Blu ray
 

Ok, need input on which blu ray player to get. Appreciate all
Input. Thx ahead!

I have been holding off. One line of thinking predicts the Bluray might go the way of Beta in lieu of HD online and direct downloading. The industry insiders are taking a hard look a the potential non-longevity of it.

There will be discs for a few years, but it is most likely not the long term format.

just my .02

If they get down under $100 and the discs are in the $15 range, I'll consider it. After all, they are backwards compatible with regular DVDs and I don't expect my current $50 DVD player to last forever.

PS3

I'd recommend a Sony 550 - we got one to replace a 1st. generation Samsung player, and its worked out really well for us.

Some things to consider when buying a bluray player is:

- Loading time : A bluray player is basicly a computer - it has an operating system, and depending on what player you have that OS has to boot up before you can use it, which in the case of our old Samsung took 1-2 minuttes. It was slow and I dont have the patience for that :) On our Sony 550 it takes 20 seconds or so.

- Generation : So far there has been 3 generations of Bluray (things move fast). Without getting too technical - discs for the latest generation players may not play at all on 1st generation players. Easy way to make sure is to get a player that has 'BD Live' as a feature.

There are more things to look for, like what audio hookup you are using, how to update firmware (haven't had to do that on our 550), supported audio formats and what not, but without the first two covered the rest is pointless, in my opinion.

Now - having said all that, I must admit that Bluray disapointed me slightly - the quality over DVD is not earthshattering, and unless you are really picky I dont think there is more enjoyment to be had out of a Bluray than a normal DVD. Once the movie starts, you are probably not watching it for how many pixels it has, but rather if its a entertaining movie.

I thought HD is dead and Blue Ray is the new standard?:rolleyes:

This is why I pick the PS3. PS3 is the first blu ray player in the market and it constantly gets updates unlike most players.

I agree with PS3... updates, updates, updates!

PS3 site

Profile 2.0 players is a must. You get regular updates to firmware.
PS3 or S550 as others have suggested are good. You can find S550 for under $300.

thx to all. I am just starting to learn about this. I have a Panny 1080p tv and no HD DVD player at all.

I realize DVDs are huge biz, but I think we watch 1 or 2 a year,
and those couple tend to be from a small collection we have...

If/when BluRay gets cheaper, inc. the discs, I might buy one
but it's way down my list of needs & wants. Diff'n strokes;
for us, with so many movie channels and other stuff to watch,
I tend to take a Pasadena.
My 2Cts...
GL,mD

My best tv is only 720 ... though I know 1080 is only on Blu Ray right now - I'll be out shopping next Christmas! How is the panny?

HD and Bluray are both High Def standards. Give me a break.

The HD player and format are dead. Blu Ray won.

The High Definiton (not HD) downloads are not. That is what people are trying to figure out. The download and direct load market is growing rapidly. It could simply bypass the physical Bluray player.

Gresch's recommendation of ps3 is right on. Best Bluray player out there and endless utility just as a game device.

I now understand your comment better, yes download may reduce the need for DVD players.

if i were gonna get a blueray player it would prob be a ps3, this way i could play that F1 game thats on there. ;) other than that i would save my money to download HD videos from cable provider / netflix services and such.

just dont buy this: http://dvice.com/archives/2009/01/panasonic_blu-r.php

I have a PS3 with the blu ray remote. Picture is amazing with 1080p / 1080i and it functions great... plus I can terrorize other online racers on Motorstorm Pacific Rift!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/122/2...97d895f98a.jpghttp://download-blog.chip.eu/wp-cont...ystation_3.jpghttps://www.videogamesplus.ca/images...orm_pr_box.jpg

You mean 1080p?

His reference say's 1080i...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1080i

PS3 can do 1080p or "Full HD" which is better than 1080i. Blu-ray games/movies are also in 1080p or better.

Thanks I understand;

I was just referencing his info.

We purchased a Sony Blu-Ray S350 during the Thanksgiving sales for $200 out the door. It's similar to the S550 except it doesn't have the 1gb flash drive, analog outputs or DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, and is less expensive. We thought about going the PS3 route, but it was twice as much as the S350 and neither my wife nor I play video games. Also, I read that there were some fan noise issues with the PS3 that might be distracting.

Yes, my mistake! :( Fixed my post.

Now I hear a rumor that PS3's will be down to $199.00 this summer. That came from Circuit City techs.

My 2c real quick:

The quality of BR over DVD is HUGELY noticeable once you get over 48" screen size. Just compare Planet Earth or Ratatouille on DVD and BR and you'll be blown away. Good example on Ratatouille: the rats' hairs are fuzzy ("aliased") on the DVD version, but crystal clear on the BR version.

That said: PS3 is still supposed to be the best player.

Finally: I'm not so sure physical media is going to be around much longer especially with things like streaming netflix via Xbox Live. Just a thought.