A Blu-Ray player that costs only $170?!

[msbae]

I wonder if it's actually worth a shit...

http://dvice.com/archives/2009/03/blu-ray_player.php

Now, if I only had a 1080p HDTV to go along with it...

 

[Amaris]

Actually, I've been looking at Blu-Ray players for about $130. Sony, Panasonic, etc.
I can't buy one yet, but I'm looking.

J.

 

[msbae]

My topic was listed on the main page at Trek Nation. Score!

 

[JoeZhang]

Actually, I've been looking at Blu-Ray players for about $130. Sony, Panasonic, etc.
I can't buy one yet, but I'm looking.

J.

To future proof, it seems you need to make sure you get one that is able to play blu ray live.

 

[Amaris]

That would be the Magnavox for $140.

J.

 

[Garrovick]

I read that the type of player that is purchased needs to be INTERNET capable for software updates.

And that some time this year or next there will be a major system update.

????

 

[Saturn0660]

I wonder if it's actually worth a shit...

http://dvice.com/archives/2009/03/blu-ray_player.php

Now, if I only had a 1080p HDTV to go along with it...

Course, you don't have to have 1080p.... 720 will work just fine..

 

[msbae]

Course, you don't have to have 1080p.... 720 will work just fine..

I don't have that, either.

 

[James Bond]

A bit off topic, but I've recently learned that while the PS3 may be the best Blu Ray player on the market right now because of its fast load times, WiFi cpability, etc., it apparently is NOT the best player in terms of audio output. Apparently stand-alone players deliver superior audio; so if you're looking to hook up the Blu-Ray to a home theater system, a stand-alone player is the way to go. Can anyone shed any light on this?

 

[Garrovick]

A bit off topic, but I've recently learned that while the PS3 may be the best Blu Ray player on the market right now because of its fast load times, WiFi cpability, etc., it apparently is NOT the best player in terms of audio output. Apparently stand-alone players deliver superior audio; so if you're looking to hook up the Blu-Ray to a home theater system, a stand-alone player is the way to go. Can anyone shed any light on this?

That would be true among stand alone players too. I've spent more money on my computer's sound output than the video. I bet there is a web site out there dedicated to Blu Ray sound comparisons.

 

[Saturn0660]

A bit off topic, but I've recently learned that while the PS3 may be the best Blu Ray player on the market right now because of its fast load times, WiFi cpability, etc., it apparently is NOT the best player in terms of audio output. Apparently stand-alone players deliver superior audio; so if you're looking to hook up the Blu-Ray to a home theater system, a stand-alone player is the way to go. Can anyone shed any light on this?

I would say the PS3 is the best all around BD player.. However, most of the players in the PS3 price range have 7.1 analog out. That right there makes it better for audio. However, only if your system can take 7.1 analog in. otherwise go for a PS3

 

[Saturn0660]

Course, you don't have to have 1080p.... 720 will work just fine..

I don't have that, either.

Get shopping my friend.. Heres the skinny on that. While most if not all BD players have a composite out for down conversion there is NO requirement from the BD consortium for a movie to have the built in software for the down conversion. At least for BD movies.

 

[FordSVT]

Course, you don't have to have 1080p.... 720 will work just fine..

I don't have that, either.

Get shopping my friend.. Heres the skinny on that. While most if not all BD players have a composite out for down conversion there is NO requirement from the BD consortium for a movie to have the built in software for the down conversion. At least for BD movies.

This might be a stupid question, but what is the point in buying a BR player to play expensive BR movies when the person still has a standard analog TV?

I'd be more keen on taking the $150, saving up a bit more and getting a decent little 720p LCD, and then getting a BR player when they are even less expensive.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a $100 BR player this Christmas, with name brands coming in around $20 more for a basic player.

 

[Daedalus12]

A bit off topic, but I've recently learned that while the PS3 may be the best Blu Ray player on the market right now because of its fast load times, WiFi cpability, etc., it apparently is NOT the best player in terms of audio output. Apparently stand-alone players deliver superior audio; so if you're looking to hook up the Blu-Ray to a home theater system, a stand-alone player is the way to go. Can anyone shed any light on this?

I would say the PS3 is the best all around BD player.. However, most of the players in the PS3 price range have 7.1 analog out. That right there makes it better for audio. However, only if your system can take 7.1 analog in. otherwise go for a PS3

The sound quality difference is IMO the usual bollocks from self-acclaimed audiophiles. The difference in quality they are hearing is most likely due to loudness level or different DSP settings that are running on their receivers for different inputs.

With that a bit of rant aside you can get the maximum theoretical sound quality with the HDMI output on the PS3. I assume that most people who are into home theater today have a HDMI-capable receiver. In fact I recommend getting a HDMI capable receiver for the PS3.

 

[ATimson]

This might be a stupid question, but what is the point in buying a BR player to play expensive BR movies when the person still has a standard analog TV?

I'd be more keen on taking the $150, saving up a bit more and getting a decent little 720p LCD, and then getting a BR player when they are even less expensive.

The point would be being able to buy discs between now & when you replace the TV without feeling like you're throwing money away.

 

[FordSVT]

I guess, but it's not like those movies aren't going to be around in six months, and it's not like DVDs don't work on BR players and oh hell.....

I guess I'd feel like I was throwing money away buying a machine I couldn't take advantage of and paying more for it and the movies now than I would have in six months or a year from now but ce la vie. Buy the DVD now and you could [probably buy a second hand or sale copy of the same BR disc when you finally get the player for $10.

 

[msbae]

I don't have that, either.

Get shopping my friend.. Heres the skinny on that. While most if not all BD players have a composite out for down conversion there is NO requirement from the BD consortium for a movie to have the built in software for the down conversion. At least for BD movies.

This might be a stupid question, but what is the point in buying a BR player to play expensive BR movies when the person still has a standard analog TV?

I'd be more keen on taking the $150, saving up a bit more and getting a decent little 720p LCD, and then getting a BR player when they are even less expensive.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a $100 BR player this Christmas, with name brands coming in around $20 more for a basic player.

You read my mind, SVT.

 

[James Bond]

A bit off topic, but I've recently learned that while the PS3 may be the best Blu Ray player on the market right now because of its fast load times, WiFi cpability, etc., it apparently is NOT the best player in terms of audio output. Apparently stand-alone players deliver superior audio; so if you're looking to hook up the Blu-Ray to a home theater system, a stand-alone player is the way to go. Can anyone shed any light on this?

I would say the PS3 is the best all around BD player.. However, most of the players in the PS3 price range have 7.1 analog out. That right there makes it better for audio. However, only if your system can take 7.1 analog in. otherwise go for a PS3

The sound quality difference is IMO the usual bollocks from self-acclaimed audiophiles. The difference in quality they are hearing is most likely due to loudness level or different DSP settings that are running on their receivers for different inputs.

With that a bit of rant aside you can get the maximum theoretical sound quality with the HDMI output on the PS3. I assume that most people who are into home theater today have a HDMI-capable receiver. In fact I recommend getting a HDMI capable receiver for the PS3.

In that case, I'm good then because I use HDMI?

EDIT: Wait a minute, I just realized that ANALOG means the classic RCA outputs. So of course HDMI is superior.

 

[InvisibleGT]

For those who are so inclined, Dell is running the 20% off coupon right now. While it runs out on the 26th, you can pick up an eighty gigabyte PS3, with tax and shipping, for a scant $342.

 

[msbae]

For those who are so inclined, Dell is running the 20% off coupon right now. While it runs out on the 26th, you can pick up an eighty gigabyte PS3, with tax and shipping, for a scant $342.

Since when did Dell start selling video game consoles?