PS3 Blu-Ray vs. DMP-BD60K

I have a 50" Panny Plasma with the Panny SC-HT56 receiver/sound system.

I've been looking at purchasing the DMP-BD60K to stick with the VIERAlink setup and while I've read good reviews they haven't blown me away. This, along with seeing some of the prices that people are selling the original PS3 for, have gotten me thinking that I should go with a PS3 for my Blu-Ray player, which will be at least 90% of it's usage for me. I've seen original PS3's going for just $30-40 more than what I would pay for the BD60K.

I'm wondering what you guys recommend and if the "phat" PS3 is as good as I've heard for a Blu-Ray player. What are the advantages and downfalls? Is it worth it to buy a used, original PS3 on eBay for my situation and will it provide a picture/sound/features benefit at least as good as the DMP-BD60K?

Stick with Panasonic...You might want to step up to the BD80 which is now $154.99 at www.buy.com.

I agree, the PS3 is a good Blu-ray player but it won't be as good as the Panasonic standalone.

Thanks guys. What specifically makes the Panny better than the PS3 (or the PS3 worse than the Panny)?

Also, what are the significant differences between the BD80K and and 60K?

I own the prior model BD35 that the BD60 replaces and the BD35 upscales a little better than the launch PS3 (60GB) I have when I compared them on the same display (also prior year 50pz80u) so it was not being on different displays that made the difference.

A couple of pros for the PS3 are:

1. Very fast at loading BD discs including the BD-Java heavy titles.
2. Keeps getting updates to improve it's performance. Including added Netflix streaming being added in 11/2009.
3. Also can be used for gaming, a media streaming client/server.

The negatives for the PS3 as a BD player are:

1. The only way to control it natively is with a blue tooth remote (zero BT universal remotes out on the market) which means a separate controller unless you get the $15-20.00 Blue Wave USB Infra-red remote doggle but you cannot power on/off like a regular remote would work. If you have a Harmony remote and will pay extra for the new $60.00 Harmony PS3 remote then you can get all the functions but you also need a Harmony remote which is highly recommended anyway if you have surround sound etc as you can change all inputs/settings with the one button activity based interface they have.

2. The launch PS3 give off a bit of heat which is fine for the winter, but in the summer it drives up the temp too. The newer slim PS3 is said to give off less heat, but no backward compatibility for PS2 games.

3. The launch PS3 is a good bit louder than the Stand alone BD players and can be heard when quite passages of movies are on, but the newer PS3 slim is said to be quieter.

That is the breakdown from someone who owns both a launch PS3 & also the prior year model BD35.

Hope this helps!

Also, what are the significant differences between the BD80K and and 60K?

I think the big difference between the 60K and 80K is that the 80 has 5.1 analog outputs and a digital coaxial output.

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2009/04/133/x133BD60K-b.jpeg
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2009/05/133/x133BD80K-b.jpeg

I think the big difference between the 60K and 80K is that the 80 has 5.1 analog outputs and a digital coaxial output.

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2009/04/133/x133BD60K-b.jpeg
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2009/05/133/x133BD80K-b.jpeg

Technically the DMP-BD80 has 7.1 analog output.

I also own a PS3 and Panasonic DMP-BD35 and the PS3 is a lot better player and much better value and easily worth the premium in my opinion. I can't understand how anyone can own both and feel any differently. I am sure I would feel the same way if I owned the DMP-BD60 instead of the DMP-BD35 compared to the PS3. The PS3 does a lot more, includes built-in Wi-Fi, and works as a media center if needed. The PS3 is also continually updated with new features making the gap bigger as time moves on. If the lower price isn't justification for purchasing the DMP-BD60 rather than the PS3 and the PS3 design works in your system, there is no justification to buy the DMP-BD60 instead in my opinion. The PS3 is a standout among media players, the best value in the history of media players is the way I see it and I have owned more than most anybody. Of course the fact it is also a game console adds some value. I own the original 80GB version PS3 and a 40GB PS3 but believe the new PS3 Slim is even better without any first hand experience with it.

If the PS3 design works in your system buy it with confidence. In these days of cheap media players, it has been competitive by selling for a huge loss, Sony has probably lost $4 billion selling the console. Anytime someone can buy something so good for less than it costs to make, that is a good deal in my opinion.

Chris

Technically the DMP-BD80 has 7.1 analog output.
Good call, I didn't see the rear surround connection by the optical plug.

Good call, I didn't see the rear surround connection by the optical plug.

Of course that is not using the optical but rather using the two channel stereo analog outputs in addition to the 5.1 group.
Optical and coax are digital by definition.

I owned the Panny Blu-Ray.. was NOT happy with it at all!

I liked the fact that I could use one remote with my Panny Plasma, but overall the load times were slow, DVD-playback was inferior to a stand-alone DVD player... The TV did a better job at upcoverting..

The VieraCast features were nice, especially using the same tv.

The PS3 60GB with the firmware updates is the finest Blu-Ray player and media center on the market under $300.

I prefer the PS3 in all aspects.. Good luck..