PS-3 the best buy for the buck?

[bubslewis]

Am thinking about getting a Playstation 3 for the living room setup. My main system is downstairs, the living room is used by everybody (grandkids, wife, neighbors, dog, me, etc). System consists of a decent HT speaker array, Yamaha A/V receiver, HDTV, a standard DVD player and a Playstation 2.

The DVD player quit playing cd's, and the Playstation 2 doesn't seem to produce particularly good sound when playing cd's (some hum and a harshness). I understand the PS -3 plays Blueray and regular DVD discs, regular cd's, and SACDs. Can the unit do all these things well? I wouldn't expect state-of-the-art performance across the board here, but if it can do a respectable job for all of the above (plus the games), then it seems like a great deal for $299.

My next option would be an OPPO universal player, but then I wouldn't have the games. Seperate components is not a good option here (so says the wife). Recommendations?

thanks,
Bill

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Am thinking about getting a Playstation 3 for the living room setup. My main system is downstairs, the living room is used by everybody (grandkids, wife, neighbors, dog, me, etc). System consists of a decent HT speaker array, Yamaha A/V receiver, HDTV, a standard DVD player and a Playstation 2.

The DVD player quit playing cd's, and the Playstation 2 doesn't seem to produce particularly good sound when playing cd's (some hum and a harshness). I understand the PS -3 plays Blueray and regular DVD discs, regular cd's, and SACDs. Can the unit do all these things well? I wouldn't expect state-of-the-art performance across the board here, but if it can do a respectable job for all of the above (plus the games), then it seems like a great deal for $299.

My next option would be an OPPO universal player, but then I wouldn't have the games. Seperate components is not a good option here (so says the wife). Recommendations?

thanks,
Bill

Unfortunately the newer PS3 do not do SACD. However I would highly recommend the PS3, because it can do so many things well. It is a great upconverting DVD player, a great Bluray players, a great streaming device, a great gaming machine, and it will soon be a pretty good 3D bluray player after next years upgrade.

[bubslewis]

Thanks, Sir T , for your input. Too bad the new PS-3's don't handle SACD anymore, but it's really not a show stopper since our living room system is more for casual listening anyway. I think I'll go with the PS-3. Like you said, the versitility is terrific and, hopefully, the performance will be solid.

Bill

[Invader3k]

You won't be sorry with the PS3. It's my first Blu-ray player, and the playback really is quite superb. The video and audio quality it provides is fantastic. I'm still amazed that a mere "video game system" is this versatile. Sony did a great job creating a fantastic piece of equipment, and they continue to improve it with software/firmware updates.

I'm actually thinking of eventually getting one of the new slim PS3s and moving my current one to the bedroom. It would replace my very serviceable Zenith upconverting DVD player in there.

[bfalls]

I work for Sony. We have a Media Test Center which performs quality and player compatibility testing. They have over 130 different players including over 30 Blu-ray players. The players are used on a daily basis, so the operators are fully aware of their capabilities and pitfalls. By far the Blu-ray player of choice for performance and usability is the PS3. I have one of the earlier 80GB PS3s with SACD and PS2 backward capabilities. Except for it being a little noisier (unit dependent) I wouldn't trade it.

Sony employees can get a PS3 or BDP-S360 with the purchase of select Sony Bravia LCD TVs thru the Family store. I would opt for the PS3 in a heartbeat.

[L.J.]

Using a PS3 on my main and 2nd system. One of the best HT purchases I've made.

[GMichael]

I'll chime in with a me too post. I love my P/S3 80GB. It does it all very well.