Upgrade to Blu-Ray?

[Crazy Joe]

Just curious what you guys think on upgrading from DVD to Blu Ray. I have a new 46" Samsung LED and was thinking about getting a Blu Ray player. I saw a Sony BDP-S30 at my local Best Buy for $150 and I have $80 in BB Giftcards. What do you all think on the pros/cons of Blu Ray upgrades?

[Snarkasm]

I love my HD movies. Some can't tell the difference, but I do, and I thoroughly enjoy it.

[Nate_LapT]

media center or stand alone?

[primesuspect]

If you're gonna spend $150 may as well go whole hog and save up another $150 and buy a PS3 slim.

[Crazy Joe]

I thought about the PS3, but honestly I don't really have any games on the PS3 that I want to play... I already have an XBox 360 for console gaming...

[Nate_LapT]

Free Demos :\

[ardichoke]

Guns of the Patriots man... that's the reason I plan on buying a PS3. Then again, I'm an MGS addict. (juuuust a cardboard box.... NOW I SNAP YOUR NECK.)

[ledbetter]

I'm not sure how a stand-alone Blu Ray player fairs over time, but I can tell you my PS3 has not disappointed. Multiple updates insure your PS3 gives you all the format has to offer. Assuming your LED is 1080p, then yes, Blu Ray makes a difference. For lesser resolutions, it might be hard to tell because the DVD upscale option is top notch.

Bottom line: Your new LED + Blu Ray = :D

[ardichoke]

and of course, by LED he means LCD (I would assume).

[ledbetter]

I don't know about the model, but I believe this (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/subtype/subtype.do?group=televisions&type=televisions&subtype=ledtv) is what he means.

[ardichoke]

My bad... I didn't realize that LED TVs were actually being produced yet. I also didn't realize he said LED in the original post.... I was just referring to your reply. >_<

[ledbetter]

Technically, it is an LCD screen. LED's just provide the backlighting as compared to traditional fluorescent lamps. Very good stuff. I just wish it was cheaper.

[ardichoke]

I can't wait for AMOLED TVs to become practical. From what I've read about the AMOLED displays, they are made of cake and awesome. That analogy has convinced me that it is, in fact, time for me to sleep (6am ftl).

[Snarkasm]

For what it's worth, the PS3 may be the best Blu-Ray player out there simply because the BR spec is STILL NOT FINALIZED.

But as it's a gaming console, it has more than enough memory and connectivity to live up to whatever the next spec release will come up with. You can't necessarily say that about standalone players, and that's how the original v1.0 players got obsoleted and the original owners went up in flames.

[Preacher]

I'd go with the PS3 Slim...Great Blu-Ray (Huge difference over regular DVD on a 1080p TV), media serving, and good games (MGS4, LBP, Infamous, etc). However, even if you just want a Blu-Ray player, it's well worth the upgrade from DVD.

[RichD]

I thought about the PS3, but honestly I don't really have any games on the PS3 that I want to play... I already have an XBox 360 for console gaming...

I belive you can buy some sort of expansion kit for the 360 to convert it to a blueray player?

[lunchb0x]

I belive you can buy some sort of expansion kit for the 360 to convert it to a blueray player?

No, Microsoft backed HD-DVD in HD wars, so the 360 has/had an HD-DVD attachment. I honestly thought this was a good move because Sony has a tendency of screwing the pooch on getting media standards adopted.

[ledbetter]

No, Microsoft backed HD-DVD in HD wars, so the 360 has/had an HD-DVD attachment. I honestly thought this was a good move because Sony has a tendency of screwing the pooch on getting media standards adopted.

If you are referring to Betamax, then very true. However Compact Disk or CD (in partnership with Phillips) seemed to work out pretty well.

[Snarkasm]

Er, how about MiniDisc? Memory Sticks?

That's 3 for 4 on failures leaving out Blu-Ray for the moment... and Blu-Ray still doesn't have a finalized standard.

But Sony bought out everybody that cared, so we're stuck with it.

Word on the street is that a Blu-Ray drive like the HD-DVD drive might eventually be coming to the 360, but that keeps getting shot down as well.

[ledbetter]

Er, how about MiniDisc? Memory Sticks?

That's 3 for 4 on failures leaving out Blu-Ray for the moment... and Blu-Ray still doesn't have a finalized standard.

They've had MANY more failures then that, I promise. But I don't look down on companies that try new things. And your right, Blu Ray is not for everyone, but I like physical media so it works for me.

[MAGIC]

If you already have a 360 i would just grab the HD DVD driver for kicks because you can pick up HD titles for about 10 bucks a lot of places online.

But still, get a PS3. I don't own any games for it, but i stil use it for more than just movies. It has a decent web browser and it syncs pretty much flawlessly with windows media player for streaming movies/music from your pc.

[Tigerlily]

It also works wonders with TVersity for media streaming of movies, music, and pictures.

[Snarkasm]

FWIW, the 360 is a media center extender (so works even better with WMP for movies and music) and also works perfectly with TVersity.

You should still, however, get a PS3 for Blu-Ray and you can game on it whenever the feeling strikes. Enjoy your pending purchases! :D

[Crazy Joe]

One of the other reasons that I do not want a PS3 as a blueray player is that my Harmony remote will not work with the PS3 without an extra adapter at extra cost.

[Preacher]

You can get an IR remote and adapter for $20 that will allow you to operate the PS3 with a universal remote. Only problem is that you still have to turn on the system using the controller...

[Snarkasm]

Leave it on running Folding@Home all the time and you don't have to worry about that. :)