Comments on: Five reasons you shouldn't buy a Blu-ray player yet

Blu-ray may be on the verge of defeating HD DVD, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have a green light to buy a player.

[grovberg]

If only the PS3 had IR...

If the PS3 could be integrated into the rest of my control system, I'd have one in
my shelf before the end of the day. Having to use a dedicated remote just for
that purpose may not seem like much, but once you experience the joy of a
single remote controlling everything, that becomes a deal breaker for just about
any potential addition to the system.

[karthik_shan]

PS3 IR control

Check this out for IR control of PS3
http://www.cepro.com/article/new_ir4ps3_promises_complete_ir_control_of_ps3/

[JC-G35]

Couldn't Disagree More

While I would agree that having one remote is ideal, it is certainly not a deal breaker. I use the supplied remote with my PS3 (great picture!) and I use a Harmony 1000 for all the other components - including an Onkyo TX-605 receiver, Samsung LN-T4665F LCD, Oppo DV-981HD upconverting DVD player, Toshiba HD-A35 HD-DVD player and Lutron light switch and I have never thought, "What a drag having to use two remotes while watching BD movies." As noted in the article and elsewhere, the PS3 is a great game system, multimedia hub and BD player. Anyone giving any thought to putting together a home theater, media room or just interested in a good BD player should look no furhter than the PS3 and not be dissuaded because of the requirement for a second remote.

Additionally, while the author makes some decent points, I would suggest that anyone that has any appreciation for audio and video quality should run, not walk, to the nearest store - or the Internet - and get a BD player now! They aren't that expensive, most will allow you to get the latest firmware upgrades as they become available and like any other applicance, you can always buy a new, better one in the future if necessary.

[brainey]

PS3 IR options are available.

There are options for IR on the PS3. One is pretty simple and readily available option:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/24/control-your-playstation-3-with-ir/

[grovberg]

If only the PS3 had IR...

If the PS3 could be integrated into the rest of my control system, I'd have one in
my shelf before the end of the day. Having to use a dedicated remote just for
that purpose may not seem like much, but once you experience the joy of a
single remote controlling everything, that becomes a deal breaker for just about
any potential addition to the system.

[karthik_shan]

PS3 IR control

Check this out for IR control of PS3
http://www.cepro.com/article/new_ir4ps3_promises_complete_ir_control_of_ps3/

[JC-G35]

Couldn't Disagree More

While I would agree that having one remote is ideal, it is certainly not a deal breaker. I use the supplied remote with my PS3 (great picture!) and I use a Harmony 1000 for all the other components - including an Onkyo TX-605 receiver, Samsung LN-T4665F LCD, Oppo DV-981HD upconverting DVD player, Toshiba HD-A35 HD-DVD player and Lutron light switch and I have never thought, "What a drag having to use two remotes while watching BD movies." As noted in the article and elsewhere, the PS3 is a great game system, multimedia hub and BD player. Anyone giving any thought to putting together a home theater, media room or just interested in a good BD player should look no furhter than the PS3 and not be dissuaded because of the requirement for a second remote.

Additionally, while the author makes some decent points, I would suggest that anyone that has any appreciation for audio and video quality should run, not walk, to the nearest store - or the Internet - and get a BD player now! They aren't that expensive, most will allow you to get the latest firmware upgrades as they become available and like any other applicance, you can always buy a new, better one in the future if necessary.

[brainey]

PS3 IR options are available.

There are options for IR on the PS3. One is pretty simple and readily available option:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/24/control-your-playstation-3-with-ir/

[epitone]

Yep, the PS3 is the way to go.

It's cheaper than most other Blu-Ray players, is fully upgradeable, has built-in WiFi and a hard drive, and streams music/video/photos from your computer.

Oh, and it plays games if you're into that.

[epitone]

Yep, the PS3 is the way to go.

It's cheaper than most other Blu-Ray players, is fully upgradeable, has built-in WiFi and a hard drive, and streams music/video/photos from your computer.

Oh, and it plays games if you're into that.

[iwarrior-poet]

The only problem with the PS3 is..

That it isn't able to handle the newer hi-def audio codecs (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD). This may not be a huge deal right now---but when more movies come out with these audio formats...
I am hoping one of the newer PS3s will have this ability.

[BCF1968]

It's called FIRMWARE UPDATE

That how the PS3 can go from 1.0 to 1.1 to 2.0 You think the PS3 can't download a damn codec? Jeez.

[karen.molet]

Two Considerations

First, while the PS3 does not currently process Codecs such as TrueHD, it will pass the signal along to a receiver (Onkyo TX-SR605 in my case) that can process the signal. By the way, it sounds great!

Second, as has already been pointed out, the beautiful thing with Sony and the PS3 is that new firmware updates are easily made available allowing owners to stay current with the latest technologies.

[edv91326]

PS3 not able to handle HD audio

The way I understand it, it is possible to get Dolby Digital plus, Dolby true HD and DTS-HD by using HDMI out/passthru to a Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo or Pioneer receiver capable of decoding the uncompressed PCM or bitstream out from a PS3 or any other Blu-ray player. There are some players that has those decoders built-in, but they are very expensive players-ie: over $1000. The receivers I mentioned are available with the decoders for under $500. PS3 is $299 + a decoder on a receiver $500= $799. All you need is to connect your surround speakers to it. The expensive players still need some amplifiers before you can connect your surrounf speakers. EdV.

[Glenn]

Not true; "The only problem with the PS3 is.."

The PS3, and the PSP are continually evolving. They have already added codecs through downloads over the internet. This is not really a problem at all. They are both extremely programmable. In fact they are adding DVR capabilities to the PS3 in Europe as a test to see if it is worth rolling out here. As an example, the PSP has video codecs it didn't have when it 1st came out.

[jamesr27]

PS3 Shortcomings are it's asset

It may be true that hi-def audio codecs are not available for the PS3, however you missed one very important aspect of the PS3. It is software driven and regular updates from Sony have expanded it's functionality since it's inception and will continue. I suspect Sony will make this adjustment in a future update.

Think of the PS3 as the only blu-ray player that will not go out of date.

[justthebest]

YES IT CAN !!!

The PS3 CAN and DOES decode Dolby Digital PLUS and Dolby TRUE HD! My Sony STRDA-7100ES has HDMI 1.1, and does not have the ability to decode these codec's internally-but it doesn't have to since the PS3 does the decoding! Just like the HD-DVD player's! I'm dissapointed that CNET would post that erroneous comment by iwarrior-poet's so prominently on the email it sent out. Aren't you people supposed to be the expert's?

[Darkside459]

PS3 DO SUPPORT SURROUND SOUND

The PS3 do support the following "Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD" throught HDMI. If PS3 can't or handle "Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD" than why SONY have it imprinted on the bottom of the PS3 system.

[enderx30]

Firmware is our savior...maybe

Perhaps with future firmware updates, the PS3 will be able to handle the hi-def codecs. But this is Sony, and I will wait until news of such a firmware update comes out.

[PizzleDizzle]

This issue is inconsequential

iwarrior. DolbyHD and DTSHD offer no real advantage over uncompressed raw pcm audio channels. Let me qualify that: when you have the bandwidth that blu-ray offers and a receiver that can support uncompressed audio through an HDMI connection, there is no real point for the dolby and dts encoded versions of the high quality audio channels.

Granted that dolbyHD has an information channel as part of its protocol that could be used to provide additional data content, for example, a command (think MIDI) to tell a "smart" receiver to compress the front center channel for an upcoming big explosion. However, although this data channel has theoretical application, it is in doubt if any dvd publishers will make use of it.

So . . .the PS3 CAN output uncompressed audio channels to a compatible receiver, so as long as you have that, you're far better off than the inferior encoded formats, although theoretically lossless, like dolby and dts hd.

[iwarrior-poet]

The only problem with the PS3 is..

That it isn't able to handle the newer hi-def audio codecs (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD). This may not be a huge deal right now---but when more movies come out with these audio formats...
I am hoping one of the newer PS3s will have this ability.

[BCF1968]

It's called FIRMWARE UPDATE

That how the PS3 can go from 1.0 to 1.1 to 2.0 You think the PS3 can't download a damn codec? Jeez.

[karen.molet]

Two Considerations

First, while the PS3 does not currently process Codecs such as TrueHD, it will pass the signal along to a receiver (Onkyo TX-SR605 in my case) that can process the signal. By the way, it sounds great!

Second, as has already been pointed out, the beautiful thing with Sony and the PS3 is that new firmware updates are easily made available allowing owners to stay current with the latest technologies.

[edv91326]

PS3 not able to handle HD audio

The way I understand it, it is possible to get Dolby Digital plus, Dolby true HD and DTS-HD by using HDMI out/passthru to a Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo or Pioneer receiver capable of decoding the uncompressed PCM or bitstream out from a PS3 or any other Blu-ray player. There are some players that has those decoders built-in, but they are very expensive players-ie: over $1000. The receivers I mentioned are available with the decoders for under $500. PS3 is $299 + a decoder on a receiver $500= $799. All you need is to connect your surround speakers to it. The expensive players still need some amplifiers before you can connect your surrounf speakers. EdV.

[Glenn]

Not true; "The only problem with the PS3 is.."

The PS3, and the PSP are continually evolving. They have already added codecs through downloads over the internet. This is not really a problem at all. They are both extremely programmable. In fact they are adding DVR capabilities to the PS3 in Europe as a test to see if it is worth rolling out here. As an example, the PSP has video codecs it didn't have when it 1st came out.

[jamesr27]

PS3 Shortcomings are it's asset

It may be true that hi-def audio codecs are not available for the PS3, however you missed one very important aspect of the PS3. It is software driven and regular updates from Sony have expanded it's functionality since it's inception and will continue. I suspect Sony will make this adjustment in a future update.

Think of the PS3 as the only blu-ray player that will not go out of date.

[justthebest]

YES IT CAN !!!

The PS3 CAN and DOES decode Dolby Digital PLUS and Dolby TRUE HD! My Sony STRDA-7100ES has HDMI 1.1, and does not have the ability to decode these codec's internally-but it doesn't have to since the PS3 does the decoding! Just like the HD-DVD player's! I'm dissapointed that CNET would post that erroneous comment by iwarrior-poet's so prominently on the email it sent out. Aren't you people supposed to be the expert's?

[Darkside459]

PS3 DO SUPPORT SURROUND SOUND

The PS3 do support the following "Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD" throught HDMI. If PS3 can't or handle "Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD" than why SONY have it imprinted on the bottom of the PS3 system.

[enderx30]

Firmware is our savior...maybe

Perhaps with future firmware updates, the PS3 will be able to handle the hi-def codecs. But this is Sony, and I will wait until news of such a firmware update comes out.

[PizzleDizzle]

This issue is inconsequential

iwarrior. DolbyHD and DTSHD offer no real advantage over uncompressed raw pcm audio channels. Let me qualify that: when you have the bandwidth that blu-ray offers and a receiver that can support uncompressed audio through an HDMI connection, there is no real point for the dolby and dts encoded versions of the high quality audio channels.

Granted that dolbyHD has an information channel as part of its protocol that could be used to provide additional data content, for example, a command (think MIDI) to tell a "smart" receiver to compress the front center channel for an upcoming big explosion. However, although this data channel has theoretical application, it is in doubt if any dvd publishers will make use of it.

So . . .the PS3 CAN output uncompressed audio channels to a compatible receiver, so as long as you have that, you're far better off than the inferior encoded formats, although theoretically lossless, like dolby and dts hd.

[Shang_Chi]

PS3 Does upport HD Audio

The PS3 actually does support DD+ and Doblby TrueHD. It decodes them internally and outputs them as uncompressed LPCM if you have a receiver that can handle the signal. Any receiver that also decodes TrueHD and MA should be able to handle this.

What the PS3 cannod do is provide bitstream output to a decoding receiver for TrueHD and it does not decode the newest HD Audio format Dolby-MA. Hopefully Dolby-MA will come with the next firmware release.

[gslrider]

5.1, 6.1, 7.1 surround

Unless you have 6.1 (6 speakers plus sub) or 7.1 (7 speakers plus sub) surround speakers, DigitalHD is irrelavent. 5.1 Dolby Digital, or 5.1 Uncompressed will do the job for most people. The PS3 can handle these codecs regardless.

[Shang_Chi]

PS3 Does upport HD Audio

The PS3 actually does support DD+ and Doblby TrueHD. It decodes them internally and outputs them as uncompressed LPCM if you have a receiver that can handle the signal. Any receiver that also decodes TrueHD and MA should be able to handle this.

What the PS3 cannod do is provide bitstream output to a decoding receiver for TrueHD and it does not decode the newest HD Audio format Dolby-MA. Hopefully Dolby-MA will come with the next firmware release.

[gslrider]

5.1, 6.1, 7.1 surround

Unless you have 6.1 (6 speakers plus sub) or 7.1 (7 speakers plus sub) surround speakers, DigitalHD is irrelavent. 5.1 Dolby Digital, or 5.1 Uncompressed will do the job for most people. The PS3 can handle these codecs regardless.

[MickBurke]

I don't see any reason.

Obsolete and 'not state of the art' are two very different things. My BD 1.0 player (which I've been enjoying for seven months) will continue working just fine when 2.0 players are released. When I pick up a 2.0 player, I'll move this one to the bedroom.

Just because there are only a few hundred movies on BD at the moment is no reason to buy those movies on DVD.

I don;t see any reason not to buy a BD player. Wait till spring if oyu want 2.0 features (an internet connection?!?!) but other than that, the waters great. Jump on in.

[MickBurke]

I don't see any reason.

Obsolete and 'not state of the art' are two very different things. My BD 1.0 player (which I've been enjoying for seven months) will continue working just fine when 2.0 players are released. When I pick up a 2.0 player, I'll move this one to the bedroom.

Just because there are only a few hundred movies on BD at the moment is no reason to buy those movies on DVD.

I don;t see any reason not to buy a BD player. Wait till spring if oyu want 2.0 features (an internet connection?!?!) but other than that, the waters great. Jump on in.

[harvey108]

Bad Usage of Word "Obsolete"

www.thejemreport.com/mambo/content/view/33/ explains that the word "obsolete" is the "most misused word in the history of computing" and that problem exists in this article as most Blu-Ray players are going to be supported for firmware upgrades for a long time and I suggest the many of us do not care for the extra benefits of "BD Live".

[harvey108]

Bad Usage of Word "Obsolete"

www.thejemreport.com/mambo/content/view/33/ explains that the word "obsolete" is the "most misused word in the history of computing" and that problem exists in this article as most Blu-Ray players are going to be supported for firmware upgrades for a long time and I suggest the many of us do not care for the extra benefits of "BD Live".

[Jimmybox]

Re 5 Reasons you shouldnt buy a blue eay yet

while i think this article has some points i hate the bedrudging PS3 suppose comments, it doesn't suppose it actually does, the PS3 is the only Blu-Ray player worth getting and it seems as though the author of this piece seems to says this behind gritted teeth, when all the PS3 bashing started we all knew long term the AV facilities of this machine would win in the end and INHO Microsoft killed HD DVD by not expanding on the Xbox 360 Elite, fab games machine as it is, do we really want to buy a WI-Fi add on an ugly HDDVD drive add on and a power supply the size of Africa, Microsoft could of taken advantage of HD DVD but mucked it all up

[Jimmybox]

Re 5 Reasons you shouldnt buy a blue eay yet

while i think this article has some points i hate the bedrudging PS3 suppose comments, it doesn't suppose it actually does, the PS3 is the only Blu-Ray player worth getting and it seems as though the author of this piece seems to says this behind gritted teeth, when all the PS3 bashing started we all knew long term the AV facilities of this machine would win in the end and INHO Microsoft killed HD DVD by not expanding on the Xbox 360 Elite, fab games machine as it is, do we really want to buy a WI-Fi add on an ugly HDDVD drive add on and a power supply the size of Africa, Microsoft could of taken advantage of HD DVD but mucked it all up

[skyline6]

PS3?? nah...

Power supply the size of africa? Ugly hddvd?? dude whatever!

its been a year and sony finally broke even on PS3 sales a couple weeks back!!!
And microsoft chose HDDVD because Blu-Ray is sony's thing and there would have been a bunch of crap shoved in their face, and people would say they coppied PS3...

360 is soooo much better than PS3 in hundreds of ways.
I bet you 3/4 of the people that have PS3's dont even own a single Blu-Ray Disk! Games on 360 are much better, their are many titles that are only on 360 and all the cool games on PS3 are also on 360.

Who gives a DAMN about the power supple??!! All the people who talk crap point out things that dont matter at all!
its not like the 360 is a laptop, or the slim PS2 made for portability!, the thing is gonna Stand their by your TV, and it wownt matter how big the power supply is!
Xbox live is better than whatever the PS3 has. And the new R2 and L2 buttons they added to the PS3 that werent on PS2 controllers (the buttons you use for gas and brake)(that were on the xbox and 360 before) well they suck ass!, it really hard to play because lot of times if your hands are a little sweaty your finger slides of!,

I was REALLY disapointed at the PS3, i was hoping for something big..., after more that half a year the only big thing were the price drops!

[gmontalc]

About...The PS3 Controller

The original PS3 controller is nothing but a piece of junk, too small and has no weight, the both handles won't fit your inside palms, unless you're a 5 years old.

The top bottons are big and flat and way to close each other, the triggers are akward, it doesn't have any sensitive pressure and has to be apply all the way, whereas (after a while) will hurt your hand tendons.

The PS3 controller sticks are not well calibrated, On any game is very difficult to aim shots, it'll take you few seconds to aim well, by the time you have a good shot you're dead and on driving games also difficult to stay on the racing track (lags).

Microsoft Xbox controller is the best!

[skyline6]

PS3?? nah...

Power supply the size of africa? Ugly hddvd?? dude whatever!

its been a year and sony finally broke even on PS3 sales a couple weeks back!!!
And microsoft chose HDDVD because Blu-Ray is sony's thing and there would have been a bunch of crap shoved in their face, and people would say they coppied PS3...

360 is soooo much better than PS3 in hundreds of ways.
I bet you 3/4 of the people that have PS3's dont even own a single Blu-Ray Disk! Games on 360 are much better, their are many titles that are only on 360 and all the cool games on PS3 are also on 360.

Who gives a DAMN about the power supple??!! All the people who talk crap point out things that dont matter at all!
its not like the 360 is a laptop, or the slim PS2 made for portability!, the thing is gonna Stand their by your TV, and it wownt matter how big the power supply is!
Xbox live is better than whatever the PS3 has. And the new R2 and L2 buttons they added to the PS3 that werent on PS2 controllers (the buttons you use for gas and brake)(that were on the xbox and 360 before) well they suck ass!, it really hard to play because lot of times if your hands are a little sweaty your finger slides of!,

I was REALLY disapointed at the PS3, i was hoping for something big..., after more that half a year the only big thing were the price drops!

[gmontalc]

About...The PS3 Controller

The original PS3 controller is nothing but a piece of junk, too small and has no weight, the both handles won't fit your inside palms, unless you're a 5 years old.

The top bottons are big and flat and way to close each other, the triggers are akward, it doesn't have any sensitive pressure and has to be apply all the way, whereas (after a while) will hurt your hand tendons.

The PS3 controller sticks are not well calibrated, On any game is very difficult to aim shots, it'll take you few seconds to aim well, by the time you have a good shot you're dead and on driving games also difficult to stay on the racing track (lags).

Microsoft Xbox controller is the best!

[ianim8]

oh really....

hmm I guess Im making a big mistake by selling my Xbox360 Elite (no more Halo...) then :P
Im happy with my PS3...oh yeah, plus the BD option too :)
I wonder if my Elite was able to play HD-DUDs? LOL

[ianim8]

oh really....

hmm I guess Im making a big mistake by selling my Xbox360 Elite (no more Halo...) then :P
Im happy with my PS3...oh yeah, plus the BD option too :)
I wonder if my Elite was able to play HD-DUDs? LOL

[kamiller42]

My Response Posted

My response is available at the following link.

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showpost.php?p=721465&postcount=151

[kamiller42]

My Response Posted

My response is available at the following link.

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showpost.php?p=721465&postcount=151