PS3 as a DVD player

[CMC79]

I've been thinking about getting a PS3 for my home theater. I'd like it for Blu Ray as I already have HD DVD through the Xbox. I was wondering about the PS3's ability with DVD upconversion--how well does it do? My HDTV is a couple of years old, so I figure the PS3 might do a better job with upscaling than the TV does, but I was curious. Any opinions?

 

[montypythizzle]

The PS3 is a pretty good scaler. I don't have one personally and only heard from reviews, I also heard the Xbox's HD-DVD drive does excellent upscaling also.

 

[CMC79]

I have the Xbox's HD DVD drive, but since my Xbox was an early model (a launch model in fact) it's component only, so alas, no upscaling for me over component.

 

[zinfamous]

from what I here, it's the best upscaler out there in terms of a Blu-Ray player (firmware 1.9 upgrade = tits), and it's the best Blu-Ray player for the money--considering its upgradibility.

I have one. and it kicks ass. definately better than my previous upscaling DVD player.

and you would be buying for Blu-Ray; b/c they're really aren't any games.....

 

[CMC79]

I had considered a Motorstorm bundle at Sam's that included the 60gb PS3 for $550. After reading more about the game, I don't think it's worth $50. I do want the 60gb because while the PS3 doesn't have games, I didn't have a PS2, so there are a lot of games out there that I never played. For that reason, the 40gb model just announced doesn't sound as appealing.

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: CMC79
I had considered a Motorstorm bundle at Sam's that included the 60gb PS3 for $550. After reading more about the game, I don't think it's worth $50. I do want the 60gb because while the PS3 doesn't have games, I didn't have a PS2, so there are a lot of games out there that I never played. For that reason, the 40gb model just announced doesn't sound as appealing.

The PS3 also upconverts PS2 games also, I believe.

 

[CMC79]

It looks like I'm going to go with the 60gb. I looked at the Best Buy and Circuit City closest to my house--BB only had the 80gb, and CC didn't appear to have any PS3s at all. If I buy at BB I'll get about $10 back in rewards zone certificates; CC is offering free membership in their gaming discount club (10% of any game or accessory) for one year with a console purchase. Hmm....

 

[sciencewhiz]

is the upscaling to 1080P?

 

[CMC79]

No, to 720p--a 50" DLP.

 

[cubby1223]

The PS3 is excellent at upscaling dvds, far better than the tv's upscaling - the only downsides are heat & noise. You've already got an xbox so you know about what you'll be dealing with. In my experience, the cpu processing involved with the upscaling routines causes the PS3 to runs hotter playing a dvd than it does playing a Blu-ray movie! If you can set the PS3 kinda off to the side, set vertically, it shouldn't ever reach the 3rd (and very loud) fan speed.

 

[CMC79]

I'm glad to hear that--I planned on putting off to the side and standing it vertical as I'm starting to run out of space.

 

[Deudalus]

I've spent about 25,000 on my home theater room so far and I use my PS3 for upscaling, music purposes, and as a blu ray player if that tells ya anything.

 

[Blayze]

Originally posted by: CMC79
I had considered a Motorstorm bundle at Sam's that included the 60gb PS3 for $550. After reading more about the game, I don't think it's worth $50. I do want the 60gb because while the PS3 doesn't have games, I didn't have a PS2, so there are a lot of games out there that I never played. For that reason, the 40gb model just announced doesn't sound as appealing.

This is probably a huge YMMV thing, but my local Sam's Club has the 60 gig PS3 with extra controller (no games) for $460 right now.

If you want backwards compatibility get the 60 gig PS3 while they are still available.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
The PS3 is excellent at upscaling dvds, far better than the tv's upscaling - the only downsides are heat & noise. You've already got an xbox so you know about what you'll be dealing with. In my experience, the cpu processing involved with the upscaling routines causes the PS3 to runs hotter playing a dvd than it does playing a Blu-ray movie! If you can set the PS3 kinda off to the side, set vertically, it shouldn't ever reach the 3rd (and very loud) fan speed.

I agree. I first had the PS3 set horizontally, in my cabinet on the first run. it only took ~10 min to get the fan wailing while playing resistance. it's now on the floor standing vertical, and I barely hear it--and it locked up (i eventually excahanged that unit for another one--had random lockup issues that seemed to be unit-specific. no problems whatsoever since the replacement. I hear that such issues are extremely rare w/ PS3, as compared to the 360. of course...it probably didn't help that I dropped the thing on the ground when the salesperson handed it to me....hehe.)

I haven't noticed a discrepency b/w Blu-Ray and DVD-upscaling, but I have noticed that sometimes it is considerably louder when watching movies. I never thought that it would be different, but there's something new for me to look into. thanks for the head's up, cubby.
:beer:

go with the 60gb, ...or maybe wait another month for the likely appearance of the 40gb at $399.

 

[vi edit]

As a heads up - rumor mill is that there will be a 40 gig PS3 coming out shortly priced at $399. Early reports on it are no backwards compatibility with PS2 & PS1 games. It still has Blu-Ray & WiFi though.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
As a heads up - rumor mill is that there will be a 40 gig PS3 coming out shortly priced at $399. Early reports on it are no backwards compatibility with PS2 & PS1 games. It still has Blu-Ray & WiFi though.

He wants backwards compatibility though. The 60GB PS3 is his best option.

 

[CrystalBay]

I bought a PS360GB more for HT than games and it works excellent at up scaling through HDMI....

 

[CMC79]

I went out and bought the 60gb model this evening. I have it hooked up through HDMI and everything looks great, although when trying to play old PS1 games (the only Sony stuff I have on hand--I never bought a PS2) it seems like it has some difficulties changing resolutions on my TV before finally coming in. Other than that, I'd say it might be the single most impressive piece of consumer electronics I've ever bought. I love my Xbox 360, and the games for it are definitely far, far better right now, but just in sheer depth of features the PS3 just seems a notch above.

 

[superbooga]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
from what I here, it's the best upscaler out there in terms of a Blu-Ray player (firmware 1.9 upgrade = tits), and it's the best Blu-Ray player for the money--considering its upgradibility.

I have one. and it kicks ass. definately better than my previous upscaling DVD player.

and you would be buying for Blu-Ray; b/c they're really aren't any games.....

Actually, the Samsung player that uses the Reon HQV is considered the best upscalar. The Toshiba XA-2 HD-DVD player also has this.

Still, the PS3 can be considered the only future-proof BD player outside of PC drives.