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

[zerocool84]

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?

I watch blu-rays all the time on my computer. Never had a problem before. Maybe your reading problems from people who have no idea what they're doing. Tons of people here watch blu-rays on a computer. Works fine.

 

[Guywiththegun]

There was a thread here with a bunch of people running down the problems. Some people were even ripping blu-rays to hard-drive to watch. Don't you need separate software too?

I've also heard of bad Netflix performance on an HTPC.

After years of trying stuff like this out I have a pretty strong precog for possible headaches. But honestly, a good HTPC that does it all would my first choice. I'm just scared of the frustration and inevitable failure, when I could just plop down some cash and be done with it.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

There was a thread here with a bunch of people running down the problems. Some people were even ripping blu-rays to hard-drive to watch. Don't you need separate software too?

I've also heard of bad Netflix performance on an HTPC.

After years of trying stuff like this out I have a pretty strong precog for possible headaches. But honestly, a good HTPC that does it all would my first choice. I'm just scared of the frustration and inevitable failure, when I could just plop down some cash and be done with it.

The guy ripping BDs in that other thread was using Linux. The lack of DRM handling in Linux makes it the root of the problem, not the HTPC. As far as Netflix goes, the problem is with menus loading slowly. We're talking on the order of a few seconds difference and the problem has more to do with Netflix servers than the HTPC.

MCE was a decent stab at MC software but wasn't quite there. VMC improved but was still lacking somewhat. 7MC is vastly improved and is not nearly as problematic as some would lead you to believe. It still requires a few tweaks and 3rd party plugins but once it's set up you're good to go.

Still, an HTPC is not really cost-effective if you have a cable/sat box. With a cable card tuner an HTPC could pay for itself in the long run but it would take a while unless you're renting a couple of DVRs and a HD box or two. However, if you want to break free of cable/sat and go strictly OTA and web-streaming, it's absolutely the way to go. I went that way and dropped my monthly bill from $120+ for DirecTV to $17.99 for Netflix (Plus a $110 for NBA League Pass Broadband, because I gotta have my NBA games when the season starts). I have 18 or so OTA channels, HD-DVR capabilties, Blu-ray, Netflix, Hulu, and any other web content (using the Kylo browser, which was recently updated to be controlled through an MCE remote), all of which are accessed through 7MC and controlled by a Harmony One. The centralized aspect of it is great and even my semi-luddite of a wife can manage to use it.

An HTPC may not be your thing, but don't let people sway you with horror stories about how HTPCs are such a big hassle. That used to be true but it's not anymore.

 

[Guywiththegun]

And you just pop in a Blu-Ray and it will play? No problems, no skipping, etc.?

That was my concern. I don't mind having to take a few minutes to set it up initially if its as simple as a regular Blu-Ray player every time after that.

Anyway, this all happens tonight. As of now I'm seriously thinking of letting a roulette table decide for me.

 

[velillen]

i got my blu ray player for my pc yesterday (windows xp btw) Works just fine on the four or so movies i tried it on. I did just use the bundled software as well as tried totalmedia theater. TMT could use my remote just fine but powerdvd 9 didnt seem to want to. Tooks about 5 seconds to "load" the blu ray after clicking play just for reference.

As for implementing it better, 7MC has options for TMT but not totally sure

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

And you just pop in a Blu-Ray and it will play? No problems, no skipping, etc.?

That was my concern. I don't mind having to take a few minutes to set it up initially if its as simple as a regular Blu-Ray player every time after that.

Anyway, this all happens tonight. As of now I'm seriously thinking of letting a roulette table decide for me.

Yep. Pop it in and it plays. The only time I had an issue was with Avatar and TMT3 had an update for that. Downloaded the update and everything played fine.

 

[Emulex]

$184 for asus essentio - c2q,1tb,8gb ddr2,geforce 220,win7 (for 7mc)
$29 lenovo wireless keyboard
$79 antec micro fusion 350 (preference)
$124 hdhomerun (atsc but i'm using QAM now since its flowing through the cable)
xbmc (plays everything too)
hulu desktop
netflix
(autoswitcher app)
plays 4K video to 2560x1600 30" or 1920x1080 42" - future proof
video chat ($22 quickcam orbit AF - uses the same app that the logitech revue uses!)

you can rip blu-ray's - you can rip hdmi - but check your locale laws since this is a multi-national site it may be legal or not for your own use where you plan to live.

blu-ray playback is flawless and the drives are cheap. what is a blu-ray burner like $120 now? crazy.

 

[SandEagle]

PS3. Latest firmware update made it a 3D enabled player.

 

[IcePickFreak]

I love my ps3. Bluray discs or streaming BR from my pc, does great upscaling for standard dvds, can play games, and Netflix. I haven't had any experience with that on the ps3 though, I canceled my sub before it came to the ps3, but I been thinking about re-subbing once the update for no disc comes to at least check it out. Have had mine for about 3 years and it gets used just about daily. I got to give it to Sony for the updates they release as they've added some great features during the that time.