Blu-ray player worth it?

[adamc11]

I have a Pioneer 50" Plasma and Sony 5.1 theatre system. Would a PS3 with blu-ray player be worth getting? Is there a BIG BIG BIG difference over dvd? I am tossing between getting a PS3, some games, blu-ray remote, 2 controllers, some blu-ray discs which will be about $900-$1000, or putting it towards a mod for the car. So, what do you guys think? Worth it?

Thanks.

[ProphetVX]

I have a Pioneer 50" Plasma and Sony 5.1 theatre system. Would a PS3 with blu-ray player be worth getting? Is there a BIG BIG BIG difference over dvd? I am tossing between getting a PS3, some games, blu-ray remote, 2 controllers, some blu-ray discs which will be about $900-$1000, or putting it towards a mod for the car. So, what do you guys think? Worth it?

Thanks.

Depends on what you're looking for. Have any friends that have a full hd setup and blu ray? My advice would be to go there and have a good hard look at it and see if you can justify the cash on it. Upscaled DVD's still produce a pretty good picture, and your average person is quite happy with it. However, if you're a technophile you'll find the difference pretty substantial and be able to justify the cost.

Most casual viewers can't really pick the difference unless it's pointed out, others think the difference is massive.

The only one who can say whether it's worth the cost or not is you.

I have a PS3 and full HD 52" TV, and I never buy DVD's anymore, only blu-ray. That being said, there is yet to be really one game on the PS3 that I've found really entertaining.

[Bax]

Personally I'd say nah.

1000 dollars is a bit steep if you're wanting it mainly for blu-ray.

But yeah like I said, HD stuff doesn't really phase me, As long as it's not standard def now I don't really mind what quality it is. So long as the sound is surround I'm all good.

[nicko]

after watching a blu ray on 1080p you will never be happy with dvd or HD quality again! Well worth the money.

[Grennan]

At this stage i personally wouldnt bother. Blu Rays arent widley available yet - they are becomming more common but DVDs are still the hot thing. If you wanna complete your home theatre system though grab a PS3 - Glorified Blu Ray player, if youve got the cash then why not. But if youre not gonna play games on your PS3 then i wouldnt bother as there are cheaper/better options.

[1991_Vn2nV]

While i've been looking at tele's, i've found alot saying not to play Blueray through a PS3.

Apparently a dedicated blueray uses 1/3 the power as a PS3 to play a blueray movie, and alot of people have had to reduce the quality settings to play blueray on their PS3 without it skipping. As far as blueray players go, the PS3 is the basic option.

You can get better blueray players now that are stand-a-lone for $399 which is the way to go I think.

[adamc11]

While i've been looking at tele's, i've found alot saying not to play Blueray through a PS3.

Apparently a dedicated blueray uses 1/3 the power as a PS3 to play a blueray movie, and alot of people have had to reduce the quality settings to play blueray on their PS3 without it skipping. As far as blueray players go, the PS3 is the basic option.

You can get better blueray players now that are stand-a-lone for $399 which is the way to go I think.

Not too concerned about power usage, but skipping would be a problem. Can anyone else comment on this? I would only consider blu-ray on the PS3, as i would also play games occasionally. Just want to know if it's worth going blu-ray, if not i won't waste my money.

[ProphetVX]

While i've been looking at tele's, i've found alot saying not to play Blueray through a PS3.

Apparently a dedicated blueray uses 1/3 the power as a PS3 to play a blueray movie, and alot of people have had to reduce the quality settings to play blueray on their PS3 without it skipping. As far as blueray players go, the PS3 is the basic option.

You can get better blueray players now that are stand-a-lone for $399 which is the way to go I think.

I have a PS3 and never had an issue with full 1080p output. Quality is similar, but the reason I went with a PS3 was because the format wasn't fully finalised when I purchased it, and the ps3 could be upgraded over the net.

But I agree now, if you're not going to play games, there are far better options out there, if I were buying one now, I wouldn't even contemplate getting the PS3, they aren't worth the money. Especially when you consider you could buy a blu-ray player and an xbox 360 for maybe an extra $100 more and get much better games for much cheaper (has a much larger classics range).

[1991_Vn2nV]

I have a PS3 and never had an issue with full 1080p output. Quality is similar, but the reason I went with a PS3 was because the format wasn't fully finalised when I purchased it, and the ps3 could be upgraded over the net.

But I agree now, if you're not going to play games, there are far better options out there, if I were buying one now, I wouldn't even contemplate getting the PS3, they aren't worth the money. Especially when you consider you could buy a blu-ray player and an xbox 360 for maybe an extra $100 more and get much better games for much cheaper (has a much larger classics range).

Agree with above, but just as a note, most bluray players come with an ethernet port on the back to allow direct updates as well.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

It also depends on how far away your screen is from the seating. The further away it is the less likely you are to notice the difference between Blu Ray and DVD. Sound quality is a big one though. But with a 5.1 it shouldn't be an issue.

[6leeta]

go get your eyes tested, if there not 20/20 then you wont notice much of a difference at all.

If your still going to get it i would at least wait until they come down in price, soon DVD's and blueray discs will be outdated new technology involving small 'devices' that can fit in the palm of your hand are being invented to replace them (discs). They will be good as they wont have the downfall of the common scratched disc, with renders them useless if the scratch is deep enough

[Full Spectrum]

PS3 are great. Game and blu-ray player in one. And they have commented it plays as good as some stand alone players.

Quality over DVD. My 57 year old mother can pick it. I don't hire or buy DVD's anymore if it's not available on blu-ray i'll wait or hire DVD.

[Bax]

go get your eyes tested, if there not 20/20 then you wont notice much of a difference at all.

So you're saying that if you're put in a room with 480, 720, 1080, and Blu-Ray and Standard def, you'd be able to tell each one apart.

I'd pay to see that.

[ProphetVX]

So you're saying that if you're put in a room with 480, 720, 1080, and Blu-Ray and Standard def, you'd be able to tell each one apart.

I'd pay to see that.

Standard def, 480p and then 1080p definitely.

720p and 1080p depends on the footage.

The difference between full hd and standard def for anyone who takes the time to notice is substantial. Most regular people just don't care enough though because DVD is clear enough. It's not like going from VHS to DVD.

[Full Spectrum]

Playing a DVD in your Blu ray player is as good as it will get. But in the end it's never going to be true HD.
I can pick the difference in the DVD playing in the blu-ray. It's not worlds best it's just a clearer picture.
Where is blu-ray brings the detail of the picture to a higher quality level. And it starts right down in the smallest detail to the largest.

I was just reading Hollywood stars don't like the new format. Harder to hide wrinkles blemishes now.

[needwork2-4fillhabbit]

Im looking at buying a bluray, with a hd tv regular broadcasts of 576i and 720i and 1080i look crap, need a bluray to really utilise the hd. Hope the stations lift there game and start 1080p broadcasts.

[adamc11]

Hmmm.. i'm undecided still.... anyone else?.. PS3 for blu-ray or not?

[calais_304]

PS3 for sure man

[Emackulation]

I have a PS3 and I will never buy another DVD...BRD ftw.

[accentstencil]

Blu-ray players are becoming affordable. I bought a Sharp Blu-ray player for $300 new. I notice the difference in picture quality.

[Lumps of cheese]

Worth the coin for sure. I have a stand alone blu ray player and i'm also getting a PS3 but that's more or less just for the games side of things.
I have almost 1000 dvd's and about 20 blu rays. Since having the blu ray player i haven't purchased one dvd and i'm not likely to unless they're cheap.

[Full Spectrum]

Movies are around $30-$45 now. At first they weren't below $40. And if it comes down to a few dollars difference it's worth that extra change.

[ThisNameIsTaken]

ive got a Blue ray in my pc and my pc is hooked up to a 32inch LCD hd tv and yes its nice and pritty but it did cost a bit.......

if you want to do the whole HD thing then a HTPC is the way forward

(Home theater PC) building one is cheap enough or just upgrading your exsisting pc then the games are 5 times more entertaining.....

but as for ps3 and 360 i dont play enough games now to buy a console.

[adamc11]

Thanks guys for the comments. Ended up going to JB tonight and comparing the same DVD and BRD on their display model 50" Pioneer. Big difference. So I ended up purchasing a PS3 (with the current promotion, which includes HDMI cable and game and controller). Upgraded the HDMI cable to $120 one, got NFS Undercover, Good Fellas and Casino. Will get some more games and BRD later this week.

[Bax]

got NFS Undercover

Congrats on your purchase, but that one is touchy.