http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/ Engadget HD Comments for Ask Engadget HD: Which Blu-ray player should I pick up for the holidays? http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/]]>Dec 20th 2007 12:07PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 1:11PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
Obviously, the PS3 fanboi base has taken over here, since I don't see any PS3 comments getting ranked down.]]>Dec 20th 2007 1:38PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
This format war has created some serious internet/mental issues for ppl on both sides of the war who seem to take it personal.

Do you think Toshiba or Sony care about any of us... NO! ]]>Dec 20th 2007 2:28PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 21st 2007 12:37PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 12:07PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
Of course, you'd need a reasonably recent pc with dvi-ouput that goes to 1920x1080i resolution + a decent sound card supporting 5.1 or 7.1 ideally. Maybe a pair of nice pc speakers. I'm currently susnig the Creative Gigawatt S750s? I think tahts the name... Iknow S750 is the model number and creative is definitely the manufacturer. Anyways, they respond well for both movies or gaming when paired with an AuzenTech Prelude 7.1 which blows creative xifis out of the water.]]>Dec 20th 2007 2:22PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
You forgot to mention one important thing: that PC must be fully HDCP-compliant; not all DVI-output graphics cards that support 1920×1080 resolution support HDCP, and the same goes for those huge LCD screens. I have two GeForce 7950GT HDCP cards by EVGA, but the fact that my LCD is a Dell 2405FPW (no HDCP) still prevents me from playing my BDs via DVI.]]>Dec 28th 2007 4:29PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Jan 5th 2008 9:38AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
This a no-brainer. Excellent player with excellent support. And you get the game part pretty much for free. ]]>Dec 20th 2007 12:12PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 12:14PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 12:23PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
I think it is the only one out of the bunch that can be easily upgraded over time. The recent upgrade adds BD 1.1 functionality. Can any of the other players do that? Oh, and you get the added benefit of being able to play next-gen games.

- Roger]]>Dec 20th 2007 1:04PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 1:05PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
Its like a multimedia Blu-Ray experience that also plays games and other cool features. Plus you can buy any 2.5" HD for a larger capacity. I upgraded mine to 120gigs. No Brainer! I might buy another!]]>Dec 20th 2007 12:26PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
I'm personally thinking about picking up the cheap Sony BDP-S300 since it's $279 at amazon so I can leave the PS3 in the kids room. I'll have to figure out how to paint the front cover black so it doesn't look stupid sitting between my sleek black HD-A30, Dish Vip722, and my Onykyo TX-SR705]]>Dec 20th 2007 12:33PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
check sonystyle.com I was hearing some deal on their site, but I think you might have to sign up for sony financing to capitalize on a good deal.]]>Dec 20th 2007 12:51PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 12:42PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
@ john

If someone asks what Bluray player they should buy answering that they should buy a HD-DVD player is retarded especially seeing as HD-DVD is on the brink of extinction if Warner go exclusively with Bluray which is looking highly probable. I suspect you are one of these 360 fanboys who seem to be under the misguided impression that BluRay is owned by Sony so it is therefore evil. Grow up.]]>Dec 20th 2007 12:45PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 21st 2007 9:52AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
Regarding profiles, generally I tend to ignore most of the extras on a disc because the extras tend to be of little interest. But it would truly suck for a disc to have an extra I actually have an interest in, only for my (very expensive) player to not support it. You have to ask yourself what is that likelihood and how important that is to you if you're thinking of committing to a 1.0 player.
]]>Dec 20th 2007 12:46PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
The Panasonic DMPBD30 is the machine of choice for fast loading and all the audio bells and whistles.

Get a stand-alone! Panasonic!]]>Dec 20th 2007 12:59PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 21st 2007 8:55AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
I'm a purest and more concerned with audio than anything 2.0 offers.]]>Dec 21st 2007 10:27AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://www.edepot.com/playstation3.html
Every audio format supported on the PS3 supports at 5.1 for DD and 7.1 for everything else.]]>Dec 23rd 2007 3:58AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 23rd 2007 4:07AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
It's also a no brainer when you throw in some games and a media streamer. I love listening to my music in my den that stored on my desktop upstairs.

Still though, at 400 bucks and with the chance that blu-ray could lose the format war, I can't reccomend someone jumping in on the PS3 unless they're also looking for a games console, or just fully committed to blu-ray and willing to gamble that kind of money. Looking for both (games and movies) and getting them together in the same package is the only way to really justify spending that kind of money for either function.]]>Dec 20th 2007 1:00PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 1:23PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 1:12PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
Burners are still pricey but you can pick up the bwu-100a on ebay for around $350.]]>Dec 20th 2007 1:13PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
Would you still recommend the PS3 (for the 1.1 functionality) or would you look at the Panasonic or a sub-$300 player? Or wait until there are more 1.1 players out there?

]]>Dec 20th 2007 1:18PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 1:22PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 1:27PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
The workaround isn't complicated. You just have to buy an IR receiver. There are options out there ranging from $15-50. You just plug them into the front USB port. Annoying? Yes. Complicated? Nope.]]>Dec 20th 2007 2:58PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 1:30PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
But, I bought it primarily as a Blu-ray player and it works great. Firmware is easier to update, due to the wifi, and for those of you who want PiP and Web Bonus Features, this is the only piece of hardware that will do it. Gaming was really an afterthought, though Heavenly Sword is great, and after playing the Ratchet in Clank Demo, I may have to pick that up too.

One of my favorite things about PS3 is the Playstation store. Again, I'm not a big gamer, but almost every thursday they have new movie trailers in 1080p for download.

The only thing that would cause me not to recommend PS3 would be 1) lack of IR or 2) lack of bitstream for hires audio. If neither of those are a concern, go for PS3. If they are, Panasonic's new player is the way to go.]]>Dec 20th 2007 1:36PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 1:36PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
It's the best gaming and hi def player available.

As Blu-ray is the superior hi def format of choice which the public has already embraced over the competition you owe it to yourself to get the player that handles the format the best.

The future is Blu :)]]>Dec 20th 2007 1:42PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 2:30PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
Pure comedy. thanks for the laugh.]]>Dec 20th 2007 3:06PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
There is all this talk about 'what if neither format wins' floating around the web. What if the industry moves to content distribution via the internet and backs off of physical media? I have a machine, in the PS3, that is fully capable of handling this possibility. I am ready, with this machine, for almost any eventuality in the HD content playback game.

Speaking of games, this thing has great potential as a gaming machine too. Some of the games that you can download are great fun to play with that Six-axis controller. I rarely game on it though, but my kids enjoy it for that.

All in all, this purchase I made has turned out to be much more than just the BD player that I initially thought that it would be. It has turned out to be the new heart of my home theater, making it into a place where the whole family can enjoy media (of all types). I believe that it was, when I bought it at the beginning of the year, and still is one of the best values in consumer electronics. It is future-proof as a HD media player, if all you care about is movies. If, and this is a BIG IF, HD-DVD somehow manages to win, I can pick up a cheap player and move on with my HD disc watching life; but the PS3 will still be the heart of my family's system.]]>Dec 20th 2007 1:54PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 1:58PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 2:00PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 2:04PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
Stick to an upconverting player, or get a cheap $200 HD-DVD player which are able to upconvert standard DVD's as well.]]>Dec 20th 2007 2:04PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
Blu-ray is dominating the Hi Def playing field ... in all areas. It's obvious you bought into an inferior format that has lost every week this year in the sales and now you are simply frustrated.

Then you also lie about what "Warner says" ... to be expect though from an HD DVD supporter ... you're losing so badly in the sales that you have to make up stuff to try and make yourself feel better.

Blu-ray has outsold HD DVD 2:1 this year, 3:1 in Europe, even more in Australia and infinitely more in Japan.

If Warner Bros. is doing anything they're looking at how Harry Potter sold better on Blu-ray ... at how 300 was Hi Def title of the year on Blu-ray NOT HD DVD.

The public has spoke with their purchases, and they've chosen Blu-ray.

The future is Blu :)]]>Dec 20th 2007 2:42PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
I love my PS3. I also think blue tooth is a great way to do a remote. I don't have to see the face of the machine, making my living room sleeker.

Unfortunately the add on remote looks like crap. very similar to the DVD remote for the PS2. I haven't been able to bring my self to buy the ps3 extended remote. The PS3 controller has been a perfect remote for my viewing, then again I don't care about interactive features.

They need to redesign the remote with a nicer button layout for serious viewing.]]>Dec 20th 2007 2:10PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
I think it was offered this way for that specific reason of giving people something different than the conventional.]]>Dec 20th 2007 2:24PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/
Impressions:

PS3: The ethernet input and frequent upgrades are a definite plus, as is the large memory and powerful processor support. On the downside is the remote being bluetooth and VERY hard to integrate into a RF or IR system controller. The game machine a definite doubleplus good if you're a gamer, but some non-gamers may find it offputting. For _me_ the lack of a fully functional IR remote input is a showstopper, as I have my system controlled by one remote.

Profile 1.0 units: Cheap. Good way to get in, but they will have to be replaced in a year or two as more discs start supporting profile 1.1 features. Choices seem to be Sony and Samsung.

Profile 1.1 units: Only the Panasonic has this as yet, and the reviews are mixed. Not my choice, maybe yours.

Dual-format units: Good points are the ethernet for updates and of course support for Red as well. Every movie plays. Since blu-ray disc hardware is built higher tolerances due to the finer disc pitch, adding HD DVD is easier than the other way. Apparently both the LG and Samsung units are profile 1.1 or will be soon. All audio formats are supported in the new Samsung (new LG?) or promised in a January update. Further, they require only one HDMI input on the A/V box or TV to get both formats -- important to me. DOWNSIDE: $$$$

Of course, with CES coming up, there will be new devices to talk about in a mere 3 weeks.]]>Dec 20th 2007 2:50PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/20/ask-engadget-hd-which-blu-ray-player-should-i-pick-up-for-the-h/Dec 20th 2007 3:07PM