Why would anyone buy a regular BD player?

[Link]

^ I agree with your comment about accessing trailers with 2.0 - the last thing I want is MORE trailers - there's already 20 of them on a BD (yes, I'm exaggerating but really -there's to much) and again, I can see the new ones on my computer

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by skootr

It's not that people dislike it, it's just that some people, such as myself, are not gamers and can find the features they want in SA players.

I have an Onkyo 605 AVR and could not be happier with my Panny BD-30. Bitstreams all codecs(which the ONK decodes), fast loading, fits and looks good in the audio rack, and has given me problem free service. I bought it for $425, not enough of a difference in price to bother discussing.

All the forums are filled with threads from owners expounding the virtues of thier PS3. I am sure they are an excellent piece of hardware....just not what filled the bill for me.

Yes, some people consider the inability of PS3 to bitstream all codecs as a deal breaker. Also, agree that the PS3 does not look good with other AV equipment.

However, I am very happy with our PS3 and it is an outstanding blu-ray player.

[owa]

Originally Posted by KingLeerUK

Until the PS3 has the capability actually BITSTREAM these formats it actually loses points in my book. While having the ability to decode these lossless formats onboard and then send out a linear PCM 5.1 or 7.1 uncompressed datastream is impressive, finding a "less expensive" receiver that will handle that datastreams of that magnitude is going to be a tall order. You also throw yourself at the mercy of how good (or bad) the decoding is within the PS3. I'd much rather have the capability to bitstream these formats over to a device (AVR/processor) that is purpose built (and likely more capable) of handling them.

Pretty much any HDMI 1.1 receiver will do so it shouldn't be too hard to find a receiver to handle it.

[zweet77]

I actually got into blu after I got the ps3 since I got it for games so for me it's functionability as a bd player is a mega bonus (plus I just had a standard tv at the time) but I could totally see a non gamers or 360 or wii fans getting a stand alone since the value of the purchase to the consumer is based on it's use to them.I think basically that alot people that had ht setups already would opt for a stand alone, where as some folks like me having the ps3 was the stimulus for geting into home theater since I built mine around it.Although I do plan on getting a stand alone someday now.So while the ps3 is one awsome machine I think people have differing tastes on what best fits into their perfect set up.

[skootr]

Originally Posted by zweet77

.So while the ps3 is one awsome machine I think people have differing tastes on what best fits into their perfect set up.

Pretty much covers it.

[camper]

I bought my Samsung BD-P1400 from Amazon for around $250 at Christmas.

I still can't find a PS3 for that price, and buying one for the living room means adding at least $500 to upgrade my receiver in order to get the same quality sound I get right now with my stand alone player and yamaha receiver.

Even the potential benefit of using it for an internet system in the living room is defeated, when I figure I could put a PC in the living room to handle that task for less than the price of a PS3.

If I was buying from ground zero and had nothing, a PS3 and HDMI receiver would have been a good way to go IMHO.

~Camper

[Mxr5150]

I bought a new BD player for 200$ and it came with 6 free movies and a 100$ best buy gift card. I didn't want a PS3 at the time.

[NeCrom-X]

I see a lot of confusions about what the PS3 actually does. HDMI does Bitstream audio and Linear PCM. For 300 bucks you get the PS3 it plays Blu-Ray but also can connect to a home media server to play content with TVersity. It now is a Divix Player, WMV, and MPEG-4 since the last few firmware updates. So not only do you get blu-ray capabilities you get a all around Media Player for 100 bucks more than a plain Blu-Ray Player unless they also play those formats but I am unaware of any that do.

[kingofgrills]

The PS3 is the best all around BD player on the market. It may not have the best picture, but reviews consistently list it as stunning. It also doesn't bitstream DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD, but it does an excellent job decoding them. Plus, it acts as a full blown media streamer for movies, music and photos, and also offers HD downloads. And yes, you can play games on it. (*Gasp!* )

Most importantly though, the PS3 remains the most future-proof and versatile Blu-ray player on the market - not just due to ease of firmware upgrades, but also because of the flexibility of the Cell processor. Sony has regularly provided upgrades to the PS3's visual presentation of Blu-ray discs and DVDs, and that will continue. The processing power the Cell provides offers a lot of potential for improvement - probably more than is available in a standalone player. Who knows how far it will progress, but so far the improvements have been great.

Without a doubt there are exceptional standalone players on the market. However, the PS3 is the best all-around player on the market. It offers the most functionality, future-proofing, and future potential. I think that's key this early in Blu-ray's life cycle, especially if the BD profile continues to evolve.

[NeCrom-X]

Really it only decodes them? I though since it had the option under HDMI audio for Linear PCM and Bitstream and my HD receiver says it switched to Dolby True HD. I though it would through HDMI but people who use optical couldn't do anything but have it decode.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by NeCrom-X

Really it only decodes them? I though since it had the option under HDMI audio for Linear PCM and Bitstream and my HD receiver says it switched to Dolby True HD. I though it would through HDMI but people who use optical couldn't do anything but have it decode.

when using HDMI if you set the PS3 to bitstream and you try to play a Lossless track like True-HD and Dts-HD MA, you are sending the "core" only. This is the regular dolby digital or dts track.

The HDMI transmitter chip inside the PS3 is why it cannot send those formats bitstream. But it can process multichannel PCM and is why the PS3 needs to decode them inside first.

[Hendunesia]

I bought the PS3 simply to watch Blu-Ray.

I might buy that Gran Turismo game when it finally comes out.

[NeCrom-X]

Thanks for the info there is so much trash being talked on the PS3s abilities all over the net it was always confusing what was correct. What you said makes the most sense out of what I've heard.

Originally Posted by Hendunesia

I bought the PS3 simply to watch Blu-Ray.

I might buy that Gran Turismo game when it finally comes out.

It is out unless you mean GT5 and not GT5 prologe you can dowload GT5p right now off of PSN but it's limited cars tracks and you can't tune your cars it more of a technical demo thats why its half the price of a full PS3 game. Uncharted is also worth it if you aren't much of a gamer but like to play sometimes its like playing a movie. I got my PS3 as a cheap Blu-Ray player and for GTA4 and Metal Gear 4.