PS3 vs. Sony Blu-ray Disc Player (BDP-S1)

you mean $599 for the 60gb PS3.

The PS3 currently only outputs 480p, 1080i or 1080p for Blu-ray, so if you don't have a 1080p TV or a 720p tv that doesn't handle 1080i well, then it might not be the best option. Possible updates could give it 720p output.

The Sony player does do 1080p24, which I hear is suppose to be better if your 1080p TV supports it, the PS3 can't do that as far as I've heard.

The PS3 doesn't come with a remote, and the remote you can buy is bluetooth only, so the PS3 doesn't have IR. This means you are forced to use the bluetooth remote without the ability to integrate the PS3 into a Harmony remote unless it was a real expensive one that supports Bluetooth.

I think the PS3 is pretty silent, so that shouldn't be an issue. Though, I've had two lockups on mine with the last 3 films I've watched. Though, the PS3 probably starts up faster, but I haven't checked reviews of the Sony player.

The Sony player would give you more display info on the face of the player, while on the PS3 you have to hit select to overlay the time and other info on the screen. If that's important.

I don't know if the Sony player has 5.1 analog out if that's the only way your receiver can get higher quality sound, unless you have a newer compatible HDMI receiver for the next gen sound.

Thouse are some things off the top of my head.

There is a comparision test in the last issue of Sound & Vision. Check their website.

I currently have both and will be returning the BDP-S1. Too me it is not worth the extra expense and I like how the the 60 gig PS3 loads/ejects faster, movies seem comparable on both. Added bonus for PS3 is it can play games and seems to be more of a media center, plus it is also a lot smaller.

What do you mean the PS3 does not output 720p. I have my PS3 connected to my Sony GWIV via HDMI outputting 720p.


toejb, if you want a Blue-ray machine right now pickup the PS3. This machine will be a beast. Sony will continue to release firmware updates for the PS3 whenever viable while the standalone unit may receive a firmware update here and their until their next generation model comes out and than you are out of luck. Otherwise wait until next year for better players which will be much less expensive.

Note: If you are interested in reviews of Blue-ray players, check out ecoustics.com., the have numerous reviews from various publications.

It can output 720p for games or downloaded videos, but not blu-ray. Currently it will only play blu-ray at 1080p or 1080i. If you disable those 2 resolutions on your display then it will downconvert the video to 480p. Since it is already downconverting from 1080p to 480p, it would seem fairly simple to add 720p support as well.....but we do not at this time have any estimate on when that feature will be added.

That feature was already there when the system came out. My guess is Sony disabled it temporarily to make sure 1080i was working. It will most likely be added on sometime soon.