Which blue ray player is cheaper?

Question

i might buy a blue ray player and i was wondering if it would be cheaper to buy a ps3 or a normal blue ray dvd player

Answer 1

Here are some considerations:

Can you benefit from Blu-ray? --- it's a premium priced alternative to upconverted DVDs that requires a minimum of an HDMI input HDTV (preferably 40"+, 1080p and a good surround sound system). Many people find little benefit from Blu-ray on their equipment (particularly on smaller / 720p HDTVs and at their normal viewing distance. Others claim significant improvements. Since this appears to be personal, I strongly suggest viewing for yourself on an HDTV as close as possible to yours. Watch both a DVD and Blu-ray movie (don't let the salespeople pick, they sometimes use misleading demo disks) and only then will you be able to judge if the benefits are worth the costs.

Cost --  Players are much more expensive ($300+) than an upconverting DVD player ($60+ for a reasonable one that will give a pseudo HD picture (but NOT as good as Blu-ray)). Player cost is NOT the big consideration ... disk prices are. Disk prices are typically $5-$20 more than for the same movie on DVD so costs will add up quickly.

Timing -- The only "final" Blu-ray player currently available is the PS3 (preferably the 80 GB version. With a firmware upgrade this can be a Profile 2.0 / BD Live player). But it's not a stand alone (SA) player so can't stack -- but it does do more than a SA (so if you are a gamer it may fit a dual purpose). Profile 2.0 is necessary to take advantage of advanced extras on newer disks ... but not essential if you only watch the movie. However, older Profile 1.0 and 1.1 players have had problems with some newer disks and this MAY get worse in future. Profile 2.0 SA players are due this fall. Costs of SA players are expected to begin to fall by Xmas.... but will remain higher than DVD players.

Portability -- Remember that Blu-ray disks don't play on regular DVD players so you won't be able to play them on a portable, in a car or other player you may have.

Program Material -- There are only (so far) a little over 500 movies on Blu-ray (vs 83,000 DVDs). Most rental companies have limited choice and may charge extra or have shorter rental periods. Check first.

So ... even if you can benefit and the extra cost is worth it to you, you would still be advised to wait for 6 mo or so. Blu-ray is nowhere near mass market adoption (1-2% of DVD sales, and many experts believe it will never be more than a premuim niche format) so buying now will be more expensive than if you wait (and if Blu-ray doesn't catch on you won't have wasted money).

OK .. you have the info on which to make a decision. Hope it helps.

Answer 2

even if you don tplan to play the best deal for your money is in the PS3, anyway you will only save like $50 buying another player. will the PS3 you could benefit from regular updates and new features for the player first because its a gaming console and sony its ahead of the blu-ray campaign, the latest on technology, playing, DVR and tv tuner features in the future look for PlayTV,

Answer 3

Well it depends.  Would you use

the PS3 for video games much?  

If so, then it would probably be in

your best interest to go with the

PS3.  If not, you can get a Blu-

Ray Disc player for less.

Do an internet search for "Blu-Ray

Disc Player" and you should be

able to find your lowest price from

the store of your choice.

Answer 4

You can get a normal Blu-Ray player for less than a ps3.  Some people don't have time or plans to play video games.