I'm thinking about picking up a Blu-ray player this weekend.
I'm trying to decide if I just want to get a Ps3 or go with a stand alone player. Value wise I know the playstation would be the best deal, but since it does not support Dolby TrueHD or DTSHD I'm wondering if the extra sound features are worth the extra expense.
I thought the PS3 and Panasonic were the only two BD players that DID support the new codecs.
The PS3 does not have analogue, 8 channel outs though. Unless you have HDMI 1.1, you won't get to here uncompressed PCM (which would be shame cause it sounds terific). If you have HMDI 1.2, you will also get a great SACD player with the PS3. It sounds/plays SACD's better than my Oppo 970.
With the PS3 you also get a mini HTPC. You can load CD's / DVD's onto the hard drive. Then there's the Ethernet support if you're into that.
It's friggin weird using a game machine for disk play back, but I think it's the best BR machine out there right now.
If you do get it, make sure you pick up the DVD remote. I'm using the game controller and it's a PITA.
PS: seeing how you got me into the whole HD game, I really hope I can help get you into BR and blow another grand or so it!!
Mike, after further research I found that the Ps3 will support DolbyTruHD through HDMI, that fact alone just sold me on it, thanks for the heads up. So you actually saved me about $600.00
and if Blu-ray bellies up I've got another game system.
Yes, and as Mike stated that's more than most of the other standalone bluray players. The Sony BDP-S1 for example doesn't support either Dolby True-HD or DTS-HD MA. Only the Panasonic player has promised support, but as of yet doesn't either.
Considering the best stand-alone Blu-ray player currently available seems to be the Panasonic for $1400.00, you have to ask yourself if purchasing one now is worth all that cash. I want to get into Blu-ray right away too, but I’m not going for buy a first generation player that may or may not support all the new audio formats coming out in the near future. I’d suggest waiting until either the prices drop on the current models, or they start releasing their second generation players. I, myself, will not pay more than $600.00 for my first Blu-ray player, which is what I spent on my first DVD player. If you can resist, wait until the fall. After all, most, if not all, of the current titles available will be re-released in a couple years in ‘New’ 7.1 channel versions with improved picture and sound. They did it with DVD, they’ll do it to us again with Blu-ray...
I would agree that waiting for prices to drop is the sensible thing, the problem is, as soon as I got my HDDVD for my XBox and started watching movies in HD I'm hooked. Since most the studios are either making HDDVD or Blu-ray only, the amount of good HD content in DVD's is split between the two. Needless to say I now need a Blu-ray so I can have a good choice of HD material.
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After all, most, if not all, of the current titles available will be re-released in a couple years in ‘New’ 7.1 channel versions with improved picture and sound. They did it with DVD, they’ll do it to us again with Blu-ray...
That's a very good point that I hadn't thought of... thanks Bayne.
I'm holding off too, but it is difficult to resist because I also don't want to purchase any new standard DVDs either. I'm keeping a list from here on of titles to buy on HD-DVD or blu-ray when I take the plunge.
“To wait”
Do you guys really understand what you are saying when you say that in regards to this disgustingly expensive A/V hobby? When has technology not changed from month to month this past decade? There is always some new gadget or process that ‘improves’ video or audio getting released.
Right now the only unknown is just exactly what the studios will throw our way to get our money. HD is the holy grail of cash cows for this current decade. You can wait for ‘version II’, but why wait for that? You might as well wait for ‘version III’, or hell wait for ‘version IV’. And just when it starts to look as if ‘they’ have finally got to the end of the HDMI chain, wireless will be rolling out. Might as well wait for that if you’re really patient. But then there will be some sort of full body stimulated or telepathy method for transferring media being dreamed up by that time.
To hell with ‘waiting’ is what I decided to do. Every day I wake up is a blessing and I don’t want to ‘wait’ to enjoy something I can enjoy today just because there might be something better available in six months.
Well said, my philosophy exactly!
Since I'm more of a gratification now kinda guy, I couldn't pass up the deal EB Games was offereing (trade in a playstation 2 for $100.00 credit on ps3) So I grabbed my 3 year old, my ps2, as well as my old xbox and some games that had been lying around in boxes and made the 40 mile drive to the nearest mall.
With my goods in trade I ended up getting the 60gb ps3 for $400.00. I also picked up the new Ice Age in blu-ray to test the system later when I get it set up tonight.
I'm pretty happy to get blu-ray and another gaming system at this price, I'll report back later on my thoughts of HD vs Blu-ray.
I completely understand your philosophy here. In this hobby we all deal with it. To wait in my case is not so much for additional features, because as you said change will never cease- but because of cost.
If I could afford it all now, then I'd get it. We all have our own sense of balance on this issue. In this hobby of constant change and uncertainty, at least there is one constant- that is that waiting leads to less expensive technology.
I too agree with the "new technology" constant. In my experiences: waiting for the new model or version to come out always seems to cost me more. Bigger, better, newer version=more expensive than the past current, now older model. The worst part about it is that I waited to spend more money for not much of an upgrade. Some upgrades and new versions are well worth the wait and some aren't. Nobody will know until it is too late...or would that be just in time.
BTW wife bought PS3 for my Christmas present(so I didn't ponder). I love it. The audio and video rock!
Dave, sometimes I wish I had the patience to wait, I would certainly have more money and less old equipment in the garage
And there are those times "I wish" I had more money and less patience too
Agreed that we are all different, and you have to jump into something new when it makes sense for you.
Now if only I lived closer to you guys so I could just come over and enjoy the Hi-def movies today.
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Dave, sometimes I wish I had the patience to wait, I would certainly have more money and less old equipment in the garage
Yeah, I know a buddy with a cool collection of laser discs to go with his LD player. Seemed like a good idea at the time 
Any idea on who is winning the war?? Sony, Disney, Pioneer, Panny seem to all be in the BD corner....while Toshiba and the almighty Adult Film Industry are backing HD-DVD. or have things changed?
I'm starting to think, with the soon to be released Blu ray and HDDVD universal player this whole battle may end up like SACD and DVDA with both sides sharing the market.
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I'm starting to think, with the soon to be released Blu ray and HDDVD universal player this whole battle may end up like SACD and DVDA with both sides sharing the market.
I have never heard of a universal player.....that is cool! I've seen BD players and demos in store that the pic looks great, so this would be good news for the market.
I've become a HD snob in that I am critical of some scenes on my Panny upconverting dvd player compared to broadcast 1080i. Anchorman...Ron Burgandy looked so filmlike on ABC last night it was great!
uni players are the only hope. Should be an easy implementation, so all we need to do is wait.
CD/DVD/SACD/DVD-A/Blu-Ray/HD-DVD
One player to rule them all...
I'm not that patient though, so I'm building a HTPC to playback Blu-Ray, and play games in 60 inches of high-def glory.
Help me Uni-Ver Salplayer. You're my only hope.
LOL!
How do you come up with these? (wipes tear from eye)
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How do you come up with these?
I'd be nothing without the seeds you guys plant for me.
Well, that and the sleep deprivation.
And the Ritalin I'm diverting to him...
Wait, did I say that out loud?
I don't mind spending money on this hobby but I won't spend $1,400 on a BD player when in two years they'll sell for $300. I did buy an HD-DVD player for $400 and that will have to do until BD gets their prices down. I hate to say it but it doesn't look good for HD-DVD right now. The ONLY thing keeping BD from cleaning up right now is their hardware price. If 2nd generation BD players were selling for $400, HD-DVD would die in its tracks.
Greg
If there is ever a “winner” in this format “war”, I believe it will be Blu Ray.
The only reason I say that, is that Blu-Ray is easier to say than HD-DVD. “Honey, can pick up that new HD-DVD DVD on your way home tonight”. I already hate saying HD-DVD.
Until then, I’m watching both. I have to give the nod to HD-DVD for video quality while the audio is goes to Blu-Ray. Or, just forget both of them and buy Lowery Digital transferred SD DVD’s. They’re damn near, if not better than any HD/BR disk I’ve got.
There is a 499.00 Blu Ray player out there, It's just known as PS3. And that hasn't vaulted Blu Ray into the lead. What Imo will determine the outcome if there is one, will be the content put out. Right now HDDVD has better content and again Imo the best looking HD movies.
Or both of them will fail spectacularly. Which I find much more likely (not to mention desirable.)
Kinda analogous to the SACD vs. DVD-A "war"
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Or both of them will fail spectacularly. Which I find much more likely (not to mention desirable.)
my vote here
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Or both of them will fail spectacularly. Which I find much more likely (not to mention desirable.)
I know that you are hoping for this, but I think that the format(s) will be here for a while. So many people are HD Crazy right now that they will deal with the techno-garble for a while. Nothing like non-educated technology junkies in mass quantities to keep the madness going.
It's not the confusion I mind, it's the extraordinarily restrictive DRM.
No copying? OK, I can live with that. You can degrade my video signal if I'm not using the video cables you want me to use? Go *&!$ yourself, $*&&*!#.
Ken, I don't disagree with you, but doubt that any company will degrade the signal. It would be suicide via the bad press.
Regarding the new formats not "making it".... Joe Blow is not thinking about DRM. And SACD and DVD-A were never properly marketed which is not the case with HD-DVD or Blu-Ray....