Good Blue-ray player?

[Cyradix]

I'm looking to buy a blue-ray player....

Anything I should watch out for?
It's been suggested that I wait a month or 2 for BD-Live players. Any comment on that?

Thanks

 

[Trem]

Playstation 3 everytime.

 

[Cyradix]

Playstation 3 everytime.

Even if I'm not interested in console gaming?

 

[TdC]

even then. there's too much win in a PS/3 tbh.

 

[Cyradix]

Hmmm.... what would be needed to turn it into a "home cinema" system?
PS3 + HDMI cables + PS3 remote + External USB Disk ?

 

[DaGaffer]

Hmmm.... what would be needed to turn it into a "home cinema" system?
PS3 + HDMI cables + PS3 remote + External USB Disk ?

What's the "external USB Disk" for? And to echo everyone else, yes, PS3 every time. Its the best Blu-Ray player, mainly because it can have firmware updates and has DVD upscaling (assuming you have an appropriate telly). And yes you can integrate it into a home cinema system; it will hook up to a Dolby 5.1 receiver with no problems. The only downside is that the only PS3 you can get is the 40GB, which isn't as flexible as the 60GB version. The remote is a must btw.

 

[TdC]

tbh imo you don't really need a real remote for it. that's just aesthetics. I control the thing using the controller and that works fine imo. if the place you get one from won't give you a HDMI cable for free to go with the machine then just go somewhere else. Afaict, the PS/3 will recognize just about everything you stick in it's USB ports: recently I did it with a usb 1gb stick, and all went well. I do not know for sure if it will know what a real diskdrive is, but the shop will tell you ofc. otherwise, just put your fave HD movie on a 8gb stick or something and just stick it in the unit, or better, if it's lanned you can just share off your main PC, though I'd advise cables and not wireless for that.

 

[TdC]

hook up to a Dolby 5.1 receiver

indeed. I have an older Dolby amp with no HDMI, so I connected the HDMI to my lovely flatscreen tv, and used the PS/3's optical out to plug a fiber cable into my amp. Dolby works perfectly.

 

[Cyradix]

What's the "external USB Disk" for?

This may all seem stupid questions for you but I'm new to the whole PS3 thing... I haven't even seen one up close

Most of the tv shows I watch are downloaded tbh...
Right now I just connect my laptop to the vga connector of my tv to watch them.
Been googling the PS3 just now and it seems it will play divx and xvid from an USB device with the new firmware update...

Reading TdC's post I can safely say I can just hook it up to my switch and stream DVD's/divx/whatever from a share on my computer?
Great!! A PS3 it is

 

[TdC]

Reading TdC's post I can safely say I can just hook it up to my switch and stream DVD's/divx/whatever from a share on my computer?
Great!! A PS3 it is

yes. you will have to fiddle with your network settings to enable media sharing. also, if you install TVersity, it will transcode anything you have on your computer (like movies) to something the PS/3 can play.

 

[inactionman]

Only problem with the PS3 for blu-ray is it's HD audio decoding capabilities, and then only for decoding down to LCPM for a HDMI capable receiver that doesn't support Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD, but I've heard that may be fixed in a future software update.

 

[dysfunction]

A fairly good place to compare bluray players:

Master List Of Blu-ray Players

Does show the PS3 in a good light...

 

[soze]

Watching downloaded TV either stream to your PS3 if you can or use a disk key. I have a few 4gb USB sticks that do work but my 8 and 16 are not seen same goes for my 160gb pasport drive. I have never tried a powered external usb disk so i do not know if its a power issue.

 

[Cyradix]

Watching downloaded TV either stream to your PS3 if you can or use a disk key. I have a few 4gb USB sticks that do work but my 8 and 16 are not seen same goes for my 160gb pasport drive. I have never tried a powered external usb disk so i do not know if its a power issue.

That may be a FAT32 vs NTFS issue I think...
(been browsing PS3 forums for a hour or 2 now )

 

[DaGaffer]

tbh imo you don't really need a real remote for it. that's just aesthetics. I control the thing using the controller and that works fine imo. if the place you get one from won't give you a HDMI cable for free to go with the machine then just go somewhere else. Afaict, the PS/3 will recognize just about everything you stick in it's USB ports: recently I did it with a usb 1gb stick, and all went well. I do not know for sure if it will know what a real diskdrive is, but the shop will tell you ofc. otherwise, just put your fave HD movie on a 8gb stick or something and just stick it in the unit, or better, if it's lanned you can just share off your main PC, though I'd advise cables and not wireless for that.

I did buy the proper remote, and I have to say that unless you already use a universal remote, I'd definitely recommend it; it's a "proper" remote, nice 'n chunky, and it uses bluetooth, which means no using up ports with dongles or any of that shit.

As for media playback; I'd agree with Teeds, TVersity (or Orb) is OK, but you should really only try it over a wired connection for video; its fine for music but I tried it wirelessly with the router and the PS3 no more than 10 feet apart and it was still lousy; usually I just drag what I need off my PC onto a memory stick (I have the 60GB version with the card reader) but I'm sure a USB stick would work just as well.

 

[TdC]

ooh is the PS/3 remote a universal one that had learning capabilities DaGaffer?

 

[Trem]

Even if I'm not interested in console gaming?

Exactly the same as me, not interested in the gaming but the PS3 is amazing value for money and it plays stuff brilliantly.

Infact my thread may help you lots - https://forums.freddyshouse.com/game-consoles71/227538-playstaion-3-questions.html

I also agree with DaG about the remote, it is proper and it is sexual. Don't think it learns things though Teedles (a bit like you really).

 

[TdC]

 

[Trem]

You bloody love it Teedles you great big fairy

Also I use Tversity over a wired connection because I found it easier to navigate than than the Vista thing. TVersity just feels tidier and quicker.

Just to repeat myself here, I am so glad I went for a PS3, I really don't like console games but for everything else, and I mean everything else TV wise it is absolutely fucking great, pretty much faultless with everything I have thrown at it. Divx playing capabillities was a major thing for me and the PS3 just does it with such ease and have you seen how much divx playing Blu-Ray players cost?

Go buy one, GO BUY ONE NOW!!!

 

[FuzzyLogic]

There's the added bonus of support for much longer than a standard BD Player too. Sony said they expect the PS3 to last for 10 years so you're pretty much going to have a BD player that'll have continual updates that ought to keep the PS3 at the most recent spec, very much doubt you'll see that longevity in any other player about.

 

[Ch3tan]

Another vote for the ps3. If you go out an buy something else now we will shun you forever, and trem and teedles may pay you a personal visit.

 

[TdC]

*brandishes the rod-of-correcting-people-who-disobey*

 

[Ch3tan]

I think we should add it to the coc.

Thou shal not buy any blu ray player that is not a ps3

and

Thou shal not buy a new pc not based around a core2duo

It would save a lot of hassle if we could just ban people who want to disregard good advice and waste money at the same time

 

[TdC]

but there is the joy of using the rod-of-correcting-people-who-disobey! just banning them renders it's glory useless


*corrects Ch3tan*


though I do mostly agree with amending the coc with your ideas, the insta-ban is a nono!

 

[Cyradix]

and trem and teedles may pay you a personal visit.

Is that supposed to be a threat? Sounds more like a reward

Anyway... you have made your point. I'm going out to buy a ps3 tomorrow...

 

[TdC]

yay! you'll love it!

 

[Trem]

Yippee!!

Now Mel Gibson is a lying motherfucking convict but you must buy Apocolypto on Blu-Ray, its so amazing with the quality of pic on BR.


*visits cervix*



wait, is cervix right?

fuck it

*visits*

 

[soze]

That may be a FAT32 vs NTFS issue I think...
(been browsing PS3 forums for a hour or 2 now )

Thats right cheers you just made a few USB sticks useful

 

[old.user4556]

The PS3 is brilliant. I have one, and use it for blu-ray playback.

But don't get one for blu-ray playback if it's purely blu-ray playback you need.

If you're wanting a superb and superior player for slightly more money, then look at Panasonic's latest player.

PANASONIC DMPBD30 BLU-RAY/DVD PLAYER WITH TWO FREE FILMS - available from Superfi UK Visit http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/product_id/4109 for details

 

[TdC]

*corrects Big G with the extra-large stick of correcting*