Quote:
Originally Posted by Astrakan
IAside from the physical aesthetics of the PS3, what are the reasons for not buying one as a primary Blu-ray player? I seem to remember something about the audio not being up to par? Oh, and it doesn't support infrared remotes?
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Well, I like the way the upcoming BD50 looks... Here is why.
The Panasonic BD50 looks like it will be the better
movie player than the PS3 to me:
PS3 can't bitstream nextgen audio codecs to a nextgen receiver. The Panasonic BD50 can. (PS3 hardware limitation)
PS3 can't decode DTS-HDMA. The Panasonic BD50 can. (This may change with PS3 firmware in the future EDIT: it is confirmed that new firmware will enable this in PS3)
PS3 doesn't have analog 5.1 outs for lossless audio output. The Panasonic BD50 does.
PS3 can get loud with stage2/3 fan ramp ups, especially if in an A/V rack. Panasonic BD50 doesn't need a big fan and is always silent.
PS3 is large. Panasonic BD50 is small.
PS3 is ugly (IMO). Panasonic BD50 is sleek.
PS3 is not stackable with other CE components. Panasonic BD50 is stackable.
PS3 requires a bluetooth remote incompatible with your Universal. Panasonic BD50 uses compatible IR.
Panasonic BD50 is very fast and has all the existing movie features of PS3, plus BD profile 2.0 support.
So overall I think the BD50 will be the new BD movie player champ.
The only PS3 advantages I could see for Blu-ray movies is that despite the BD50 being fast the PS3 is even a bit faster and its cheaper. Also I'm not sure if the BD50 has a USB port like the upcoming Sony BDP-S550 & PS3, so if not that could be another PS3 advantage for future BD-Live expansion possibilities if they ever use it. Then again, it might never ever be used if it is not part of the BD-Live standard.
Some I'm sure will argue that the PS3 is quiet, but for every person I read who says its quiet I read another who says its noisy to the point of being annoying during movies. That may be batch-specific as its probable multiple fan manufacturers are contracted for PS3 supplies. But either way the standalone wins here as in addition to being silent it can be put in a more cramped AV rack with restricted airflow.