Pros/Cons of PS3 as a Primary Blu-ray Player

[Astrakan]

I wanted to keep the first post in this thread clean, so I'll just leave this here for now. See the below post for rationale.

Potential Pros
- Price
- Blu-ray playback video quality is on par with standalones
- Ability to play PS3 games (and PS1 and PS2, depending on SKU)
- Faster than most (all?) standalones
- Media center capabilities

Potential Cons
- Aesthetics of the PS3 more of a gaming console than an HT component and is not stackable
- Various audio concerns (see Ruined's post below for details)
- Uses Bluetooth technology for its remote and is not compatible with universal RF remotes (see videoworx's post for workaround)
- Potenially louder fan noise than standalone models (up for debate, see Ruined's post below for mor detail)

Other Thoughts
- Upconversion is so-so. Comparable to other current Blu-ray standalones, but can't touch great DVD standalone upconverters.
- Related to upconversion: "No "Source Direct" resolution option like Sony and Pioneer standalones have." (see more around post #30+)
- DivX playback has been improved, but not perfected yet.
- Linux can be installed on it
- Can be used to surf the web

[Astrakan]

I know there's been bickering back and forth about whether or not to use the PS3 as a primary Blu-ray player, but I don't think I've seen anyone make a straightforward pro/con comparison... hence this thread.

I'm starting it because I'm in the market for a Blu-ray player and I can't keep straight why, or why not, a PS3 is the way to go as a primary layer.

Aside 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?

The video quality is good though, correct? Anything else?

When people have chimed in with their thoughts I'll edit the first post to populate the lists further. And since people have different priorities I figure I'll call each pro/con a potential pro/con, since folks will make up their own mind if each bullet is a pro or con for them.

KM

[venetian blinds]

if your worried about aesthetics maybe wait for the slim ps3 i heard is coming out. thats if you can wait.

I myself will probably buy a ps3 for a blu ray player, if it maintains its current price point as compared to just bluray players, just because the option of playing ps3 games would be a nice. but im willing to wait.

[Ruined]

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?

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.

[Astrakan]

Thanks for those thoughts Ruined.

What about the quality of the video output? This is arguably the most important aspect of any Blu-ray player.

Can the PS3 hold its own in terms of video quality of Blu-ray playback?

KM

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Astrakan

Thanks for those thoughts Ruined.

What about the quality of the video output? This is arguably the most important aspect of any Blu-ray player.

Can the PS3 hold its own in terms of video quality of Blu-ray playback?

Yes, I hear it is just as good in video quality as the standalones for the most part. Only part the PS3 does poorly is upconversion, but then again so do the standalones.

[Sehnzeleid]

The PS3 kicks ass. End of story.

[videoworx]

For IR remote compatibility, there's this:

IR2BT - InfraRed to BlueTooth Converter for the PS3

It's the only IR solution that allows power on/off. Alternatively, the PSP is becoming quite the awesome remote for the PS3, and the Logitech DiNovo Mini does some very cool things as well. As a pro, I'd suggest that the PS3 has manny more useful add-ons.

The look and noise of the unit is completely subjective, so I don't consider this a con or pro for any peripheral (unless it's silver, in which case, it can die). It really is not loud at all. I have a two year old Pioneer DVD player that makes more noise than the PS3.

No DTS-HDMA, which is a real bummer. Hopefully a firmware update will come along to solve that (seeing as previous firmware updates have practically given me a brand new Blu-Ray player every time, I tend to be optimistic).

Upconverting is fine. Not as good as my Denon upconverter, but it does a decent job.

Divx playback is much better than it was before the most recent firmware update, but it needs more work.

Load times are much faster on the PS3 than the BD-30. It's night and day. I'm sure the BD-50 will be faster than the 30, but it has a long way to go to catch up to the PS3.

And don't forget, you can install Linux on the PS3, swap hard drives very fast, it's a fantastic media center, and it can apparently play games as well. And it's only $399 (with a copy of a crappy movie that you can dump on eBay).

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by venetian blinds

if your worried about aesthetics maybe wait for the slim ps3 i heard is coming out. thats if you can wait.

That was a hoax. We have a thread here debunking it.

[Iguana Man]

This potential noise issue is something I think needs a closer look.

Obviously, placement is a huge factor. For instance, my 360 is on top of my right speaker in the living room and even though that 360 is loud when right up next to it, it isn't an issue at all when watching movies or playing games. It's also 10' away so that helps. Anyway, you get my point on placement.

Now, some of us have PJ's and most (I would think) considered the PJ noise db when making our purchase. Again, because of placement. Will the PJ be 3' above our head or simply not an issue based on it's placement.

What I'm taking so long to get at is, does anyone know what the db's are for the PS3? I gotta believe someone out there measured the db's so I'd look at that to determine if noise is a pro or con.

[videoworx]

Because the PS3 uses a bluetooth remote, you could put the player in a different room (or floor, or building), and you can still remote control it. Noise issue is a non-issue.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

This potential noise issue is something I think needs a closer look.

What I'm taking so long to get at is, does anyone know what the db's are for the PS3? I gotta believe someone out there measured the db's so I'd look at that to determine if noise is a pro or con.

You won't be able to get a constant, accurate reading because there are multiple versions of the PS3 using different die sizes (putting out varying amounts of heat, some which may require more fan power) and on top of this even within each die size there is likely multiple manufacturers providing the fans. Same thing goes for XBOX 360. When you sell millions of consoles you generally need different suppliers for common parts, and hence you will get different noise levels on a per-console basis.

[SilentBob]

Well being a PS3 Blu-ray owner i will admit that its fast, great picture quality and it at the time of purchase was the cheapest one to get. I will admit that it does get a bit loud with the fan but that's in my small bedroom setup and not in a bigger dedicated HT room. I have no problems with the controller as my remote but i guess it would be nice to consolidate all my equipment one day into a nice universal one. Also its audio is great but lacks 3 things for some 1) analog connection for the high def sound (if you don't have HDMI receiver) 2) so far no support but hopefully soon for DTS-HDMA and 3) no bitstreaming sound for them fancy new receivers.


Still it worth its price, future proof and a gaming machine (sometimes) to boot

[Derb]

Originally Posted by Sehnzeleid

The PS3 kicks ass. End of story.

Yes its amazing people are "trying" to find an excuse not to buy one.

[Astrakan]

Originally Posted by Derb

Yes its amazing people are "trying" to find an excuse not to buy one.

Yes, because making informed decisions is a stupid thing to do.

Anyway, I've pretty much decided to get one.

I'm going to have to wait until June when the 80 GB BC model is re-released though, so if the BD50 comes out prior to then and gets stellar reviews I may change my mind. Probably won't though, the additional functionality of the PS3 is enough to tip the scales in its favour.

KM

[Derb]

Originally Posted by Astrakan

Yes, because making informed decisions is a stupid thing to do.

Anyway, I've pretty much decided to get one.

Your so called informed decision was made around November 2006

[plissken99]

I love mine(the 40gb model), I know that when I watch a movie on it, it will play flawlessly(a nice contrast to the HD DVD player). The fan noise is a non issue, I have a projector and Xbox 360, both are a lot louder than the PS3(Xbox being the worst). I have to send all my audio PCM to the reciever anyway, so that all evens out. Until i get a reciever which decodes all the new stuff, I'm sticking with the PS3.

[DakotaDave]

Avoid The Toy!!

[Derb]

Originally Posted by DakotaDave

Avoid The Toy!!

If you hate high-def, that is.

[No6PackJoe]

Originally Posted by Astrakan

I wanted to keep the first post in this thread clean, so I'll just leave this here for now. See the below post for rationale.

Potential Cons
- Aesthetics of the PS3 more of a gaming console than an HT component and is not stackable
- Various audio concerns (see Ruined's post below for details)
- Uses Bluetooth technology for its remote and is not compatible with universal RF remotes (see videoworx's post for workaround)
- Potenially louder fan noise than standalone models (up for debate, see Ruined's post below for mor detail)

Potential Pros
- Price
- Video quality is on par with standalones
- Ability to play PS3 games (and PS1 and PS2, depending on SKU)
- Faster than most (all?) standalones
- Media center capabilities

Other Thoughts
- Upconversion is so-so. Comparable to other current Blu-ray standalones, but can't touch great DVD standalone upconverters.
- DivX playback has been improved, but not perfected yet.
- Linux can be installed on it

and don't forget
PROS
- can surf the net

[Ruined]

Does PS3 have a "Source Direct" mode for movies? i.e. output DVD or BD at whatever resolution it was encoded at 480i, 1080i, 1080p, etc, for use with external scalers? This is useful since the PS3's upscaling is mediocre (terrible according to Secrets, actually).

Some people are listing PS3 pros that have nothing to do with BD like Media Center, surf the net, etc. Several of the Standalones have some unique features too like being able to play AVCHD camcorder movies off SDHC cards, full Divx support, etc but I did not include that because it has nothing to do with BD.

I agree that the PS3 is a great unit if you need a multifunction device, but I already have that in XBOX 360 so I was just looking at it as the "primary blu-ray player" as in the topic and not all the other crap.

[videoworx]

nd not all the other crap.

The inclusion of those extra features adds value, just as adding an SD slot to Panasonic Blu-Ray players adds value to that player. Weighing these factors can make a big difference when deciding what to buy.

Using your logic, upconverting abilities shouldn't matter, as that has nothing to do with Blu-Ray either. Yet, it's most definitely a deciding factor in whether someone might purchase a PS3.

Ergo, non-Blu-Ray capabilities should be a factor in whether someone might purchase a PS3 as a Blu-Ray player.

And why are the other features "crap"?

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by plissken99

I love mine(the 40gb model), I know that when I watch a movie on it, it will play flawlessly(a nice contrast to the HD DVD player). The fan noise is a non issue, I have a projector and Xbox 360, both are a lot louder than the PS3(Xbox being the worst). I have to send all my audio PCM to the reciever anyway, so that all evens out. Until i get a reciever which decodes all the new stuff, I'm sticking with the PS3.

AMEN!!

I have the 60gb version that I bought in Jan 2007. I have had no issues with it, and like videoworx said, with each firmware update I have gotten increased value. The player is fast, quiet, reliable, and even though it outputs all sound in PCM via HDMI, that is fine with me.

[No6PackJoe]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Does PS3 have a "Source Direct" mode for movies? i.e. output DVD or BD at whatever resolution it was encoded at 480i, 1080i, 1080p, etc, for use with external scalers? This is useful since the PS3's upscaling is mediocre (terrible according to Secrets, actually).

Some people are listing PS3 pros that have nothing to do with BD like Media Center, surf the net, etc. Several of the Standalones have some unique features too like being able to play AVCHD camcorder movies off SDHC cards, full Divx support, etc but I did not include that because it has nothing to do with BD.

I agree that the PS3 is a great unit if you need a multifunction device, but I already have that in XBOX 360 so I was just looking at it as the "primary blu-ray player" as in the topic and not all the other crap.

All joking aside, I will be first in line to get a Panny BD-50, I have a ps3 but I don't play games on it or for that matter surf the net, my wife bought it for me as a cheap blu-ray player, so it's only used as a blu-ray player.

Cons-
- you have to buy Blu-ray remote so add $50 bucks
- generates a lot of heat
- mine is noisy

Pros
- potential for more audio ( CPU is under utilized )
- potential for better upscaling ( CPU is under utilized )

[videoworx]

you have to buy Blu-ray remote so add $50 bucks

Who is paying $50 for the PS3 BD remote? The MSRP is $25, and amazon has always sold it for $19.99. There's even a generic brand one for $17.