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New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available... - Page 23

post #661 of 727
11/6/08 at 12:06pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

I assume that by "digital/HD cable" you mean cable TELEVISION access. No, I don't -- I didn't see the sense in it since I don't actually have a TV at the moment. (I recently relocated to Austin, TX from Atlanta, GA and didn't feel like moving my existing 48" 220-pound RPTV across the country, so I sold it before the move). No TV = no cable.

But hey, optical cable is cheap. I can deal with that. Hell, if I were REALLY cheap I could use the optical cable I'm currently using with my PS2; obviously I won't be using it if I'm using the PS3 at that time.

cheers,
Phil
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post #662 of 727
11/6/08 at 3:01pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil Carter
Am I right in gleaning from the past mentions in this thread that the PS3 has Wi-Fi support out of the box?
Yep.
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post #663 of 727
11/6/08 at 6:12pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

I just got a PS3 last week and I am having a horrible time downloading the updates. I used a stick the first time because of my horrible down load times. Any idea why my 360 would get great down load speeds but my PS3 would drag so much?
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post #664 of 727
11/7/08 at 12:23pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

No ideas about my above question?
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post #665 of 727
11/7/08 at 1:27pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Not really. I get pretty good speeds on my PS3 download times, so I'm guessing that perhaps you hit the server fairly soon after the update came out? That's usually the heaviest traffic time. I tend to wait a day or two after the updates to perform the update.
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post #666 of 727
12/2/08 at 2:12pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

PS3 Firmware version 2.53 released today:

Note: The site addresses have changed a little since the 2.50 release

Quote:
Click here to download and install the latest system update and view a listing of all features included in this update.
An update to the PS3™ system software was released on December 2, 2008. You can use this update to upgrade your system software to version 2.53. Download Now

Paul
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post #667 of 727
12/3/08 at 1:39pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Has anyone had any problems with their PS3 locking up on Universal titles? I can't remember the BRs it did it on, but both of them were from Universal. I wonder if it's an authoring thing.

Also, I've experienced audio drop outs from time to time over my HDMI connection to my Integra pre-pro, again only on certain titles, most recently "The Police: Certifiable."
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post #668 of 727
12/3/08 at 1:51pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Reda
Has anyone had any problems with their PS3 locking up on Universal titles? I can't remember the BRs it did it on, but both of them were from Universal. I wonder if it's an authoring thing.

Also, I've experienced audio drop outs from time to time over my HDMI connection to my Integra pre-pro, again only on certain titles, most recently "The Police: Certifiable."

Haven't noticed any problems w/ Universal titles, et al. so far though I haven't tried any BD-Live features yet. I'll let you know if I notice any problems w/ my copy of The Police: Certifiable BD once I get to it -- it's still in the mail so far. I'm using a Yamaha 663 for the prepro section in my case.


BTW, to anyone interested in the Nyko Blu-wave IR remote solution, mine seems to work just fine (w/ Universal RF20 remote) -- haven't tried playing games on my PS3, so not sure how it might be affecting my wireless game controllers.


EDIT: I should add that I have not bothered to update my PS3's software since the version that added full Profile 2.0 support and DTS-HD/MA decoding -- can't remember the number now, but probably something like v2.4 or so back around late spring or early summer.

_Man_
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post #669 of 727
12/3/08 at 2:03pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

I installed the new firmware upgrade today.

Will someone please tell me where the audio volume control is located on the menus? I've looked and looked and have yet to find it. I thought I read that one of the new features was 9 different levels of volume, but I can't find any switch in any menu. Thanks.
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post #670 of 727
12/3/08 at 2:45pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Man-Fai Wong
BTW, to anyone interested in the Nyko Blu-wave IR remote solution, mine seems to work just fine (w/ Universal RF20 remote).
but you still have to power the PS3 on separately, right?
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post #671 of 727
12/3/08 at 3:12pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkHastings
but you still have to power the PS3 on separately, right?

Correct, power on/off is not supported this way (although I would've thought power off should've been possible via USB). I'm not really bothered by that since I normally need to go to the components rack anyway. FWIW, I only paid ~$8 for it w/ BF pricing from Amazon, so it's hard to complain about that anyway.

For me, the bigger issue is that I no longer need to fumble w/ the unlit bluetooth remote and accidentally hit the stop button when I just want to pause (or continue from pause), especially for all the BD-J titles. That plus I can now have generally smoother control over my HT setup (outside of the few missing functions that are very minor to me). Yeah, would be better to have the IR-to-BT converter for full control of the PS3, but that costs ~$50, currently requires use of a Harmony remote (even if just to reprogram mine) and is not readily available last I checked. At some point after I rearrange the setup and room, I'll probably also use the RF-to-IR unit that came bundled w/ my RF20 remote.

_Man_
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post #672 of 727
12/8/08 at 6:15pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Man-Fai Wong
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Reda
Has anyone had any problems with their PS3 locking up on Universal titles? I can't remember the BRs it did it on, but both of them were from Universal. I wonder if it's an authoring thing.

Also, I've experienced audio drop outs from time to time over my HDMI connection to my Integra pre-pro, again only on certain titles, most recently "The Police: Certifiable."
Haven't noticed any problems w/ Universal titles, et al. so far though I haven't tried any BD-Live features yet. I'll let you know if I notice any problems w/ my copy of The Police: Certifiable BD once I get to it -- it's still in the mail so far. I'm using a Yamaha 663 for the prepro section in my case.

EDIT: I should add that I have not bothered to update my PS3's software since the version that added full Profile 2.0 support and DTS-HD/MA decoding -- can't remember the number now, but probably something like v2.4 or so back around late spring or early summer.

_Man_

Well, I tried my copy of The Police: Certifiable on my PS3 and did not notice any problems. FYI, I'm still using v2.3 of the PS3 software, not v2.4 as I had thought. I guess v2.3 was the one that added Profile 2.0 and DTS-HD/MA decoding.

_Man_
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post #673 of 727
12/8/08 at 6:27pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Man-Fai Wong
Correct, power on/off is not supported this way (although I would've thought power off should've been possible via USB).
Really? No power off? That's a bit odd. Although, that doesn't worry me too much because I'd just use the "Turn off system" selection in the menu.
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post #674 of 727
12/8/08 at 6:50pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Man why havent you updated i think it's 2.52/3 now.

i just hold the ps3 button down and it asks if i want to power down.
or with the new update it added a power down in the ps3 menu area,
far left last menu at the top is an off feature.
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post #675 of 727
12/8/08 at 8:44pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyD
Man why havent you updated i think it's 2.52/3 now.

i just hold the ps3 button down and it asks if i want to power down.
or with the new update it added a power down in the ps3 menu area,
far left last menu at the top is an off feature.

Aaaah. Well, I guess that gives me extra incentive to finally update my PS3 again -- but only barely since I still generally need to go and switch off my B&K power amp (which unfortunately was just old enough to not support power trigger ). I also used to just use the PS3 button to power on/off, but that's not supported by the Nyko IR dongle.

And in general, I don't like to update firmware/software unless I find it necessary -- and I have not found it necessary since v2.3 so far. FWIW, I'm also still using IE6 and Office 2003 for that matter and have no inclination to migrate off of WinXP anytime soon -- also only recently upgraded from iTunes v4.x to v8.x.

_Man_
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post #676 of 727
12/9/08 at 7:35am

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

^^ Yeah, but upgrading your PC to new versions could cause conflicts and slow downs, so it's understandable to be cautious of upgrading when you're system is working the way you want it to.

With the PS3, as long as there are no problems with the update version, you really don't have anything to worry about.
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post #677 of 727
12/15/08 at 12:37pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkHastings
^^ Yeah, but upgrading your PC to new versions could cause conflicts and slow downs, so it's understandable to be cautious of upgrading when you're system is working the way you want it to.

With the PS3, as long as there are no problems with the update version, you really don't have anything to worry about.

That's my stance on PS3 updates from now on. I've experienced WAY too many issues with the 2.53 update...lock ups, video nasties on Blu-ray movies I know worked fine previously, having to hard boot, all kinds of things. There's TONS of complaints going on at the PS3 message boards so it's not just limited to my machine.
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post #678 of 727
12/15/08 at 3:41pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Reda
That's my stance on PS3 updates from now on. I've experienced WAY too many issues with the 2.53 update...lock ups, video nasties on Blu-ray movies I know worked fine previously, having to hard boot, all kinds of things. There's TONS of complaints going on at the PS3 message boards so it's not just limited to my machine.

That's precisely why I take my time w/ doing such updates (as usual). Sometimes, problems just won't show up immediately after doing updates -- it's not like I'm about to go through my entire BD collection (plus test out a few DVDs to boot) everytime I do an update afterall, especially if I intend to update often.

And again, I have not run into any problems so far w/ the old v2.3 software (and have also not seen any compelling reason to update since then).

_Man_
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post #679 of 727
12/15/08 at 4:19pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

I update every time, because I like the minor bonuses like scene selection for video files and so on, but I have not updated to this 2.53 for two reasons, one of them being the reported problems with the update, and the other being I have no need for internet flash support because I don't visit flash-enabled sites on the PS3's browser, not yet anyway.
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post #680 of 727
12/15/08 at 6:09pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicholas Martin
I update every time, because I like the minor bonuses like scene selection for video files and so on, but I have not updated to this 2.53 for two reasons, one of them being the reported problems with the update, and the other being I have no need for internet flash support because I don't use visit flash-enabled sites on the PS3's browser, not yet anyway.

Ooooh! Flash support for the web browser? Don't let my kids know about that or I might get some Webkinz graphics burnt into my RPTV.

_Man_
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post #681 of 727
12/23/08 at 7:33am

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicholas Martin
I update every time, because I like the minor bonuses like scene selection for video files and so on, but I have not updated to this 2.53 for two reasons, one of them being the reported problems with the update, and the other being I have no need for internet flash support because I don't visit flash-enabled sites on the PS3's browser, not yet anyway.

Yeah, it was a dumb move on my part as well cuz I have no need whatsoever for these features. However, it was more of a "hey, look what we updated...and it's FREE!" kinda thing. I have officially learned my lesson. Funny thing is, my older Ps3 handled the update just fine, it was my newer one in my HT that throws the hissy fits.
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post #682 of 727
12/23/08 at 7:57am

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

I believe there is there is a screen warning saying that you can't before downloading an update, but does anyone know of a way to revert to an earlier firmware? And, more importantly, would that firmware actually had to have been present on your PS3 at some point in time. I have a MGS4 bundle machine and would LOVE to be able to use the optical DTS multichannel output for SACD that was part of V2.00.
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post #683 of 727
12/26/08 at 7:26am

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by pitchman
I believe there is there is a screen warning saying that you can't before downloading an update, but does anyone know of a way to revert to an earlier firmware? And, more importantly, would that firmware actually had to have been present on your PS3 at some point in time. I have a MGS4 bundle machine and would LOVE to be able to use the optical DTS multichannel output for SACD that was part of V2.00.

Nope, definitely not. Believe me, there's a TON of people over at the PS3 message boards that would have already done so a while back given the huge amount of problems we've been experiencing on our systems since this update.

Not quite sure what you're talking about regarding the DTS multichannel output...what does that have to do with SACD output?
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post #684 of 727
12/26/08 at 10:42am

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Reda
Not quite sure what you're talking about regarding the DTS multichannel output...what does that have to do with SACD output?
I currently have a Denon 3850 receiver that does not support HDMI, although it is equipped with Denon's proprietary DLINK 3 for single-cable pure DSD SACD and DVD-A output. Here is the explanation from the PS3SACD.com web site:
Quote:
Can’t I use the optical digital output?

Originally, you could for games, CDs, DVDs and even BDs but you couldn’t for SA-CDs. The optical connection, also known as Tos-link, is a so-called SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface). It can carry stereo PCM or compressed multichannel audio like Dolby Digital and DTS, but not lossless discrete multichannel audio like DSD, multichannel PCM, Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio.

With system software v 2.00, if you’ve got an AV Receiver without HDMI PS3 can convert multichannel SA-CD to multichannel DTS for you and feed it to the optical digital output. If you disable DTS out it will output PCM stereo, also during multichannel SA-CD playback. The output frequency is 48kHz.

In version 2.01 however, DSD-to-DTS conversion is disabled again. Optical output from SA-CD remains supported but in 16-bit 44.1 kHz stereo PCM only.

What difference does the firmware version make for CD and SA-CD?

System software v1.80 introduced a ‘bitmapping’ option.
V1.90 added an alternative bitmapping setting, plus an upsampling option CD, enabling conversion from 44.1 to 88.2 or 176.4 kHz. The latter only works via HDMI.
V2.00 introduced optical output for SA-CD. Initially it offered a choice between conversion to DTS multichannel and PCM stereo but as of v2.01 only the latter remains.
V2.10 featured yet an additional bitmapping setting.
What I find interesting in all this is that SACD has been in the Sony Blu-ray spec since it was first announced. Obviously, the format fell from grace after the onslaught of legal maneuverings by the music industry, which may be why Sony downplayed its role in the PS3's architecture. The same web site further speculates that at some point, Sony may include a firmware update to allow the streaming of a pure DSD signal and makes these recommendations:
Quote:
Can PS3 output DSD audio?

Streaming of the pure DSD signal would be very preferable over conversion to PCM but unfortunately at this moment PS3 does not support that.

Why not?

This is a mystery. Standards and regulations permit it. HDMI from versions 1.2 and up can transmit DSD securely with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection). We can only hope that there are no PS3 hardware constraints here and that Sony will issue a firmware upgrade in the future that enables this function. Sony has already released an AV Receiver that accepts DSD input.

What receiver should I use?

In principle any AV receiver with multichannel PCM input via HDMI will do. Models that do so include:

Sony STR-DG910
Sony STR-DA3300ES, STR-DA4300ES, TA-DA3400ES
Sony HT-SS2000
Marantz SR5002
Onkyo TX-SR605
If you, like us, presume that Sony at some point in the near future will issue a firmware upgrade that lets PS3 output a pure DSD bitstream via HDMI you may want to buy an AV receivers that’s prepared for that. Choices include:

Sony STR-DA5300ES (named TA-DA5300ES in Japan), STR-DA4400ES and TA-DA5400ES
Pioneer VSX-91THX, VSX-92HTX and VSX-94THX
Marantz SR6001, SR7001, SR7002, SR8001, SR8002 and AV8003
Yamaha RX-V661, RX-V761, RX-V861, RX-V1700, RX-V2700, RX-V1800, RX-V3800 and RX-Z11 (DSP-AX661, DSP-AX761, DSP-AX861, DSP-AX1700, DSP-AX2700, DSP-AX1800, DSP-AX3800 and DSP-Z11 in some regions)
Onkyo TX-SR705, TX-SR805, TX-SR875 and TX-NR905
Denon AVR-3808, AVR-4308
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post #685 of 727
12/26/08 at 11:19am

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

I got the PS3 for Christmas, and I have to say that it beats the Sony 300 hands down as a BD player. The picture is a tad sharper and cleaner. The audio(though right now I'm only using the optical) is very full and rich. And the speed of this thing is just amazing. On the 300, it takes an eternity to load certain BD's. I played FOR YOUR EYES ONLY on the PS3, and it loaded instantly and played without a hitch. Upconversion of SD DVD's is also better on the PS3 than it is on the 300.

If anyone is in the market for a good BD player, I'd highly recommend the PS3. I'm not a gamer, and doubt I'll ever use it for that purpose, but as a movie player it's one of the best around.
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post #686 of 727
12/31/08 at 4:08pm

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Welcome to the PS3 club, cant beat the PS3.
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post #687 of 727
1/12/09 at 8:21am

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

I have to say I'm delighted with my PS3 as both a BD player and a gaming system so far. Have had the TV for about a month and Blu-Rays and the two games I have (Heavenly Sword and Prince of Persia) look just amazing. I'm going to become a shut-in because why bother going anywhere else for your entertainment when everything looks this great right at home?

The only problem I've had so far is that Prince of Persia is supposed to support 1080p display and it inexplicably keeps reverting to 720p when I load that disc. Ah well, it looks fantastic anyway.

Have to say the design of the PS3 is totally sweet as well. It just looks so COOL sitting there, all rounded and sleek and shiny black. W00t!

cheers,
Phil
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post #688 of 727
1/12/09 at 11:39am

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil Carter
The only problem I've had so far is that Prince of Persia is supposed to support 1080p display and it inexplicably keeps reverting to 720p when I load that disc. Ah well, it looks fantastic anyway.

I just checked and PoP is in 720p. This is actually the case with majority of the PS3/Xbox 360-games (and their "base resolution" is actually often slightly lower than that - but this is for the gaming sites/people who like to "count pixels"... ). So it´s quite normal that "720p" is displayed.

Back covers seems to list various resolutions for some reason (at least in certain games).

And yes, it looks great (shame, that the actual game is not that special - I would say that "Tomb Raider:Underworld" is a better experience in that sub-genre).
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post #689 of 727
1/13/09 at 6:06am

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Yeah, I think "Underworld" is next on my list of pickups for games, either that one or "Motor Storm: Pacific Rift". Both of them look damned cool and lots of fun.

I did some hunting yesterday too. Apparently one can FORCE PoP to 1080p by turning off all other resolutions in the PS3's display settings. Seems kind of foolish to me, particularly when the native res is (as you said) 720p. Still looks good, though.

cheers,
Phil
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post #690 of 727
1/13/09 at 11:36am

Re: New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil Carter
Yeah, I think "Underworld" is next on my list of pickups for games, either that one or "Motor Storm: Pacific Rift". Both of them look damned cool and lots of fun.
Did you download the demo to Motor Storm? It was definitely fun.
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