So I ended up getting some cash from a couple of relatives this holiday, and I've been considering buying a blu-ray player. It bothers me every time I buy a DVD these days because I know there is something better out there So anyways, I was wondering if any of you had much experience on the subject. I've been doing some research online, and they are a bit more expensive than I had assumed. Everything (with good reviews at least) seems to be $225 or more. I'm actually even considering a PS3 because I can get one for only 50-100 dollars more than most of the players I'm finding. However, I really don't want or need another gaming system. It would be almost exclusively for movie watching. So yeah, any advice/opinions on the matter? (good units, PS3 vs. Stand-alone, good deals)
PS3, its actually one of the best Blu-ray players. Google it Plus you can use it for Streaming HD contents from your computers.
Well I had read that, but every source I found was a year or so old. Edit: The main advantage I have seen about the PS3 is that it's "future proof." I guess it is a lot easier to update than other players. It just seems ashame to buy a system that offers so much (and is kind of big), and to only use it to watch movies.
PS3 all the way. a few firmwares ago they added massive support for xvid and other codecs. it does almost everything xbmc would do on the xbox, except it has the horsepower to play any HD rips.
PS3 Media Server FTMFW. Anybody know how to stream HD using the Media Servers? I finally got the Media Server up and running, so now I can stream everything from my PC.
the ps3 is the way to go. There is not much to do up here in the mountains so we watch A LOT of movies and game it up. The ps3 is a fantastic machine. It is regularly abused by 4 hooligans and hasn't missed a beat. Just drop the money on it, save up for an HD projector and get you a dark basement room. :eek3:
This is what I bought instead of a Blue Ray, I personally feel the age of the disc is coming to an end. http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/ My roommate setup a 4 terabyte server for it, and I plan on getting a blue ray drive for my pc; then I am going to rent blue rays from netflix to rip, but if your conscience doesn't bother you pirate bay has a great selection of High Def shows and movies.
This is my plan with the PS3 and the Media Server. I have a Terrabyte and a half of storage on my PC. I have over 10,000 media files, be they mp3s, movies or TV shows. Now all of it is easily accessible thru the PS3. Once I figure out how to play a Blu-Ray stored on my PC thru the PS3, I will be good to go.
Yeah, after a little more reading and such, going the media server route seems a little more practical. I know very little about it though. I currently have a XBox 360 and a 42" 1080p flatscreen and I just want to get the most out of my movie watching experience Ar there any options using the Xbox as a media server? It seems like it would be a lot easier (and cheaper) just to buy a bigass external hardrive over other options. Is it possible to just load HD movies to an external, plug it in to the 360, and then enjoy HD movie bliss? Is there any program like Itunes where I can actually buy and download HD movies? (I'm not completely adverse to pirating, I just dont like the idea of that being my primary source of HD). Hmm, I'm starting to think I'm going to hold off on this a little longer before I understand my options better.
it has been a while since I have messed with it...Nicad would be best for answers. The cheapest route might be to get a used XBOX(original) and flash it for XBOX Media Center(XBMC).
Well I actually do have one of those lying around and modded already (not with xbmc though, i think). The disc drive is pretty much shot on it though. Although I imagine that isn't that big of a deal if I'm using it as a media center.
Check out the Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player. Its gathering alot of positive reviews on AVSForum and WD actually seems to be actively listening to consumer concerns desires. For $99, it seems like a steal, even if you have to buy a hard drive also....
research is your friend here. all depends on how fancy you want to go. just remember, with a HTPC you'll need to have it close to the display device (DVI -> HDMI), wait on it to startup, and make sure it has enough ass behind it to decode HD content. most people want these small as well. you will get the most versatility out of it. woldn't recommend big hard drives externally for most consoles. the consoles are getting a lot better in decoding stuff, but they don't decode everything and all it takes is one fucked up rip to piss you off. best option IMO is to use your current computer as a media server. it can be kept out of the way, unobtrusive, large, lots of space, and most people keep them on all the time. it will decode anything you want and just shoot it over your network. software is free, and hard drives are cheap. I don't really like a lot of dedicated devices for this (popcorn, etc) because they aren't as future proof. as far as HD movies. pirating is the only choice. you can thank studios for this, and it's one of the reasons why we have HDMI and HDCP. it's inconvenient as fuck (try using an HDMI matrix switcher and you'll see why) which is why a lot of people pirate things in the first place if you have any more questions let me know. I'm building a 12TB rack mount media server for my theater. avsforum also has a HTPC section, av distribution, etc
Yeah, I have an xbox elite, so I have the HDMI cable somewhere...just have to find it. I know when using component the xbox will only display at most in 1080i. I've read that HDMI needs t be used to get it to 1080p. I just wasn't sure if that also applied to DVD viewing.
Well, with DVDs its 480p ONLY with component. ( its a regulation you cant up convert` more than that unless you get a diff connector)
this is false. component will do 1080p just fine, but you start getting into issues with HDCP and media protection flags/bits. most (if not all) source devices will not output 1080p over anything but HDMI/DVI/VGA PS3 and Xbox will only upconvert over HDMI, and most people agree that the PS3 does the best job at upscaling
http://www.rllmukforum.com/index.php?showtopic=160968 1080p is fine components CAN display 1080 But remember its actually a regulation that up conversion only goes to 480 on component cables.( look up DVD forum rules)
sorry let me rephrase, component can physically carry a 1080p signal, however most any source device will not allow this sort of upconversion for protected content to take place over it. some older model and off brand players will do it. this is for DVDs only, games are another matter
if you can't, get them from monoprice. paying $$$$ for HDMI cables is dumber than dumb, unless you're going long distances
I picked up two profile 2.0 Bluray players in Nov for $150 each. One was the highly acclaimed Panasonic BDP-35 and the other one is the Samsung BDP-1500. There are deals out there...you just need to look. http://forums.slickdeals.net is a good place.