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  1. #1
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    I've decided to purchase a Blu-Ray

    Here's the thing. With many recent purchases etc. My wife is dead against me spending any money on pretty much anything. I have convinced her to allow me to purchase a new blu-ray player by selling my Xbox 360 and games. This is gonna put me in the market for a new blu-ray player, but I'm trying to find a good deal on one. At one time Best Buy had sonys for $300, but now it looks like they're $400. I don't want to buy a used one, that much I know. What Brand should I look to for the cheapest available, and also, what do I need to know about having to upgrade software etc? My T.V. has HDMI, but it's only 720P, but I'm sure a Blu-Ray will still be a big jump over the standard Def. I'm getting (420P via component cables) now, and I am anxious to see the upconverting capabilities of these new machines......

    I'm going to keep my eye out at Best Buy for an open box, etc. but anyone have any players to stay away from, or ones I should seriously look at?

    thanks!
    JP

  2. #2
    way up in Canada eh f0rge's Avatar
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    what about a ps3?

    then again i have no idea if those are good BD players or not...
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  3. #3
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    The first thing I thought about after posting this was "I should say I'm not interested in a PS3" Couple reasons..... I am looking for something for the sole purpose of playing movies, and don't want a game system, I have heard, and seen, the PS3's aren't the best for playing Blu-Ray, and although I only have 720p capabilities now, I'd like to upgrade the T.V. in the future, and I have seen with my own eyes, 1080p capabilities from a PS3 aren't as good as other dedicated players (store had a side by side demo with a PS3, a Samsung Blu-Ray, and matching Plasma monitors playing the same movie, both via HDMI.) but I digress....

    I don't want all the bulk of the PS3 either, although I understand they're not too big.

    Believe me...... all of my friends say "well get a PS3" but I just don't have the desire to own another gaming console I guess.

    Even if someone fell off of a turnip truck and gave me $5,000 for my Xbox, the wife wouldn't let me purchase a new T.V. otherwise I'd be in the store after work today getting a new T.V. + Blu-Ray package deal!!!!! I want something closer to 42" but I don't want a divorce in the process!

  4. #4
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    Actually, the PS3 is rated one of the best BR players. But it doesn't have component out for audio. This means that you would need audio equipment with HDMI to be able to get true DD etc.
    Maybe you (read wife) feel that you may become addicted to the games the same way you did with the Xbox?

    Here's another person with the same quest.
    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=969206
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  5. #5
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    Maybe you (read wife) feel that you may become addicted to the games the same way you did with the Xbox?
    Funny thing is, if I actually played the thing, I'd keep it! I turn it on once every 3 months or so. Thanks for the link though!

  6. #6
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    I gotta go with GM and 2nd the PS3.

  7. #7
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    I think I read it didn't, but I want to confirm.......

    I've read more and more, and I'm leaning towards the PS3. I don't intend to use it for games, so I don't think I need a version that plays the old PS2 games, especially since I don't have any, but here are my questions.

    A) do they upconvert standard DVDs?

    B) what models (I read they don't all do it) play SACDs???

    Those are the big things for me right now.... if it doesn't upconvert (Since I don't plan on replacing all 500 of my current DVDs) I don't want it......

  8. #8
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    Hey johnny p,

    I can fill you in partially as I've had the PS3 for a few weeks and actually got my system semi-hooked up yesterday. The PS3 does indeed upconvert standard dvds and it does it extremely well. Of course BLU-RAY is magnificent.

    As far as SACDs I have the 80 gig model and it will play them. I don't have a receiver with HDMI passthrough so I'm not sure of the sq as of yet. I'll share my future discoveries, but thus far I'd say I'm fairly impressed---and I'm not a gamer either.

    Peace

  9. #9
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    I just found another forum (for video game junkies!) and read a thread that spanned over a year and a half (pre-release) and it went from "no it won't" to "hey it does!!" so I know it up-converts. I am still limited by my t.v. which is a Sharp Aquos, LC37D43U which I'm pretty sure is a 720p set.... but I should be o.k. (I saw the thread with the resolution vs. viewing distance vs. screen size.... GREAT TOOL)

  10. #10
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    sorry.... one more question..... I know there have been compatibility issues, and I've heard HDCP vs HDMI tossed around, here's the specs on my T.V. should I be good to go on any blu-ray player?

    Native 1366 x 768 resolution
    450 cd/m2 brightness
    1200:1 contrast ratio
    6ms response time
    Dual HDMI (w/HDCP) inputs
    Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners
    Includes built in speakers and table stand
    Screen Size 37"
    Aspect Ratio 16:9
    DTV Capability HDTV
    LCD Panel Advanced Super View/Black TFT
    Number of Pixels (dots) 1366 x 768
    Luminance (cd/m2) 450
    Native Contrast Ratio 1200:1
    Dynamic Contrast Ratio 6000:1
    Viewing Angles (H x V) 176° x 176°
    Lamp Life (Hours) 60,000
    Backlight 3-Wavelength
    Tuner Type ATSC/QAM/NTSC
    Response Time 6ms
    Audio Output 10W + 10W
    Speakers Location/Type Bottom/Fixed
    Terminals
    HDMI In 2
    RGB 15-Pin Input 1
    HD Component In 2
    S-Video In 1
    Composite Video In 2
    Audio L/R In 4
    RF 1
    Digital Audio Out 1
    Power Source AC Input 120V
    Power Consumption 185W
    Cabinet Color Black
    Dimensions with stand/with speakers
    35 61/64" x 25 27/32" x 11 35/64"
    without stand/with speakers
    35 61/64" x 23 35/64" x 3 53/64"
    Net Weight (lbs.) with stand/with speakers 52.9

  11. #11
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    P.S. again..........

    Sale of my Xbox was finalized last night, so the wife has o.k'd my purchase of the PS3, now I just gotta know if it's compatible with my T.V.

    thanks,

  12. #12
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    Hey johnny, there's a little trick to gettin' it going. It's not plug-and-play per se.

    During setup start off with your composite vid cable. Then, scroll through the setup options and choose HDMI. The system will then go to a blank screen and convert. It's not set up to "sense" an HDMI so if you go that route initially you'll get nothing but frustration...ask me how I know

  13. #13
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    Thanks! I saw on here older HD TVs might not be capable of connecting to certain Blu Ray players (I should find the link to the thread I guess! it was a guy with his Panasonic T.V. I believe) I just want to make sure that won't be the case for me.

  14. #14
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bobsticks
    Hey johnny, there's a little trick to gettin' it going. It's not plug-and-play per se.

    During setup start off with your composite vid cable. Then, scroll through the setup options and choose HDMI. The system will then go to a blank screen and convert. It's not set up to "sense" an HDMI so if you go that route initially you'll get nothing but frustration...ask me how I know
    Ditto.
    The set up drove me nuts. After selecting the output you want it will prompt you to hit enter. Only thing is, the "enter button" is not what it means. After playing around for a few minutes (pushing ever dang button) it turned out that the right arrow key is what it wanted. Frickin engineers!

    The 40GB will not play SACD's and has zero backward compatibility.
    The 80GB will play SACD's and has about 90% BC.
    The 60GB will play SACD's and has about 98% BC. (but has been discontinued and may be hard to find)

    Think your TV is fine, but you may want to ask LJ. He's our HDMI expert these days.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  15. #15
    Forum Regular ttskyline01's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bobsticks
    Hey johnny, there's a little trick to gettin' it going. It's not plug-and-play per se.

    During setup start off with your composite vid cable. Then, scroll through the setup options and choose HDMI. The system will then go to a blank screen and convert. It's not set up to "sense" an HDMI so if you go that route initially you'll get nothing but frustration...ask me how I know
    actually the ps3 can sense the hdmi connected to it'

  16. #16
    Forum Regular O'Shag's Avatar
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    PS3. If you want to game as well as watch movies and play music, thats your answer - especially on a tight budget. The PS3, from the reviews I've read. does a fine job as a BR player. I'm holding out for the Sony 2000ES player - that said I'd love the PS3 with a whole racing setup - the steering wheel, footpedals, chair - the lot! I don't want much do I? I love formula 1, and know that if I get the PS3, I'll have to have Forza and all the rest of the racing games etc.

  17. #17
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    On my way to the store after work....... T-Minus 5 hours............

  18. #18
    Forum Regular audio amateur's Avatar
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    I was at an audio and video show in London a few weeks back and almost every stand had a PS3 for Blue-Ray demonstrations. Let me tell you I was blown away. (That's also maybe 'cause they had massive screen sizes with the help of really good projectors). One of the popular scenes was the Casino Royal Bond chase at the beginning of the movie. The blue from the ocean when they are on the crane was simply stunning. The definition aswell. Well everything was really. Anyway just to say that I was thoroughly impressed with the picture quality.
    AA.
    PS: i'm playin' Doom 3 right now and i'm pissing my pants I just bought the game..

  19. #19
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by johnny p
    On my way to the store after work....... T-Minus 5 hours............
    3 hours. tic tic tic...
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  20. #20
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    2 hours on the dot now........ argggghhhhh maybe I'll sneak out early!

  21. #21
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    SORRY.... one more question... need help!

    What resolution will I get out of the box? I ordered an HDMI cable from Monoprice for $8 after shipping, so I figured i'd wait 3 days to get it rather than pay $50 for one at Best Buy. If I connect it with the Component video cables I have, will I get 720p out of it?

    thanks!!!!!

  22. #22
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by johnny p
    SORRY.... one more question... need help!

    What resolution will I get out of the box? I ordered an HDMI cable from Monoprice for $8 after shipping, so I figured i'd wait 3 days to get it rather than pay $50 for one at Best Buy. If I connect it with the Component video cables I have, will I get 720p out of it?

    thanks!!!!!
    You cant use standard component cables with the PS3. You gotta use the component cables that are compatible with it.


  23. #23
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    Thanks LJ! So with the cables that come in the box, (while I wait for the HDMI to get here) what resolution can I expect?

  24. #24
    Village Idiot johnny p's Avatar
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    P.S. I lied about the "one more question" thing I guess!

  25. #25
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by johnny p
    Thanks LJ! So with the cables that come in the box, (while I wait for the HDMI to get here) what resolution can I expect?
    Your gonna be stuck with 480i

    Well the 3 days will go by fast enough

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