DVD Playback Quality on PS3 with Profile 2.0

[renegade87]

Guys,

Like several recent posters, I too recently bought a PS3 to get in the Blu-ray game and am thus far impressed. This little gaming machine does several things well (IMO).

Blu-ray video performance is well documented. But as most everyone in this country already has a standalone DVD player, I (like many of you) was reluctant to buy a PS3 to use as my single DVD/BD source.

I took the plunge a few weeks ago mainly to start enjoying the benefits of high def Blu-ray performance now rather than having to wait another 6 months or so for the BD-Live compliant standalone players to be available (we've waited long enough for the format wars to be sorted out haven't we?). Great BD-Live content availability or not, I still want all I can get for my hard earned $.

Upon delivery and setup, I immediately updated the firmware to version 2.17 and began enjoying this machine for both it's DVD and BD capabilities available on new models. I have since upgraded the firmware yet again to the latest 2.0 profile and am thus far impressed with both audio and video performance.

My current receiver is 9 years old (Sony STR-DB930) so I don't miss the Dolby TrueHD or dts-HD Master audio capabilities available on new models. Though I will be anxiously awaiting these features to be added by Sony in a future firmware update also. I will be upgrading my receiver but that's off-topic here (do we really need another "Which receiver should I get" thread?).

As far as DVD performance goes, I find my PS3 to outperform my Denon DVD-1930CI (which I bought 2yrs. ago as an interim solution awating the outcome of the format wars). The DVD-1930CI certainly is not a top of the line unit.
But it has served it's purpose. The PS3 isn't either, but why should I pay $1000 - $2000 for a Denon or competing brand that isn't currently Profile 2.0 compliant and doesn't have half the functionality of the PS3?

Understanding this is The Audioholics Forum, I still believe the PS3 represents a serious value almost too good to ignore.

What do you guys think?

 

[GlocksRock]

I completely agree, myself and many others have purchased a PS3 more for it's blu ray capabilites than for it's gaming.

 

[20Glove]

The PS3 is awesome. I love the Blu Ray player and I love the gaming.

It is also a fantastic SACD player, CD player, and DVD player. I try not to use my PS3 for DVD's but I have to say... side by side... I have the Yamaha DVD-S2500 almost 3 yrs old... and the picture quality is much better on the PS3... granted it is 1080P up convert as opposed to 1080i upconvert....

With that said... I have the Yamaha hooked up (for multi channel SACD's) via audio cables (5.1) and the sound quality of the SACD's (though amazing any system you use) sounds better out of my PS3 than my Yamaha (louder, clearer, and more balanced). This may be that PS3 sends SACD signals to my Denon Receiver to process as opposed to Yamaha player processing that sound I do not know. Now comparing Yamaha to PS3 via CD quality it is pretty even but it seems to my ear anyway that the Yamaha has a much more centered soundstage than the PS3... not sure why as both are sent via HDMI to Denon receiver.

Off topic... sorry but wanted to compare PS3 to Yamaha... and wow... I am impressed.

Also, let me get this in... PS3... even when it first came out and everyone complained about the pricing... what are they talking about... I mean there were so many people that said the PS3 was overpriced as compared to the Xbox 360... no way... no way at all!! Remember with PS3 you get internal wireless access as opposed to Xbox 360 ($99 for the wireless hook up), you get blu ray internal as opposed to Xbox 360 ($199 for HD DVD when it first hit the market), PS3 gives you more storage space for the money as opposed to Xbox 360 which gives you less (20GB as opposed to 60GB when they first hit the market), and last but not least you get a totally ready wireless controller with the recharge cord as opposed to the Xbox 360 where you get wireless controller (in order to recharge, must use recharge batter pack and cord $30)... so to me PS3 was a good price when it first came out... now it is a BARGAIN, relatively speaking!

So what was the PS3 when it first came out 60GB for $600.... and Xbox 360 20GB $400 plus wireless internet ($99), HD DVD ($199), 2 20GB ($198) hard drive add ons worth of memory, and wireless ready controller ($30).... $928 total... I think these were the prices when Xbox 360 came out the only thing I am not sure about is the 2 adds on for memory... but I think they were $99 for 20GB each... I think... but still... that is quit a difference!!

Still when you compare even without HD DVD player add on... you still pay more... again... PS3 a bargain, relatively speaking!!

 

[renegade87]

DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio!!

When you think about it, it only makes sense. I've only owned my PS3 for about a month, and now I read Sony will update the firmware yet again next week (for the second time since I bought it). This new FW update apparently "will add DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio support" which is what many people have been waiting for.

This thing just keeps getting better. And if you think about it, with the possibility of future content being offered online and considering the PS3's WiFi capabilities along with the extreme ease of a user hard drive upgrade (I dropped a 320GB WD Scorpio SATA HD into my PS3 before I even connected it to my system) it just makes this no-brainer of a choice a that much greater value.

What I'm really anxious to see, is what Mitsubishi is about to release (in late May) with their new Blu-ray Recorders (the DVR-BZ200 and DVR-BZ100). I'd like to see the shipping feature set (much prefer WiFi over Ethernet as I'm so tired of snaking 12 gauge speaker and electrical wires thru my walls and attic, I don't want to have to run Cat5 also if I can avoid it) of these new machines. I'd also prefer a larger HD than just 250 or 500GB. But that's easily fixed with a small phillips head screwdriver and a trip to Newegg.

 

[allargon]

What I'm really anxious to see, is what Mitsubishi is about to release (in late May) with their new Blu-ray Recorders (the DVR-BZ200 and DVR-BZ100). I'd like to see the shipping feature set (much prefer WiFi over Ethernet as I'm so tired of snaking 12 gauge speaker and electrical wires thru my walls and attic, I don't want to have to run Cat5 also if I can avoid it) of these new machines. I'd also prefer a larger HD than just 250 or 500GB. But that's easily fixed with a small phillips head screwdriver and a trip to Newegg.

Wireless can be flakey. Consider Ethernet over power instead. I'm a huge fan of powerline networking. It's good to read about the new firmware update.

Renegade, Sony is about to introduce some new receivers with a lovely blue tint. (Puke! This doesn't flow with the earth tones in my decor at all.) The good news about this is that new models (somewhat) depress the prices of older models. I just saw a Sony STR-DG810 (6.1 not 7.1) go for $167.50 on E-Bay. There are deals to be had.

 

[renegade87]

allargon,

Doesn't Sony usually release their new product lines in the August - October time frame? Although, since you pointed it out I just saw the new STR-DG520 and 720 at Crutchfield. Not that I would consider purchasing either receiver for myself as I feel the I/O capabilities and feature set are... lacking. But hey, what do you expect for a sub $300 receiver? One of those would be good for my Mother though.

I'm looking at replacing my solid but aging Sony STR-DB930 in near future and the STR-DA5300ES is currently on my short list (as is the Denon AVR-3808CI and Onkyo TX-SR875).

 

[j_garcia]

I bought mine for gaming first, movies second. Having said that, I have a MUCH larger movie collection than games

 

[h317]

Just buy one now?

I am leaning towards buying PS3 as my BD DVD player. Just two questions:

1. Do all models (40GB/60GB/80GB) offer the latest decoding (i.e. Dolby HD or DTS MA) now or do I have to do some system updates after the purchase?
2. Do all models offer SACD playing capability?

Please help. Thanks.

 

[obscbyclouds]

I am leaning towards buying PS3 as my BD DVD player. Just two questions:

1. Do all models (40GB/60GB/80GB) offer the latest decoding (i.e. Dolby HD or DTS MA) now or do I have to do some system updates after the purchase?
2. Do all models offer SACD playing capability?

Please help. Thanks.

1. All models offer Dolby TrueHD decoding out of the box. For DTS HD-MA you will need the new version 2.30 firmware.

2. No, Only the 80GB model offers SACD support. I believe the now defunct 60GB model did also, but I am not 100% sure of that.

On a side note, you won't be dissapointed with the PS3's ability as a BR player and an upscaling DVD player. I can't comment on it's SACD capability as I own a 40GB model. Hope this helps.

 

[h317]

1. All models offer Dolby TrueHD decoding out of the box. For DTS HD-MA you will need the new version 2.30 firmware.

So either I wait until the next production batch or just get one in the market now and do the update myself, right?

I did a quick search on bestbuy.ca, they don't even have the 80gb model. Is that model always in shortage?

 

[GlocksRock]

I believe they discontinued the 80 gig version, but are now making some more of them as they underestimated the demand for it. You will have to update the firmware to version 2.3 yourself, as it was just released this morning, and most likely they new ones won't have it for a while. I got the 40 gig version as soon as it was released, and even still it didn't come with the latest firmware at the time.