Is the picture going to be better with Blu-Ray players instead of a PS3?

Question

Is there going to be a difference if you a player that focuses on the sole purpose of playing blu-rays between a PS3 which you can game on and much much more.

Why would you spend 1000 dollars on a blu ray player.

Why even get a Blu-Ray player? The quality in picture any better?

Answer 1

Along with better video you will also be getting better audio. All of the Blu-ray movies that I have watched offered 5.1 Dolby Digital uncompressed.

Answer 2

Well, I have no interest in games. Also, a PS3 can only send the new sound formats over HDMI. As my receiver does not have HDMI inputs, but does have a 5-channel line in -- I want a player that has the 5-channel line out.

Luckily, several manufcturers have players for only $400 -- the same price as a PS3 -- which will fit my needs.

Answer 3

Good question.

Actually the PS3 is considered by many to be the preferable Blu-ray player. The only real advantage of the high end stand alone players is they match the style of audio systems better and (may) have a slightly better video processor built in.  But for the $$ the PS3 is a great choice.

Whether Blu-ray is going to give you a better perceived picture depends on a number of things.

First, if displayed on a 40" or larger, 1080p HDTV connected up via HDMI and watched from optimum distance (i.e. closer than most people traditonally watch) the picture can be pretty spectacular.

HOWEVER, on a smaller 720p HDTV the benefits are less, and on an SDTV (normal TV)there will be NO BENEFIT whatsoever.

Note that the comparison point is a DVD on a upconverting player (which could be a Blu-ray player since they all upconvert and play DVDs as well as Blu-ray disks).

The best way to see if YOU would benefit is to go to a store that has Blu-ray players and ask to see BOTH a DVD and a Blu-ray disk with the output displayed on a HDTV as similar as possible to your model (resolution, size, quality level), and then watch from the distance you use at home.

If you see an improvement, decide whether it is worth it to you or not, considering that disks are more expensive (~$5-$8), there is currently relatively little choice, and you will have to buy a $300+ player.

Also consider whether the inability to play Blu-ray disks on normal DVD players you may have in other places (portable player, bedroom, kid's room, car) is a disadvantage.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

The PS3 is a fine Blu-Ray player and DOES have an optical digital audio output.

Answer 5

No, the PS3 is a full 1080p Blue-Ray player and it in some ways is better than the stand alone Blue-Ray player because of the on-line firmware updates that can fix bugs and add features etc. Look at it like buying a Blue-Ray player for $399 and getting a free game system. If you don't like running the Blue-Ray with the game controller just get the dedicated Blue-Ray remote and for $20 you're set up just like a high end (high dollar) Blue-Ray player. PS3 is for me, and Blu-Ray is the way.

As to the question, is it worth it? It is if you have a 1080p HDTV and you like having the newest gadgets.

Ask your self if it was worth it to buy a DVD player when your VHS played movies just fine? The video quality difference is like going from VHS to DVD.

If you don't want the latest high tech save the money and wait until Blue-Ray players are $199 and become the standard.

Keep in mind the PS3 will up convert your standard DVDs to 1080p and make them look better on your HDTV, so me being a techie it's worth it. But if your not into the latest gadgets or a major movie buff it may not be worth it.

Is it worth it? That is a question you have to ask your self, then go get a PS3. Enjoy!

PS3 has digital audio ouput through HDMI or Optcal output (I use the optical) for connecting to a surround system. It can be hooked up VIA Composite (yellow) or Component (red,green,blue) both will need audio hookup either analog (red,white) or optical (digital), it also can hookup via HDMI for video and audio (in one cable), but in the audio settings you can route digital audio either to the HDMI or optical output.