Standalone player vs PS3?

[mtrycrafts]

So I am guessing you consider the Xbox 360 a superior gaming machine?

Unfortunately he didn't make his original post clear but he did clarify it later that he was only looking for a bluray player. Perhaps he is not into gaming and he has no idea how well these two gaming player compare? Give him a break.

 

[emorphien]

So I am guessing you consider the Xbox 360 a superior gaming machine?

Alright mr champion for the PS3, you're getting hung up on it. Let it go.

PS: Sonys controllers suck, design a new one already, they're uncomfortable!

 

[Matt34]

Maybe a bit off-topic and maybe even old news but I was made aware of this little device a couple days ago for the PS3. Should solve all the "aftermarket remote issues".

IR2BT

http://ir2bt.com/

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I say the only reason not to get a PS3 for blu ray is if you specifically need a player that has 5.1/7.1 analog outputs, if you don't, then by all means go PS3.

Yeah, that's the REAL reason I sold my PS3 to my little brother.

If the PS3 had 5.1 Analog Outputs, things might have been different for me.

 

[itschris]

My beef with it is that if looks like a George Foreman Grill, it should cook burgers like one too!!




- HA!!!! Was that funny? Okay... it wasn't funny... but I thought it was kinda funny. "... my beef... burgers..." Okay... nevermind.

 

[itschris]

I wish I could "Thank" myself and give myself rep points for that one!

 

[emorphien]

 

[j_garcia]

Just when I needed another laugh...

 

[BMXTRIX]

I think the only thing that matters when looking for a BD player is performance and reliability.

In these two areas, the PS3 has consistently proven itself to be a leader across the board. It was the first 2.0 profile player on the market, and remains the speed king for loading and starting playback of titles through its sheer horsepower.

It has also shown reliability at a level that is in line with most other consumer electronics on the market with something in the range of a 2-3% failure rate. This is very common with electronics across the board and represents solid design and build quality.

The biggest downsides to the PS3 include the look of the player, which many don't like. Personally, I stuck mine on a Middle Atlantic rack shelf and you don't see the shape of it at all. You can also simply get a decent piece of A/V furniture and have it contained inside of it... not exactly something you would see.

The remote is perhaps the biggest plus/minus for the PS3 as a BD player. Since it is bluetooth wireless, you don't have line of site issues when using Sony's PS3 BD remote, but when you want to use your own universal remote, you are in trouble. There are a number of IR solution out there which are adequate for many. I personally use the Blue Wave remote by NYKO and it works fairly well for my needs when integrated with Crestron. I have to manually turn the player on/off, but basically everything else I can do through my RF/IR remote.

There are new IR to Bluetooth solutions which completely eliminate the issues with the IR remotes out there, but they are a pretty expensive 'upgrade' IMO. Yet, in a solid system, it is easy to see many people being interested in a very good remote to control their PS3 via IR.

The reviews are out there. If you aren't interested in the gaming side of PS3, then you have few options in BD that come close. If the few drawbacks don't bug you, then you really run out of reasons not to put it at or near the top of your list.

I would say that the Panny BD50 that is coming up soon may be the closest competitor to the PS3, and it will cost more, and likely be a bit slower. Thanks, I'll stick with my PS3 for another year or two.

 

[Bryce_H]

I jumped on the PS3 bandwagon when Walmart was having their promotion. Couldn't be happier. I did LOTS of research here and elsewhere and concluded for the money (even adding the 19.99 Nyko remote) and performance it could not be beat. The look is not an issue for me as I have it in a dedicated AV closet in the back of the room (with IR extension) and lack of an remote on/off is a non-issue as I need to walk to the player to put a disc in anyway.

 

[MinusTheBear]

So I am guessing you consider the Xbox 360 a superior gaming machine?

I sure do . Xbox 360 has way more games, more good quality/great games. The mulitplayer/online games are better on the 360, xbox live is better than Sony's online community and I prefer the 360 controller over the PS3 controller. From a gaming perspective I like the 360 hands down!

 

[itschris]

I think the only thing that matters when looking for a BD player is performance and reliability.
.

You can't possibly mean that. Who in their right mind buys anything hobby oriented... meaning non-necessity... soley on that criteria? You have to like it too...and I think that aspect carries a lot more weight then you think.

In fact, maybe not so much with ht gear, but how many of us have acutally comprimised performance or reliability to get something really really want?

When i conisder a bd player, performance and reliability should be included and my only decision should be which one I want for any myriad of reasons which could include brand loyalty, price, looks, features, etc.

 

[allargon]

I'm glad someone bumped this. I actually typed this up a couple of weeks ago and forgot about it.

Things standalones can do that the PS3 can't:

I've seen quite a few people promote the PS3. It's a media server, game console and a Blu-ray player. It's also the fastest, most responsive and most compatible Blu-ray player. Some models even play SACD's. I can totally understand wanting a PS3 as a primary Blu-Ray player. However, there are a few reasons why someone might prefer a standalone.

The facts:

#1) All current standalones use a IR remote out of the box without the need for a separate workaround.

#2) Most standalones have multichannel analog outs for AVR's and pre-pro's that don't do PCM audio over HDMI. (However, most standalones with multichannel analog outs don't decode all of the new high res audio formats! )

#3) Some people want region free playback. The LG BH200 can be modified with a few simple remote codes plus a simple software hack (no opening the case necessary) to do region free SD DVD and Blu-Ray playback. For people who don't want to be fed just what their home country feeds them, this is a real alternative. The LG BH200 can also do PAL playback for displays that support it.

#4) DVD-A support--the Panasonic DMP-BD10AK can play DVD-A's out of the box.

#5) The PS3 uses more electricity than a standalone.

The subjective stuff:

#1) The PS3 is loud. Many say the 40GB models are quiet.

#2) Many say standalones have better PQ when playing back Blu-rays.

#3) The PS3 is ugly.

#4) The PS3 runs hot.

#5) Some standalones arguably have better upconverting abilities.

#6) The PS3 can't bitstream high res codecs for a receiver to decode. (IMHO, this one is a feature. But others want their receivers to light up. It's a fact, but I put it in subjective as it's not really a drawback.)

#7) The PS3 has no front panel display. (Again, not really a drawback IMHO.)

===============
Other sources:
CNet — http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9941740-1.html
Article by Josh Z. in Home Theater Magazine (not online yet)
http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=59285

 

[BMXTRIX]

You can't possibly mean that. Who in their right mind buys anything hobby oriented... meaning non-necessity... soley on that criteria? You have to like it too...and I think that aspect carries a lot more weight then you think.

In fact, maybe not so much with ht gear, but how many of us have acutally comprimised performance or reliability to get something really really want?

When i conisder a bd player, performance and reliability should be included and my only decision should be which one I want for any myriad of reasons which could include brand loyalty, price, looks, features, etc.

Meh, I do think that way. I also meant to include price. Performance can include the looks and any myriad of other considerations, but when considering a BD player, unless someone is hung up on looks vs. performance and they are on a sub $500 budget, then they may be seriously hitting themseleves in the head with some of the other options out there.

I think we're about a year away from BD players that come close to the PS3 for overall BD performance. That includes playback capabilites, start up speed, load speed, quality of build, and versatility.

That's just my opinion on things and it doesn't mean squat and I realize that. It doesn't mean that I'm not going to throw it out there though.

I was fortunate enough to get a 60GB model on opening week and along with about 10,000,000 other owners, I've enjoyed it immensely. I use mine almost 100% for BD playback - and that's why I got it. People here can debate game systems, but it's completely off topic.

Really, if someone wants a BD player, than the PS3 is absolutely near the tip-top of the list right now. For price, performance, reliability, and build quality.

But, the downsides are noted, and include looks and control for sure. Some question of playback quality, though many seem very satisfied... I know I am. Never a glitch with my 60GB launch unit.

On the other hand, I will definitely be buying a stand alone BD player when they realease one which matches the PS3 for speed, loading, and BD functionality. Including Ethernet for firmware updates.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My beef with it is that if looks like a George Foreman Grill, it should cook burgers like one too!!




- HA!!!! Was that funny? Okay... it wasn't funny... but I thought it was kinda funny. "... my beef... burgers..." Okay... nevermind.

I thought it was funny.

It definitely does not look like a traditional audio component.

It's a great machine, but it's not for everyone.

I had the 40G PS3. With nothing else playing, it can get pretty loud. But when the movie starts and bullets start flying and bombs exploding, you can't hear the PS3 at all.

They key is that the PS3 is an excellent machine even though it doesn't do burgers. But just like all components out there, it's just not for everyone. It's not for me, but it's just right for my 2 younger brothers.

 

[itschris]

I think we're about a year away from BD players that come close to the PS3 for overall BD performance. That includes playback capabilites, start up speed, load speed, quality of build, and versatility.
.

See that's the part I really don't understand. Why can Sony build that into the PS3 but not the BD350 or 550?

I do get what you're saying on the other stuff though. I'm probably a bit more to side of buying things that make me fill whatever internal perception I'm trying to statisfy at any given time. Once I determine that it performs and is a quality piece, my only concern then becomes "will I smile as I fall asleep knowing I own this?"

Kinda lame and childish, but it makes me feel good... in a shallow and non-important way.

 

[itschris]

I thought it was funny.

Glad someone did!!!!!!

 

[BMXTRIX]

See that's the part I really don't understand. Why can Sony build that into the PS3 but not the BD350 or 550?

I do get what you're saying on the other stuff though. I'm probably a bit more to side of buying things that make me fill whatever internal perception I'm trying to statisfy at any given time. Once I determine that it performs and is a quality piece, my only concern then becomes "will I smile as I fall asleep knowing I own this?"

Kinda lame and childish, but it makes me feel good... in a shallow and non-important way.

I don't think it's shallow and unimportant, I just think that if there isn't anything better right now, and people just HAVE to buy, then they can spend more, for less, but it'll look good, or they can spend less, for more, and live with it for a year or two, then replace/upgrade to something else. I follow the second philosophy, because I'm not thrilled about using my PS3 as a player, but I'm sure not complaining.

As to the other part - I think the Sony COULD build a player that is as good as the PS3 into a normal 'AV' component. But, the cost would likely be $1,000 or more for consumers. Remember - Sony takes a hit on each PS3 sold and they make a PROFIT on every $500 BD player (other than PS3) that is sold. So, the actual cost to retailers may be $450 or less for the players, and to Sony it likey costs under $300 to make a player - probably a good deal less.

I think people lose perspective of this when looking at the PS3. The PS3 offers Sony a ton in potential royalties, so they can subsidize it. Every BD player sold does represent some amount in royalties, but not nearly at the level that the PS3 does. So, the cost differences are tremendous in comparison to revenue to be generated.

 

[BostonMark]

Just watched Lionsgate Film in 7.1 DTS HD MA

As of right now the PS3 has issues with Lions Gate movies that have DTS-HD/MA 7.1. It will output the soundtrack at 5.1 unless you force the PS3 to do 7.1. All other movies from the other studios work fine though. Apparently the problem is with the way Lions Gate encodes their stuff but from what I have read the new releases from them will not be having that problem.

I just rented SAW IV which is by Lionsgate, and in 7.1 DTS HD MA and in audio selection, I selected that audio codec, (is this what you mean by "forced?") and the film played with no problems in 7.1 surround sound. Both my receiver and my ears indicated I was getting a 7.1 signal, because sounds came from my rear channel speakers.

Perhaps PS3 corrected this with a firmware update? Can't tell you that the film was the greatest, but the sound sure did rock.

I have PS3 set to PCM out, and I have a Yamaha 663 Receiver.

 

[allargon]

Actually it's older New Line titles that have problems with 7.1 audio.