Blueray - PS3 or Dedicated BR Player?

[JSE]

I'm fairly confident this has been asked and answered many many times but I am lazy and swamped at the moment so.....

I need/want a BR player. I don't play games so PS3 is not mandaroty but I have heard the PS3 can be upgraded unlike the stand alone players. Is this a big issue?

If you suggest the PS3, can it be controlled like a standard BR/DVD player? Is there a remote that I can just hit play and be done with it? I don't want the PS3 if I have to go through lots of menus to get to the BR functions. It's got to be easy enough for the wife to use.

If it matters, I would run the BR player direct to the LCD via HDMI and run the sound via optical/digital coax to my receiver. The receiver does not have HDMI. That will be addressed a little later down the road.


Anyway, thanks for any help you can give me.

[L.J.]

Yes, the PS3 can be set to auto play. It'll begin to play the inserted disc automatically. You can pick up the BR remote for the PS3 which controls all the functions and is laid out pretty well. If you have a universal remote with learning capabilities, you can pickup the Bluwave remote, which let's you use a IR remote with the PS3. This controls 99% of the features, except the ability to turn it on. The PS3 will turn on when you put a disc in so no big deal.

I'm extremely happy with my PS3 and highly recommend it as a BR player. Gaming, music/photo/video streaming, SACD, web browsing.....all comes as a bonus if you plan on only using the BR playback. Sony has been faithful on adding new features and improving overall performance. Adding improvements with BR playback(adding BR profile 2.0) and video filtering features for SD playback.

I'm sure you know the only way to get HD audio with the PS3 is through an AVR that accepts MPCM via HDMI. Sounds like you plan on getting one soon so you should be OK. Setup is pretty simple and the PS3 will actually auto detect and optimize your settings for you. Just hook it up and that's about it.

The 40g model goes for $399(there may be some combo deals out there) but doesn't offer all the features of the 80g. It doesn't sound like your concerned with gaming backward compatibility. You also loose SACD playback, media card slots & you only get 2 instead of 4 usb slots. These things may not be important to you though. The price for the 80g is currently $499 but will be dropping to $399 this Sept. Not sure of the features but it sounds like it's gonna be a "40g" model with a larger HD. Here's a chart comparing the 2 currently available models. The 60g is no longer available for sale.

[JSE]

LOTS OF USEFUL INFO......

Thanks LJ. That's what I needed to here. I'll probably just go for the 40gb model since gaming is not important to me. Nor is SACD. I'm aware I won't get HD Audio so I will upgrade my receiver at a later date. Got a lot of big expenses coming up in the next few months so the receiver will have to take a back seat. For now.

Thanks again for all the info.

That's top notch information you got there from Sir LJ3 Cartman. He is the PS3 w/Blu-ray overlord!

Did you get yours yet? Let me know how you like it. I figure if you can operate the PS3.....................well, I should do fine.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Did you get yours yet? Let me know how you like it. I figure if you can operate the PS3.....................well, I should do fine.

It arrived late this afternoon but I haven't integrated it yet (waiting on that $275 Monster HDMI cable and remote). I'll post up my problems questions comments in L.J.'s PS3 thread in OT/Non-Audio.

BTW, I've been tracking the latest Shiner shipment and it seems to have gotten held up in Waxahachie. So sorry.

[JSE]

It arrived late this afternoon but I haven't integrated it yet (waiting on that $275 Monster HDMI cable and remote). I'll post up my problems questions comments in L.J.'s PS3 thread in OT/Non-Audio.

BTW, I've been tracking the latest Shiner shipment and it seems to have gotten held up in Waxahachie. So sorry.

Hey, I got "held up" in Waxahachie once before. Long story......................Let's just say I'm not allowed in the Taco Bueno there anymore, or Waxahachie for that matter....

[JSE]

LJ,

Does the PS3 have an Optical and/or Digitial Coax port for audio? And, can I run the HDMI for video and Optical/DigCoax at the same time?

If not, that might be a deal breaker for the PS3.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Hey, I got "held up" in Waxahachie once before. Long story......................Let's just say I'm not allowed in the Taco Bueno there anymore, or Waxahachie for that matter....

I can only imagine.

The PS3 only has one digital audio output other than the HDMI and it's optical. Not sure about the second part of your question though... yet.

[pixelthis]

It arrived late this afternoon but I haven't integrated it yet (waiting on that $275 Monster HDMI cable and remote). I'll post up my problems questions comments in L.J.'s PS3 thread in OT/Non-Audio.

BTW, I've been tracking the latest Shiner shipment and it seems to have gotten held up in Waxahachie. So sorry.

The signal is digital, a 32 buck cable (phillips) from Walmart
will do fine, or go to
monoprice.com
Theirs are 20 bucks on up.
And some company (forgot the name but its on Harmonys website)
has a PS3 REMOTE FOR 17 BUCKS, the remote sensor plugs into the USB port.
I found this out when the circuit crappy pimplyfaced teens lied to my friend and told him that a Harmony would work with a PS3 , which it wouldnt of course because of its blu tooth nature.
The picture was good but he decided that games wouldnt be important and took it back for a BDP-300, which I think performs better and has 5.1 channel out, but thats just me.

[L.J.]

The signal is digital, a 32 buck cable (phillips) from Walmart
will do fine, or go to
monoprice.com
Theirs are 20 bucks on up.

You know he was just joking right

And some company (forgot the name but its on Harmonys website)
has a PS3 REMOTE FOR 17 BUCKS, the remote sensor plugs into the USB port.
I found this out when the circuit crappy pimplyfaced teens lied to my friend and told him that a Harmony would work with a PS3 , which it wouldnt of course because of its blu tooth nature.

It's the Blu wave remote from NYKO. I use it and it works with my Harmony just fine.

The picture was good but he decided that games wouldnt be important and took it back for a BDP-300, which I think performs better and has 5.1 channel out, but thats just me.

To each his own brotha

[Rich-n-Texas]

That's top notch information you got there from Sir LJ3 Cartman. He is the PS3 w/Blu-ray overlord!

[johnny p]

I have 2 PS3s, and NO games.....

They make great players.... I'm sure I'll get a stand-alone in the future if they make one that does everything the PS3 does!

[bobsticks]

I have 2 PS3s, and NO games.....

They make great players.... I'm sure I'll get a stand-alone in the future if they make one that does everything the PS3 does!

Yup. I'm right there too...a PS3 and no games. The onboard processor on the Playstation is some serious chit, mang. I'm pretty sure I'd have to start looking at that 2k Denon unit to think about equalling the sound and picture quality.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Hopefully in the next couple of weeks the model like the one I picked up will be available again. The day after I ordered mine from Newegg, the site showed it as out of stock again. Here's the Sony part number FYI... PS398011.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16868110029

[Rich-n-Texas]

Bought an $18 Belkin HDMI cable along with the $20 remote L.J. suggested. No tax and free shipping. I'll get the NYKO's codes into the 880 ASAP.

[pixelthis]

WELL, my friend didnt care for the Sony 300, and while I was setting
his stuff up offered to let me have it until my vacation pay comes in,
he wanted the samsung 1500.
So I am now the proud owner of a bdp-s300 sony blu player.
Spent two hours programming it into the pronto, and its really spectacular. My Vizio can handle the 1080p but it really looks bad,
so I let it go to 720p.
THE BEST SCENE I have seen so far is the hotel check in scene
in casino royale, Bond and his friend is wearing black, the check in clerk is wearing black, and the richly detailed blacks look simply
amazing.
I was surprized by the Samsungs' "low ball" approach, no 5.1 out,
etc, the Sony has a bit meter, elapsed time and other "extras".
The load time others have talked about is a no problem, really,
load times, even for the "java" discs is under a minute, mostly.
And the upconversion is good too, hardware secrets
reports that the upscaled pic is as good as a 1200$ scaler.
One problem, tho, no center or sub on 5.1 out.
GOTTA email Sony about it, and yes its set to 5.1, not stereo, first thing I checked.
This is the latest player, all black front, etc.
Only problem now is that HD broadcast stuff looks a bit "drab".
I cant beleive the black level on this thing, not to mention the color saturation.
I have bought my last DVD.

[GMichael]

WELL, my friend didnt care for the Sony 300, and while I was setting
his stuff up offered to let me have it until my vacation pay comes in,
he wanted the samsung 1500.
So I am now the proud owner of a bdp-s300 sony blu player.
Spent two hours programming it into the pronto, and its really spectacular. My Vizio can handle the 1080p but it really looks bad,
so I let it go to 720p.
THE BEST SCENE I have seen so far is the hotel check in scene
in casino royale, Bond and his friend is wearing black, the check in clerk is wearing black, and the richly detailed blacks look simply
amazing.
I was surprized by the Samsungs' "low ball" approach, no 5.1 out,
etc, the Sony has a bit meter, elapsed time and other "extras".
The load time others have talked about is a no problem, really,
load times, even for the "java" discs is under a minute, mostly.
And the upconversion is good too, hardware secrets
reports that the upscaled pic is as good as a 1200$ scaler.
One problem, tho, no center or sub on 5.1 out.
GOTTA email Sony about it, and yes its set to 5.1, not stereo, first thing I checked.
This is the latest player, all black front, etc.
Only problem now is that HD broadcast stuff looks a bit "drab".
I cant beleive the black level on this thing, not to mention the color saturation.
I have bought my last DVD.

Have you tried the HDMI or optical out?

[JSE]

Bought the PS3 over the weekend. I ended up with the 80GB because I could not find any 40GB models anywhere. Maybe because they are being discontinued? Got the remote as well.

Took about 15 minutes to set it up from start to finish. Very easy and staight forward. I have not watched a BlueRay movie yet but I did squeeze in a standard DVD (The Bank Job) last night. Like LJ mentioned, it did a pretty good job upscaling. Very nice picture and great sound. Tonight, I have the BR movie "Jumper" to watch. Probably a lame movie but should be a good introduction to BR. Plus that Bilson girl is hot.

Anyway, thanks again for call the help you guys gave me and I am confident I made a good choice. Might even buy a game one day.............yeah, probably not.

JSE

[bobsticks]

Congrats mang, that's a good buy. I keep tellin' myself that I'm gonna pick up Metal Gear or Vice City 4 or whatever but it never happens.

I think one of the things you'll be presently surprised about, or at least I have been thusfar, is the general quality of transfers from old movies to the new format. One of the bigger problems I had with the HD-DVD format was the crappy appearance of older films. Yeah, I know that alot depends on the quality of the original filmstock but some of the reissues were horrific. I've been very pleased with what I've seen so far...watched "Full Metal Jacket" the other night and felt like Pix was in the room yellin' at me.

...and that Bilson girl is hot, true 'nuff.


--sticks

[pixelthis]

Have you tried the HDMI or optical out?

The digital out is fantastic, these players have really great sound.
HDMI? If I get this paid off maybe a HDMI compatible receiver is next.
But on the 5.1 analog outs, no center or sub, puzzling, really.
Havew seen this on two players.
Btw my "crappy" Vizio can handle the 1080p out, but it looks like a
mescaline hangover, guess the scaler wasnt made for it

[L.J.]

Welcome to the club brotha! Since your using optical at the moment, rent yourself some BR with DTSMA tracks. Your only gonna get the "core" 1.5mbps for now but man it still sounds freakin' sweet! Fox has ALOT of DTSMA titles.

[JSE]

Welcome to the club brotha! Since your using optical at the moment, rent yourself some BR with DTSMA tracks. Your only gonna get the "core" 1.5mbps for now but man it still sounds freakin' sweet! Fox has ALOT of DTSMA titles.

Thanks LJ and Sticks,


I'll check out some DTSMA titles soon. Can't remember if Jumper has DTS.

The HDMI capable receiver might come later this fall. Lots of funds going to other things like vacation and landscaping/outdoor kitchen right now. I told my wife I "needed" a new receiver and she just shot me "that look". Nuff said, no receiver. For now! Buwahahahahahahahaha!

What's that saying......... It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission?

[Rich-n-Texas]

Welcome to the club brotha! Since your using optical at the moment, rent yourself some BR with DTSMA tracks. Your only gonna get the "core" 1.5mbps for now but man it still sounds freakin' sweet! Fox has ALOT of DTSMA titles.

I would like to know how you find this information out BEFORE you rent/purchase Blu-ray titles. I just rented 6 titles but I have no idea whether or not they have lossless audio formats.

[L.J.]

I would like to know how you find this information out BEFORE you rent/purchase Blu-ray titles. I just rented 6 titles but I have no idea whether or not they have lossless audio formats.

You can try out a review site that lists the info. I like DVDTalk & Hidefdigest. Usually the track info is announced before the release. Most new releases are gonna have a HD track of some form, though I still bump into a 640 DD every now and then.

Now if you really want to get some serious title info, peep this out.

[Rich-n-Texas]

You can try out a review site that lists the info. I like DVDTalk & Hidefdigest. Usually the track info is announced before the release. Most new releases are gonna have a HD track of some form, though I still bump into a 640 DD every now and then.

Now if you really want to get some serious title info, peep this out.

Thanks. I'll check those sites out.

Well, I just learned on that Blu-ray discussion you linked that Cloverfield's audio bitrate is above 4Mb/s, which is waaaaay above anything I've listened to so far on my equipment. It's in my queue but when I actually receive it is another story. I also like the sound of that scan tool they talk about the will allow you to see the actual bit rate of any disk you check. http://www.cinemasquid.com/Tools.aspx and it's free to install on your computer.

[L.J.]

Thanks. I'll check those sites out.

Well, I just learned on that Blu-ray discussion you linked that Cloverfield's audio bitrate is above 4Mb/s, which is waaaaay above anything I've listened to so far on my equipment. It's in my queue but when I actually receive it is another story. I also like the sound of that scan tool they talk about the will allow you to see the actual bit rate of any disk you check. http://www.cinemasquid.com/Tools.aspx and it's free to install on your computer.

Yes, Cloverfield has a niiiccceee track. TrueHD I think.

Dude, you can get the actual bitrate info on the PS3. Just hit display while the disc is playing. It'll tell you what it's decoding, audio/video bitrate and time info