the classic PS3 vs. Blueray players

2»

Comments

  • bigred7078
    bigred7078 Posts: 477
    edited December 2008
    cheddar wrote: »
    Unless your family and friends are very techno-phobic, you can get something like the ps3 eye and have full video conferencing over a broadband network. A nice perk for those who want to share Christmas with far flung family members who also have one...

    All those looking for SACD enabled ps3s, this question always comes up, but basically, all the newly manufactured consoles in the past half year or so don't do SACD anymore. There used to be actual differences between the ps3 flavors besides hard drive size. 60GB, 20GB, most of the 80GB out there (ones released before a half year ago). They differed in multimedia slot options, number of backwards compatible ps2 games, number of usb connections, etc.. But they all played SACD. Then they came out with the 40GB that doesn't do SACD or backwards compatibility with ps2 games, but does do pretty much everything else related to all the multimedia and blu-ray stuff people have mentioned. This is now the only configuration currently available. They just have differing hard drive sizes. 40GB, 80GB, 160GB. But since you can put a generic SATA laptop drive in the ps3, it's always more cost effective to just buy the cheapest version and add your own laptop drive with a screwdriver in 5mins (search youtube for plenty of how to videos). if you need more space for multimedia.

    You won't be able to get an SACD enabled ps3 player anymore unless you do something like ebay an old model or find some seriously outdated stock somewhere (The last one released to have it was the Metal Gear Solid bundle IIRC). If you're buying at retail, this really isn't an option anymore.

    And for people who do not have hdmi enabled receivers, the lack of analog out is a serious issue since they will need it to hear the lossless audio formats (TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, and uncompressed PCM). However, if they don't mind listening to a slightly improved (over DVD) DD or DTS soundtrack, all blu-rays come with them as an option if you're not lossless enabled...

    excellent points! I forgot about both those options of using the playstation eye (basically a webcam) and changing out the hdd (Alot of people use 300gb+ drives).

    Now of course with most laptops having built in webcams the use of the playstation eye for talking to family is probably a moot point, but then again using it to talk to buddies before you play a game or something is kinda cool.

    Another thing i read about awhile ago was the use of the PS3 eye and a PSP as a securty cam system. What i was reading said you can set up the PS3 eye and if you have wireless access the PSP can access your own PS3 over the web and you can view live footage on your PSP screen! Now THATS cool lol.
    Pro-ject RM-9.1 w/ Grado Sonata 1 -> USP-1 -> RPA-1 -> Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pablo_rodz
    pablo_rodz Posts: 331
    edited December 2008
    Ok!!
    So, if I decide to go with the PS3... I should look for a 60gb (to have SACD) and may be later upgrade the HD?

    I would use the wireless conection to the web (feature that might make me go with the PS3), but I have an iMac..

    Can I stream music, video etc. from a Mac to the PS3?

    Do I need a special remote to use the PS3 as a BD player?

    What type of keyboard or what do you use to surf the net from the PS3?

    As far as analog audio I dont care about it, I would be using the HDMI.


    BTW, Thanks for all the input, very informative...
    HT:
    Projector - JVC HD100, 100" Fixed Screen, A/V Receiver - Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH, Power Conditioner - Panamax M5300-EX, BluRay - Sony PS3, (2) ADCOM GFA 555 Bridged, Speakers - LSi 15, LSi C, LSi FX, Sub - 12" M&K VX-1250.

    Living Room:
    Schiit Saga, Parasound HCA-600, OPPO BDP-103D, LSi7
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited December 2008
    pablo_rodz wrote: »
    Can I stream music, video etc. from a Mac to the PS3?

    Yes, you can. There is a standard called upnp that media servers implement and it's platform independent. Since the new Mac OS is a *nix clone, most open source software will run on it. For example fuppes will compile and run on OSX.
    pablo_rodz wrote: »
    Do I need a special remote to use the PS3 as a BD player?

    No, you can use the controller that comes with PS3. Easy and I personally prefer bluetooth over IR because it transmits the signal much better (no direct line is required).
    pablo_rodz wrote: »
    What type of keyboard or what do you use to surf the net from the PS3?

    Just regular USB kbm would do. Wireless would be the best choice IMO.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited December 2008
    Another popular OSS mediaserver, MediaTomb, an article on how to configure it for Mac: http://www.applesource.com.au/how-to/soa/How-to-Stream-media-to-a-PS3-from-a-Mac/0,2000451082,339287550,00.htm
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pablo_rodz
    pablo_rodz Posts: 331
    edited December 2008
    Great!! Thanks Sami
    HT:
    Projector - JVC HD100, 100" Fixed Screen, A/V Receiver - Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH, Power Conditioner - Panamax M5300-EX, BluRay - Sony PS3, (2) ADCOM GFA 555 Bridged, Speakers - LSi 15, LSi C, LSi FX, Sub - 12" M&K VX-1250.

    Living Room:
    Schiit Saga, Parasound HCA-600, OPPO BDP-103D, LSi7
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bigred7078
    bigred7078 Posts: 477
    edited December 2008
    keep in mind though that the PS3 web interface is not super high tech. Its slower than traditional internet, and it can be clunky. Not all flash type players from different websites will work. Although i was finally able to go to CBS.com and watch some TV shows that you can play.

    What i do like alot about the PS3 web connection is the ability to zoom in on the page. So if you need to read tiny letters just zoom in! or you can zoom in on pictures or wahtever. And the way you can view and slide through different windows is also very cool.
    Pro-ject RM-9.1 w/ Grado Sonata 1 -> USP-1 -> RPA-1 -> Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polktiger
    polktiger Posts: 556
    edited December 2008
    pablo_rodz wrote: »
    Ok!!
    So, if I decide to go with the PS3... I should look for a 60gb (to have SACD) and may be later upgrade the HD?

    Have you actually found one? If so where? I thought they stopped making these a year or so ago.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bigred7078
    bigred7078 Posts: 477
    edited December 2008
    polktiger wrote: »
    Have you actually found one? If so where? I thought they stopped making these a year or so ago.

    the wonders of ebay :)
    Pro-ject RM-9.1 w/ Grado Sonata 1 -> USP-1 -> RPA-1 -> Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pablo_rodz
    pablo_rodz Posts: 331
    edited December 2008
    Yes, they are all over e-bay...
    HT:
    Projector - JVC HD100, 100" Fixed Screen, A/V Receiver - Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH, Power Conditioner - Panamax M5300-EX, BluRay - Sony PS3, (2) ADCOM GFA 555 Bridged, Speakers - LSi 15, LSi C, LSi FX, Sub - 12" M&K VX-1250.

    Living Room:
    Schiit Saga, Parasound HCA-600, OPPO BDP-103D, LSi7
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RutgersFTW
    RutgersFTW Posts: 458
    edited December 2008
    I just got my first Blu-Ray player (though I had an HD-DVD player) today and this thing (Sony BMP-BX1 - I think it's a rebadged 350 with a backlit remote and bundled HDMI cable for Costco) is SNAPPY. I know I waited forever and a lot of people think the Panny rules the budget blu roost, but I'm very happy so far. :)
    Currently listening to:

    Marantz SR5004
    Sony BDP-S370
    Apple TV V2
    Audio Technica AT-LP120
    Mirage CMD-5 x 5
    Bic H-100
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited December 2008
    I was planning to get a PS3, but when Sony decided to sell their 350 for $150 I decided it was worth it to get into an inexpensive blu-ray player. In a year or two their will be cheaper ones out with better features and I can move the 350 to another TV in the house.

    In the mean time - I have quite a bit of extra money to purchase Blu-Rays... :D

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited December 2008
    If you can do without SACD, sony's running a deal by applying for the playstation card.

    $249.99...that's a lot of multimedia machine for that price.

    http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644604396&XID=A:1563982:10610388:0100q302ajd351:CJ
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,338
    edited December 2008
    cheddar wrote: »
    If you can do without SACD, sony's running a deal by applying for the playstation card.

    $249.99...that's a lot of multimedia machine for that price.

    http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644604396&XID=A:1563982:10610388:0100q302ajd351:CJ

    Great deal!:D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter