I am looking to get a player that plays blue-ray dvd's I am not so much interested in the gaming all tho I am sure I would purchase a few games to go with the PS3 but I am more looking for the better buy and better video/audio quality. I have a nice big screen and home theater in my home all HDTV compatible. I have heard that PS3 has the best sound as of now then any other player out there... Something like the PS3 has uncompressed sound or something like that. Is this true? Please help me with some direction on what to buy. Thank you all for your help.
Well for one thing the PS3's bluray profile version is upgraded through firmwares, there are only few players (2 or 3) besides the PS3 that tote that feature. In fact the PS3 is usually upgraded to the newest profile before the players with the new profile built into them are released.
Also the PS3 can work as a media server receiver, basically you can play movies off of your computer on the TV using the PS3, I don't know of any other players which can do that.
Also it has many accessories, such as the BluRay remote (no biggie I know but its a nice remote, uses bluetooth technology as well), PS eye (High quality web cam with a directional mic), and it will soon have an add on which essentially turns it into a TiVo.
This is perhaps the biggest home theater question out there right now, I myself am struggling with finding the answer. I am a custom home theater installer in the Atlanta Ga area and I have used the PS3 as the primary player in several installations. Currently, I am one of the millions who own one of Toshiba's HDDVD players. I have their A35 which was the flagship before they threw in the towel, and I also am a proud owner of PS3. Obviously you can not compare Bluray to HDDVD, and who would want to now anyway, but I have done some in depth testing between the A35 and the PS3. For the tests I am using regular old DVD's and CD's. I have tested the video quality in upconversion (1080P) and pass through (480P) and here is what I have found...
Unfortunately, the Tosh is the superior machine in every category. I was hoping that the PS3 would be a universal machine but it seems to be more of a game system, server, internet browser, but not a high end Bluray player. The PS3 and the A35 were close in the video department with a slight edge to the A35, but the big difference was in sound. The PS3 sounded like crap, which really surprised me because it has gotten such good reviews. I personally own the Sony SCD-C2000ES SACD player which sounds awesome so I know that Sony knows how to make a good sound piece. The bottom line is that Sony went cheap on the DAC's in the PS3. But hey, they had to cut costs somewhere when you consider how much the PS3 will do for $400. Now I am not saying the PS3 is a bad player, I mean I own one, I am just saying that I expect better stand-alone Bluray players to hit the market very soon.
Many people are dumping their Toshiba HDDVD players because the format war is over and HDDVD lost. But the A35, A30, and AX2 are still probably the best performing DVD players on the market even if you just used it as an upconverting DVD player. I have decided to keep mine.
In conclusion, you cant go wrong with the PS3, especially for the price, but I do expect better performing machines from Pioneer, Sony, and probably Toshiba as they board the Bluray train. I hope this helps in your quest for home theater perfection. I hope to be able to compare the PS3 to another Bluray player very soon. If I have that opportunity I well definitely post the results. If you don't mind me asking, what equipment do you have in your setup.
I dont think that darensvt is that big of a sound enthusiast. Most people arent that picky when it comes to sound anyways. Personally I dont think that the PS3 sound like crap at all. I have a basic suround sound system and it sounds great. The up convertion of regular DVD's looks great. And BD movies look great too... I do have a high end Sony Bravia that does 1080p so may that is why...
But anyways why buy a BD player that cost the same or much more than PS3 just becasue it sounds better. I think internet + gaming + Linux + online updates + Media server all heavily out weighs sound anyday. But thats just me.
Thank you so much for your time and help with this question of mine.. It really is a tough decission I feel.. As of now I have a Samsung HTL6187 HDTV, Tushiba HD-A20HD DVD player, Denon AVR-2807 receiver, Dish Network HDTV VIP622 receiver and a Jamo 7.1 surround sound speaker system. I really did like my HD DVD player and still do but now that blue-ray is full force I am really thinking about going that route.. I have net flix and very soon as you may know they will no longer be renting HD DVD. I want to use my system to its fullest ability as I am sure everyone does so this is why I am really concidering going blue-ray at this time.. I guess with the info you gave to me I may just wait a few months to see what new products come out with the blue-ray capability.. Again thank you for your help and the new info to think about..
canuckerz "I think internet + gaming + Linux + online updates + Media server all heavily out weighs sound anyday. But thats just me."
Thats not only your belifes, but the majority as well no doubt. And you are right that "most" people will not care, or be able to tell the difference between good sound and bad sound. However, he states that he is looking mainly for movies, games are secondary. There are many people out there, myself included, who are audiophiles and sound is very important, if not most important.
Many people would buy the PS3 without even considering a standalone player because of the PS3's many capabilities, but the fact that he asked which is better suggests that he is concerned with the performance of the machine as a DVD player... not a gaming system. I hope nobody thinks that that I am PS3 bashing, as I stated, I own a PS3 and have placed them in several of my installations which I would not have done if I was not confident in the machine. But the fact is that it leaves a lot to be desired in the DVD department.
I wasnt always into the HD visual and sound...didnt think it was important. Until I got a HD tv. Hoping to feel that way with sound also.
I kinda wanted a new sound system...but dont really know what to get...whats a decent setup thats not too expensive? I always wondered what HD sound is like. Havent heard it so ofcourse I am going to think my basic surround sound is amazing lol.
Originally posted by airball: canuckerz "I think internet + gaming + Linux + online updates + Media server all heavily out weighs sound anyday. But thats just me."
That wasn't me who said that, nor did I downplay the importance of sound quality.
Unfortunately my AVR 2807 is border line of having the TrueHD and DTS-HD capabilities which is a bummer. I guess I am going to have to wait a little bit before I can justify getting a new receiver unless I can find a buyer for my receiver now. I am very happy with the quality of it don't get me wrong just bummed it cant do exactly what I am looking for. Maybe I can find a buyer for my receiver and my HD DVD player with the half a dozen movies I have for it. Who knows! The other thing is that I am now finding out that some stand alone Blu-ray players now have the uncompressed ability like the PS3 has. I may just get a Sony BDP-S500 Blu-Ray or the Panasonic DMP-BD30 for now and then in the future get a new receiver. Are either of these players good or comparable? GRRRR with all the decisions with electronics now a days.. LOL
My bad canuckerz. I misquoted you for CrisKahn2. Both names are about the same length and start with "C".
The first time that you hear your favorite song played on some really good audio equipment...its life changing man. If you haven't experienced it you don't know hat your missing. The majority of people, including myself spend allot of time listening to their ipod or radio, and we loose track of what music was supposed to sound like. I asked a friend of mine the other day how long it had been since he listened to a CD...he couldn't remember when. Thats an interesting thought.
Darensvt, if you pick up a Sony BDP-S500 let us know your impressions. Several home theater publications have rated the PS3 as being better than the BDP-S500, but who knows. Many of those mags get paid to review one piece better than an other. Personally I have decided to stick with my PS3 and wait for more manufactures to step into the Bluray market. It looks like by the end of the year almost every big name in home theater will be manufacturing Blyray machines. The end of the year is a long time to wait so if you need one now the PS3 may be the way to go.
