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  1. #1
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    PS3 vs Standalone

    This was posted in another thread, but I thought I should bring it out since I'm curious what others think of this. RR6, I'm not trying to put you on the spot or anything...I was gonna do a thread already and thought this would be a great first post.

    Quote Originally Posted by RR6
    I'm an old fart and don't know a PS3 from a PT109. However, some of these reasons below are definitely legitimate and objectionable for me and eliminate my consideration of a PS3. I don't play games. #'s 1 & 4 (since I have a non-HDMI receiver) are important for me and #'s 2 & 3 are maybe. Curious about opinions from you guys that know the PS3 well. For people who don't do games and have an HDMI receiver would you still recommend the PS3 versus the Sony S350 or Panny BD-35?
    If I were purchasing a player today and had a budget of let's say $600, I would go with a PS3 in a second. In most cases I recommend the PS3 as a BR player except for those who are looking to use analog ins on older AVR. The PS3 does much more than BR playback. So let's say you run out and purchase a newer Sony or Panny that is great for CD/DVD & BR playback...Well that's great and all but it stops there. The PS3 offers these same functions with the added bonus of media center capabilities including streaming, wifi, internet browser, Video download service, 40 or 80 gig HD for photos/videos/music, SACD on the 80g model, bluray & movie trailers, excellent support with continued firmware updates that improve media playback as well as functionality.

    I've had my PS3 since Dec of 06 and have had no issues. Improvements for CD, DVD & BR playback in the form of latest BD profile, audio/video noise filters as well as various display settings to improve PQ. The latest update added the ability for automatic shutoff(sleep timer), Flash 9 support for the internet browser, noise filters for video content played directly from your HD. The continued support has been awesome.

    Now, I now some of you could care less about surfing the web or emailing friends from your BR player. That's understandable. I consider these additional features to be a huge bonus on top of a player that is already excellent at bluray, DVD, SACD & CD playback.

    Another bonus is the gaming aspect. You may have no interest in gaming, but you never know. Free game demos will at least give you the opportunity to try a few out. My wife is not a gamer, but she plays a few with me. Not all games are shooters ya know

    Six reasons you shouldn't use the PS3 as your Blu-ray player
    Posted by Matthew Moskovciak 70 commentsShare E-mail Print (Credit: CNET Networks)OK, before the angry fanboy comments roll in, let's get this out of the way: the PlayStation 3 is the best Blu-ray player on the market right now. It sits at the top of our best Blu-ray players list, we consistently use it as the reference that we judge other Blu-ray players against, and it's the only player on the market right now that supports Blu-ray Profile 2.0 and onboard decoding for both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. And it will always be the only Blu-ray player that streams media, has a browser, and plays PS3 games. Virtually everyone looking to buy a Blu-ray player should go with the PS3 right now.

    However, with that in mind, there are a few legitimate reasons why someone wouldn't want to use a PlayStation 3 as their main Blu-ray player. Let's check them out.
    I think this article is old but I'll go over the six points.

    1. Doesn't work with universal remotes.
    Sony decided not to include an IR receptor on the PlayStation 3, and home theater fans have been complaining ever since. The lack of an IR receptor means that the PlayStation 3 won't work with universal remote controls, so you'll have to use the PS3 controller or the separate PS3 BD remote to control it. It's definitely a pain for anyone who is used to activity-based macros such as "Watch TV" and "Watch Blu-ray" to control their home theater.
    I use my Harmony just fine with my PS3 and it controls 99% of the functions. The only thing it can't do is turn the PS3 on. But, the PS3 turns on automatically when you insert a disc, so......

    2. It's louder than standalones.
    Although every PS3 seems to be different, the PS3 can occasionally get loud once its fans start spinning. For audiophiles, that can be a pretty big drawback, especially if you start to hear a whirr during every quiet scene in a movie. You'll have better luck keeping the PS3 quiet by keeping it in a well-ventilated area, but standalones are quieter in general and don't mind having other gear stacked on them.
    I sit about 10 feet from my PS3 and never hear the fans unless I walk up to it. I've had my PS3 almost 2 years and leave it on all day. Yes, the fan does kick on but no way I can hear it from my sitting position. I'd have to turn off everything, and really listen for it I guess.

    3. Interface isn't as easy to use.
    This isn't an issue for tech enthusiasts, but Sony's Xross Media Bar (XMB) is packed with options and can be intimidating for neophytes. Although we generally like the XMB for zipping around the PS3's functions, using a standard Blu-ray player where you just need to put in the disc and hit play is definitely a lot easier.
    The PS3 can be set to automatically play an inserted disc. No menus, no cross bar....Just insert the disc and it plays.

    4. You have an older AV receiver and need multichannel analog outputs.
    If you're using an older receiver and want to use its multichannel analog inputs to get high-resolution soundtracks, you can't do it with the PlayStation 3. You're better off going with a standalone Blu-ray player with onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, like the upcoming Pioneer BDP-51FD and Panasonic DMP-BD50. Of course, if you're OK with standard DVD-style surround sound, you can still get that with the PS3's optical SPDIF output, which is compatible with nearly all modern receivers.
    I agree with this. No analog outs on the PS3 means no HD audio with older AVR's. I knew I was gonna get an HDMI AVR eventually, so I went 9 months with just my PS3 hooked via optical to my 2805 until I was ready to upgrade.

    5. You want to be green.
    The PS3 is great at a lot of things, but conserving power isn't one of them. If you're looking to stay green and limit your power consumption, you'll be much better off using a standalone Blu-ray player. For example, the PS3 sucks up about 170 watts while playing a Blu-ray movie, while the Samsung BD-P1400 only uses about 25 watts. That's a fairly huge difference and can easily wipe out any power savings from using other green products such as the Philips Eco TV. (Check out our guide to TV power consumption for more green tips.)
    I really don't have a comment on this. I have 3 sound systems, 2nd fridge, deep freezer, 4 aquariums and a huge electric bill to go with it.

    6. I need to see my receiver light up and say "Dolby TrueHD."
    Even if you do have a new HDMI-capable receiver, you'll never get the Dolby TrueHD light to turn on with the PS3. That's because although the PS3 can decode both DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD, it can't send those soundtracks in bit stream format and allow the receiver to decode them. Of course, this isn't really a legitimate reason, as you're still getting the same high-resolution audio, but some people just need the comfort of seeing the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio lights on their receiver.
    This was a waste. As stated, your getting the same thing. But the PS3 does have an advantage. Since the decoding is done in the player, you can listen to the extra content on advanced authored disc that requires the decoding to be done by the player. You loose this with bitstreaming.

  2. #2
    Loving This kexodusc's Avatar
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    I have a PS3.

    I will comment on 3 things.

    #1 the fan noise. I use it for listening to music, I sit about 10 feet away. I can't hear the damn thing at all. It's in a shelf, about 8 inches high, with 4 inches of clearance on all sides. But I've never heard the fan, ever....

    #2The remote - using the controller is an option, it works, you get used to it. Or spend 9 bucks and buy the add on BluRay remote with the Bluetooth/IR converter and program it in your Harmony.

    #3 As for power consumption - I have a very eco-friendly home, but I guess I'm on the wrong side here. I dare say anyone with anything but a digital amplifier is probably not in a position to be worried about power consumption. I've got amps in my home that make my neighbor's lights flicker.

    Guess it depends what you want the thing for. It's a very capable BluRay player that actually outperforms a lot of other models in PQ, both cheaper, and more expensive. As a 1st BluRay player, you could do much worse. I'm guessing the PS3 will have very good resale value should you ever want to upgrade BluRay players too.

    But there's $200$-$250 BluRay players that probably play back at 95% of the pic quality as the PS3. I wouldn't fault anyone for going that route to save a few bucks.

  3. #3
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kexodusc

    But there's $200$-$250 BluRay players that probably play back at 95% of the pic quality as the PS3. I wouldn't fault anyone for going that route to save a few bucks.
    I agree. For my main system I'd definitely stick with the PS3 for the reasons I mentioned. Now that prices are dropping, you can find capable players in that $200 - $300 price range. If I were getting a player for a second room or something like that, this would make the most sense now.

    I actually started this thread because I noticed a lot of the guys here recommending players but not including the PS3. I guess with players being cheaper & cheaper, it's now a option to decide if you want to pay extra for all the B&W the PS3 offers.

  4. #4
    Audio/HT Nut version 1.3a
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    No problem L. J., thanks for starting a separate thread. I knew that the PS3 had great BD performance because I see every reviewer compare the set they are testing to the PS3, I was just curious how it compared in other factors for someone like me who simply wants a component Blu Ray player.

    RR6

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by L.J.
    I have 3 sound systems, 2nd fridge, deep freezer, 4 aquariums and a huge electric bill to go with it.
    OK L.J., I'm with you on everything but one issue: 4 aquariums? What the hell are you up to? You must supply a Japanese restaurant with sashimi ( 刺身). A so!

    RR6

  6. #6
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RoadRunner6
    OK L.J., I'm with you on everything but one issue: 4 aquariums? What the hell are you up to? You must supply a Japanese restaurant with sashimi ( 刺身). A so!

    RR6
    4 tanks....Large aggressive, small aggressive, Large community(non/semi-aggressive), small community.

    I like different types of fish(fresh water) but some just can't go together. Big guys will eat the littles ones or certain ones will just beat the crap out of others. Some are highly territorial, some like the bottom, some like the top. Basically, if you want a large variety of fish, you end up with multiply tanks.

    It's like HT, you start off with one and before you know it......

  7. #7
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RoadRunner6
    No problem L. J., thanks for starting a separate thread. I knew that the PS3 had great BD performance because I see every reviewer compare the set they are testing to the PS3, I was just curious how it compared in other factors for someone like me who simply wants a component Blu Ray player.

    RR6
    RR, I too have and wholeheartedly recommend the PS3. Never played a game on it. Ever.

    The processor in this thing is the real deal. One thing to add to these character's already formidable list is the Sony tech support. There's alot to be said for simply plugging in a cable and getting substantial and substanitive upgrades.


    ---sticks
    So, I broke into the palace
    With a sponge and a rusty spanner
    She said : "Eh, I know you, and you cannot sing"
    I said : "That's nothing - you should hear me play piano"

  8. #8
    Audio/HT Nut version 1.3a
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    Thanks Sticks, I'll definitely check it out before I make a purchase.

    RR6

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by L.J.
    4 tanks....Large aggressive, small aggressive, Large community(non/semi-aggressive), small community.

    I like different types of fish(fresh water) but some just can't go together. Big guys will eat the littles ones or certain ones will just beat the crap out of others. Some are highly territorial, some like the bottom, some like the top. Basically, if you want a large variety of fish, you end up with multiply tanks.

    It's like HT, you start off with one and before you know it......
    Thanks for the explanation L.J......but it sounds like a fish story to me!

    RR6

  10. #10
    Forum Regular DetroitIrish's Avatar
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    just my .02 noob opinion, PS3 is a great deal ( not a huge fanboy either) $250 for a comparable BRP, so you're basically getting the gaming for $200, not a bad deal IMO, plus, if your AVR doesnt have networking capabilities, the PS3 does, so thats an added bonus IMO! As for power consumption, I'm right w/ LJ, 2 fridges, 1 deep freezer, a 55g SWtank, and building a 210g SW tank, so i dont even notice it on my ele. bill.. lol

  11. #11
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DetroitIrish
    just my .02 noob opinion, PS3 is a great deal ( not a huge fanboy either) $250 for a comparable BRP, so you're basically getting the gaming for $200, not a bad deal IMO, plus, if your AVR doesnt have networking capabilities, the PS3 does, so thats an added bonus IMO! As for power consumption, I'm right w/ LJ, 2 fridges, 1 deep freezer, a 55g SWtank, and building a 210g SW tank, so i dont even notice it on my ele. bill.. lol
    210.....Man, I bet it's gonna be beautiful once it's all setup. Expensive, but beautiful. My biggest tank is a 135g in a nice oak enclosure.

    I would love to see some pics when your all finished.

  12. #12
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    I'm going to bring my fishing rod and tackle box over to L.J.'s house! What do ya feed 'em buddy?



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    Quote Originally Posted by RoadRunner6
    Thanks for the explanation L.J......but it sounds like a fish story to me!

    RR6
    Okay thanks RR6, but please leave the humor to the pros, like GM.

  14. #14
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    Okay thanks RR6, but please leave the humor to the pros, like GM.
    Hey! I'm not funny.

    Just a little funny looking is all.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  15. #15
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    Your avatar is pretty funny looking too.

  16. #16
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    Are you looking at my eyes again?
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  17. #17
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    My dear sweet FA told me I'm not allowed to.

  18. #18
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    She's your boss now?
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  19. #19
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    Boss FA. Sounds kinda funny doesn't it? (I guess not to her husband tho huh? )

    I scrolled up a few posts but didn't see anything to tell me what this thread was about. Anyone know?

  20. #20
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    Boss FA. Sounds kinda funny doesn't it? (I guess not to her husband tho huh? )

    I scrolled up a few posts but didn't see anything to tell me what this thread was about. Anyone know?
    Your funny. Yeah, Like I really thought an AR thread would stay subject after 5 posts...maybe 10 on a really good subject.

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by bobsticks
    RR, I too have and wholeheartedly recommend the PS3. Never played a game on it. Ever....---sticks
    Now you know why no one likes to hang around with you my friend.

  22. #22
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    Now you know why no one likes to hang around with you my friend.
    huh??
    So, I broke into the palace
    With a sponge and a rusty spanner
    She said : "Eh, I know you, and you cannot sing"
    I said : "That's nothing - you should hear me play piano"

  23. #23
    Audio/HT Nut version 1.3a
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    Okay thanks RR6, but please leave the humor to the pros, like GM.
    Well, I really think some of the posts above belong over in the Fish Forum !

    RR6
    Attached Images Attached Images  

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by bobsticks
    huh??
    I threw a slider. Ball or strike?

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by RoadRunner6
    Well, I really think some of the posts above belong over in the Fish Forum !

    RR6
    There IS no freakin' Fish Forum!

    Right?

    psst... He's over 60. He can't read this. (snicker snicker)

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