2 Newbie questions

[Jaynru]

I am thinking about upgrading to a blu ray player. not sure which model I favor as I have done little research. I have read a few things that make me uneasy about purachasing a blu ray. I also have a 5.1 Sony System with optical audio cables hooked up.

My current TV is a Sony 57 inch widescreen projection style TV. Approximately 3 years old. I have HD cable via Direct TV and the picture is phenominal, even for a projection style TV. Watching TV in HD has a better picture than my regular DVD. I also have a 5.1 Sony System with optical audio cables hooked up.

1) My tv only is 1080i. How much am I missing without having the ability to watch Blu ray discs in 1080p vs 1080i? Is it worth me making the upgrade and not having 1080p yet?

2) I do not have a HDMI input on my tv set. I currently use a HDMI wire from my DVD player that converts to the input (DVI)? I can't remember what it is called, but it is white and looks like a typical computer moniter jack. Would that wire allow the 1080 upconvert for regular DVD's? Would I be better off using monster cables or svideo?

Thanks for your time and help. I truly appreciate it.

[guitarist155]

Originally Posted by Jaynru

1) My tv only is 1080i. How much am I missing without having the ability to watch Blu ray discs in 1080p vs 1080i? Is it worth me making the upgrade and not having 1080p yet?

i am currently using a 720p (same as 1080i ) front projector and yes it is well worth it to use blu-ray even when not full hd you can see a huge difference, it will blow you away.

Originally Posted by Jaynru

2) I do not have a HDMI input on my tv set. I currently use a HDMI wire from my DVD player that converts to the input (DVI)? I can't remember what it is called, but it is white and looks like a typical computer moniter jack. Would that wire allow the 1080 upconvert for regular DVD's? Would I be better off using monster cables or svideo?
.

using hdmi to dvi cable works great for blu-ray and since your tv is 1080i you could also use component cables they will carry the resolution perfectly. you do not need monster cables they are just a brand and are pretty expensive for what you get, any hdmi to dvi or component cable will work fine a great place to get them is monoprice.com alot of people on here use them and love them. you should not use s-video as it will not carry high-def it can only carry standard-def 480i.

[Rabidhunter]

PS3 is still one of the best Blu-Ray players out there. I have a 5.1 Sony recieiver hooked up through optical cable and it sounds amazing. I was watching Close Encounters on my PS3. When the UFO flew overhead, the whole room was shaking. I have a 720p Samsung and the picture quality is amazing on it. I've been very impressed with it. Plus it's a gaming machine and you can stream all of your music and media onto it as well. It's easily upgradable if you have high speed internet (this is an important feature as newer movies get released) and a wi-fi card if you've got wireless internet.

You'll probably want to use HDMI. Before I had an expensive set of Monster composite cables connected from my DVD player. I could tell the difference.

[David Mamet]

Originally Posted by Jaynru

I am thinking about upgrading to a blu ray player. not sure which model I favor as I have done little research. I have read a few things that make me uneasy about purachasing a blu ray. I also have a 5.1 Sony System with optical audio cables hooked up.

My current TV is a Sony 57 inch widescreen projection style TV. Approximately 3 years old. I have HD cable via Direct TV and the picture is phenominal, even for a projection style TV. Watching TV in HD has a better picture than my regular DVD. I also have a 5.1 Sony System with optical audio cables hooked up.

1) My tv only is 1080i. How much am I missing without having the ability to watch Blu ray discs in 1080p vs 1080i? Is it worth me making the upgrade and not having 1080p yet?

2) I do not have a HDMI input on my tv set. I currently use a HDMI wire from my DVD player that converts to the input (DVI)? I can't remember what it is called, but it is white and looks like a typical computer moniter jack. Would that wire allow the 1080 upconvert for regular DVD's? Would I be better off using monster cables or svideo?

Thanks for your time and help. I truly appreciate it.

I have a 720p plasma and it looks fine compared to the 1080p. There is minimal difference and it really depends on the movie. You don't sound like the type of person that would care as much if the colors are spot on compared to minimally off (otherwise you would have a nicer tv). As far as the cable goes, you will probably be losing a little something, but I promise you will not be disappointed with the picture quality and sound coming from a BD, even with a 720p tv and a DVI cable.

[guitarist155]

Originally Posted by David Mamet

As far as the cable goes, you will probably be losing a little something, but I promise you will not be disappointed with the picture quality and sound coming from a BD, even with a 720p tv and a DVI cable.

just to clarify using dvi you wouldn't lose anything it is the exact same format as hdmi just without the sound and has a different connector.

[Jaynru]

Thanks for all the help. The responses you shared have helped me decide to go ahead and make a purchase. Any recommendations on the type of player I should go for? Eventually, I plan to upgrading to a large flat screen model with 1080p and over 100mghz

[guitarist155]

definitely the ps3 it is one of the best if not the best players and the most upgradable . do you have any kind of surround sound system?

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by Jaynru

Thanks for all the help. The responses you shared have helped me decide to go ahead and make a purchase. Any recommendations on the type of player I should go for? Eventually, I plan to upgrading to a large flat screen model with 1080p and over 100mghz

My vote goes to PS3. It is an excellent blu-ray player. It delivers an awesome picture when connected to a 1080p display. It should deliver a very high caliber picture for 1080i as well. It is future proofed. Sony is committed to evolve PS3 (e.g. profile 2.0) with blu-ray technology via firmware upgrades. And also, IMO it is the best value player in the market. The big bonus is that you would get an excellent game machine as well.

Always use DVI/HDMI cable rather than component if you could do this. You can have DVI to HDMI cable. Both DVI and HDMI use the same signal, only difference is the connector type and audio availability with HDMI.

[IMind]

Originally Posted by Jaynru

Thanks for all the help. The responses you shared have helped me decide to go ahead and make a purchase. Any recommendations on the type of player I should go for? Eventually, I plan to upgrading to a large flat screen model with 1080p and over 100mghz

If BD-Live (Internet) isn't important to you and you want a stand alone player the consensus seems to be the Panasonic DMP-BD30. I have this and love the thing. I haven't had a single issue with it yet and Panasonic has been good with firmware updates. I have a Sony 5.1 setup as well and it's been fine. I'm using optical until I get the $$$ to buy a new receiver that decodes the new high def audio formats.

The only other things I think I could suggest is to stay away from Samsung, for now anyway.

If BD-Live is important to you... wait on a Profile 2.0 player or get a PS3 now.

[guitarist155]

ok i was looking for a ps3 features as compared to other players sticky but i could not find one so i will write one and get back to you to help make an informed dession of wich player to get, as this will get complicated fast.

edit: tried writing one wow it got complicated, just too much info. will keep wrking on it

[guitarist155]

the main thing is that the ps3 is the most full featured player right now the only thing it really doesn't have is 5.1 analog outs, it can't decode dts-hdma right now but we are supposed to get an update to fix that.

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by guitarist155

the main thing is that the ps3 is the most full featured player right now the only thing it really doesn't have is 5.1 analog outs, it can't decode dts-hdma right now but we are supposed to get an update to fix that.

Yes. PS3 has audio limitations. It cannot bit stream TruHD or DTS HD. So people take this as an issue even it may decode DTS HD with future firmware upgrade. Also, no 5.1 analogue out as well.

These audio issues do not bother me. Same for many others. Once firmware is upgraded to decode DTS HD, it will be a complete machine (almost) in IMO. PS3 will be ultimate player for me, if it gives the ability to reposition subtitles (as this a major problem for me).

It delivers a stunning picture for blu-ray and I am very happy with it.