buying Blu-ray now Vs. buying in Dec??

[Deansbaby]

ok so I am dying to buy a blu-ray,but i know that come dec there will be new technology added for the players that will be coming out for the holidays but my questions are:
what exactly is the new technology and how will it differ from the players that are out now??

Should I buy now or wait??

[chasarms]

The technology that you will see by December is pretty limited, but you may more easily get:

1. 2.0 platform. This allows the user to connect to the internet via a built-in ethernet port. There are a few discs available now and certainly more to come that offer extras that are exclusive to this technology. It is presumed, also, that the 'net connectivity will allow firmware updates without downloading and burning a disc. The PS3 currently supports the 2.0 platform. If you don't regularly enjoy the extras associated with buying disc media, you may not see benefit.

2. HD audio decoding. Many of the top-end players releasing within the next several weeks have Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD MA decoding built into them. There are players available now that will bitstream the HD audio data, so if you have a capable receiver, it is probably not relevent. But, if you have a receiver that is not, HD audio is certainly significant. Of course, the longer you wait on buying the player, the more "standard" this functionality becomes.

It is also reasonable to assume that load speeds will continue to improve and other little things. It's also reasonable to think you'll get a better price on the player in the shopping season.

[Sith]

Originally Posted by Deansbaby

ok so I am dying to buy a blu-ray,but i know that come dec there will be new technology added for the players that will be coming out for the holidays but my questions are:
what exactly is the new technology and how will it differ from the players that are out now??

Should I buy now or wait??

If you only want a stand alone player wait, but if your open to getting
the best blu ray player for the money and argueable the best blu ray player period, and the one that is best at updating/upgrading technology....

Just go buy a ps3 now...

[BruceWayne]

Originally Posted by Sith

Just go buy a ps3 now...

+1

[Blu Titan]

I agree with the other posters. A PS3 is really a no brainer. I own a PS3 and two standalone BD players, but the PS3 is my preferred choice for watching BD movies. Faster load times, full interactivity, and awesome sound are a few of the advantages. Just be sure to buy the blu-ray remote.

[Entertainment72]

If you buy a PS3 now.. no need to wonder what's new and exciting in the future.. the PS3 pwns the future be it Dec 08 or Dec 09...

[Moefiz]

If you are looking for a standalone I would wait if not them just pick up the
PS 3, most of the stand alone now lacks everything that make the PS 3 so much better.

[Clark Kent]

The only reason to wait on buying now would be if you also plan to pick up a new HDTV at the same time. I expect to see lots of "free" bundled BD players with HDTV packages during the fourth quarter of this year. But if you're not doing that, get a PS3 now.

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by Moefiz

If you are looking for a standalone I would wait if not them just pick up the
PS 3, most of the stand alone now lacks everything that make the PS 3 so much better.

Yeah, if you are okay with a PS3 and $399 is within your price range, all the technology everyone keeps saying to wait for is available now, and in a great package (I hear it even plays games) . The PS3 does not have the ability to output 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog audio, so if that's how you need to connect to your receiver, then its not a good choice.

If you are looking for a standalone player, though, waiting till Q4 would be the best bet. Players with ALL features (BD-Live, BonusView, HD audio decoding in player, 5.1 or 7.1 analog audio for the HD Audio) are coming soon, but will likely be selling for close to MSRP for awhile when first launched.

Look for either the Panasonic BD50 (MSRP: $699) or the Sony BDP-S550 (MSRP: $449) coming within the next few months. If you do NOT need internal decoding of HD audio formats, then the less expensive Sony BDP-S350 will be shipping soon (MSRP: $349) or the Samsung BD-P1500 (MSRP: $399) is shipping now. If you wait till fourth quarter though, you should be able to get one or the other for quite a bit less... unless component shortages keep prices higher than anyone would like. I'm hearing those issues should be worked out by Q3, though, so you should be able to get a good deal in Q4.

[Marcusarilius]

Buy now. Get a PS3 or stand alone Panny BD30. Most everyone will recommend a PS3 as you get the most bang for your buck.

[Bluubyu]

Philips BDP-7200

[dannyk8232]

Just keep your eyes peeled for closeouts/open box buys at CC/BB.

That's what I did and I got an open box Sharp BD-P20U at BB for $149 and it works flawlessly

[Puzz]

Or just stop by your friendly neighborhood Walmart and pick up the $298 Magnavox.