Thread: PS3 vs. Stand alone blu ray player

Okay, I have about 200 bucks in Best Buy gift cards and we need a new DVD player. I was looking to make the jump to blu ray and was thinking of a stand alone or a PS3. Now, with the stand alone I would need Wifi built in since it is not close to an outlet. Which one is better of the two? I know PS3 you can play games and has Wifi, but there are some load time issues and always the firmware updates that seem to freeze up a few systems and such. Any help would be needed and appreciated

I have the panasonic dmpbd60 and a netgear wireless bridge. combined, I spent less than $200.

If you don't want to go that route and can wait another 30-45 days, many mfrs will have blu ray withing built in wireless available

Originally Posted by kozak

I have the panasonic dmpbd60 and a netgear wireless bridge. combined, I spent less than $200.

If you don't want to go that route and can wait another 30-45 days, many mfrs will have blu ray withing built in wireless available

See, I know that many are coming out, since they debuted at CES, but the price point is like 299, or 249. At that rate, I might just as well get the PS3 and be able to play games (though my wife would kill me). Also, I have a Mac, would the wireless bridge work with the Time Capsule being used as my router?

Originally Posted by spjon25

See, I know that many are coming out, since they debuted at CES, but the price point is like 299, or 249. At that rate, I might just as well get the PS3 and be able to play games (though my wife would kill me). Also, I have a Mac, would the wireless bridge work with the Time Capsule being used as my router?

I'd get a PS3. You can do so many more things with it (streaming from your computer, netflix streaming, games, surf the web, etc.)

You incorrectly mention load times as an issue on the PS3. The PS3 is the fastest BD player on the market bar none. It's also a great media center to - you can store/stream all sorts of stuff through it, and don't forget free netflix streaming as well. It isn't as HUGE of a bang/buck as it was when stand alones were all $300 plus, but it's still a great value. The only REAL downside is the remote issue (no IR for Universal), but there are adapters out there than can handle 99% of the fuctions you use.

I have a first generation 60GB and a 120GB newer slim (which I was finally able to move thanks to Sony's latest firmware that allowed copyright data to be moved from one PS3 to another), so the 120GB is my feature player now - and not a hitch. Bitstreams DTS-MA and Dolby TruHD as well unlike the early models.

On a side note - I'm leaving in about an hour to go and work out some issues with a Panasonic BD-60 a friend of mine has - another firmware update is needed!

Originally Posted by dgrycan

On a side note - I'm leaving in about an hour to go and work out some issues with a Panasonic BD-60 a friend of mine has - another firmware update is needed!

Are you trying to download firmware via Viera Cast?

Load time issues on PS3? I never had issues, and I've had one since release. I recently jumped to the slim PS3, and while there are rumors that they're using "cheaper" parts on them, I haven't noticed slowdown or other issues. If anything, it's quieter.

Originally Posted by kozak

Are you trying to download firmware via Viera Cast?

No . . . the only internet she has in her home is a Verizon wireless card for her laptop, so online wasn't an option. I just burned an ISO (Note for others, Windows XP CD burning good, Vista and Windows 7 BAD) and took it over there and it was done in 10 minutes. Cut down the load time by almost half as well. Still not as fast as the PS3, but much closer.

Originally Posted by King Taco

Load time issues on PS3? I never had issues, and I've had one since release. I recently jumped to the slim PS3, and while there are rumors that they're using "cheaper" parts on them, I haven't noticed slowdown or other issues. If anything, it's quieter.

in most instances it's fine, however the new slim won't drive a long HDMI cable. Nothing over 15'.