I need a new DVD player, but was thinking of getting a Blu-Ray player. I was kinda hesitant on Blu-Ray since I see media going to disc-less in the future, but I see some of them have internet connections for video streaming from NetFlix and other sources. So what say you my moderately intelligent readers?
I got a PS3 as a blu-ray player. I ended up getting games, too, so that’s a nice perk. I’ve heard some say it’s the best on the market, and I certainly like it. It doesn’t have Netflix support, but you can rent movies and TV shows through the Sony Store.
1. Not all Blu-Ray players do the streaming, so double check the models you are looking at. I believe it’s the same stuff TiVo uses.
2. Blu-Rays upconvert regular DVDs to near HD quality.
3. Blu-Ray discs can hold a ton of extras. If you can, watch BSG season 4.5 on Blu-Ray, and you’ll see what I mean. Where else are you going to see the guys from Oingo Boingo playing on the sound track?
4. I doubt we’ll be streaming 1Gbps anytime soon.
In so many words, get one. Don’t bother with DVD, except for data.
I love Netflix streaming, though it’s through my TiVo box, not a disc player. Keep in mind that not all Internet-connection devices will work with Netflix. While this list may not be all-encompassing, I found it helpful when we upgraded our TiVo; I did’t buy from there, but I used it to help me pick what I did buy.
And, since all current Blu-ray players also play DVDs, your old DVD library is safe.
PS3 is a consistently top rated blu-ray player. Not sure about streaming netflix, but it is a great media center with internet. Constant updates by Sony keeps it as up to date as any blu-ray player available. Downside – because it’s so functional, it’s not as convenient/simple as a dvd player only where you just pop in the and hit play. Our two year old definitely gives thumbs up to PS3 blu-ray; Madagascar and Toy Story are actual managable to watch for the 500th time in a row in high-def…
You’re asking for everyone’s opinion, right? Good.
I have no idea.
Hope that helps.
I love my new Betamax machine.
I use a PS3. Gaming + movies, and it has all the features of a high quality standalone blue ray player. It also has a web browser and can go online. And it can play games.
Blu-ray isn’t just good for the picture, either. Hook it up to a good audio receiver; the audio blows DVD away.
New standard will be a ways off yet , but this looks like the next step in blueray:
http://www.hardocp.com/news/2009/09/13/new_bluray_laser_could_enable_100gb_media/
And if you have not seen the Kimbo Slice vs caterpillar ad , it is pretty good:
http://www.hardocp.com/news/2009/09/11/funny_kimbo_slice_vs_caterpillar_ad/
From looking at them myself, most of the blue ray disc players load , v e r y s l o w l y.
Like a few minutes, and the ONE that I did find that had great reviews all around and fast load time was too expensive to buy.
FWIW, Onkyo makes a receiver box that you could plug your DVD (channel it through to your HD TV) that will upconvert DVD to 1080P. Not as good as blue ray but not bad.
It will also upconvert TV Cable signals of 480I on to 1080P.
Few hundred dollars. Not a bad solution until the good stuff becomes available at reasonable prices.
Boycott Hollywood. Tea Party.
Don’t send them a single penny in any form. If you really want to watch a show pirate it or get it from some method where they don’t get a penny. Unless of course you like funding people who make propaganda videos that mock your values and brainwash your children with their political agenda.
Nzbmatrix and Astraweb
My TV hasn’t worked all summer. Maybe I need a new antenna or something.
HD cable TV. If you really, really need to see something right away, $8 at the theatre. S’what I do.
So much technology, and the only advantage it offers is that you can see anti-American communists play make-pretend in more detail. Hmmm.
You must be a rays-ist. You should accept rays of all colors, not just blu. What about Ray Charles? Or yellow rays of sunshine?
I highly recommend the PS3. In addition to playing blu-ray movies, you’ll be able to surf the internet and play some of the most spectacular games on the market. I use mine with PlayOn, which lets me stream my Netflix picks as well.
I always go to AVS Forum when I’m looking for info on this kind of stuff. Their Blu-Ray section is here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=149
go ps3 if there is any games you want, otherwise I like the harmon avr-354 to upscale all signals to near hd quality. I think blu could be the next beta since streaming could be viable soon
I bought a Playstation 3. The PS3 plays blu-ray, and also streams content from the web and from your PC.
You can use PS3streamer (free) to stream any video from your PC.
You can buy PlayOn to do the same thing, plus stream Netflix and Hulu.
I’m sure some of the new blu-ray players may offer some of the same now, but the PS3 works great. Oh, it plays games, too.
Yes, now is the time to get that PS3. “But dear it is a Blu-Ray player that just happens to play Modern Warfare 2. I am actually saving us money by buying it!”
I second what The Kid said, many of them load very, very slow. I don’t personally own one, but several of my family/friends who have them have had issues with the load time; even from traditionally good brands such as Sony. I would consider the PS3 before you decide for sure(I can’t personally vouch for it’s quality, but I haven’t heard any complaints about it either). And if you can, test it out before you buy.
Check highdefdigest.com as well.
“since I see media going to disc-less in the future”
Don’t hold your breath. They’ve been saying that about music and even after 10 years of Napster et al, CDs are still 65% of the music market.
Given that I’ve got a tivo HD and a ps3 and a 360 I’ve not really kept up with standalone players but if you dont want a ps3, samsung and either panasonic or LG makes some blu-ray players that do streaming via netflix and amazon and other sites.
Get a TiVo HD it has streaming Netfix and UTUBE and Streaming Amazon movies, Walt Disney, and
about everything else on the web deliverd to the TiVo HD is a HD DVR recorder………
get one you’ll love it
Two words. Laser Disc.
I have an LG BD390 and LOVE it. The Netflix streaming is very cool and Blu Ray really is better than DVDs. Spent a couple weeks researching different players and decided the features and price on this one were waht I wanted.
Jake
We love ours. Makes the shoot’em up, boom, bam, bang movies just like in the theater (still on a movie high from Wolverine last night). That way instead of paying 50 bucks for 4 of us to go to the movies we pay 24 dollars and get a quite similar experience, and we can watch it any time we want, over and over and over……………..
Best thing though, we can watch in our jammies. Win-win.
i have a ps3 and i am loving it. the DVD’s look amazing. the blue ray even more so. and you can play games, too. haven’t messed with their video download service, but its there, too.
Just get a DVD player. They’re being sold for like $30 these days. I’m not buying Blu-Ray/HD/whatever-the-heck-the-industry-starts-pushing-next until it becomes extremely affordable to do so. Also, that HD picture quality disorients me. I honestly prefer the ability to tell the difference between reality and TV. When I see HD stuff on in stores, it looks more like a documentary than a movie. No thanks!
I say hold out until you can upgrade to a Death-Ray.
didn’t Blu-Ray sing that song “Achy breaky heart” in the early 90’s or something.
No PS3.
I work in the blu-ray industry.
The best blu-ray player out there right now is the PS3 – not the new slim ones. It does not currently do netflix streaming out of the box, but there’s trickery available to make that happen.
I can’t really say much in public forums without violating the terms of my employment, but I would seriously look into getting a full-sized PS3. If you’d like to email me I can give you some more specifics – I just can’t do it in an open forum.
oh, BTW…how the f(*&%&$ did an “I need advice on buying a household appliance” thread with no real advice get 5 stars????
I don’t care what anyone says…BetaMax is gonna make a comeback!
Go with a PS3.
Since you a snotty rich rethuglican. You can get one of these.
I spent a few months visiting my BluRay player at Wal-Mart before I could decide… I passed over the $125 one and got this one fro about $250:
Samsung BD-P1590 Blu-ray Player
http://www.walmart.com/Samsung-Blu-Ray-Player/ip/10973176
It came with Netflix and Pandora and the firmware update last week added Blockbuster and YouTube…
Although the YouTube videos look pretty crappy blown up to 46″ (think 1/4″ pixels), the NetFlix movies are adequate, better than NetFlix on the XBox360… I watched “Machine Girl” and “Tokyo Zombies” on it last weekend and it was good enough for the LULZ… better than VHS, a little less than DVD… YMMV… and BluRays are the awesome… sound and picture but you really do need a good audio system to get the full effect.
btw… I hadn’t been by in a while… Good job trolling FARK…
I went the PS3 route, and I use PlayOn to stream netflix, hulu, and local content to it. Only downside is you have to have a computer running at the same time, but if you’re like me, that’s pretty much a given anyway.