Need some advice (Blu-Ray vs PS3 vs HTPC)

[Guywiththegun]

Alright, here's the deal. This friday I get a free $300 point voucher at a casino. Of course this can only be used at the casino, that friday only, and they purposely make everything higher in price because, ya know, you're using free 'points.'

A PS3 goes for $499 there (a PS3 'motion' for $599). So if I opt for a PS3 friday, I'll be paying $200 for it. Thats still a deal.

Thing is, there are some Blu-Ray players that have Netflix, Hulu, USB, and networking built in for $150 and $250 (3D enabled). Those would essentially be free.

I already own an Xbox 360 and am happy with it, but I'm probably gonna leave it when I move out (for my sister to use), so I won't have it 24/7 forever. I also have a bare-bones HTPC, running XP, that is packed with emulated games, movies, etc. This will probably require upgrading for my new 1080 TV.

My mind in Jello at this point. What would you do? Pay $200 for a PS3 that gives you gaming, streaming media, and Blu-Ray, or save the money to upgrade the HTPC (which I may do anyway) and get a decent Blu-Ray for free that has Netflix and other streaming capabilities anyway? I was gonna do a Blu-Ray HTPC until I read about all the problems.

 

[Number1]

This is what I would do:

Get the PS3.

Upgrade your PC with minimum of:
2 G RAM
COre 2 Duo 1.8 GHz
5000 or higher video card for your HTPC
Big hard drive.
Netflix or Hulu for the PC

 

[poofyhairguy]

Blu Ray and HTPC.

 

[s44]

PS3. Why? Because it will always get the *next* streaming service. For Blu-Ray players, you'll have to get the next model. For the PC, you don't even get all the current ones (content providers like locked platforms).

Unless you want a super-DVR HTPC, it's not worth it.

On the other hand, I guess you can get a networked Blu-Ray now and spend the $200 later when you want that next-gen device.

 

[Modelworks]

blu-ray player. The HTPC and PS3 are nice but nothing can beat the lack of need to do anything but turn something on to do what you want. With a blu-ray player you can plug it in, turn it on and you know it will play netflix or the disc you just bought without worrying about system files,updates from sony, logging in or anything special.

I have a great HTPC and WDTV LIve player. While the HTPC is nice , nothing beats the simplicity of the set top boxes for playing back files. Just plug and play.

 

[thegimp03]

PS3. It is still one of the best blu-ray players and can double as a game system to replace the 360 you plan on leaving.

 

[electroju]

After watching the 65th episode of hdnation at revision3.com last night a Playstation 3 is the best route to take to almost have a future proof Blu-Ray player. Though in order to use hulu.com, you have to pay for the hulu plus.

If you are thinking to put Linux on Playstation 3 to use hulu.com with the help of gnash, it will not work with gnash.

I suggest use the voucher for something else than a product. You could use it for a party.

At any casino, everything is expensive. Everybody want dibs on the sale, so it is costly compared to other places like Target, Bestbuy, Walmart.

 

[zerocool84]

blu-ray player. The HTPC and PS3 are nice but nothing can beat the lack of need to do anything but turn something on to do what you want. With a blu-ray player you can plug it in, turn it on and you know it will play netflix or the disc you just bought without worrying about system files,updates from sony, logging in or anything special.

Umm any blu-ray player you buy is going to need updates. Every single one it doesn't matter from who. The PS3 is guaranteed to be updated for more often and faster than every other blu-ray player out there. There's nothing wrong with getting a blu-ray player over a PS3 but saying it won't need to be updated is wrong.

 

[Modelworks]

Umm any blu-ray player you buy is going to need updates. Every single one it doesn't matter from who. The PS3 is guaranteed to be updated for more often and faster than every other blu-ray player out there. There's nothing wrong with getting a blu-ray player over a PS3 but saying it won't need to be updated is wrong.

Not true. People buy players every day and have no clue what an update is or why they would need one and continue to enjoy their purchase. While they both may benefit from updates, the need to update is far less for a bluray player than a console. The reason the PS3 has to be updated more often is because of incompatibilities it has trying to fill multiple roles. The same trap the pc falls into by trying to be a general purpose item.

 

[zerocool84]

Not true. People buy players every day and have no clue what an update is or why they would need one and continue to enjoy their purchase. While they both may benefit from updates, the need to update is far less for a bluray player than a console. The reason the PS3 has to be updated more often is because of incompatibilities it has trying to fill multiple roles. The same trap the pc falls into by trying to be a general purpose item.

I guess you haven't read the many articles about people complaining that they can't watch a new blu-ray movie that came out because they didn't update their player? You have to update blu-ray players. Not as much as a PS3 but you still have to.

 

[velillen]

Netflix is coming to PS3 very soon (either oct or November, dont remember off top o fmy head)

Really i would write a list of what you want to be able to do. Features you want and the such. Say if you wanted gaming, netflix, play networked media then a PS3 sounds wonderful whereas a bluray is meh as it doesnt do gaming. If you like to tinker than htpc might be the way to go since you can do the roms and such too.

 

[Modelworks]

I guess you haven't read the many articles about people complaining that they can't watch a new blu-ray movie that came out because they didn't update their player? You have to update blu-ray players. Not as much as a PS3 but you still have to.

Very few movies require updates and most people are not effected by it. Most of the updates are regarding menus and java. I haven't seen a single movie that could not be played on any player displaying the bluray logo. A studio cannot display the bluray logo on the disc if it will not play in a bluray player that conforms to the spec version 1.0.

 

[A5]

Netflix is coming to PS3 very soon (either oct or November, dont remember off top o fmy head)

Really i would write a list of what you want to be able to do. Features you want and the such. Say if you wanted gaming, netflix, play networked media then a PS3 sounds wonderful whereas a bluray is meh as it doesnt do gaming. If you like to tinker than htpc might be the way to go since you can do the roms and such too.

Netflix has been on the PS3 for awhile now - you just have to get the PS3 software disc (which is free) in the mail. There's going to be an update later in the year that takes away the disc requirement, though.

 

[mmntech]

Netflix has been on the PS3 for awhile now - you just have to get the PS3 software disc (which is free) in the mail. There's going to be an update later in the year that takes away the disc requirement, though.

Disc-free Netflix is already out in Canada. Works pretty well. Supposedly going Stateside in the next few weeks.

The PS3 is still one of the best all around media centres with integrated Blu-Ray. Other players need updates yes but it is one of the few that has actually added new features over its lifetime.

 

[velillen]

Netflix has been on the PS3 for awhile now - you just have to get the PS3 software disc (which is free) in the mail. There's going to be an update later in the year that takes away the disc requirement, though.

i meant disk free my bad!

 

[Emulex]

can't rip blu-rays with a ps3

 

[Guywiththegun]

You can't with a Blu-Ray player either, can you? I did want to do an awesome HTPC with blu-ray, but reading how much a nightmare it can be .. I'm gonna skip it. Last thing I want is to have to go into windows and change settings, or have to reboot, or rip a full Blu-Ray to the hard-drive when I want to watch something that may skip and be off-sync anyway. Sounds like one of those things that should work on paper (like a MAME machine in my experience) but is far more of a headache than most will tell you.

I can't believe PC's can't play Blu-Ray properly. That is just foul.

I'm still torn, but a lot of help here. The constantly updating to allow new streaming media coming out is a big one. As is the simplicity of just throwing in a disc to watch on a standard player.

My problem is I've always been somewhat anti-Sony in the video game wars. I don't know why. Its a stupid mind-created thing, I know. Its sad that it can still actually impact a decision. And if the PS3 becomes my new next-gen console . . No Left 4 Dead! I can't bare that. Its 90% of my 360 playing time!

You think if it came down to it, installing the PC versions of L4D on a HTPC would work?

 

[sdifox]

what else can you buy with the points?

 

[Guywiththegun]

Basically anything you'd find in an FYE/Best Buy type of place. A lot more, but I wouldn't venture out to Godiva chocolates or anything.

 

[sdifox]

Basically anything you'd find in an FYE/Best Buy type of place. A lot more, but I wouldn't venture out to Godiva chocolates or anything.

Is there like a list somewhere?

 

[s44]

Onkyo HTIB?

 

[sswingle]

Umm any blu-ray player you buy is going to need updates. Every single one it doesn't matter from who. The PS3 is guaranteed to be updated for more often and faster than every other blu-ray player out there. There's nothing wrong with getting a blu-ray player over a PS3 but saying it won't need to be updated is wrong.

Agreed. My fairly new LG has had 4 updates in maybe 4 months.

 

[Guywiththegun]

Is there like a list somewhere?

Don't think so. Its hard to even find information about the store online.

 

[MadScientist]

Get one of the Blu-Ray players that have Netflix, Hulu, USB, and networking built in for $150.

I was going to build my son an HTPC, but for $158.60 shipped from Amazon he went with the LG BD570. http://www.lg.com/us/tv-audio-video/video/LG-blu-ray-dvd-player-BD570.jsp

It comes with Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, Roxio CinemaNow, Pandora, Picasa, AccuWeather, 802.11 b/g/n wireless, and he can steam music, pictures and video from his computer (Win 7) to it.

And yes, the first time he plugged it in it updated itself automatically.

 

[KeithP]

I would go to the event and sell the card to someone for cash.

-KeithP