mp3jockey's Full Review: Sony Playstation 3 (60 GB) Console
Why Playstation for a Blu-Ray Player?
Well, I purchased the Playstation 3 about a month ago because I had made the decision to go with the Blu-Ray (BD)format. I intend to get a BD burner for my PC so that I can author BD discs of my HDV footage from my Sony HC1 Hi Def camera (more on that later). Currently HD-DVD (the competing HD format) does not have a burner even close to distribution, while there are currently several (overpriced, underfeatured) Blu-Ray burners for PC's available. Plus, my wife and I wanted the ability to play games if we chose to. The primary reason for the purchase of the Playstation 3 is its ability to play Blu-Ray movies.
It's (at this writing) the least expensive Blu-Ray Player available. Mine came with one wireless controller, and a Component Video wiring "harness". You will need to purchase an HDMI cable if your HDTV is so equipped ( and I hope it is), and you may opt to purchase the PS3 Remote Control, since using the controller for that purpose is clumsy at best. Check "monoprice dot com" for your HDMI cable and switch box needs! Dont overpay for HDMI cables!
My Equipment
My playback gear includes a 37" LCD HDTV by Sceptre that can display up to 1080i(p), and a Yamaha 6.1 capable receiver. I do have the Playstation 3 going through an HDMI switch, in order to accommodate my TIVO HR 10-250 HD recorder. The LCD has been professionally calibrated: not necessary for most viewers, but I just wanted to throw that in, so that when I start making subjective statements with regard to picture quality, etc, I have given some reference point for my "epinions". Using the HDMI inputs on my YAMAHA RX-V661, the sound comes directly through the vcable along with the video: fewer cables to deal with, and some of the BEST LOSSLESS sound reproduction available from High Definition Blu-Ray DVDs.
What the PS3 Is capable of...
The PS3 does playback Blu-Ray movies at 1080p through my display very well. Upscaled Standard Definition (SD) DVD's look VERY good, the resolution and fine detail still cannot match that of the same movie playing in Blu-Ray format. The difference and improvement is noticible!
The PS3 NOW upscales SD DVD's and rivals many REON (upscaling processor) based HD-DVD players using it. Sony's commitment to PS3/Blu-Ray adopters shows in their LATEST Firmware upgrade, which gives the PS3 not only the ability to UPSCALE Standard Definition(SD) DVD's, but also UPSCALE PS2 games, AND Compact Discs as well (through the HDMI port ONLY, of course). More glorious sound I have not heard in a LONG time. I spent two evenings re-discovering many of my CD's, as played through the FIRMWARE upgraded PS3. Does the PS3 have the same Blu-Ray playback qualities as do the Stand Alone Blu-Ray players? Well, thats in the eye of the beholder, but most agree that it does, as it has won a few "shootouts" with currently available Blu-Ray stand alone players. And with the latest Firmware improvements, it may very well be the BEST, if not the most versatile Blu-Ray player available. It is wireless capable, and has a wired gigabit ethernet port on the back, as well as 4 USB ports, and slots for memory stick media, CF media, and SD media. It also is backward compatible with PS2 games, and most PS1 software as well.
Some Other Cool features
Because it has a 60GB hard drive, you can load pictures, your own videos, browse the Internet, download trailers and game demos from the Playstation Store, load your music on it...and the visual interface, while a bit confusing at first, is very elegant, and becomes more intuitive the more you "explore" it. Sony now also offers the 80GB version of the PS3, which, except for storage capacity, looks to be exactly the SAME machine. Because I have my Sony HC1 HDV camcorder footage on tape, I just burn the HDV files from my PC hard drive to a "data" DVD (SD). When the PS3 slot load Blu-Ray player "sucks" it in, I can view my Hi Def footage in glorious 1080i HD. I can only get about 20 minutes of HD footage on a Standard Definition (SD) single layer DVD...but what the heck! I don't need a Blu-Ray burner...for now. Mind you, the "footage" is minus fancy "authoring" menus, chapter stops, etc, but at least I dont need to hook up my camcorder every time I want to enjoy the HD footage taken with it. The PS3 truly has the potential as a "Media" center for your Home Entertainment complex.
Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD Formats
..Nope...not touching that one! Suffice it to say that both formats offer outstanding quality playback capabilities. Its your choice. Mine was made based on Blu-Ray's potential as Optical Storage Medium for my PC, and the eventual Blu-Ray authoring I intend to do, and its outstanding ability to play Blu-Ray movies, and now, Standard definition (SD) DVD's at a substantial savings over Stand Alone Set Top Blu-Ray players (One Trick Ponies).
Glitches?
Well, some users have reported studdering during movie playback, and other annoying glitches. So far, after more than 4 months of ownership, I have not experienced any glitches in playback at all. Some complain about "Fan" noise from the unit. The unit can be placed either vertically or horizontally. I have placed mine vertically, so heat can more readily vent itself on the open shelf I have placed it on. The fan seems to get a bit louder after about 20 minutes, however my sofa is about 3 meters away, and I do not find it distracting in the least. If you put the unit in an enclosed rack or shelf, you'll never hear it at all. If you read the forums, there seems to be many annoying glitches people report: keep in mind that IMHO the majority of PS3 owners on the forums I participate in are pleased with their PS3 purchase. I know I don't regret my PS3 purchase, thats for sure!
PS3: Breath Mint or Candy Mint?
..its both, of course! It can playback your Blu-Ray movies in glorious 1080p resolution (if your display has that capability...otherwise your display will "down rez" the picture to a resolution its capable of displaying), it can display your photos, play your music, download to your Playstation Portable (PSP), browse the Internet, and you can play cutting edge games available for the PS3,as well as use your PS2 software as well! Quite a combo! All elegantly packaged, with a Graphical User Interface that is easy to navigate and understand.
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