Blu-Ray Players - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

corporatejay · 12-15-2008, 03:24 PM

Okay gang, I consider myself reasonably well versed on the latest technologies and TV displays etc... but this has me baffled.

Can someone explain the difference between a 250 dollar Samsung Blu-Ray player and a $500 Pioneer player?

cKy · 12-15-2008, 03:27 PM

$250?

Seriously though, From what I know about Blu-Rays (which isnt alot) is that they have different versions. 1st generation and 2nd generation of models, alot like when DVD players first came out. I honestly dont know the difference between the 2.

ken0042 · 12-15-2008, 03:48 PM

Some will have BD Live- others may just be BD Live ready. I haven't used mine enough to tell you what the fata BD Live is.

Also the processor speed is an issue. I bought a Sony for $195 that is supposed to be somewhere in the middle in the processor speed, and it takes a good 30 seconds to load up a disc.

OBCT · 12-15-2008, 03:58 PM

Usually I try to limit the amount of linking I do to outside forums, but I really think this site will help you out. Tons of talk on this topic.

Generally speaking, the price difference likely has to do with bells and whistles: better HD audio support, on-board ethernet, newer HDMI version support, newer BD Profile version, faster boot-up and load speeds, and other miscellaneous differences. This thread might give an exacting comparison of the two players.

RW99 · 12-15-2008, 04:07 PM

I have the Sony 350, sells for $250. It's 2.0 ready, but you need a USB stick that will fit in the back. It has an ethernet port. 2.0 is for fancy interactive stuff, I haven't found a use for it yet. It does Dobly TrueHD, but not DTS MA. These are audio formats and only really needed if you have a decent (ie $1500+) speaker/receiver system to go with it. Load times suck on the player, but I only have DVD to compare it to.

Not a bad little unit in the end, I just don't like the load times.

ken0042 · 12-15-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RW99

I have the Sony 350, sells for $250.

That's the same one I bought. How long ago did you buy it? Just bacause a few places like Superstore and Dell.ca have had them on for $200- you may want to get a price match.

That's what I did- went into FutureShop @ Deerfoot Meadows and they pricematched to $195 without even batting an eye.

RW99 · 12-15-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

That's the same one I bought. How long ago did you buy it? Just bacause a few places like Superstore and Dell.ca have had them on for $200- you may want to get a price match.

That's what I did- went into FutureShop @ Deerfoot Meadows and they pricematched to $195 without even batting an eye.

About a month ago. I got it at Visions with 3 free Blu-Rays and Airmiles. Unfortunately it would be too much of a hassle to try and pricematch now. Thanks for the info though

Incinerator · 12-15-2008, 04:19 PM

BR players are the biggest scam ever, I feel sorry for those who bought the older ones...do yourself a favor and get a PS3, it's fully future-proof with constant firmware updates available and loaded Dark Knight in less than 20 seconds for me.

As for BD-Live, it's basically a fancier version of extra features, they've also invited subscibers who owns Dark Knight to a live online screening this Thursday where you can chat with Chris Nolan as you're watching the movie. So that may give you an idea of what BD-Live is capable of.

Canada 02 · 12-15-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incinerator

BR players are the biggest scam ever

i don't have an opinion one way or another, but why do you think it's a scam?

Bobblehead · 12-15-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RW99

I have the Sony 350, sells for $250. It's 2.0 ready, but you need a USB stick that will fit in the back. It has an ethernet port. 2.0 is for fancy interactive stuff, I haven't found a use for it yet. It does Dobly TrueHD, but not DTS MA. These are audio formats and only really needed if you have a decent (ie $1500+) speaker/receiver system to go with it. Load times suck on the player, but I only have DVD to compare it to.

Not a bad little unit in the end, I just don't like the load times.

Dark Knight was the first disk released with all the new 2.0 features

(note: I do not have a BR player, I was just reading an article that mentioned this:

Quote:

The disc release is special for Warner as well: this is the first Blu-ray disc the studio has released that supports all the BD-Live extras available from players that support the 2.0 profile.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...potential.html

Incinerator · 12-15-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

i don't have an opinion one way or another, but why do you think it's a scam?

because the early adapters are now shut out of the 2.0 and BD-Live, also some of the cheaper ones cannot decode lossless audio like Dolby TrueHD or bitstream

Draug · 12-15-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

i don't have an opinion one way or another, but why do you think it's a scam?

He is just saying that standalone BR players are a scam when compared to PS3's.

PS3's get constant BR updates from Sony, so you know they will be the best BR players have to offer, always. In contrast, a Standalone player will be obsolete as soon as a new model comes out.

I love the PS3 as a BR player so much that I bought one for each HDTV. The only downside is that I have become accustomed to using DVD players as CD players, and there is no display on a PS3. You have to have the TV on to see the onscreen display.

photon · 12-15-2008, 04:30 PM

And for the cost difference.. I may get a 2nd PS3 for the living room TV when the time comes rather than a blu-ray player. Added benefit of being able to actually play games on it.

Bobblehead · 12-15-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draug

He is just saying that standalone BR players are a scam when compared to PS3's.

PS3's get constant BR updates from Sony, so you know they will be the best BR players have to offer, always. In contrast, a Standalone player will be obsolete as soon as a new model comes out.

I love the PS3 as a BR player so much that I bought one for each HDTV. The only downside is that I have become accustomed to using DVD players as CD players, and there is no display on a PS3. You have to have the TV on to see the onscreen display.

Not strictly true. BR Players are supposed to be able to be updated with new firmware to enable many of these features (as well as keep their DRM up to date). But one of the issues in the Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD debate was the the HD-DVD spec required players to be able to handle many of these features while in Blu-Ray it was optional.

cKy · 12-15-2008, 04:37 PM

Also having a Ps3 is the media center aspect aswell. That would be the only reason I would get a Ps3 since I got a 360 already, but the 360 sucks for a media center.

I guess the price difference on a PS3 and a solid Blu-Ray player isnt all that different after all

EDIT: Quick question on the PS3 Blu-Ray (sorry, dont want to de-rail the thread) but does the laser itself on the PS3 have any future limitations? Or does Blu-ray just have the one type of laser and a bunch of firmware/software updates it is capable of?

Draug · 12-15-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Not strictly true. BR Players are supposed to be able to be updated with new firmware to enable many of these features (as well as keep their DRM up to date). But one of the issues in the Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD debate was the the HD-DVD spec required players to be able to handle many of these features while in Blu-Ray it was optional.

True ... but it seems the standalone players dont get updated nearly enough, or do they? Maybe it is just too complicated?

I dont know forsure ... I dont have one, or know anyone that does. We all have PS3's. I do know that the PS3 always gets the new functionality first.

corporatejay · 12-15-2008, 04:51 PM

How is the PS3 for noise??? I don't play games, I have a Wii but just play quick games like Guitar Hero, Mario Kart, etc...

The PS2 was about the noisiest thing I've ever heard in my life and it was unbearable to watch DVDs on. Also, the heat that came off that thing was incredible.

Plus it's double the cost.

Quote:

I have the Sony 350, sells for $250. It's 2.0 ready, but you need a USB stick that will fit in the back. It has an ethernet port. 2.0 is for fancy interactive stuff, I haven't found a use for it yet. It does Dobly TrueHD, but not DTS MA. These are audio formats and only really needed if you have a decent (ie $1500+) speaker/receiver system to go with it. Load times suck on the player, but I only have DVD to compare it to.

Not a bad little unit in the end, I just don't like the load times.

Does it take a special kind of usb key or something?

photon · 12-15-2008, 04:58 PM

PS3 is pretty quiet, not silent though so that might be a consideration for some. It does put out quite a bit of heat when its gaming, but I haven't noticed how much when watching movies.

Yeah_Baby · 12-15-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

PS3 is pretty quiet, not silent though so that might be a consideration for some. It does put out quite a bit of heat when its gaming, but I haven't noticed how much when watching movies.

photon what size is your HDD? Mine is one of the old 60s (fully backwards compatible) and my fan is pretty loud at times.

photon · 12-15-2008, 06:38 PM

I've got a 60GB as well.. when I'm playing I can hear it but not much, not compared to my 360 that's for sure. But I don't notice it during movies, my projector fan is louder I think.

Not silent like some stand-alone players though.