I know everyone thinks the PS3 is the best thing since sliced bread.

However, I might be able to acquire PC parts more economically.

What is the prevailing opinion on the viability of hardware and usability of the software to play Blu-Ray via a PC? Must I have Vista?

Thanks for your wisdom

If you gave up beer for a few months, you could have yourself a PS3 at a discount...

But life wouldn't be worth living.

Is there a way to get the HD audio formats from a htpc?

Do they make a card that outputs HD video and sound through HDMI in a single output?

I imagine the hardware requirements for blue ray playback are preety steep although pc parts are pretty cheap these days.

The way to do it is binge for a whole week, then you'll be good going without for a month or so. It will taste sooo good when you resume after the PS3 is in your possession.

If its HDMI passthrough there will be no penalty. The most recent video cards do onboard hardware decoding so again, there is no processor penalty.

I havn't done any reading on this in a couple of months, so I don't know what the state of affairs is for HDMI 1.3 either for video cards or players.

Tom, I'm a little out of date on hardware and software players for bluray. Last time I checked a month ago the only player I could find was the older hp (I think) HD-DVD/Bluray combo player at around $200. I doubt it will handle HDMI 1.3.

A quick search on someplace like avforums will probably give you an answer.

In order to get that Blu Ray player to work on your PC, be prepared to drop some coin on a pretty decent graphics card, most of which won't pass the audio at all. Processing capabilities are a different issue entirely. On the audio side, I suppose you could get a card to send the PCM stream out to your receiver to decode, but that's pure speculation. I bet that there is an audio card that can either do that, or decode the Blu Ray signal internally and pass it via multi-channel outs.

For my money, I think you're better off with the turn key stand alone player or a PS3. All that hardware (not to mention software compatibility issues and no tech support) to buy makes me concerned - and I looked into this option a couple of months back before deciding to go the stand alone player route.

Also consider that, if you buy a stand alone player today - get one cheap, try eBay - you can always hustle that one to a second TV when the players get cheaper and better.

Just seems like a bigger headache than its worth.

Have a look at this card for your sound needs.

Stop being a tight ass and just buy a damn player Tommy.....

He can use his tight ass to turn coal into a diamond, sell the diamond, and then buy a player.

Nice link Ken.


Its the damn copy protection schemes that are causing all the problems!

I didn't look at the price of that card, but I bet its not cheap.

I duno....The clarity might be a bit dirty.

No word yet on the price of the ASUS card, but it will run you at least $100 according to online consensus projections. Couple that with a software suite to run the system, the drive, the upgraded video card (assuming you don't have one of course) and a faster processor with more ram (again, assuming your rig is underpowered like mine), and the budget is blown.

Tom - I went down that path (looking to do an HTPC), but once I started adding things up, including software and then factored in the aggravation of having to work a PC into the mix AND keep it problem free, the PS3 became a no brainer.

BTW - Walmart has a PS3 deal going right now. Buy one for $399 and get a $100 gift card (= BluRay discs??)

Have a couple of extra beers tonight and practice your groveling. Then beg Mrs. Tuttle for a PS3.

Ahem.

The compression capabilities of my posterior notwithstanding, Ken seems to be the only one here who is actually "helping".

I am lucky enough to have a periodic allocation of funds from my employer to spend on things like computer equipment. So, my question really relates to how I can best leverage that resource rather than how I can best acquire BD capabilities.

I did quite a bit of reading at AVS, and it appears that you can't get the new audio formats from a PC yet. However, since my receiver doesn't have HDMI switching, the point is moot at the moment. I'd be content to build to full capability while enjoying the 1080p picture and DD EX.

It's all part of my master plan. Bwahahahahaha!!

Don't take the audio side for granted. I did, thinking that my eyes were much more sensitive than my ears, and also more prone to recognizing 'errors' in the video than my ear were to picking up parts of the audio track that were lacking.

After diving into Blu Ray, though, I am appreciating the enhanced audio as much as I am appreciating the video quality. The sound is so rich and full, it's hard to explain. Imaging is superb. I no longer hear my speakers. I just hear sound eminating from space. It's gorgeous.

If you're so flush with cash, why not do both? You can send any leftover funds to a small account I keep off shore.

You just don't want me to be happy, do you? You're just like that bastard JP. Any my kids.

Ya, sounds like you need to just suck it up and buy the player....AND a new audio processor. The Capt is definitely right. The improvement in sound is pretty much guaranteed on all the disks. PQ is hit and miss with some of the older films.

PS3!!!

And for me to promote buying anything from Sony, I have to really believe it's worth it.

Your getting to be as anoying as the M80 twins.

I've been trying to get a store to toss in a PS3 with a new flat screen purchase, no takers yet but I am sure around Christmas time the deal will be made, if not out right offered as a special bonus.

Me?
I think that was only my 2nd or 3rd PS3 plug ever.

We're gonna have to count this as a plug, too!

.

.
.

No image, just a red x. Are the PS3 police finally catching up with you?

Hmm' I can see the animated image of a smiley face slapping himself on the forehead. You must be using a Macbook or something.

heh heh, let's get all the fires lit!!!

*pokes voodoo doll of Tom in crotch*

Tom, the employer would not go for the PS3, eh?

I'm just here for comic relief.

I gave up helping long ago.

P.S. Don't tell my patients that.

Ouch!

They know already.

I know it's time to go get the next patient when the impatient coughing in the waiting room reaches 80 dB...

Did you get that reading from your Surly Patient Level meter?

SPL, ah, clever as always...