[NorthernNewb]

Hello

We need a blu-ray player for our home theatre room. It's the last component we need to purchase. It's also proven to be the most challenging unit to decide on. So far we've gone with the epson 6500UB projector, Grandview fixed frame screen, denon avr-2310ci (just arrived on Friday), vista media server PC.

1) Should i just install a blu-ray ROM on our media pc...it sends 1080p via HDMI to the a/v receiver...or should i buy a dedicated blu-ray player?

2) If i buy a blu-ray player should i get a dedicated player such as the LG bd370 or sony 360? or should we buy a ps3? one sales associate at best buy told me it still has one of the best images? we already have an xbox 360 and a wii...not sure we need another gaming platform.

help.....

 

[Cockroach]

I have a LG HD-DVD/BD GGC-H20L combo drive and I'm pretty happy with it despite using Windows Media Centre and the packaged BD/HD-DVD Power Player (both a bit clunky). It's prtty cheap too ($100?)

Just be aware how your video card passed sound through the HDMI port. Some say it's degraded (to LPCM 7.1?)

 

[redzone]

you can pick up stand alone Bluray players for less then 200. it would be the route i would take as pc bluray software is always finicky and if your not useing the ps3 for games / media server purposes then you dont ened to spend the extra money.

 

[Dwayne Gorniak]

I'm not all that familiar with the LG Blu-Ray players. So I can't knock them or praise them. I have an LG 50 Plasma and love it though. But I can tell you from personal experience to stay away from Samsung. I am on my second player and it is sent out for repair now. First was a 1500 and now I have a 1600. I would recommend a Sony or Panasonic though.

 

[HT gearhead]

I agree, go with a Panny or a Sony player. PS3 is also a great player and will stream DVD isos from your server though. I used to own a 360 and as a media extender it's flakey at best. The PS3 has been solid as a networked media player with the only issues being at the PC end.

 

[Atlantic Home Theatre]

The new Oppo BD-83 is IMO thee ONLY BR player to buy, especially of you want top notch upconverson of SD DVD and listen to music via CD( very nice seperate 2 channel analog section with a very good DAC) , SACD or DVD-A.

Just my 3 cents

 

[spuggy68]

I would say go PS3... it makes a great Bluray player, and it is software upgradable. But the best function of the PS3 as others have said is the Media Player. Google "PS3 Media Server"... if you have many videos on your computer, this program will stream them directly to the PS3 in upconverted 1080P. It is amazing the quality of some of the videos after the upcoversion. PS3 will even play streamed HD videos with no problems too. My only issue with PS3 has been the implementation of Subtitles when streaming, but that is not a PS2 issue if you know what I mean... Now with that said, you must have media you want to stream, because if your just playing Bluray, it would not make a lot of sense for just that. Either case, if you get a stand-alone, you better have network access.... Bluray players always seem to update firmware... my Sony Standalone has had 6 updates since Christmas to tweek minor glitches here and there.

Final note, if you go with a Standalone player, check if it supports resume of a Bluray. Sound funny, but I have the base Sony unit, and not only do you have to install a USB thumb drive in it to give you BluRay extras, but there is no support of Bluray resume. You either pause or stop and start over. I personally don't like to pause for long period, so the first time I used my standalone, I was 3/4 finished a movie when the door bell rang, I thought like a DVD player, press stop once, and when I return press play. NO GO, it started over. Now that may be something most do suffer from, but check it out!

Take care!

 

[JohnnyCanuck]

There are some drawbacks to a PS3 as a BD player. The first is the fan noise. It is audible and can be annoying. The second is that, in my opinion, the PS3 is a marginal upconverter. Certainly stand-alone players from Panasonic, Pioneer, and Oppo significantly outperform the PS3 on standard DVD. I do agree it makes an excellent media server however.

As far as stand-alone players go, I would look at the Panasonic BD60/80, the new Pioneer BDP-121/320, and the Oppo BDP-83. All are outstanding BD players with very good upconversion that significantly outperforms the PS3. If you are also going to use your BD player as an audio source as well, I would limit that selection to the Pioneer BDP-320 or the Oppo BDP-83.

 

[Rick]

Resume on a blu-ray is a function of the disc, not the player. Google "blu-ray resume" and you will get loads of information/complaints about it! Sometimes there is a "bookmark" function (on some discs).