Sony PS3

[Alex00322]

I've been looking to get a Blu-ray player for a while now and the ps3 seems like a good option. I don't care about how fast the menus load or even how amazing the picture quality is. The main thing for me is the audio but I'm not sure if the ps3 is able to use all of the audio formats that are out right now. My reciever is able to but is the ps3 able to? Also does 40 gig 80 gig or 120 gig make any difference with the audio aswell.

 

[strube]

The main thing for me is the audio but I'm not sure if the ps3 is able to use all of the audio formats that are out right now. My reciever is able to but is the ps3 able to? Also does 40 gig 80 gig or 120 gig make any difference with the audio aswell.

Audio features is definitely the main place the PS3 fails in the blu-ray category compared to other options IMO.


Are you going to play games with it too?
-If so, this would be an option. If you aren't going to play games, I would get a stand alone player, no question.


Do you have an HDMI 1.3 compatible receiver?
-If not, I would go with a player that can decode audio internally and output it via analog 5.1 to your AVR's preamp inputs. The PS3 most certainly cannot do this. IMO, you should look at the Panasonic BD-55k or the Sony BD-S550 if this is the case.


Bottom line: if PS3 games aren't your top priority I don't think you should purchase a game console to play blu-rays. Depending on your HDMI situation, get one of the stand-alone Panasonics (my personal preference), Sonys, or the top-end Samsung (which can also stream netflix). If you have unlimited funds, you should also look at the Denon flagship player. Just my two cents.


As for your other question, there is no difference between the different hard drive sizes as far as blu-ray playback is concerned.


Hope this helps!!

 

[Alex00322]

I have a Pioneer Elite 05 so yeah it supports everything and I was looking at the entry level Elite Blu ray player which seems like a good one. Would you recommend any other players around that level that are better?

 

[PSWii60]

The PS3 can in fact decode all the newest audio formats and it is profile 2.0. However it only outputs via HDMI. You said your receiver can decode the latest formats as well so it really doesn't matter. You can bitstream it out to your receiver to decode or decode it internally and PCM it out to your receiver. Six months ago the PS3 was the cheapest, most advanced blu-ray player on the market, but lately there are cheaper players available, however many of them are profile 1.1. I agree if your not a gamer you may want to go with a stand alone player, but the PS3 can also serve as a media extender and sony has done a good job of keeping it on top of the Blu-ray market with firmware updates. IMO the PS3 is still the most advanced player especially if you combine it with the PlayOn software and an IR2BT.

 

[Alex00322]

And will every Ps3 model perform the same?

 

[Alex00322]

Right now Dell is selling brand new 80 gig ps3's for 340$

 

[BMXTRIX]

Yes, every PS3 will decode all of the newest HD audio formats internally and output it as PCM audio. I'm not sure why Strube said otherwise, but if your receiver accepts PCM audio (most HDMI 1.2 receivers do) then you are good to go with ANY of the PS3 consoles.

 

[strube]

Yes, every PS3 will decode all of the newest HD audio formats internally and output it as PCM audio. I'm not sure why Strube said otherwise, but if your receiver accepts PCM audio (most HDMI 1.2 receivers do) then you are good to go with ANY of the PS3 consoles.

I was getting at the fact that it wouldn't bitstream audio (I guess I wasn't very specific with what "features" it was lacking). Am I mistaken? If so, sorry for the misinformation .

 

[Seth=L]

BMXTRIX is merely pointing out there is no audible difference between bitstream of HD audio or multichannel LPCM. Since both are still digital all the receiver's post processing can still be utilized. IMO, the PS3 is a far superior player. The only real things it lacks is aesthetics, IR remote control from the get go, and may be viewed as "less simple" than a stand alone. An IR adapter with Blu-ray remote is made by Nyko that would allow you to configure for any learning universal remote control.

http://www.valleyseek.com/product.action?itemID=11836

 

[lsiberian]

I've been looking to get a Blu-ray player for a while now and the ps3 seems like a good option. I don't care about how fast the menus load or even how amazing the picture quality is. The main thing for me is the audio but I'm not sure if the ps3 is able to use all of the audio formats that are out right now. My reciever is able to but is the ps3 able to? Also does 40 gig 80 gig or 120 gig make any difference with the audio aswell.

My best recommendation is to get the cheapest available PS3. The hard drive can easily be upgraded to exceed 120 gigs and you can also use external hard drives and flash drives for storage as well.

So I think the 40 gig is the way to go although in some cases the 80 gig is actually cheaper.

320 gig hard drives are only 90 dollars are new egg and that's for a Western Digital which I have found is the best and most reliable brand of hard drive in my 10 years of building computers. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136280

http://www.cnet.com.au/games/ps3/0,239035763,339282375,00.htm


So get the cheapest and spend your extra cash on a brand new 320 gig hard drive. Then you will have a 320 gig PS3.

FYI you can always wait to do this upgrade until you have most of you hard drive full, but then you will need an external drive to back up your data onto.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I was getting at the fact that it wouldn't bitstream audio (I guess I wasn't very specific with what "features" it was lacking). Am I mistaken? If so, sorry for the misinformation .

No, you are correct.

But, sonically, if you have a receiver w/HDMI 1.2 which accepts PCM audio, then there is no audible difference between the player decoding the audio or the receiver.

In fact, with things like multiple audio tracks, you must let the player decode the audio to take advantage of the advanced features, so it is generally better to have a player which internally decodes audio - just as the PS3 does.

You are correct in your info, but it's important to point out that the PS3 does decode everything and many people can take advantage of it.

 

[yellowjelly]

And will every Ps3 model perform the same?

+1...I agree. Only difference is the 60 GB is backward compatible with PS1 and PS2 games

 

[lsiberian]

+1...I agree. Only difference is the 60 GB is backward compatible with PS1 and PS2 games

Yeah but I've heard the PS3 does a terrible job with many PS2 games. I suggest you keep your PS2 and use that instead. They make them very small now.

 

[poutanen]

Yeah but I've heard the PS3 does a terrible job with many PS2 games. I suggest you keep your PS2 and use that instead. They make them very small now.

I got one of the last 60 gigs to ensure the best backwards compatibility, and all PS2 games I played on it looked and played fine. That said, after a few weeks, I was only playing PS3 games on it. I'm going to sell my PS2, hardware, and games to keep the stream of PS3 games going.

Also, it's been mentioned already in this thread, but the PS3 can change your entire system. I used to have the PS2 for games and DVDs, a 25 disc CD changer for CDs, and a CD/DVD burner in my computer to burn lotsa CDs to play music. Now I use the PS3 for all my music (transfer via flash drive) and I never have to screw around with changing CDs again. Playlists are all setup.

I'm currently looking to turn my PS3 into an HD DVR (with MythTV and a usb tv tuner card)... it still has bugs so I'm waiting at the moment. But in theory, this $400 game system can replace a $400 HD-DVR, a $300 blu-ray player, and a $300 media centre.... oh and it plays games too. lol The built in browser isn't THAT bad to browse the net with either, as long as you use a keyboard and mouse.