after adding up the pros and cons, it seems like the best choice.

you can stream your pc games on the ps3 now

mgonzo2u · 01-18-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

you can stream your pc games on the ps3 now

OP, did you re-read that ^?

That's important to you.

01-17-2008, 09:56 AM	#1
vincent5525 New Member Member since:Jan 2008	Could I get a straight answer please? Hi guys, Im your average joe looking to get into the HD market. At first I thought HDDVD was going to be the master race, what with the region coding missing, and the cheapness. However after the warner incident Ive come over to the blu side. So now Ive waited patiently for the war to be pretty much over, I cant decide what to buy. Another dissadvantage is the fact I live in Britain, which means im several months behind you guys across the pond. Ive read countless reviews, many condtridicting each other. Im not really interested in the 1.1 or 2.0 as im only a film buff. Im not really into extras. But would it be wise to wait for a 1.1 or even the 2.0 profile? At the moment Im looking at the slow samsung 1400. Thanks for your help guys.

01-17-2008, 11:22 AM	#8
Jim L Special Member Top contributor Member since:Apr 2006 Location:Myrtle Beach, SC Blu-ray reviews: 12 Trading Score:20	It depends . . . The PS3 is a great BD player and does so many other things very well (in addition) to playing games that it may be the best solution for many people. On the other hand, the PS3 has a few shortcomings that some people cannot tolerate: Doesn't look like a standard piece of A/V grear Does not integrate well with Unviversal infrared remotes The fan nosie can be annoying The picture quallity, while good, is not the best out there. Does not bitstream DTS-HDMA. It converts all other codecs to PCM and send them out through HDMI In addition to the PS3, I have the Panasonic BD-30 because Very slim form factor that looks nice in the A/V rack with other equipment Integrates perfectly with my Harmony 880 remote Dead silent Boots and loads almost as fast as the PS3. It is currently the fastest standalone player on the market. It can bitstream ALL the audio codecs including DTS-HDMA Better picture quality than the PS3 - richer color, better contrast, and slightly sharper resolution. You don't care about profiles, but it is worth mentioning. The PS3 will be updateable to profile 2.0 in the near future. The Panny is currently profile 1.1. It has no ethernet for added content, BUT it does have an SD memory card slot that will accomplish some of the same things that 2.0 will do. You can download the extra content to the card and place it in the player. Then it will be able to provide any of the 2.0 features for a particular film.

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01-17-2008, 10:01 AM	#2
Grisle Power Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Northern California 4K collection:18 Blu-ray collection:18 Trading Score:12	Honestly I've heard bad things about the 1400...I'm not sure if you're looking at it because of the price, but one of the best players out now is the PS3. It is 1.1 right now and it will be 2.0 later. I don't really care too much about that stuff either, but who knows what will come down the road so I would say you should at least go with a 1.1 player that may be upgradeable to a 2.0 player. Welcome to the forums btw.

01-17-2008, 10:19 AM	#3
jorg Power Member Member since:Dec 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:2	yes personaly id stay away from the sammys but the ps3 is great asome pq quick loading of disc and menues put not anologe audo out how mnay euros you speeding?

01-17-2008, 10:24 AM	#4
Need0fMany Active Member Member since:Jan 2007	Definitely I would recommend the PS3 and the Bluetooth accessory remote. That way you can treat it like a dedicated Blu-ray player with a fancy user interface if all you want is to watch movies. It's full featured and upgradeable and one of the cheapest player out there. Down the road, you can then look around and play with some of the many other features like: ripping CD and playing music from the hard drive, importing pictures and movies, downloading movie trailers, using the built-in internet web browser, downloading casual games, playing Blu-ray games, etc.

01-17-2008, 11:19 AM	#7
bhuyanp Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	Straight Answer: Go grab any PS3 around you, and thank me later.

01-17-2008, 11:28 AM	#10
MacDaddyOJack Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Richmond, VA PSNetwork: MacDaddyOJack Trophy Level: 12(4%) Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:71 Blu-ray reviews:23 Trading Score:4	I have a 1400 and a PS3. The PS3 does not see any movies, only games. I am also a home theater buff and the 1400 fits my movie needs perfectly. The load times are slower, but never any longer than 90 seconds. Just make sure you do the firmware upgrade before you try to watch any movies. I have not had any problems with the player and I've had it for 4 months.

01-17-2008, 11:36 AM	#12
Jodi Power Member Member since:Jan 2006	Here's my answer, and it's ruler straight: The Panasonic BD-30. VERY quiet. Does DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD via HDMI bitstream. PQ is AWESOME on both Blus and standard DVDs. Sound (SQ) TOTALLY rocks!! Zippy load times just a hair short of the PS3. And I personally believe the Panny is the top 3 or 4 best all-around Blu players out there BAR NONE! Go Panny 30!! Jodi

01-17-2008, 11:49 AM	#14
dperrone Senior Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Orlando, Florida Blu-ray collection:49	I have the BD30, Samsung 1400 and the PS3, Like them all, I usually only use the PS3 for games as it is in a set up where I have a BD30. But for me it is either the PS3 or the BD30 and then the 1400. I have not had any problems though at all with my 1400's. But if you have the choice get the PS3 or the BD30. They are just flat out better products........

01-17-2008, 11:58 AM	#15
johnnyd1 Expert Member Member since:May 2007 Location:RightBehindU, PA. Blu-ray reviews:5	Or wait for the Panny BD50, due out this spring !

01-17-2008, 12:23 PM	#17
ground chuck Power Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Charm City Blu-ray collection:75 Blu-ray reviews:48 Trading Score:18	i represent the ps3 and fan noise like just said above is not an issue for me. other than the fact that my first 60gb had some problems and i had to return it, i've had no problems w/ my 2nd 60gb. get wi-fi connectivity from a ps3 for firmware updates rather than waiting for a disc in the mail from samsung.

01-18-2008, 07:57 AM	#18
vincent5525 New Member Member since:Jan 2008	Hi guys thanks alot for the info. It certainly sounds like the PS3 is the answer. The only reason I wanted a standalone player was because I play games on the PC, and have no reasom for a console. But after adding up the pros and cons, it seems like the best choice.

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