Pro/Con of PS3 VS Stand alone

[ThePhantomOak]

Hey there, My dad just asked me about the price of a PS3 (his way of hinting that he was in the market for a blu-ray player sometime). He said you can get a stand alone for less than a $299 PS3 (with 100 gift card )

My question is;

Given that my dad will NEVER play games, NEVER use any other media other than Blu-ray disc movies, etc. what is the best buy?

I am leaning toward a PS3 because I love mine, and I could use it to play games when I visit BUT they are loud and hot for using just for BD playback, and I am not sure of the price and quality issues.


I know PS3 used to be the best value for BD players, but I got mine and stopped caring until now. Any advice?

[Tpatcher]

The biggest thing is that the Ps3 can't decode HD audio. But if that doesn't matter much, then the Ps3 is the way to go.

Ps3 loud? I've never had a miffle out of mine.

[matthewrounds]

Originally Posted by Tpatcher

The biggest thing is that the Ps3 can't decode HD audio. But if that doesn't matter much, then the Ps3 is the way to go.

Ps3 loud? I've never had a miffle out of mine.

This is not true, it cannot send DTS HD-MA and DTS TrueHD via bitstream, however it can decode both codecs. In my opinion, the biggest drawback for your dad is the controller as a remote. This can easily be remedied.

[ThePhantomOak]

Originally Posted by Tpatcher

Ps3 loud? I've never had a miffle out of mine.

As a game machine goes, it is wisper quiet. As a BD player goes, it is loud.

As far as the remote, one of the features that I like with the PS3 is the Bluetooth. My dad has about 20% hearing in his right ear and 0% in his left, so he has to wear a headset (hopefully tuned to mono) and radio and infrared often gives him trouble.

So, along with my other questions, is there a mono setting and Bluetooth on any BD player including the PS3? I would guess that I am the only person looking for 1.1 playback on Blu

[ixlegitballinxl]

mine is quiet as can be....blu ray/dvd/games.....can't even tell its on based on sound.....

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Tpatcher

The biggest thing is that the Ps3 can't decode HD audio.

incorrect.

It can decode both formats.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by ThePhantomOak

My question is;

Given that my dad will NEVER play games, NEVER use any other media other than Blu-ray disc movies, etc. what is the best buy?

I am leaning toward a PS3 because I love mine, and I could use it to play games when I visit BUT they are loud and hot for using just for BD playback, and I am not sure of the price and quality issues.


I know PS3 used to be the best value for BD players, but I got mine and stopped caring until now. Any advice?

Since you already have a PS3, I say tell him to get a PS3 - the MGS4 one so that he gets an 80GB and you can get MGS4 for all of your troubles.

The reason is simple: If he has any questions, you're his tech guy. Think about it. If he bought other players and he has problems with it, you'd have to go to the forums and find out what's causing the problems. But if he has a PS3, you can immediately diagnose the problem and offer a solution. It's like you're his extension to this forum.


fuad

[ryoohki]

Loudest is a personnal thing. Personally i couldn't deal with the Heat it was generating. My projector generate enought heat as it is and my AC Unit (with is Central) couldn't cope with it. I had to put a very low Temp for the house to cool my HT because my PS3+Projector was heating the place.

My BD30k generate way less heat (Room Temperature or just a little more) and i never heard the fan because it never kicked in..

The fan on the PS3 has 4-5 speed. Mine kicked to the 3rd gear pretty fast and i'am sitted at 9 feet from it so it was very audible during quiet scene (almost as audible as my Projector witch is on the top of my head). But it's at least 10x quieter than the 360 when playing a game.

The PS3 can be setted to be Dad proof, you can AUTO PLAY any media so it's fairly easy, if you go that route, buy the REMOTE, it's a must IMHO..

[ThePhantomOak]

How is the Magnovox NB500MG9?

It is less than $200 at Wal-mart (did I mention my folks are in a really shitty position my dads retirement is indexed at 2% and real inflation in the last year was between 4.5-7.5%)

Any review you guys can throw at me while I look up reviews online? Seems like it might be shit.

BTW, does anyone know if this $100 thing works on preorders of the 80gb MGS4 bundle?? I would pre order that for sure. It would come out to be around $280 after the gift card and I rape it of MGS and the controller.

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by ThePhantomOak

How is the Magnovox NB500MG9?

It is less than $200 at Wal-mart (did I mention my folks are in a really shitty position my dads retirement is indexed at 2% and real inflation in the last year was between 4.5-7.5%)

Any review you guys can throw at me while I look up reviews online? Seems like it might be shit.

From what I have read, the Magnavox player is not that bad. It uses the same Panasonic Unipher chipset as the Panny BD30 and uses a Sony optical head. The limitations are that you will have to have an HDMI 1.3 receiver if you want the advanced lossless codecs (TrueHD/DTS-HD-MA). If you do not have an HDMI receiver, be aware that this player does not have optical outs (it has coax). Reports seem positive. It apparently is pretty fast loading discs.

You may also want to look at the Samsung 1500 which also qualifies for the $100 GC at Wal-Mart and only costs $50 more. Me. I love my PS3.