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Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

post #1 of 34
12/30/08 at 6:34pm
Thread Starter 
Besides fast loading times, i've never heard anything else about using a ps3 for bluray duties. what are some of the disadvantages using a ps3 for bluray compared to a standalone bluray player?

thanks and aloha
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post #2 of 34
12/30/08 at 7:13pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

-need a third party add-on bluetooth->IR converter or USB->IR dongle/IR remote if you want to control it using a universal remote instead of the controller. Or have to buy the Sony bluetooth remote.
-no analog multi-ch output, if you have an older AV receiver that has analog multi-ch in, but doesn't have HDMI audio processing, that you don't want to replace, AND you feel that you absolutely must use the newer audio codecs.
-more expensive than the cheapest BD models
-draws more power, slightly noisier.
-no Netflix streaming capability if that holds any appeal to you.

But on the other hand it is fairly fast, decodes all audio formats over HDMI, BD-live, + it's a game machine & has media center capabilities.
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post #3 of 34
12/30/08 at 8:24pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

-Will never be able to bitstream the lossless codecs.
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post #4 of 34
12/30/08 at 10:12pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Tu
-no Netflix streaming capability if that holds any appeal to you.

That's not 100% true as you can use PlayOn or other third party tools ($) to achieve Netflix streaming. Maybe the downside should be that it isn't native and will require additional costs/products unlike the native capabilities in the the LG player.

To me the biggest downfalls are the bluetooth remote and the high cost of the unit compared to, say, the Panasonic DB-35. Otherwise it's a great bluray player.
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post #5 of 34
12/30/08 at 11:53pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Stewart
-Will never be able to bitstream the lossless codecs.
That is NOT true. The PS3 is fully capable of bitstreaming all the existing lossless (HD Audio) codecs.

*EDITED*
I stand corrected on this issue. As pointed out below by 'Stephen Tu', the PS3 DOES NOT, send out the original bitstream via HDMI, rather it decodes the HD audio formats onboard and then outputs them as LPCM.
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post #6 of 34
12/30/08 at 11:59pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

so where do we stand?
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post #7 of 34
12/31/08 at 4:44am

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanjay Gupta
That is NOT true. The PS3 is fully capable of bitstreaming all the existing lossless (HD Audio) codecs.

Really? We're talking bitstream here, as in receiver-side decoding of TrueHD/DTS-HD MA, not LPCM right?


I see no real drawbacks toward PS3 use as a BD player. After seriously considering one, I grabbed a Panasonic DMP-BD55 as the form-factor/functionality fit better in my setup.

I can't play Splinter Cell on my Panny, though. I tried.
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post #8 of 34
12/31/08 at 11:58am

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

We've had the PS3 almost a year now and just love it. The media hub, and ability to do wireless updates are really cool.

We purchased the PS3 as a BR player, but have gotten into games over the last year. Blockbuster 5 day rentals with a 5 day grace period gives you the time to finish most titles. Even the wife is joining in on gaming with Little Big Planet, Sackboy Rules! From what I've seen, Playstation@Home is a little new to evaluate.

Downsides:

Lack of analog outs, but I'm using this downside as rationalization to upgrade the ol' Denon to an HDMI model!

Inability to use IR remote. Not deal breaker for us. We ponied up the $20 for the Sony remote and have it sitting alongside our Harmony!

We don't think of the expense much since we are using many of the abilities this amazing box offers. Much more than just a BR player!

Six thumbs up. Me, wife, and son!
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post #9 of 34
12/31/08 at 1:17pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanjay Gupta
That is NOT true. The PS3 is fully capable of bitstreaming all the existing lossless (HD Audio) codecs.

Actually it is true; your statement is incorrect. The PS3 is capable of decoding all the newer codecs and sending it via HDMI as LPCM, but is not able to send the original undecoded bitstream which is what is meant by "bitstreaming".

But it's not really a disadvantage, as in theory decoding in the player vs. decoding in the receiver should be identical (barring implementation bugs, and a small advantage in being able to mix in commentary/menu audio in the player). The only thing you miss is seeing the "TrueHD"/"DTS-HD/MA" light up on your fancy new receiver, no big deal.

In the final analysis, funkdoktor, just ask:
- do I want to play PS3 games?
- what's my budget?
- do I absolutely want to use/try the new audio codecs?
- if so, what connections does my current receiver support, or do I wish to upgrade my receiver also?
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post #10 of 34
12/31/08 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by wally
We've had the PS3 almost a year now and just love it. The media hub, and ability to do wireless updates are really cool.

We purchased the PS3 as a BR player, but have gotten into games over the last year. Blockbuster 5 day rentals with a 5 day grace period gives you the time to finish most titles. Even the wife is joining in on gaming with Little Big Planet, Sackboy Rules! From what I've seen, Playstation@Home is a little new to evaluate.

Downsides:

Lack of analog outs, but I'm using this downside as rationalization to upgrade the ol' Denon to an HDMI model!

Inability to use IR remote. Not deal breaker for us. We ponied up the $20 for the Sony remote and have it sitting alongside our Harmony!

We don't think of the expense much since we are using many of the abilities this amazing box offers. Much more than just a BR player!

Six thumbs up. Me, wife, and son!

thank you for the feedback
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post #11 of 34
12/31/08 at 1:41pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Tu
Actually it is true; your statement is incorrect. The PS3 is capable of decoding all the newer codecs and sending it via HDMI as LPCM, but is not able to send the original undecoded bitstream which is what is meant by "bitstreaming".

But it's not really a disadvantage, as in theory decoding in the player vs. decoding in the receiver should be identical (barring implementation bugs, and a small advantage in being able to mix in commentary/menu audio in the player). The only thing you miss is seeing the "TrueHD"/"DTS-HD/MA" light up on your fancy new receiver, no big deal.

In the final analysis, funkdoktor, just ask:
- do I want to play PS3 games?
- what's my budget?
- do I absolutely want to use/try the new audio codecs?
- if so, what connections does my current receiver support, or do I wish to upgrade my receiver also?

*yes i want to play ps3 games.
*around 4 hundred (which is what the ps3 is selling at the moment i think)
*what new audio codecs does ps3 not support and why?
*my current receiver does not support hdmi but my faithful ol' sony should get an upgrade anyway.

thanks and aloha
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post #12 of 34
12/31/08 at 2:59pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by funkdoktor
*yes i want to play ps3 games.
*around 4 hundred (which is what the ps3 is selling at the moment i think)
*what new audio codecs does ps3 not support and why?
*my current receiver does not support hdmi but my faithful ol' sony should get an upgrade anyway.

thanks and aloha

Games are the LAST thing I'd use my PS3 for.

I upgraded my receiver to HDMI, and enjoy the HD audio formats that way. DTS HD-MA, Dolby TrueHD and their variants are decoded internally and output as lossless PCM through the HDMI. It decodes and streams the "core" DTS and Dolby ac3 basic formats through the optical out, which is of better quality than their DVD counterparts (full-bitrate DTS at 1.5mbps, and 640kbps Dolby ac3)

Basically, I went in for the Blu, and stayed for the video file playback, audio file playback, media file storage, media streaming, photo viewing, internet surfing, trailer downloading, and yes still in for the Blu as well.

I had no idea it had those additional capabilities when I got it.

Playstation 3 is the bestest toy I've ever had!
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post #13 of 34
12/31/08 at 6:42pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicholas Martin
Games are the LAST thing I'd use my PS3 for.

I upgraded my receiver to HDMI, and enjoy the HD audio formats that way. DTS HD-MA, Dolby TrueHD and their variants are decoded internally and output as lossless PCM through the HDMI. It decodes and streams the "core" DTS and Dolby ac3 basic formats through the optical out, which is of better quality than their DVD counterparts (full-bitrate DTS at 1.5mbps, and 640kbps Dolby ac3)

Basically, I went in for the Blu, and stayed for the video file playback, audio file playback, media file storage, media streaming, photo viewing, internet surfing, trailer downloading, and yes still in for the Blu as well.

I had no idea it had those additional capabilities when I got it.

Playstation 3 is the bestest toy I've ever had!

so if paired with an hdmi capable receiver i should be able to to receive all of the formats available at the moment from the ps3?

and the ps3 has optical outs on it?
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post #14 of 34
1/1/09 at 8:50am

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

the PS3 starts off completely silent but after a while of playback (xx minutes), fans starts kicking in and it can get quite loud.
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post #15 of 34
1/1/09 at 9:01am

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by EricW
the PS3 starts off completely silent but after a while of playback (xx minutes), fans starts kicking in and it can get quite loud.
I don't know if I just lucked out with my particular PS3 unit, but I rarely if ever, find fan noise to be loud, distracting or even noticeable when I watch Blu-ray discs. Now, my Denon 3910 on the other hand, depending on the disc, often sounds like a jet aircraft!
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post #16 of 34
1/1/09 at 10:04am

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by funkdoktor
so if paired with an hdmi capable receiver i should be able to to receive all of the formats available at the moment from the ps3?

and the ps3 has optical outs on it?

That's correct.

The PS3 has the following outputs:

2 USB input/output ports

1 HDMI output

1 Optical audio output

1 Ethernet port

1 output for connecting a compatible Component Video Cable or Composite video cable.


Quote:
Originally Posted by EricW
the PS3 starts off completely silent but after a while of playback (xx minutes), fans starts kicking in and it can get quite loud.

That depends entirely on WHERE the PS3 is placed, and what you are doing with it.

If it's in an area with good ventilation it should stay cool and quiet, and it will only get hot if playing video games on it. I have a demo called "MotoGP", the only game demo I play because it's fun to fall off the bike, and playing it uses more memory and more power - just like a computer performing a task which uses a lot of CPU.
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post #17 of 34
1/1/09 at 10:51am
Thread Starter 

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicholas Martin
That's correct.

The PS3 has the following outputs:

2 USB input/output ports

1 HDMI output

1 Optical audio output

1 Ethernet port

1 output for connecting a compatible Component Video Cable or Composite video cable.




That depends entirely on WHERE the PS3 is placed, and what you are doing with it.

If it's in an area with good ventilation it should stay cool and quiet, and it will only get hot if playing video games on it. I have a demo called "MotoGP", the only game demo I play because it's fun to fall off the bike, and playing it uses more memory and more power - just like a computer performing a task which uses a lot of CPU.

Thanks 4 the input Nicholas
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post #18 of 34
1/1/09 at 11:41am

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

I love mine. I bought it to watch movies and act as a backup SACD player (got one while that was still an option). I also LOVE the bluetooth remote (and I think all devices should be bluetooth rather than IR) as it allowed me to place the PS3 in the next room, hooked up to another TV for kid gaming/movie watching duty (which also obviates the only thing about it that I find a bit disappointing--a somewhat loud fan on my unit). I've never had a hiccup with any BD, its fast load time (after having experienced my friends Sony first gen 300 standalone player) is great and I plan to exploit the media server ability when time allows (too busy watching movies at the moment). No regrets whatsoever.
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post #19 of 34
1/1/09 at 1:32pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicholas Martin
The PS3 has the following outputs:

2 USB input/output ports

1 HDMI output

1 Optical audio output

1 Ethernet port

1 output for connecting a compatible Component Video Cable or Composite video cable.

The number of USB ports actually varies depending on the model. It can be two or four.
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post #20 of 34
1/1/09 at 2:58pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Rudolph
The number of USB ports actually varies depending on the model. It can be two or four.

But unless you're getting an older used one or a rare one off of eBay, the only PS3s in production (80GB and 160GB) have 2 USB ports as does my own 40GB.

I wish mine had SACD capability, as there are 3 SACDs I have always wanted to hear.
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post #21 of 34
1/1/09 at 3:25pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

I liked my PS3, up until the day after Christmas. My Blu-Ray Drive went dead. Now it will not play disk, and because it is a year and 2 months old, I have to pay $149 to have Sony fix it. That just bites!
Mine is quiet and load times are great.
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post #22 of 34
1/1/09 at 3:43pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Also, PS3 is not a great upscaler and doesn't upscale SD material from Blu-ray at all.
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post #23 of 34
1/1/09 at 4:27pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Rudolph
Also, PS3 is not a great upscaler and doesn't upscale SD material from Blu-ray at all.

To each their own regarding the DVD upscaling (looks nice and film-like to me, no complaints whatsoever) but are there standalone BD players that upscale standard content on BDs?
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post #24 of 34
1/1/09 at 9:16pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Rudolph
Also, PS3 is not a great upscaler and doesn't upscale SD material from Blu-ray at all.
No longer true (and hasn't been true for awhile) with regards to upscaling from an SD disc. As for upscaling SD material from a BD, I don't know of any player that does that. Do you?
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post #25 of 34
1/1/09 at 11:00pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

I really don't know of any real set backs, but I have had better luck running optical for sound as far as the newer formats go, my denon 3806 just seems to like it better, and I really enjoy the ability to stream music off other computers in the house and music/video from my readynas.
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post #26 of 34
1/4/09 at 10:28am

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulDA
No longer true (and hasn't been true for awhile) with regards to upscaling from an SD disc. As for upscaling SD material from a BD, I don't know of any player that does that. Do you?

They improved the upscaling? I haven't noticed anything or seen anything about it in the release notes.
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post #27 of 34
1/4/09 at 11:19am

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Rudolph
They improved the upscaling? I haven't noticed anything or seen anything about it in the release notes.
PS3 DVD upscaling: A big improvement | Crave - CNET

I may have misread your post to suggest the PS3 did not upscale at all (which was true early on). In the linked article, the upscaling is reviewed and while it is not "top of the class" (and I've not seen anyone contend that it is), it is rated as pretty good (certainly not deserving the label of "poor"). I do not know if the upscaling has been improved since it was added on as a feature (I use my projector to do all the processing as it is better than any of my other gear for that purpose), but on the occasions where I use the PS3 with DVDs with my other HD display (a small LCD monitor), I do let the PS3 do the processing and I have no complaints. YMMV.

The PS3's main overall strength, IMO, is its versatility. It is great with 1080p/24 output, has superb speed and stability and is very good at a number of other tasks, even if it is not "the best" at any single one of them. In terms of value for dollar, I think it remains at or near the top when you consider everything it can do. For more specialized concerns, there are other options, but each of them involves a significant sacrifice (more so than any single sacrifice required by the PS3, IMO).
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post #28 of 34
1/4/09 at 1:48pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Tu
Actually it is true; your statement is incorrect. The PS3 is capable of decoding all the newer codecs and sending it via HDMI as LPCM, but is not able to send the original undecoded bitstream which is what is meant by "bitstreaming".
I wonder why that is. The only technical reason, I can think of, is that the HDMI on the PS3 is not version 1.3a. But then again, I was always under the impression that the PS3 is HDMI 1.3a.
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post #29 of 34
1/4/09 at 2:01pm

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

In my opionion, for whatever it's worth, unless analog outputs for hi rez audio is a must have for you or you insist on having the HD audio decoded externally rather than onboard, the PS3 is a slam dunk. Also, I honestly feel that it is the greatest value for money product ever, in the history of audio/video or maybe even all of electronics. By the way, in addition to the PS3, I also own the Panasonic BD-55, bought it for the above mentioned 'analog outputs, and I still find myself wanting to use the PS3 as my primary BD player. For DVDs and BDs without HD audio, I always use the PS3. This is inspite of the fact that the Panasonic BD-55 is rated as one of the best, if not the best standalone BD players to date.
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post #30 of 34
1/5/09 at 12:27am

Re: Downfalls Of Using Ps3 For Bluray?***

The biggest drawback for me is that I cannot listen to lossless tracks because the PS3 does not have analog outs and my receiver does not have HDMI inputs; however, full bit rate lossy tracks sound pretty good to me, so I can live without the analog outs for now.

The other problem I have is that the PS3 seems to have some sort of sync issue when using it with a DVDO video processor, but only for DVDs. There are no problems when playing HD material but the picture jitters and twitches when playing DVDs through the processor. I still haven't figured out the exact cause. For that reason, I use my HD A1 when playing DVDs.
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