PS3 or Standalone Blu-Ray Player?

[Noc0de]

Hiyas

I've been considering getting a Blu-ray player for some now. However, I'm not sure if I'm better off getting a PS3 to use a player or getting a standalone player instead?

I tend to mainly game on my PC, and couldn't see myself getting many games for the PS3 if I was to get one. So I tend to think I'd be better off getting something which is dedicated to just playing Blu-ray etc.

What are ppl's thoughts? I'd love to hear from those that have PS3's already.

Should I get a PS3 or a standalone player? Discuss.

(I'm looking to spend between £150 to £250)

 

[soze]

I have a PS3 and it is a very good blu ray player with regular updates and its not so noisy that you can't watch a film. But if you have no interest is using any of its other tricks (media server, games ect) getting a decent stand alone might be best. Also the different versions of HDMI might be worth looking into.

 

[Ch3tan]

I usually always say ps3, however having some issues with my cousins ps3 and Sony right now. First ps3 died because of a faulty disc drawer, the replaced that. This one runs like a jet plane after 2 minutes of being on. You can not hear any dialouge over the noise of the fan. Sony are saying it is not a fault, going to have a right moan at them until the change it.

So be careful, the ps3's are quiet, although not as quiet as a dedicated player -which are available very cheaply now. But if you are unlucky enough to get a unit that is particularly loud, sony will not give a toss.

 

[Overdriven]

PS3 if you're going to use the non-gaming features.
Stand-Alone otherwise.

 

[Zenith.UK]

I usually say PS3 because not only do you get a bluray player, you also get a media player for playing music and video from your PC on your TV. If you want a game at times, you can also *gasp* play games.

 

[old.user4556]

Weird, these forums always used to shout "zomg PS3!11!" on this question.

The PS3 was / is a brilliant blu-ray player because for the longest time it was the cheapest way to get into hi-def movie playback (£300 compared to a £800+ standalone). However, it is no longer the obvious and only choice.

If games aren't important to you at all, then you could save yourself some cash or use the saving towards an AV amp, some choices might be:

SAMSUNG BDP1500 BLU-RAY/DVD PLAYER - available from Superfi UK Visit http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/product_id/4105 for details

or:

SONY BDPS350 BLU-RAY/DVD PLAYER (MULTI-REGION FOR DVD) - available from Superfi UK Visit http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/product_id/4449 for details

My dad has the Sony and it has tremendous performance on blu-ray and DVD upscaling is also impressive for the money.

If you have an AV amplifier that doesn't support decoding of HD audio (seriously, it's fantastic) then you might want to look at a blu-ray player that has onboard decoding and an output in multichannel for older multichannel in amplifiers. Something like:

SONY BDPS550 BLU-RAY/DVD PLAYER (MULTI-REGION FOR DVD) - available from Superfi UK Visit http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/product_id/4578 for details

Also with what Chet has said, I've had an issue with my PS3 within a year (laser focus issues), so if I was in the market now and didn't give a shit about games, then I'd perhaps plump for a standalone player that might have a more robust build.

 

[Noc0de]

Thanks for all your input everyone!

I think I'm tempted to go the standalone route. I'll have a look through the links supplied and make a decision. Cheers!

 

[Ch3tan]

Oh and do not spend more than 5-10 quid on a hdmi lead. Ebay is your friend here.

 

[Cyradix]

My opinion : get the PS3
But if you want a standalone get the blu-ray disc? player BD-P2500 - Blu-ray disc players - Blu-ray | SAMSUNG
It's a great player and has DTS HD and Dolby True HD support

 

[Ch3tan]

That samsung player seems to be overpriced simply because it streams from netflix. waste of money imo.

 

[Noc0de]

I think I'm tempted by either:

SAMSUNG BDP1500 BLU-RAY/DVD PLAYER

or

SONY BDPS350 BLU-RAY/DVD PLAYER

 

[Ch3tan]

The samsung looks a lot sexier, and that is cheap. Have you checked Richer Sounds etc for any deals? Remember Richer do a price match, so if you have one local you can go pick it up.

 

[Noc0de]

Well, to be honest I'll probably end up buying either from Argos. Before you all cry at me, it's simply because work gave me a bunch of vouchers for some extra work I put it so that should cover the cost of either player - either the Samsung or the Sony. The vouchers can only be used at certain retailers which is always a bit frustrating as I'd prefer to go somewhere like Richer Sounds etc.

They're both £149.99 at Argos (Samsung vs Sony) and I do prefer the look of the Samsung, but do you think the Sony is better?

 

[Cyradix]

That Samsung model doesn't do Dolby True HD and the Sony does so it depends on your interest in HD surround... (but you can always get an AV receiver with Dolby HD support later on if needed)

 

[Ch3tan]

Erm.... Yes it does

"Apart from Dolby Digital and DTS, the BDP1500 also decodes the latest high definition audio formats including Dolby Digital Plus and lossless Dolby TrueHD. These formats deliver incredibly high quality audio and will make your movies sound breathtaking. Furthermore, the BDP1500 will output all these audio formats via HDMI, so you'll only need one cable running to your television or receiver/amplifier."

 

[Noc0de]

So there's really nothing between these then in terms of tech spec?

I must admit, the Sammy looks far prettier!

 

[Ch3tan]

Actually the Sony is technically better, it outputs at 24p, whereas the samsung does not (or at least superfi's stats do not show it). You really need a website that lets you compare both side by side.

 

[Trem]

Also with what Chet has said, I've had an issue with my PS3 within a year (laser focus issues), so if I was in the market now and didn't give a shit about games, then I'd perhaps plump for a standalone player that might have a more robust build.

If you have a broken PS3 and need a replacement (doesn't matter which version) you can get it exchanged for the model of your choice as long as you have a corresponding serial, now it's a very simple and easy process (i normally buy broken off ebay and use the following method)

Call Sony on 08705998877 and choose Option 1 then Option 1 again, hopefully you won't be stuck in a queue, now when you finally get through to somebody tell them that your PS3 won't read DVD's or games but they work fine in a friends PS3 (don't use any other reason, it might work with others but i've had best results with this excuse) if they ask how long you've had your PS3 for always say a few months (never ever more than 9 months, Warranty only lasts a year)

They should then go about offering you an exchange, 99% of the time it is 3 days later, if you have a 40GB you can use a different serial at the end of this post to get whichever model you need (i'm still working on a 60GB serial)

The Sony agent will then start to read some T&C;s to you, namely that you should only give them the PS3 itself, they may also mention that the courier who deliver's the PS3 will scan your serial to make sure that the serial you gave them matches (i think this is to scare off chancers like me, but the couriers have never scanned it)

Okay thats about it, write down the number they give you and wait for delivery

here's a collection of serials for both PS3 and PSP, you'll need to replace XXXX with random numbers


here's a few more serials i've collected

PS3
02-27430370-319XXXX-CECHG03 40GB PS3
02-27437970-053XXXX-CECHM03 80GB PS3
03-27439169-450XXXX-CECHP03 160GB PS3

Hope this helps, you guys owe me so much, what along with this and making you look cool and also giving your sisters massive self belief from my constant hassling of them. You so want me.

 

[nath]

Interesting, that makes me want to get a duff ps3 on ebay .

 

[Trem]

Interesting, that makes me want to get a duff ps3 on ebay .

I've already checked, they aren't uber cheap even when faulty.

 

[Ch3tan]

Yes I have done this with a dead ps3 before trem - no reciept, no idea how old it was etc. You would think Sony would swap a ps3 for the honest reason that it's fan is running at full all the time though.

 

[]SK[]

My PS3 died just before Xmas. It was about 2 months out of the years warranty. Sony didn't seem to care all that much about the warranty and said there are known faults with the drives in the early PS3 so would p repaired to swap it if I could produce a receipt. I couldn't find one, luckily they accepted a print out from GAME showing the purchase on my loyalty card. They promptly swapped out the unit free of charge. They were also nice enough to send me back my SD Card I left in the old one during the swap.

Sony were great for me.

 

[MYstIC G]

*blinks*

So your not dead?!?

Welcome back SK

 

[]SK[]

The forum said last visited November 2007.
I stumbled across the link in my favourites so thought I would take a peek. I see the same old faces are still posting. Which is quite impressive for me as my memory is terrible. I guess its hard to forget good times.

 

[TdC]

woo I remember you o0

 

[Ch3tan]

Sk

 

[]SK[]

Aye, that be me.