Is it worthwhile to get a Blueray player yet?

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I think I'm skipping Blueray. I think streaming video is going to overtake Blueray much the way mp3's took over CD's. I know I haven't rented a movie in 4 months because of Netflix.

Uh, so you use your PC to watch movies?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Muse
Oh, then I would need the optional remote to get IR codes for my universal remote, right?

You'd have to get an IR receiver for the PS3, too, as it's not equipped with one.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: JLee

Originally posted by: ducci
If you have a ton of DVDs and aren't anal about "ultimate" picture/sound quality, I'd wait until the sub-$100 players and $10/$15 discs.

Sub-$100 players and $5 discs, if you're willing to venture into 'old tech' and buy HD DVDs.

Seriously? I briefly entertained the thought of getting an HD DVD player, to take advantage of cheap movies, but didn't think they'd drop that significantly.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I think I'm skipping Blueray. I think streaming video is going to overtake Blueray much the way mp3's took over CD's. I know I haven't rented a movie in 4 months because of Netflix.

You mean people who prefer quality will still go for physical media?

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: JLee

Originally posted by: ducci
If you have a ton of DVDs and aren't anal about "ultimate" picture/sound quality, I'd wait until the sub-$100 players and $10/$15 discs.

Sub-$100 players and $5 discs, if you're willing to venture into 'old tech' and buy HD DVDs.

Seriously? I briefly entertained the thought of getting an HD DVD player, to take advantage of cheap movies, but didn't think they'd drop that significantly.

And that's $5 shipped, as long as you buy enough to qualify for free shipping

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I thought Blue Ray lost the HD war?

 

[Wag]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
I thought Blue Ray lost the HD war?

No. It won. I wouldn't go out of your way to buy HD-DVD anything as Warner and Universal are now starting to release all their catalog titles that are out on HD-DVD on Blu, so there's little point. All you'll have is another useless piece of hardware.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: lokiju
Blu-Ray btw.

I don't know how worth it, it really is and I own one.

I think there are some examples of great looking movies on Blu-Ray but some are very hard to tell the difference in.

The player and disc are capable of showing a clear difference but it's all about what you're comparing it to and things like was the DVD transfer done poorly while the Blu-Ray transfer was done with great attention to detail? Take for instance LOTR's DVD's, they look amazing on my 46" 1080P LCD using my PS3 to upconvert them. I'd not even consider rebuying them on Blu-Ray discs, but then there are other movies that look night and day better simply due to the transfer process and clean up that is done to the film.

I don't think it's worth spending top dollar for simple movies that do not show off your screens capabilities, things like comedies or TV shows for example but big action epic movies are worth going with the blu-ray disc over the DVD.

It's a hard sell to the average person though, to most they won't see a stunning difference like there was when comparing VHS to DVD.

I find the Two Towers DVD upscaled on my Plasma nearly unwatchable. such a horrible transfer, that one is.

Which version?

I have the extended version that's split into 2 disc each movie, which equals less compression.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Muse
Oh, then I would need the optional remote to get IR codes for my universal remote, right?

You'd have to get an IR receiver for the PS3, too, as it's not equipped with one.

Oh jeez... Why do they have to make life so difficult?

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: sswingle

Originally posted by: Joemonkey


also, why do you need a remote? The PS3 controller works just fine for us

Ease of use. Especially if we have company over. I hand them the DVD remote, and they can use it. I hand them the PS3 controller, and they look at me like, WTF, how does this work?

Does the PS3 controller work by wire connection or does it send IR info? If the latter, I could presumably get my universal remote (MX-700) to learn all the codes and wouldn't have to get the optional remote. I rarely reach for any remote other than my MX-700 in my computer/cineplex room.

Bluetooth.

Oh, then I would need the optional remote to get IR codes for my universal remote, right?

There is a aftermarket product that plugs into the usb port of the PS3 (which is on the front of the device) that allows you to use your IR universal remotes.

Kind of pricey though, $35.

from here.

You'd really want to go with this if you did an IR solution since it allows you to turn on the PS3 using IR.

Actually they don't carry the model that turns it on for some reason, it used to be $50 and the model was the PS3IR+PWR.

 

[The Sauce]

Ok, so now I need to know - what are the must-have PS3 games that I should buy to go with it?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: So
I'm gonna wait on $10-15 discs. Until then, my upconverting DVD player is just fine, thank you.

I've paid ~$17 for 70% of the 30 or so BD's that I own. Hell, Band of Brothers was $54 on release! It was $80-100 on DVD for maybe....4 years? or however long it was out until the BD was released.

Again, BD is much cheaper at this time in its age than was DVD from its release. Hardware and software. Staggering how prices have dropped, actually.

You have to shop a bit, but deals are just about everywhere.

I am so close to picking up BoB on BR. It keeps tempting me at Best Buy.

 

[sswingle]

Originally posted by: The Sauce
Ok, so now I need to know - what are the must-have PS3 games that I should buy to go with it?

Maybe check the console gaming forum? That question gets asked in there about every week.

 

[kenrippy]

I don't think it's worth it to buy a BD player at all.
I bought a BD player about 9 months ago, but returned it to costco. It was just too expensive for what it did.

I ended up getting a BD/HDDVD drive for the pc. Now I rip all my movies (DVD/BD/HDDVD) to hdd and stream them to a Popcorn Hour A110 via cat5. The PCH is so much more versatile than the stand alone players. I have no need for a DVD player either, the PCH plays DVD.iso's with full menus etc. It will decode DTS/AC3, and pass through all the lossless formats via HDMI 1.3 for decoding by a capable receiver. I wanted something with BD picture and sound quality, and I couldn't be happier. Of course it plays tons of other formats and containers, .mkv being the most popular in the "sharing community"

 

[secretanchitman]

i think its good enough to buy now. there are plenty of sub $100 blu-ray/hd-dvd reader drives out there (i have a LG reader that i got for <$90 a few months ago). in addition to that, the ps3 is also great for playing back blu-ray.

 

[DVad3r]

Get a PS3 or get a Blu-Ray player for your comp and do it big

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: kenrippy
I don't think it's worth it to buy a BD player at all.
I bought a BD player about 9 months ago, but returned it to costco. It was just too expensive for what it did.

I ended up getting a BD/HDDVD drive for the pc. Now I rip all my movies (DVD/BD/HDDVD) to hdd and stream them to a Popcorn Hour A110 via cat5. The PCH is so much more versatile than the stand alone players. I have no need for a DVD player either, the PCH plays DVD.iso's with full menus etc. It will decode DTS/AC3, and pass through all the lossless formats via HDMI 1.3 for decoding by a capable receiver. I wanted something with BD picture and sound quality, and I couldn't be happier. Of course it plays tons of other formats and containers, .mkv being the most popular in the "sharing community"

I still like shiny discs... I do have my Opty 165 feeding the projector (with about 8TB of drive space), but it is not the only source.

 

[Joemonkey]

Originally posted by: sswingle

Originally posted by: Joemonkey


also, why do you need a remote? The PS3 controller works just fine for us

Ease of use. Especially if we have company over. I hand them the DVD remote, and they can use it. I hand them the PS3 controller, and they look at me like, WTF, how does this work?

get smarter friends

how hard is it to say "hit triangle"

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: sswingle
I got a PS3 primarily for the blu-ray. I say its absolutely worthwhile. There are tons of movies out, just take a look at amazon. As for as buggyness, the PS3 is rock solid. Can't say about standalones, never used any.

this

 

[Vette73]

No. Still cost to much and the disc still cost way to much as well.

Get a Xbox (HDMI) or a good upconvert DVD player.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I think I'm skipping Blueray. I think streaming video is going to overtake Blueray much the way mp3's took over CD's. I know I haven't rented a movie in 4 months because of Netflix.

Uh, so you use your PC to watch movies?

Xbox...streams right to my TV. Fantastic quality too.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I think I'm skipping Blueray. I think streaming video is going to overtake Blueray much the way mp3's took over CD's. I know I haven't rented a movie in 4 months because of Netflix.

Uh, so you use your PC to watch movies?

Home Theatre PC is what they are called.

 

[sutahz]

From what little I've heard, the PS3 is one of the best blu-ray players. If you game that's an obvious plus, if not, it could be a web browser for your living room.

Do you have digital satellite/cable? Or you just picking up HD off the air?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I think I'm skipping Blueray. I think streaming video is going to overtake Blueray much the way mp3's took over CD's. I know I haven't rented a movie in 4 months because of Netflix.

Uh, so you use your PC to watch movies?

Home Theatre PC is what they are called.

My main desktop (midtower) is sort of a HTPC. Has HDTV card and timeshifting/etc software. But I prefer to use my standalone upconverting DVD player when watching movies. It's quieter, uses less juice. However, I'm looking for a change. I want EQ for the audio and am not getting it. If I start playing disks in my PC, I'll have EQ, I'm pretty sure. Actually, I'm not sure if I could work out remote control. I am thinking of picking up some kind of amp with EQ for the audio, even just treble/bass knobs.

Thing about streaming video is you need a lot of hard disk space or else a subscription, I figure.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I think I'm skipping Blueray. I think streaming video is going to overtake Blueray much the way mp3's took over CD's. I know I haven't rented a movie in 4 months because of Netflix.

Uh, so you use your PC to watch movies?

Home Theatre PC is what they are called.

My main desktop (midtower) is sort of a HTPC. Has HDTV card and timeshifting/etc software. But I prefer to use my standalone upconverting DVD player when watching movies. It's quieter, uses less juice. However, I'm looking for a change. I want EQ for the audio and am not getting it. If I start playing disks in my PC, I'll have EQ, I'm pretty sure.

Thing about streaming video is you need a lot of hard disk space or else a subscription, I figure.

hdd is cheap. I have 8TB I think.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
No. Still cost to much and the disc still cost way to much as well.

Get a Xbox (HDMI) or a good upconvert DVD player.

I'm pretty sure Xbox has a comparable cost to a Blu-ray player, and you can find many releases for under $20.