PS3 For Blu-Ray Playback

[rlh41]

:headb: My sons are driving me nuts about getting a PS3 to hookup to a new Samsung 1080P LCD I just installed. How does the PS3 matchup with the Sony/Samsung/Panasonic standalone Blu-Ray players regarding DVD playback? If it has same PQ, I can kill 2 birds. Thanks.

[mgonzo2u]

I just bought a PS3 to kill all the birds will all the stones. :)

Others will chime in soon as to hi-def picture quality.

I can vouch for the upconverting factor of the PS3 being equal to or greater than my Panasonic S52 upconverting dedicated DVD player.

I have heard good things about the BD playback picture as well.

My system is so new to us we haven't even bought or rented a blue-ray disc yet.

Good luck

[abeas]

It's the cheapest blu ray player you can buy, at $499 for the 60 GB, while they last. It's more than a blu ray player too. Mine acts as a media center really, especially now that you can stream from other computers in your house over DLNA servers if you have a wireless network. As far as PQ, it's fantastic. Assumming it's set up correctly, you will enjoy it and be glad you bought it instead of one of the $500+ players.
Just update your firmware when necessary and keep it ventilated well and you should enjoy it.

[Smthkd]

GET IT!!!!!! You wont regret it!!!

[modenatwinturbo]

GET IT NOW. AND TO ANYONE ELSE READING THIS GET IT TOO IF YOU DONT HAVE IT YET.


Eddie Rosado

[Rocko]

Is the PS3 quiet? My son just got a XBOX 360, and it's a noisy bugger. I would not want to use it for a DVD player.

[gparris]

Had mine for over a year now and I cannot hear it from 8 feet away (set distance).
Recently, a neighbour had me install their PS3 a few days ago and no one can hear it in their house - that is when there is no game or movie on (yet).
Some folks may have a noisy fan in theirs, but I have had no issues so far and I have had mine set up in three separate rooms and HDTVs, just to hear for this.

[Picaso]

My wife and kids got me a PS3 for xmas (all I have to do is arm-wrestle the control away from them). Seriously, it is way more than I expected.

-Blu-ray playback is flawless (that alone is worth the price.)
-a digital HD photo album (dead simple import)
-music storage
-video storage
-HD gaming system (quality of graphics vary depending on title)
-WiFi
-Internet

and this is just the what I know as a non-gamer. :cool:

[Fastlane247]

As far as PQ, it's fantastic. Assumming it's set up correctly, you will enjoy it and be glad ...


how do you know it is setup correctly, is there some settings i am unaware of in ps3 and also which is better for bluray playback on ps3 720p or 1080i, i dont have a 1080p tv yet so that is not an option for me yet but at least now i can start my bluray collection :D

[abeas]

how do you know it is setup correctly?

Bascially, don't hook it up with the suppliled composite video/audio cables. Use HDMI or component so you can display HD. That's all I meant by that.
I use 1080i; I favor more lines over the progressive image. Besides if you have a TV that can correctly deinterlace the 1080i signal, 1080p should in theory look no better anyways.

[Fastlane247]

Ya i have mine hooked up hdmi, i couldnt handle the look of anything through the composite cables ... eeeew... not sure if my tv deinterlaces it is a sony lcd ill figure that out, thanks

[abeas]

Well regardless, since you have an LCD your TV can accept 720p and 1080i....it will just scale it to its native resoultion which is probably something like 1366x768.

[Fastlane247]

another thing i noticed was 3 settings im not sure what they mean or if i should use them.
1. Cross color reduction filter ( think this is related to ps 1 and 2 games but not sure )
2. RBG Full range (hdmi)
3. Ypb/cb Pr/Cr Super white (hdmi)

are any of these worth using, right now 2. is set to limited i have option to full if i want and 1 i set to on and 3. is off i have option to set to on.

Just wondering if they will make a difference in Pq on games / BR or even dvd. thanks

[Crazy Ivan]

Cross color reduction filter only works if you are using component cables and 480i output... if reduces weird colors that might appear.

Your colors could be 'washed up' or 'too dark' so depending on your TV you might find that having Super White and Full Range HDMI 'on' or 'off' will improve your picture... try all combinations and see which one works best.

Have in mind that some TVs support Super White and Full Range HMDI others don't.

[Fastlane247]

I tried the full range hdmi and found when playing gta4 all the shadows made it very hard to see, like it was almost way to dark, i leave those off now, it looks amazing as is thanks for the help everyone :)

[sleeper12]

I've been looking into the PS3 and every article talks about the ability to download the latest updates. If I buy a new PS3, will it come with those updates or do I still have to download them. Also, which cable should I buy to hook it up to a HD TV?

[brector]

I've been looking into the PS3 and every article talks about the ability to download the latest updates. If I buy a new PS3, will it come with those updates or do I still have to download them. Also, which cable should I buy to hook it up to a HD TV?

It will need the firmware updates

HDMI

[Just Ask]

Which cable should I buy to hook it up to a HD TV?

Sleeper12,

Give us a little more information about your setup and I am sure someone will help you with a cable choice. IF you choose to go with an HDMI cable, you can't go wrong with monoprice. I have purchased two cables from them and they both work great. Good value for the money too.

[sleeper12]

I have a Sony 55 inch HD in the main TV room. A Directv DVR (from last year, so I think it's the HR20) is connected using HDMI cable.

And as for the PS3, is the 40 big enough for just watching movies and basic gameplay? That's the version that I see around for $399 everywhere.

[Crazy Ivan]

I have a Sony 55 inch HD in the main TV room. A Directv DVR (from last year, so I think it's the HR20) is connected using HDMI cable.

And as for the PS3, is the 40 big enough for just watching movies and basic gameplay? That's the version that I see around for $399 everywhere.

Yes. 40Gb model has exactly the same game play and more important Blu-ray capability... actually it's the most quiet PS3 on the market today.

Only differences between models are: 40Gb model has no ability to play old PS2 games, it has only 2 usb ports (compared to 4 on other models) and it has no memory card reader (other models have memory stick, compact flash & SD card reader).

Regarding HDD size, 40Gb is big enough for everything... have in mind that Sony plans to offer movie downloads in the future so your 40Gb HDD at some point might fell small... but have no fear you can replace your 40Gb HDD with any other 2.5" HDD (usually they are sold as laptop drives)... I replaced my 60Gb HDD (that came with my PS3) with 250Gb HDD that I paid about $100.

If your TV has available HDMI port use it to connect your PS3 it's the best option... if not, you can use component cable.

[sleeper12]

I was just checking monoprice for the HDMI cable that I will need. I'm guessing I would also need an ethernet cable to go from the PS3 to the router? Any suggestions on that one ( I would need a little more than 10 feet).

[Ratman]

any ethernet cable will suffice.

[Crazy Ivan]

I was just checking monoprice for the HDMI cable that I will need. I'm guessing I would also need an ethernet cable to go from the PS3 to the router? Any suggestions on that one ( I would need a little more than 10 feet).

PS3 has built in wireless G controller that you can use to connect to your router... no cables needed.

[kevinw]

I was just checking monoprice for the HDMI cable that I will need. I'm guessing I would also need an ethernet cable to go from the PS3 to the router? Any suggestions on that one ( I would need a little more than 10 feet).
Get Cat5 from Monoprice too

[sleeper12]

Are there any video settings that need to be changed to improve the way a movie looks? I just popped in Superman Returns on Blue Ray and wasn't as blown away with the look than I thought I would be.

[Teal]

Im pretty sure the resolution output is the same for both features IE Games and BD.

[sleeper12]

Under the Video Output Settings, I tried selecting all of the choices, including 1080p. However, the screen goes crazy with fuzzy lines. Does this mean I can only see the BD in 1080i because I am using component cables to the HDMI in the back of the PS3?

[Teal]

Component can only carry up to 1080I.
the chart on pg 7 of the gray owners manual is wrong Component AV wont carry 1080P

[abeas]

That's not true. Component CAN pass 1080p. A lot of electronics, such as the PS3 disallow 1080p through component.

[sleeper12]

So if Component can pass 1080p, why won't the PS3 allow me to put an X in that box? Also, is there a dramatic difference between 1080p and 1080i? I hate that my TV onlyh has one HDMI opening.

[Ratman]

AFAIK... PS3 will only support 1080p encoded games over component video. No movies at 1080p via component. For upscaling or watching 1080p movies, you must use HDMI.

[abeas]

Also, is there a dramatic difference between 1080p and 1080i? I hate that my TV onlyh has one HDMI opening.

No. Some will argue it's night and day. But honestly, there isn't. Especially if your TV is under 50".
Buy an HDMI switcher from monoprice.com. I bought a 5x1 from them for cheap. You can buy a 4x1 for $34.50 right now on their site.

[Teal]

That's not true. Component CAN pass 1080p. A lot of electronics, such as the PS3 disallow 1080p through component.

I stand corrected. Thanks for the input on the HDMI switcher, this is what I am really needing.

[sleeper12]

My TV is a 55 inch Sony, so maybe that's why I have not been impressed with the PS3 using the component cables. I just checked that 5x1 on monoprice and it's still cheap. Any special cables that I should order to go with it?

Is there anything else I can do with settings to improve the picture of Blue Rays?

[kevinw]

Whatever ones you need from Monoprice. I do suggest you check measurements in order to get the length you need . A little extra is better than too little.

[sleeper12]

What kind of cable connects the switch to the TV?

[Teal]

What kind of cable connects the switch to the TV?

It looks like an HDMI.

[Ratman]

HDMI.. many in (2, 3 ,4, 5) and one out.