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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Home Theatre & HDTV => Topic started by: tmfraley2 on December 05, 2008, 03:43:16 PM

Title: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: tmfraley2 on December 05, 2008, 03:43:16 PM
OK so I am trying to decide if I should move to blue ray and wondered what players are worth the investment, any help would be great , going to do some research but I know folks here know what they are doing  :P
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: Javier Cinakowski on December 05, 2008, 03:45:31 PM
I am a big fan of the playstation.   it is a great media player, blue-ray player, game console, and decent interent browser....

Best part is the firmware is upgradable.  As the blueray format changes, and it looks like it is in for some (see 400GB thread), a firmware upgradable player is the way to go.....
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: John Kelly on December 05, 2008, 05:01:12 PM
There are some serious drawbacks to the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player:
-Will not fit in a standard A/V rack space
-Cannot stack other components above it
-Will not work with universal remotes (without some expensive workarounds)
-Serious power draw, even when turned off
-Many features beyond Blu-Ray playback, which you may not ever use/need

The Sony BDP-S350 seems to be going for $199 right now and it's a pretty good player.  The S550 is also a great upgrade if your budget is a bit higher.

Also, every Blu-Ray player is firmware upgradeable.  What they are NOT is "spec" upgradeable.  Meaning a 1.1 spec player cannot upgrade to a 2.0 spec player (or BD-Live, as some companies call it).
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: kindms on December 05, 2008, 05:17:24 PM
There are some serious drawbacks to the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player:
-Will not fit in a standard A/V rack space
-Cannot stack other components above it
-Will not work with universal remotes (without some expensive workarounds)
-Serious power draw, even when turned off
-Many features beyond Blu-Ray playback, which you may not ever use/need

The Sony BDP-S350 seems to be going for $199 right now and it's a pretty good player.  The S550 is also a great upgrade if your budget is a bit higher.

Also, every Blu-Ray player is firmware upgradeable.  What they are NOT is "spec" upgradeable.  Meaning a 1.1 spec player cannot upgrade to a 2.0 spec player (or BD-Live, as some companies call it).

John

What exactlty do you mean a serious power draw even when turned off ? Vampire type of thing ?
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: John Kelly on December 05, 2008, 05:25:26 PM
There are some serious drawbacks to the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player:
-Will not fit in a standard A/V rack space
-Cannot stack other components above it
-Will not work with universal remotes (without some expensive workarounds)
-Serious power draw, even when turned off
-Many features beyond Blu-Ray playback, which you may not ever use/need

The Sony BDP-S350 seems to be going for $199 right now and it's a pretty good player.  The S550 is also a great upgrade if your budget is a bit higher.

Also, every Blu-Ray player is firmware upgradeable.  What they are NOT is "spec" upgradeable.  Meaning a 1.1 spec player cannot upgrade to a 2.0 spec player (or BD-Live, as some companies call it).

John

What exactlty do you mean a serious power draw even when turned off ? Vampire type of thing ?

Well I looked it up and it's not as bad as I had thought - only about $.20/mo to keep the PS3 in standby mode at average prices.  However it will consume about 200W of power during BD playback, and about 175W during DVD playback.  That's pretty huge.
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: John Kelly on December 05, 2008, 05:26:35 PM
All that said, if you're willing to get past the issues I listed (don't care about A/V Racks or stacking, don't care about the remote) the PS3 is the best Blu-Ray player you can buy at the moment.
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: willndmb on December 08, 2008, 11:45:25 AM
The Sony BDP-S350 seems to be going for $199 right now and it's a pretty good player.  The S550 is also a great upgrade if your budget is a bit higher.

Also, every Blu-Ray player is firmware upgradeable.  What they are NOT is "spec" upgradeable.  Meaning a 1.1 spec player cannot upgrade to a 2.0 spec player (or BD-Live, as some companies call it).
i looked into the 350 at thanksgiving
a salesman told me in order for the BDLive to work you needed to upgrade the firmware, which required at least a 1gb add on memory hooked up via usb
???
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: John Kelly on December 08, 2008, 01:26:46 PM
The Sony BDP-S350 seems to be going for $199 right now and it's a pretty good player.  The S550 is also a great upgrade if your budget is a bit higher.

Also, every Blu-Ray player is firmware upgradeable.  What they are NOT is "spec" upgradeable.  Meaning a 1.1 spec player cannot upgrade to a 2.0 spec player (or BD-Live, as some companies call it).
i looked into the 350 at thanksgiving
a salesman told me in order for the BDLive to work you needed to upgrade the firmware, which required at least a 1gb add on memory hooked up via usb
???

That may be true, as 2.0/BD-Live requires 1GB of persistent storage.  I was unaware that the 350 did not have it built in...
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: willndmb on December 08, 2008, 01:57:23 PM
The Sony BDP-S350 seems to be going for $199 right now and it's a pretty good player.  The S550 is also a great upgrade if your budget is a bit higher.

Also, every Blu-Ray player is firmware upgradeable.  What they are NOT is "spec" upgradeable.  Meaning a 1.1 spec player cannot upgrade to a 2.0 spec player (or BD-Live, as some companies call it).
i looked into the 350 at thanksgiving
a salesman told me in order for the BDLive to work you needed to upgrade the firmware, which required at least a 1gb add on memory hooked up via usb
???

That may be true, as 2.0/BD-Live requires 1GB of persistent storage.  I was unaware that the 350 did not have it built in...
the 550 has it built in, actually 2gb i think
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: jhirte on December 11, 2008, 01:16:41 PM
PS3 is the way to go IMO. constant firmware updates, the ability to use it for audio playback from PC (wireless even), gaming (if your into that). Movie rentals via playstation store, etc.
It'll fit in a standard av stand/shelf, as long as your not standing it on end. You can use the controller for playback, sort of an inconvenience, but it works. You could purchase the remote for BR playback (25 bucks) but why bother, what controls do you really need more than play/pause/stop/ff/rew? its all available using the controller.
For the money, and what you can do with it, PS3 all the way. ;)
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: todd e on January 08, 2009, 09:21:16 AM
i just got thru this, and my recommendation is the LG BD300.

had the entry level sony first, and the invicta.  didnt like either.  ended up getting the LG because it streams netflix (in HD too)
definitely worth it to me, as i have no interest in gaming.  just another opinion in this thread. 

watched my first blue ray in 7.1 last night, LOVED it.  cant wait for more, definitely noticing the difference in terms of the higher resolution audio.
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: sparkey on January 08, 2009, 10:17:34 AM
because it streams netflix (in HD too)

How is that in hd?

Josh
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: todd e on January 08, 2009, 01:28:58 PM
because it streams netflix (in HD too)

How is that in hd?

Josh

no better than 1080i, but that's the best directv can do too as i understand it.  i have a phat connection, which helps dramtically.
works great, been catching up on CSI, Heroes, and 30Rock in HD this past week and it's great.
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: sparkey on January 08, 2009, 01:47:55 PM
So the resolution is 1080i....any glitches, artifacts, anything like that?  Does it cache the images and then start playing?  Thumbs up???

because it streams netflix (in HD too)

How is that in hd?

Josh

no better than 1080i, but that's the best directv can do too as i understand it.  i have a phat connection, which helps dramtically.
works great, been catching up on CSI, Heroes, and 30Rock in HD this past week and it's great.
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: todd e on January 08, 2009, 03:12:54 PM
So the resolution is 1080i....any glitches, artifacts, anything like that?  Does it cache the images and then start playing?  Thumbs up???

because it streams netflix (in HD too)

How is that in hd?

Josh

no better than 1080i, but that's the best directv can do too as i understand it.  i have a phat connection, which helps dramtically.
works great, been catching up on CSI, Heroes, and 30Rock in HD this past week and it's great.

it's starts a cache for the movie, for about 30sec at the beginning and will re-adjust if the network activity gets spotty mid-way, but i've only heard of that, never seen that happen.  all of this is assuming that netflix has the content in HD, not all movies are in resolution higher than SD.  thumbs up for me, but it's also the FIRST blu-ray player with this feature.  there is a $100 box made by roku, which delivers the same content, but you have to have a seperate blu-ray player then.  i'm sure it'll get better, and i bet sony will start pulling their content from netflix as they plan to unveil a similar streaming service for the ps3
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: sparkey on January 08, 2009, 03:22:40 PM
there is a $100 box made by roku,

I've been giving serious thought to picking one of these up and ditching my DirecTv connection.  $8.99 a month for 300 HD titles and then get my locals OTA in HD. 

OTOH, Skinemax is starting to show some clam on a regular basis and I wouldn't get the Daily Show.  Hmmmm.....

Josh

Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: John Kelly on January 09, 2009, 10:39:21 AM
So the resolution is 1080i....any glitches, artifacts, anything like that?  Does it cache the images and then start playing?  Thumbs up???

because it streams netflix (in HD too)

How is that in hd?

Josh

no better than 1080i, but that's the best directv can do too as i understand it.  i have a phat connection, which helps dramtically.
works great, been catching up on CSI, Heroes, and 30Rock in HD this past week and it's great.

I have yet to find confirmation, but I highly doubt they're using 1080i.  It's a 1280x720 resolution picture (and probably interlaced, although I'm not sure). 

Here's a review of the service from Gizmodo.  They don't specifically mention the resolution, though:
http://gizmodo.com/5071275/netflix-hd-impressions-on-xbox-360
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: todd e on January 09, 2009, 11:53:24 AM
So the resolution is 1080i....any glitches, artifacts, anything like that?  Does it cache the images and then start playing?  Thumbs up???

because it streams netflix (in HD too)

How is that in hd?

Josh

no better than 1080i, but that's the best directv can do too as i understand it.  i have a phat connection, which helps dramtically.
works great, been catching up on CSI, Heroes, and 30Rock in HD this past week and it's great.

I have yet to find confirmation, but I highly doubt they're using 1080i.  It's a 1280x720 resolution picture (and probably interlaced, although I'm not sure). 

Here's a review of the service from Gizmodo.  They don't specifically mention the resolution, though:
http://gizmodo.com/5071275/netflix-hd-impressions-on-xbox-360

john, if i'm reading your review correctly, that is for the xbox 360 version, not the LG BD300 Netlfix option, which appears different (for example, FF'wd and RR'd are not disable on the LG player...)  and i als want to clarify, it isnt better than 1080i, more likely 720p.  i have yet to find documentation either on the exact resolution possibilities, but i can tell you that it does look much better than SD cable/directv/dvd, but not as good as 1080p OTA.
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: John Kelly on January 09, 2009, 01:15:25 PM
So the resolution is 1080i....any glitches, artifacts, anything like that?  Does it cache the images and then start playing?  Thumbs up???

because it streams netflix (in HD too)

How is that in hd?

Josh

no better than 1080i, but that's the best directv can do too as i understand it.  i have a phat connection, which helps dramtically.
works great, been catching up on CSI, Heroes, and 30Rock in HD this past week and it's great.

I have yet to find confirmation, but I highly doubt they're using 1080i.  It's a 1280x720 resolution picture (and probably interlaced, although I'm not sure). 

Here's a review of the service from Gizmodo.  They don't specifically mention the resolution, though:
http://gizmodo.com/5071275/netflix-hd-impressions-on-xbox-360

john, if i'm reading your review correctly, that is for the xbox 360 version, not the LG BD300 Netlfix option, which appears different (for example, FF'wd and RR'd are not disable on the LG player...)  and i als want to clarify, it isnt better than 1080i, more likely 720p.  i have yet to find documentation either on the exact resolution possibilities, but i can tell you that it does look much better than SD cable/directv/dvd, but not as good as 1080p OTA.

Right, but it's the exact same service just streamed to different devices. 

I've seen it before and it looks to be on par with Apple's HD videos on the Apple TV and with cable/satellite HD channels.  Nowhere near the picture I get out of FIOS, though.
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: sparkey on January 09, 2009, 06:37:16 PM
john, if i'm reading your review correctly, that is for the xbox 360 version, not the LG BD300 Netlfix option, which appears different (for example, FF'wd and RR'd are not disable on the LG player...)  and i als want to clarify, it isnt better than 1080i, more likely 720p.  i have yet to find documentation either on the exact resolution possibilities, but i can tell you that it does look much better than SD cable/directv/dvd, but not as good as 1080p OTA.

OTA is 1080P?  I've read that AppleTV is 720P.....
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: John Kelly on January 09, 2009, 09:44:58 PM
john, if i'm reading your review correctly, that is for the xbox 360 version, not the LG BD300 Netlfix option, which appears different (for example, FF'wd and RR'd are not disable on the LG player...)  and i als want to clarify, it isnt better than 1080i, more likely 720p.  i have yet to find documentation either on the exact resolution possibilities, but i can tell you that it does look much better than SD cable/directv/dvd, but not as good as 1080p OTA.

OTA is 1080P?  I've read that AppleTV is 720P.....

The only 1080p signals available at all are Blu-Ray Discs, some (but very few) video games, and certain content on the computer.  There are no 1080p broadcasts.  AppleTV is 720p.
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: Wiggler on January 10, 2009, 06:20:20 PM
john, if i'm reading your review correctly, that is for the xbox 360 version, not the LG BD300 Netlfix option, which appears different (for example, FF'wd and RR'd are not disable on the LG player...)  and i als want to clarify, it isnt better than 1080i, more likely 720p.  i have yet to find documentation either on the exact resolution possibilities, but i can tell you that it does look much better than SD cable/directv/dvd, but not as good as 1080p OTA.

OTA is 1080P?  I've read that AppleTV is 720P.....

The only 1080p signals available at all are Blu-Ray Discs, some (but very few) video games, and certain content on the computer.  There are no 1080p broadcasts.  AppleTV is 720p.

John isn't Dish Networks VOD in 1080p they claim it is on their website?
http://www.dishnetwork.com/vod/default.aspx
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: John Kelly on January 10, 2009, 06:24:57 PM
john, if i'm reading your review correctly, that is for the xbox 360 version, not the LG BD300 Netlfix option, which appears different (for example, FF'wd and RR'd are not disable on the LG player...)  and i als want to clarify, it isnt better than 1080i, more likely 720p.  i have yet to find documentation either on the exact resolution possibilities, but i can tell you that it does look much better than SD cable/directv/dvd, but not as good as 1080p OTA.

OTA is 1080P?  I've read that AppleTV is 720P.....

The only 1080p signals available at all are Blu-Ray Discs, some (but very few) video games, and certain content on the computer.  There are no 1080p broadcasts.  AppleTV is 720p.

John isn't Dish Networks VOD in 1080p they claim it is on their website?
http://www.dishnetwork.com/vod/default.aspx


Maybe - first I've heard about it.  I wonder, with the compression they'd have to use to push that signal through, does it even look better than other streaming/VOD options?
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: Wiggler on January 10, 2009, 06:33:21 PM
I have never seen it.
I found a review of it on Sound and Vision.
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/features/3006/satellite-vs-blu-ray-dishing-up-1080p.html
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: Wiggler on January 10, 2009, 06:53:08 PM
It looks like Directv is also offering 1080p on some select DIRECTV on DEMAND titles .
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=3720002
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: nickgregory on January 11, 2009, 07:30:18 PM
It looks like Directv is also offering 1080p on some select DIRECTV on DEMAND titles .
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=3720002


they are...I downloaded the Hulk in 1080p a week ago...looked fantastic
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: todd e on February 14, 2009, 11:35:48 AM
so i get an auto-update today on the LG BD300 and the newest feature appears to be a direct link to youtube, for nice streaming of a totally new content for the television (at least in my household!)

sick, all sorts of search options, screen sizes.
Title: Re: Help with Blue Ray Looking at getting one for xmas
Post by: sparkey on February 15, 2009, 11:18:09 AM
so i get an auto-update today on the LG BD300 and the newest feature appears to be a direct link to youtube, for nice streaming of a totally new content for the television (at least in my household!)

sick, all sorts of search options, screen sizes.

It's in HD?