Holding Off on Blu-ray and thinking OPPO

[mouettus]

You know you're right. People shy away from the PS3 because it's a game console, not a "proper" piece of gear, more like a toy.

Aren't all electronics toys for big boys?

If I could build a working speaker out of Lego's I would still be playing with them.

 

[BMXTRIX]

II really don't want a PS3... even though I know it's probably one of the better players, it's still a video game machine to me. I'd rather just wait for the new players to come out.

No offense, but you realize this makes no sense at all?

You don't type of a PC do you? I mean, those are just video game players aren't they?

Of course not! That sounds ridiculous.

The PS3 has video game capabilities, but the fact is, you plug it into your AV system via HDMI, you put a disc into it, and it starts playing it back. Get the BlueTooth remote and you use it just like any other component in your system.

The nicest feature is definitely the 'auto play' part where you just stick a movie in and playback begins.

Perhaps the really nicest part is that when you insert a disc it starts playing in just a few seconds, or that when you press eject, the movie is in your hand 5 seconds later.

$150 is not that big a deal, and it beats spending $400 on a player that I'll want to replace with a new model in a few months.

I would read around about people who bought and own the PS3 for movie playback and see how many people actually feel that way. It seems to me you've made up your mind because it's a PS3, not because it's inferior. What's worse, is that universally, people seem to be in agreement that it is mostly superior to anything else on the market, and will continue to be for the next year or more, at an incredible price.

Your decision, but I sure would feel like spending $150 for something I knew I would want to upgrade right now would be far more a waste of money.

 

[stratman]

You know B. you make a compelling case for the PS3, maybe I should stop, smell the coffee and spring for a PS3, I'm of the camp that the PS3 is "just" a game console, maybe I should reasses my prejudice.

 

[Seth=L]

I doubt that I will ever get Blu Ray. Standard DVD is good enough for me.

I can't help but balk at statements like these.

 

[mouettus]

You know B. you make a compelling case for the PS3, maybe I should stop, smell the coffee and spring for a PS3, I'm of the camp that the PS3 is "just" a game console, maybe I should reasses my prejudice.

He works for Sony lol

Seriously, you would be very excited to own one. I knew it was a great piece of equipment but my jaw litteraly dropped when I popped a blu-ray into that thing and saw the speed. And it has charm!

You should just put a Panasonic badge on it and I'm sure you would like it! lol

 

[Seth=L]

The PS3 is one rockin machine. PS3 FTW!

 

[BMXTRIX]

You know B. you make a compelling case for the PS3, maybe I should stop, smell the coffee and spring for a PS3, I'm of the camp that the PS3 is "just" a game console, maybe I should reasses my prejudice.

I can tell you that I've read a lot of very similar statements, but I don't let myself be the judge. I got a PS3 for Blu-ray above all else. Sure I've got a couple of games, but I bought it for my wife and 3 year old and FAMILY to use for movies first and foremost.

I got it opening week with zero expectations as a complete gamble.

But, what I found was that it just is incredibly easy to use.

Send the 3 year old up to it with a disc in hand and he can stick it in the slot. The PS3 turns on and starts playback automatically. No opening the tray, no real 'booting up' time like with my HD-A2 player... or even my DVD player.

So, it turns on, and starts disc playback immediately.

Then I use the NYKO Blue Wave remote to control it via a Crestron control system.

I had no belief when I got my PS3 that I would use it for more than a few months before getting a stand alone. Here I am 18 months later thinking that it may be another 18 months before I add a stand alone player to my system.

I take products on a product by product basis - so if it was lousy, I would happily say so. Likewise, you would read in magazines about how it's lousy, or online, or elsewhere. While gamers are definitely quick to point out the failings of the console, movie lovers just don't.

I think that's the biggest thing - you find almost nobody who owns one, who uses it for movies, complaining about it. Yet, if it did suck, you know these people would let you know exactly what was bad.

The two biggest failures of the PS3?

It looks like a gaming piece and the shape forces it to sit at the top of the equipment stack, or on it's own shelf. (which is where it should be anyway)

It doesn't have integrated IR.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I have played a grand total of two games on my PS3. It is in my system as a BR player and a CD player along with the external 500gb hard-drive that houses all my music and is controlled by the PS3. It is an awesome machine.

 

[solomr2]

Lack of analog outs on PS3 is what is keeping me from pulling the trigger. But if I had to have one now, I would go with the PS3.

I currently have the Oppo DV980. Pretty decent player, although it does flicker a tiny bit over HDMI with my Denon 3808, but not as bad as my XBOX 360 Elite. It drives me nuts, I can't friggin stand it! I've called Denon twice, they make me install new firmware, but it doesn't do anything.

 

[mouettus]

Lack of analog outs on PS3 is what is keeping me from pulling the trigger. But if I had to have one now, I would go with the PS3.

I currently have the Oppo DV980. Pretty decent player, although it does flicker a tiny bit over HDMI with my Denon 3808, but not as bad as my XBOX 360 Elite. It drives me nuts, I can't friggin stand it! I've called Denon twice, they make me install new firmware, but it doesn't do anything.

Why are you complaining about the lack of analog outputs if you have an HDMI capable receiver? HDMI is the way to go now; analog is dying. Only one wire. HDCP sucks but if the hardware handshakes then you're in for trouble-free entertainment.

 

[solomr2]

HDMI is great, but handshake issues continue with my Denon 3808CI. My XBox 360 going through my Denon flickers so bad it is unbearable. My Oppo also flickers, although far less than the XBox. I don't think this is all Denon's fault, but when I connect my devices directly to my TV over HDMI I have no flickering at all, so I am obviously suspicious of Denon.

Also, as far as I know, the PS3 doesn't support all the latest DTS and Dolby lossless audio capabilities either, so this is another concern.

 

[supervij]

Lack of analog audio outputs is keeping me away too, and, I suspect, a lot of people with older, non-HDMI equipment. If I'm gonna drop the big bucks on a new player, I want one that will give me all the new audio codecs. The PS3 won't give them to me because my receiver lacks HDMI. I want to hang on to my receiver for as long as possible, and that means waiting it out for a player with analog audio outs.

For the record, I'm also waiting for a player that has profile 2.0, can pass all the new audio codecs, and can play SACD, DVD-A and DivX. So I'm hanging on for the new Oppo as well, whenever it comes. DVDs still look pretty damn good on my HDTV, not as impressive as HD content does, but the Oppo 981 does a stellar job with DVDs. If your DVDs don't look very shiny, maybe your scaler ain't too pretty.

cheers,
supervij

 

[BMXTRIX]

HDMI is great, but handshake issues continue with my Denon 3808CI. My XBox 360 going through my Denon flickers so bad it is unbearable. My Oppo also flickers, although far less than the XBox. I don't think this is all Denon's fault, but when I connect my devices directly to my TV over HDMI I have no flickering at all, so I am obviously suspicious of Denon.

I would contact Denon on this and let them know. You could have a bad unit, because it sure as heck isn't going to be that consistent across multiple devices... But I would try a new HDMI cable to and from the receiver first... if you haven't already. That's just bad news when you see that crud happen! Especially from a reliable manufacturer such as Denon. I, personally, would start a dedicated post up about the issue - but I installed a 2808 recently, and it didn't show any issues with DirecTV and a Samsung 1200 running through it to a Sony display.

Also, as far as I know, the PS3 doesn't support all the latest DTS and Dolby lossless audio capabilities either, so this is another concern.

DTS-MA was just added, I believe it has done Dolby True HD for quite a while. The PS3 is pretty much the most comlete player out there, and since it decodes internally the audio, it would work with a 2807 or older HDMI 1.1 receiver if people own it that accepts PCM audio.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Seriously, you would be very excited to own one. I knew it was a great piece of equipment but my jaw litteraly dropped when I popped a blu-ray into that thing and saw the speed. And it has charm!

You should just put a Panasonic badge on it and I'm sure you would like it! lol

Can you update the latest firmwares by CD? Do they send it out? I don't have on line where it would be placed. Any issues with movies not playing?
Heat issue?

 

[mouettus]

Can you update the latest firmwares by CD? Do they send it out? I don't have on line where it would be placed. Any issues with movies not playing?
Heat issue?

You certainly can use CDs or every other media accepted by the PS3.
- CD/DVD/Blu-Ray
- USB stick/external HDD
- Wired/Wireless internet

I myself use my 2Gb memory stick. It is fast and easy and doesn't waste a CD. I would use the wifi but I have no luck with WLANs.

This is the site for the updates: http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/About/SystemUpdate
The download link is on that page. You can save the file on the media of your choice. There are some detailed instructions too on where to put the file (folder structure) and how to update with your PS3. It takes approx 10 minutes max.

I am not sure if they send it out to you but probably. You have so many options though.

I haven't rented a movie that doesn't play yet. And I think I don't even have to knock on wood for that one because I trust this machine. If it fails it is a hardware failure (which is in approx. 3-4% of cases at most), not software compatibility.

Heat issues? Nah! Let it breathe and you won't have any problems. The fan is quiet enough and when it senses heat, it kicks in high gear. I bought the unit in January and there is snow here so I can't say because it's been cold here since. It's starting to get into the 20's this week so I'll see (the last dirty snow patch in my backyard will melt today). Haven't had an issue there either.

 

[mtrycrafts]

You certainly can use CDs or every other media accepted by the PS3.
- CD/DVD/Blu-Ray
- USB stick/external HDD
- Wired/Wireless internet

I myself use my 2Gb memory stick. It is fast and easy and doesn't waste a CD. I would use the wifi but I have no luck with WLANs.

This is the site for the updates: http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/About/SystemUpdate
The download link is on that page. You can save the file on the media of your choice. There are some detailed instructions too on where to put the file (folder structure) and how to update with your PS3. It takes approx 10 minutes max.

I am not sure if they send it out to you but probably. You have so many options though.

I haven't rented a movie that doesn't play yet. And I think I don't even have to knock on wood for that one because I trust this machine. If it fails it is a hardware failure (which is in approx. 3-4% of cases at most), not software compatibility.

Heat issues? Nah! Let it breathe and you won't have any problems. The fan is quiet enough and when it senses heat, it kicks in high gear. I bought the unit in January and there is snow here so I can't say because it's been cold here since. It's starting to get into the 20's this week so I'll see (the last dirty snow patch in my backyard will melt today). Haven't had an issue there either.

Thanks. Sounds impressive, now to find a good enough deal as I don't need the hard drive for games.

 

[itschris]

You know you're right. People shy away from the PS3 because it's a game console, not a "proper" piece of gear, more like a toy.

There's a lot more to purchasing the equipment we all own than just what makes sense or what works best. If you say that isn't so, you're kidding yourself. The typical hierarchey of decision making for this stuff is 1) does it work well - it absolutely has to, then 2) Does make you feel good to own it and stare at it.

Looking at #1, there are a few very capable players out there right now... the PS3 is clearly one of them, so it the Panny, the Dennon, the Elite and a couple others, plus there are several right on the horizon which will certainly meet all my needs.

... but #2... which ones do I "want" to own. I don't want to own the PS3. I don't like the way it looks, it doesn't make me get excited about this kinda stuff... it just doesn't appeal to me. I'm not doubting it's capability at all... I know for a fact it's probably one of the better players and solves the needs of most.... but personally I just don't want to own one. I'd rather spend a $150 on something to get me by until what I really want to own is available. Now if having a blu-ray play today was extremely important to me and a must have... then yeah, I'd probably go buy one. For now, however, I can wait.

Why is that just a ridiculous thing? How many speakers, receivers, pre/pros, amps, cars, boats, toasters, blenders -anything - are there available at any given price point that all do the same thing about equally well, but for whatever reason we choose one over the other?

For discretionary purchases, once we know it's a capable of doing what we want, we lean towards what appeals to us.

 

[stratman]

There's a lot more to purchasing the equipment we all own than just what makes sense or what works best. If you say that isn't so, you're kidding yourself. The typical hierarchey of decision making for this stuff is 1) does it work well - it absolutely has to, then 2) Does make you feel good to own it and stare at it.

Looking at #1, there are a few very capable players out there right now... the PS3 is clearly one of them, so it the Panny, the Dennon, the Elite and a couple others, plus there are several right on the horizon which will certainly meet all my needs.

... but #2... which ones do I "want" to own. I don't want to own the PS3. I don't like the way it looks, it doesn't make me get excited about this kinda stuff... it just doesn't appeal to me. I'm not doubting it's capability at all... I know for a fact it's probably one of the better players and solves the needs of most.... but personally I just don't want to own one. I'd rather spend a $150 on something to get me by until what I really want to own is available. Now if having a blu-ray play today was extremely important to me and a must have... then yeah, I'd probably go buy one. For now, however, I can wait.

Why is that just a ridiculous thing? How many speakers, receivers, pre/pros, amps, cars, boats, toasters, blenders -anything - are there available at any given price point that all do the same thing about equally well, but for whatever reason we choose one over the other?

For discretionary purchases, once we know it's a capable of doing what we want, we lean towards what appeals to us.

Oh I agree with you, you want your gear to be appealing, that's part of the A/V equation and like I said I'm of the camp that stayed away from the PS 3 because it's a "toy," BMTRIX pointed out that pluses of the machine, but I would like to own a dedicated stand alone, I'm just questioning my logic and reasoning behind my prejudice against owning a PS3 as a blu-ray only player, especially when all the attributes seem positive. Come Black Friday, hopefully, I will go one way or the other.

 

[itschris]

Come Black Friday, there will be at least 5-10 machines to choose from all bitstreaming and/or decoding everything we want and all will likely do it well and all will probably be close in price. I, like you, will buy the one that I think looks the best and makes me look at my stuff and think "coooool." There is no denying that the PS3 is a viable solutioin today and will continue to be... but it will be for someone else. Granted, I just probably have more hang ups than most. I'm 38 and at this stage of my life I just want what I want and am thankful I can (within reason of course). If I had a lot more limited funds and just wanted a viable solution to have just a decent HT in the house, my entire equipment list would different. I keep saying it, but this stuff, all of it... is about WANT. If were about need... we'd all have very different stuff plugged into the wall.

For me, that will probably be one of the new Sony players. I can't wait to have one of the cool blue players.

 

[mouettus]

Honestly, I wouldn't have bought the PS3 if it still had the joypad wires hanging out in front of the rack. IMO I find this unit a little too curvy on top; you have to put it on top of your equipment. But anyways, the "appeal" as you called it is very good. It looks like a multimedia component. In fact, the thing that fits the less in my rack is the SA cable box. I understand though everything you said that it has to be nice looking. I am in the same camp as you. I wouldn't buy stuff that looks funky just because it performs well. Just look at the funky looking speakers. IMO they look ridiculous (out of the 2001: a space odyssey movie) even though the design must be one of the finest. I have bought equipment as well because they were nice to look at, even though I gave up a little bit of performance. PS3 wasn't one of them though.