PS3 still best Blu-ray player?

[maseline_98]

Well...Since the demise of HD-DVD, I've been looking into getting a blu-ray player, but it still appears that the PS3 is the front runner as far as blu-ray performance. I really don't want to go that route for 2 reasons:
1. It's a gaming system and I already have a 360.
2. It doesn't offer TrueHD over analog input(I don't see me upgrading my receiver anytime soon).

I really don't care about 2.0 compatibility because I don't really ever watch special features anyway.(if that's even what 2.0 is even used for????) What I do care about is getting a great product for a reasonable price and there doesn't seem to be any options out there....

[H.T.C]

It is more and does other accommodating functions than just gaming.

[Hdale85]

I've been thinking about getting the Sony BDP-S550 when it comes out.

[littlesaint]

Well...Since the demise of HD-DVD, I've been looking into getting a blu-ray player, but it still appears that the PS3 is the front runner as far as blu-ray performance. I really don't want to go that route for 2 reasons:
1. It's a gaming system and I already have a 360.
2. It doesn't offer TrueHD over analog input(I don't see me upgrading my receiver anytime soon).

I really don't care about 2.0 compatibility because I don't really ever watch special features anyway.(if that's even what 2.0 is even used for????) What I do care about is getting a great product for a reasonable price and there doesn't seem to be any options out there....

There will be offerings from Panasonic and Sony this year that should have HD audio with analog connections. I believe the Panasonic is this spring/summer and the Sony is summer/fall. Now reasonable prices...don't think it's gonna happen.

[Hdale85]

Guess it depends on your idea of "reasonable"

[impala454]

I own the Panasonic BD-30 and it has been awesome and has the analog outputs you want. I would highly recommend this player. If you care to wait, Panny has a new BD-50 coming out sometime this summer I believe. I think the main difference is that it will be profile 2.0 compatible (i.e. ethernet port and more internal memory). I'm sure it will command a higher price though.

[hifiguymi]

The new Panasonic DMP-BD50 is scheduled to ship at the end of April / beginning of May. I haven't seen a solid firm price on it yet, but my guess it will be $499.00 to $599.00.

The Sony BDP-S550 is scheduled to ship in August in will be $499.00.

At those prices, they are competitive with the PS3 (right now anyway, the PS3 might be $299.00 by then) and will offer full decoding of all HD audio formats. The Sony will have 7.1 analog outputs, but I'm not sure on the Panasonic.

Eric

[George Bellefontaine]

I own the Panasonic BD-30 and it has been awesome and has the analog outputs you want. I would highly recommend this player. If you care to wait, Panny has a new BD-50 coming out sometime this summer I believe. I think the main difference is that it will be profile 2.0 compatible (i.e. ethernet port and more internal memory). I'm sure it will command a higher price though.

I have a BD30 , too and second what Chuck said.

[Hdale85]

Just about any of the Panasonic players have been really good. My friend has a BD10 and hasn't had any issues with it.

[littlesaint]

I own the Panasonic BD-30 and it has been awesome and has the analog outputs you want. I would highly recommend this player. If you care to wait, Panny has a new BD-50 coming out sometime this summer I believe. I think the main difference is that it will be profile 2.0 compatible (i.e. ethernet port and more internal memory). I'm sure it will command a higher price though.

The BD-30 does not internally decode HD audio, it transcodes or uses a "core" track for the analog connections. The only way to get HD audio is via bitstream output to an HDMI 1.3 receiver.

[impala454]

I didn't claim it did that. I just mentioned it has analog outputs.

[maseline_98]

The new Panasonic DMP-BD50 is scheduled to ship at the end of April / beginning of May. I haven't seen a solid firm price on it yet, but my guess it will be $499.00 to $599.00.

The Sony BDP-S550 is scheduled to ship in August in will be $499.00.

At those prices, they are competitive with the PS3 (right now anyway, the PS3 might be $299.00 by then) and will offer full decoding of all HD audio formats. The Sony will have 7.1 analog outputs, but I'm not sure on the Panasonic.

Eric

I would consider $200 - $250 reasonable for a solid player that will last a few years....I've had the same JVC DVD player for about 7 years that I paid $60 forand it's just now starting to skip. It was even a refurb.

The BD-30 does not internally decode HD audio, it transcodes or uses a "core" track for the analog connections. The only way to get HD audio is via bitstream output to an HDMI 1.3 receiver.

That's what I thought...so it's probably not a main option for me...

[cxc21]

If you want DTS HD master audio you need to wait for the Panny BD -50, or Sony BDP-S550. Or buy the denon 3800 which is the only player available today which can put out DTSHD master audio.

[maseline_98]

If you want DTS HD master audio you need to wait for the Panny BD -50, or Sony BDP-S550. Or buy the denon 3800 which is the only player available today which can put out DTSHD master audio.

I'm just going to wait...There is no real hurry for me...I just want to do it right the first time and enjoy HD content for years to come(well...until something else comes along).

[Azeke]

I have both the XBox 360 and the PS3 60G (PS2 games for my son and Blu-Ray and PS3 games for me). I enjoy it's Blu-Ray capabilities, I actually returned my dedicated Sony Blu-ray for the PS3 same price. I'm sure once players become more sophisticated they will provide better internal components, but for now I'm cool with it. I guess for now, I'll just wait for the Oppo Blu-Ray player.

My only caveat, since the PS-3 is bluetooth I cannot currently program my remote, unless of course, you purchase an IR receiver and a PS2-controller-to-USB adapter.

Peace and blessings,

Azeke

[Kevin D]

Check out the schmart piece:

http://www.schmartstuff.com/ps3irpr3.html

Ir to blue-tooth. Supports all commands the blue-tooth PS3 remote does. Should be shipping next week and on sale for $75 during the initial roll out.

Kevin D.

[Chris D]

Huh... I have one of his earlier products. Didn't know about this version. Will go look.

[Kevin D]

Yeah... I almost ordered his USB+PWR unit for a customer last week. Turns out the 2.2 update broke it... The PS3 won't supply power to the USB ports when off now. He quickly ramped up production on the new unit. Sony can't break this one as it uses the same blue-tooth card as their remotes. If they break it, they break control from their own remotes.

Kevin D.

[nikos]

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=29746

Wow new PS3 firmware 2.30 adds DTS-HD Master, High Resolution Audio

Nikos

[Coconutout]

what do you guys think about it's cd playback tho? both upsampled and 44.1, the ps3 always sounds inferior to my old PHILIPS DVD963SA. its less dynamic, less resolution. 963 is being run 44.1. both are going to my dac thru optical out. ps3 seems like it would be a better but 963 was hailed for its audio playback when the player came out several years ago.

[georgev]

Foolish question.
Does the PS3 upscale Sd DVD's to 1080P?

[tf1216]

Yes, a while back Sony released a firmware update that upscales SD DVD's to 1080p.

[georgev]

Thanks.

[georgev]

The BD-30 does not internally decode HD audio, it transcodes or uses a "core" track for the analog connections. The only way to get HD audio is via bitstream output to an HDMI 1.3 receiver.

Can you explain further?
So if you hook up the analog outs to your pre you will not be receiving the full resolution?

[littlesaint]

Can you explain further?
So if you hook up the analog outs to your pre you will not be receiving the full resolution?

The BD30 does not have internal TrueHD or DTS-HD decoders. It only outputs these formats undecoded over HDMI to an HDMI 1.3 receiver that can decode them.

[georgev]

Are there any players currently that decode internally and output over the analog outs?

[littlesaint]

Are there any players currently that decode internally and output over the analog outs?

Most of the new players coming out this year will have this capability. Not sure of any current models.

[impala454]

Just FYI to anyone with BD30, new firmware 1.8 is out:

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/bd/download/bd30/bd30_na.html