Is the PS3 a good Blu Ray player?

Jeffrey99

Hey guys, I currently have a HD DVD standalone and a Xbox 360. I've been looking into getting a Blu Ray player for awhile and the Warner news has made me look alittle harder. However I want to make sure I don't get useless technology(BD 1.0/BD 1.1). So my question is does a PS3 make a good Blu Ray player or would you recommend I wait for 2.0 stand alones? I can't see spending $399 for a stand alone when the PS3 is the exact same price and I can play the few exclusive games that interest me.

draiken78

I just got a 40Gb PS3 and it's a whole lot better than the stand alone player I had. Of course, I had the BD-P1200 which will make most people lose their minds (just look at other forums about that lemon). There is a couple things I'm not too thrilled about with the PS3 though.

1. It runs pretty hot. It's not something you want to have near other equipment or inside a cabinet. It needs space to breath.

2. It doesn't Bitstream HD audio. It does however decode it all internally (Except DTS-HD MA) and send it to your player as PCM.

3. Many people complain about it being loud. So far, my fan has never kicked on above level 2 (out of 3 levels). Most of the time it stays on level 1 (very quiet), but when it goes to level to it is slightly audible in quiet scenes. I think level 3 probably sounds like Xbox 360 running levels.

4. The thing is hideous.

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pjc

I was in the same boat. IMO, the PS3 is the best if you want to have the ability for upgrades. I don't know that there are any prices for 2.0 standalones, just announcements that they will be available. My guess is they will be AT LEAST $399, but probably more like $499 and up.

Also, I wouldn't call 1.0 and 1.1 useless. All movies will play on all profile players. If you only want movies, 1.0 is fine. If you need PIP functionality, 1.1 is what you need. If you want web features, 2.0 is what you need. Personally, for me, I have web features on my A2 that I have never used. I have used PIP, so in my case a 1.1 player should be fine.

I did, however, pick up a PS3 for blu. I figure I can get the most up to date profile. I can then wait for SA players to drop in price. If I decide I would rather have a SA player, I can always sell my PS3 to gamestop as used and get store credit for 360 games/hardware.

Chris Gerhard

The PS3 is an excellent Blu-ray player but I would hardly call Profile 1.0 and 1.1 players useless technology. If the PS3 design works in your system, there is nothing wrong with buying it now. There is nothing wrong with waiting and buying a Profile 2.0 standalone. If you are like me and certain to never care about internet interactive features then buying a Profile 1.1 player might be a great buy as soon as the Profile 2.0 players are common.

Chris

pjc

1. Mine is actually pretty cool and kept in a cabinet. I think it's a crap shoot with which you get. I have heard reports like yours for the 40g and others with experiences like mine.

2. Agreed

3. Mine has been very quiet. Since the OP knows the noise levels of the 360, I think the PS3 will be acceptable.

4. AGREE...it is one ugly piece of equiptment.

awol

If you're looking for the most bang for your buck, the PS3 is a great solution. This is especially true if you know there are going to be games that you want to play. It is already profile 1.1 compliant, and should be 2.0 within a matter of months.

That said there are several things to consider. If DTS-MA is a big deal to you, the PS3 currently can not decode it, although some say it will soon. And since the PS3 is apparently uncapable of bitstreaming DolbyTHD or DTS-MA, it would not be a good choice for this application. A standalone that is capable of this would be the better choice.

Myself, I chose the PS3 for the value route. There are games I want to play, it plays Blu Ray movies, and it's a great upscaling DVD player. I'm by no means an audiophile, so the lossless codecs aren't that big of a deal to me right now. Eventually, I will buy a standalone, but not until the prices come down.

Just my 2 hope it helps!

Jeffrey99

Thanks guys for all the responses. I'm not worried about the noise of the PS3, I don't think anything can be louder then the 360.

Odds are I doubt I'll hardly ever use the 1.1 or 2.0 profile features, if at all but I really hate to buy one that can't be updated when I can get the PS3.

Only thing I'm not too sure about is what is DTS-MA? I tried to goggle it real quick but can't seem to find out exactly what it is. And is it something that the PS3 can be updated to play or is it something that has to be updated hardware wise?

Thanks in Advance,
Jeffrey

GLOW

It's actually called DTS-HD Master Audio. It's a lossless audio codec.

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Chris Gerhard

The PS3 should be Profile 2.0 by the end of this month based on the reports I have read.

Chris

Chris Gerhard

It has been widely reported that Sony and DTS have developed a software decoder for DTS-HD MA and there will be an update to enable decoding this year. Until it happens, I guess it isn't certain, but I believe it will happen. I think the PS3 looks really cool, but the design means it won't work with some systems.

Chris

draiken78

I should clarify. By the PS3 running hot I mean that the thing really kicks out some warm air from the back of it. I've actually had no problems with my 40 GB PS3, as I said it has never kicked on above level 2 fan (and that was during gameplay, I've yet to hear the fan kick up a notch during movie playback).

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HD DVD's - 74
Blu Rays - 50

GLOW

I'm not familiar with "Level 2". Is that a certain decibel level?

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macmarkus

If you can hear your 360, your stereo isn't load enough, easy solution really ! ha ha !


peace

macmarkus

draiken78

Not really. Basically the fan has 3 speed. 1 speed is very quiet. The second speed is audible but not loud. The third speed is Xbox 360 loud (maybe louder, at least it sure seemed louder at my brother's house).

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hidef-blue

Can the ps3 output a digital audio for my 5.1 surround sound system? im not really worried about lossless and HD audio and all that stuff, i just have a nice 5.1 system (as i imagine most people have). thanks.