Advice on Best Blu-ray Player Please.

[Cajun Man]

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

My need is simple. Movies and DD 5.1. Nothing else. What's the lowest priced player that provides that? $98 didn't buy me much in the other format.

I agree with the others that have recommended a PlayStation 3. I have owned one for two months (a 60gb model), and use it almost exclusively for watching Blu-Ray movies. While I cannot compare it to "standalone" Blu-Ray players, I can tell you that a) movie load times are incredibly quick, and b) it just plain works, beautifully.

[Mpaa_Sux]

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

Is it safe to assume the BDP300 isn't quite as good at upscaling DVD as is the Playstation 3?

The Playstation 3 looks good due to upscaling since I have 1700 DVDs in house, but the Bluetooth remote leaves a little to be desired. In total darkness in my front projection setup, it's nice to have the screen of the Pronto to use.

you could always get one of the cheap $14 ir remotes with the usb dongle that will work with your pronto if you have the proper ir repetr setup.

[Deane Johnson]

Originally Posted by Mpaa_Sux

you could always get one of the cheap $14 ir remotes with the usb dongle that will work with your pronto if you have the proper ir repetr setup.

That looks interesting. Is there someplace I could find out about them.

Also, could someone give me a quick idea on what the difference in hard drive sizes mean. I am assuming it has to do with games and is of no consequence for viewing movies.

[Iceman_II]

Don't worry about HD sizes right now. One of the beauties of the PS3 is how easy it is to upgrade, one screw to remove the tray, and 4 screws to swap drives, and nearly any 2.5" SATA laptop drive will work. The reason I say not to worry about size is that it is cheaper to upgrade, my 250GB cost about $150

If you back up your ps3 to a USB drive, then restore it after the swap, you can do the swap without loosing anything. One of the beauties of the design is that the OS is held on non volatile chips. So when you install a new drive, the first thing it does is offer to format it, then install itself - it was an incredibly simple install.

Yes, it is used for games, and for trailers, and for storing music and even videos should you be so inclined.... OH, and by the way, the HD can also be used to install linux should you so desire.

All this being said, can someone else help out here, I am not sure if there are any hardware differences between the 40 and the 80. I know that when the 60 is gone they dropped PS2 support... any other differences?

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

That looks interesting. Is there someplace I could find out about them.

Also, could someone give me a quick idea on what the difference in hard drive sizes mean. I am assuming it has to do with games and is of no consequence for viewing movies.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by Iceman_II

I am sorry, but I have to disagree with you there... recommending that someone get a PS3 if they don't have a receiver is the same as telling pS3 then them that if they have a receiver, they should get something else... and then coming up with the idea that if you want to support the format, you should get a standalone (and by implication NOT get a PS3)

As I said, the bashing is more subtle than usual, but it is still there

Deane, as I said before look at features, look at capabilities, look at the little extras which you may want in 6 months, then decide, DON'T base your decision on doing ANYTHING to support the format, do it to make yourself happy, and "supporting the format" will take care of itself.

If you want to enjoy the HD audio formats with your new receiver, the PS3 won't let you do that.
If you need a player that doesn't put out a lot of heat in an enclosed audio rack with little ventilation, I also can't recommend it.
If your viewing location is such that you would be able to hear the fan kick up and possible disrupt you viewing, again I can't recommend it.

If any (or all of these) is the situation of the person asking for advice, I can't recommend the PS3.

Does it make the PS3 a bad Blu player?
No, just not ideal for every situation. But the majority here are gamers and it is just as bad to blindly recommend the ps3 if you can't take all of the concerns of the poster in question.
Last thing we need is someone buying a PS3 due to blind advice here and being soured on bluray, because the player didn't do exactly what they needed.

If you take that as bashing, then you can't see the limitations that the PS3 has.
(Sounds a lot like those from the other side that can't see the limitations of their format no?)

I don't want to offend other PS3 owners here, but blind advice sometimes is just as bad as bad advice.

[Deane Johnson]

Originally Posted by bootman

If you want to enjoy the HD audio formats with your new receiver, the PS3 won't let you do that.
If you need a player that doesn't put out a lot of heat in an enclosed audio rack with little ventilation, I also can't recommend it.
If your viewing location is such that you would be able to hear the fan kick up and possible disrupt you viewing, again I can't recommend it.

If any (or all of these) is the situation of the person asking for advice, I can't recommend the PS3.

Does it make the PS3 a bad Blu player?
No, just not ideal for every situation. But the majority here are gamers and it is just as bad to blindly recommend the ps3 if you can't take all of the concerns of the poster in question.
Last thing we need is someone buying a PS3 due to blind advice here and being soured on bluray, because the player didn't do exactly what they needed.

If you take that as bashing, then you can't see the limitations that the PS3 has.
(Sounds a lot like those from the other side that can't see the limitations of their format no?)

I don't want to offend other PS3 owners here, but blind advice sometimes is just as bad as bad advice.

I consider a variety of viewpoints to be valuable. Everyone has a variety of physical setup conditions and variable expectations. I don't like surprises, so each of the posts gives me something to review and consider. If there is one thing we have learned, it's that there is not a single component that is perfect for everyone's needs.

My receiver is limited to DD 5.1, nothing more advanced. I don't anticipate a change in the foreseeable future. My ears are now 72 years old, and the new audio formats are not going to be of the benefit to me they will be to a younger person. Picture quality is a much bigger deal as I see exceptionally well.

Ventilation is obviously something that must be considered. I have a rack type shelf system with glass shelves, but open on the front, sides and back. I'm assuming that is adequate for ventilation.

Fan noise is hard to judge in advance, but it's good you brought it up so I can weigh the issues. My rack sits 8 1/2 feet to the left of my chair. My left ear has considerable hearing loss, especially in the highs. I believe the fan exits the rear of the PS3. I suppose if I got some bounce off the wall behind the rack, I could add a bit of sound absorption in the back. Here's a photo of my rack. The PS3 would sit on the top shelf in place of the old Toshiba DVD player that's in the picture:
http://www.kathiejohnson.com/HomeTheater/Equipment.html

And here's the complete theater setup:
http://www.kathiejohnson.com/HomeTheater.html

The site hasn't been updated since I got the newer AE900U projector.

I did find the after market IR remote. Seems like a solution that solves that problem.

All comments are very welcome. I have a 35' HDMI cable coming from Monoprice on Tuesday, so I'll try to have this figured out by then.

[Deane Johnson]

Iceman, since I will be limiting my use to sticking a DVD (Blu-ray or SD) in the machine and watching a movie, I am gathering from your posts that the HD size is of no consequence to me whatsoever.

[ikbradley]

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

Iceman, since I will be limiting my use to sticking a DVD (Blu-ray or SD) in the machine and watching a movie, I am gathering from your posts that the HD size is of no consequence to me whatsoever.

No, but in fact you will find the hard drive very useful for listening to music and viewing pictures at the push of a button.

Currently, the PS3 is the lowest priced Blu-ray player that offers the most advanced features, besides the analog output limitations.

The fan in the 40gb is not a concern, because most people have reported a substantial decrease in sound.

The PS3 should be seen as a default choice unless you have specific receiver requirements that don't have HDMI and need an enclosed space requirement (a good point raised by Bootman).

Sony is subsidizing the heck out of the PS3, so why not take advantage of their generosity

[Deane Johnson]

Originally Posted by ikbradley

The PS3 should be seen as a default choice unless you have specific receiver requirements that don't have HDMI

My receiver does not have HDMI. It has only optical and coax input and only decodes DD 5.1.

My projector has HDMI and takes 720p.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

Iceman, since I will be limiting my use to sticking a DVD (Blu-ray or SD) in the machine and watching a movie, I am gathering from your posts that the HD size is of no consequence to me whatsoever.

I'll jump in .. that's correct.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

I consider a variety of viewpoints to be valuable. Everyone has a variety of physical setup conditions and variable expectations. I don't like surprises, so each of the posts gives me something to review and consider. If there is one thing we have learned, it's that there is not a single component that is perfect for everyone's needs.

My receiver is limited to DD 5.1, nothing more advanced. I don't anticipate a change in the foreseeable future. My ears are now 72 years old, and the new audio formats are not going to be of the benefit to me they will be to a younger person. Picture quality is a much bigger deal as I see exceptionally well.

Ventilation is obviously something that must be considered. I have a rack type shelf system with glass shelves, but open on the front, sides and back. I'm assuming that is adequate for ventilation.

Fan noise is hard to judge in advance, but it's good you brought it up so I can weigh the issues. My rack sits 8 1/2 feet to the left of my chair. My left ear has considerable hearing loss, especially in the highs. I believe the fan exits the rear of the PS3. I suppose if I got some bounce off the wall behind the rack, I could add a bit of sound absorption in the back. Here's a photo of my rack. The PS3 would sit on the top shelf in place of the old Toshiba DVD player that's in the picture:
http://www.kathiejohnson.com/HomeTheater/Equipment.html

And here's the complete theater setup:
http://www.kathiejohnson.com/HomeTheater.html

The site hasn't been updated since I got the newer AE900U projector.

I did find the after market IR remote. Seems like a solution that solves that problem.

All comments are very welcome. I have a 35' HDMI cable coming from Monoprice on Tuesday, so I'll try to have this figured out by then.

From all reports so far of the 40GB being even quieter and cooler than previous models and combined with the complete openness of your stand - I don't see how you would have a problem myself with overheating and therefore the fan being kicked into high gear.

There is also the option to stand it on end - which I have found keeps our 60GB model on quiet mode for most things except the Folding@Home program which occasionally kicks it into 2nd level fan mode for brief spurts..Folding@Home really really taxes the cpu and is the most intensive process currently known to run on the PS3.

[ikbradley]

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

My receiver does not have HDMI. It has only optical and coax input and only decodes DD 5.1.

My projector has HDMI and takes 720p.

Right, your receiver will be fine with the PS3 because you are just looking for 5.1 Dolby, right? The PS3 has a great optical out, so you are set.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

My receiver is limited to DD 5.1, nothing more advanced. I don't anticipate a change in the foreseeable future. My ears are now 72 years old, and the new audio formats are not going to be of the benefit to me they will be to a younger person. Picture quality is a much bigger deal as I see exceptionally well.

Then in your case the PS3 is a viable option.
But there are some standalones with better picture quality.
Unfortunately they are more expensive than the 40G ps3.

[Deane Johnson]

I'm assuming that means lots more expensive, such as perhaps $1000 to $1200 msrp.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

I'm assuming that means lots more expensive, such as perhaps $1000 to $1200 msrp.

From initial reviews, the Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD ($1000 MSRP) and the new Panasonic DMPBD30K ($499 MSRP) are the latest ones.
Both manufactures put an emphasis on the best possible PQ.
I have yet to see a review on the new Sony ES model BDP-S2000ES ($1200 MSRP) but I'm sure their current flagship beats the PS3 in PQ and SQ.

[Deane Johnson]

Originally Posted by bootman

From initial reviews, the Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD ($1000 MSRP) and the new Panasonic DMPBD30K ($499 MSRP) are the latest ones.
Both manufactures put an emphasis on the best possible PQ.
I have yet to see a review on the new Sony ES model BDP-S2000ES ($1200 MSRP) but I'm sure their current flagship beats the PS3 in PQ and SQ.

I read through the thread involving the Panasonic DMPBD30K. Looks like it's going to be a major contender.

I guess PQ would be the issue. Better, equal, or worse than the PS3? Probably nobody knows yet. I'm also concerned wtih upscale PQ of SD, as I have 1700 DVDs in house.

The dedicated player has some advantages in the remote, and it's physical makup, the latter being only moderately important.

[bootman]

Hey, for $399 it won't hurt to try it and see how the ergonomics works out for you.
If you are satisfied, then great you are done!
If not, I'm sure you won't have any trouble selling it and trying a standalone.

[Deane Johnson]

Apparently there is an issue with learning remotes being able to learn the IR code from the USB dongle IR remote.

I haven't looked into it enough to know if it's a deal killer or not. Hope not.

[BlueRay_Live_Game]

I am new here as well and was wondering if the PS3 has HDMI? I have a2- HD player running a receiver and thinking about getting the Samsung - Blu-ray High-Definition Disc Player | Model: BD-P1400. Is that a good player

[Deane Johnson]

The PS3 has HDMI.

I know nothing of the other players you mention, since I haven't researched them, but I think many on here might suggest you look closely at the Panasonic DMP-BD30 due out this month in addition to the PS3.

There's a long thread on it in this section.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=21926