Using PS3 exclusively as a BR Player?

[polkatese]

I read that PS3 surpassed any other BR players in the market today, so, does it make sense to buy PS3 to be used exclusively as BR Player? I have 360 HD-DVD player and it works fine as an add-on. I don't consider it as a real long term player for the system, it's more of a band-aid means to check out HD movies until I can get a solid universal HD player (2nd generations beyond LG half-assed player). However, it appears that it will be a while before a mainstream players are available, and I am dying to check out Apocalypto on BR, along with other Disney's classic re-release crops soon to be unveiled.

Also, lacking HDMI on my main RPTV, can anyone really notice the *difference* between HDMI and Component on HD movies (BR and HD)?

TIA

[izafar]

PS3 can only play HD content via HDMI (720p and 1080i/p). If you dont have HDMI or DVI input then forget PS3.

[scottvamp]

Using PS3 exclusively as a BR Player?
Hell yeah! And it does amazing upconverting also. I also hear you can play games on it.

[dudeinaroom]

don't they make and hdmi to component cable?

[Bamadude]

you absolutely can get high def on a PS3 without HDMI. you can get both 720p and 1080i over component, just not 1080p.

HDMI is digital, component is analog so there is no simple adapter cable. they do make a component cable that works for both the PS2 and PS3. take a look at this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Playstation-...QQcmdZViewItem

or this one

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Playstati.../dp/B000MIXFWA

-bamadude

don't they make and hdmi to component cable?

[Bamadude]

IMO having used both component and HDMI you're not going to see a huge difference between the two. i definitely wouldn't let that stop me from enjoying high def movies.

Also, lacking HDMI on my main RPTV, can anyone really notice the *difference* between HDMI and Component on HD movies (BR and HD)?

TIA

[Silverti]

Heehee, I just posted this picture on the last thread but the PS3 has seriously become the center of my whole HT now with the ability to stream the mp3's/pictures and my home videos to it:

Its not perfect but I’ve been trying to centralize my media for a long time and this does the best so far.

I actually really dont care all that much about the gamming with it.

http://www.silverti.com/ht/DSC06172.JPG

[polkatese]

Thanks for the input, guys! I'll consider PS3 for BR movies, then.

[scottvamp]

Heehee, I just posted this picture on the last thread but the PS3 has seriously become the center of my whole HT now with the ability to stream the mp3's/pictures and my home videos to it:

Its not perfect but I’ve been trying to centralize my media for a long time and this does the best so far.

I actually really dont care all that much about the gamming with it.

http://www.silverti.com/ht/DSC06172.JPG

Absolutely, the PS3 is the Heart of my front projection HT. I get a grin from ear to ear every time i entertain with it. I am going to get setup with the Windows Media Server soon. Between loading HD trailers, to Blu-Ray, to listening to my new Depeche Mode remasters, it's just fun.
Hey Silverti, nice setup! Love the Onkyo's. I have a M282 just setting in the closet because i do not want to part with it.

[cheddar]

Thanks for the input, guys! I'll consider PS3 for BR movies, then.

It should definitely be at the top of your list. As it really is a high power computer processor with a blu-ray player attached to it, it is even more upgradable than most players. They gave it DVD upconversion via a firmware update. I don't know another player that got such a nice upgrade just by updating the firmware. Most players actually require an upconversion chip. It's got support for TrueHD, HDMI 1.3 including 'deep color', basically all the bells and whistles of the latest players.

The only drawback is that it lacks analog outs. So listening to the new high definition sound formats like TrueHD and LPCM does require at least an HDMI 1.1 receiver (standard format sound is still great over optical). But after the last firmware update, that's really the only thing the ps3 lacks that high end HD dedicated players have. And as a bonus, you also get the option for 24Hz viewing of movies in their original 24fps cadence. So no more 3:2 pulldown artifacts. But again, you have to have the extra hardware to use it, namely a display that refreshes at a multiple of 24Hz. But if you don't have stuff like the hdmi receiver or advanced display, you're still set for future upgrades. Something that can't be said for most of the other mid to low level players out there right now. And it's still one of the cheapest. Although sony sells an entry level player for $499 now, the bdp-s300.

[polkatese]

thanks for the info, cheddar. It sounds like a new round of technology driven upgrade is in the offing.

[cheddar]

Lol, isn't it always? ;)

[cheddar]

Just FYI, I was on amazon and they've got a ps3 blu-ray promo going to coincide with the $100 price drop on the ps3. 60 GB is now $499 with 6 free blu-ray disks and a free blu-ray remote control. Pretty much geared toward those who want to use it as a blu-ray player as I didn't see any free six-axis controller or games being offered...lol...and it's an sacd player too...

Just have to remember the drawbacks: no analog outs, and I recently read that the hdmi 1.3 connection supports only the deep color part of the spec. So you still have to wait for a firmware update to decode DTS-MA, but all the other lossless codecs including TrueHD can be decoded internally and sent out as uncompressed PCM over HDMI. And that's still more than pretty much all the dedicated players support via hdmi.