Home Entertainment System Upgrade Questions

[Paisa49]

I'm thinking of upgrading my home theater system to really take advantage of high definition. I'm debating whether I should purchase a PS 3 or I should just get a blueray player. I know the PS 3 really doesn't have that many games for it yet, and I also like the fact that I can get a Roku Netflix box to stream movies in HD. How do those of you with a PS 3 feel about it as an investment?

Thanks,

[Necromancer]

If I were interested in jumping into Blu-ray, I wouldn't hesitate to go with a PS3.  I'd hate to spend $200-300 on a low end player when a few more dimes would get me a machine that'll be easy to upgrade with new profiles and will let me play games, surf the web, stream tunes and videos, etc.

[Turbo D]

I received a ps3 as a gift in 2007 and am very happy with it. Like Necro said, it is probably the best deal of any blu-ray players out there. Not only is the firmware easily upgraded, you can play all the great playstation games of today and the past! I would recommend you to get the 60gb ps3 if you do get one as it has the most features. The Hdd is upgradable anyways as long as you use a 2.5" sata laptop Hdd. So, if you wanted, you could have a 320 gb ps3. lol. But ya, that Netflix streaming thing sounds good too. All in all, it is up to your personal preference. The fact that I can play psx and ps2 games on the ps3 is enough for me. I beat Raiden 3 on it last night! 

[Joe Redifer]

I also recommend the PS3.  It is a fantastic Blu-ray player and most movies are usually tested on it for compatibility before release.  There are lots of Blu-ray players that won't even play every disc.  The PS3 can.  PS3 rules... at least as a Blu-ray player.  As a game machine it is pretty good as well.  There are plenty of what I would consider "must-haves" like Uncharted and Little Big Planet.  Many/most games are in 7.1 surround as well.  The Xbox 360 can't even do that.

[Duo_R]

ok I went the PS3 route as many suggested. Here is the big con on a PS3 in an entertainment center - it get's very hot and the fans start sounding like an mini air conditioning unit. People then just say to leave outside the entertainment center, but with kids I didn't like that setup. Just be aware that inside most entertainment centers (that close) this things gets very loud (not as bad as 360 but enough to be annoying).

2nd con - the remote will only control the PS3, so you have to have another remote lying around. The alternative is to hunt down a PS2 remote with Dongle, then programming a learning remote to mimic commands, then you have a nice setup.

[nat]

I got a Sony Bluray player about a month or two ago and I'm extremely happy with it. It's basically a PS3 with the PS3 functionality removed, leaving only the Bluray capabilities. Even the onscreen interface is identical to the PS3. It cost $249, is really quick, and very quiet.

[Duo_R]

Nat, which one did u get? Is it Profile 2.0 capable?

I got a Sony Bluray player about a month or two ago and I'm extremely happy with it. It's basically a PS3 with the PS3 functionality removed, leaving only the Bluray capabilities. Even the onscreen interface is identical to the PS3. It cost $249, is really quick, and very quiet.

[Joe Redifer]

My PS3 doesn't make any loud fan noise, and it is inside an entertainment center.  My friend's PS3 does get loud, though.

[Duo_R]

How well ventilated is your entertainment center? With the door closed I find that even with the holes for wiring in the back and even at the top of the entertainment center it does not provide enough circulation and the PS3 kicks on the high speed setting of the fan after about 30 minutes. To avoid I have to leave the entertainment door open, but it isn't very ideal. I am thinking of installing fans to better circulate fans to prevent this. But it is a little bit of an annoyance because no other media unit that I use (that isn't gaming) does not have this issue.

My PS3 doesn't make any loud fan noise, and it is inside an entertainment center.  My friend's PS3 does get loud, though.

[Turbo D]

Maybe you should try the Ntercooler from Nyko or whoever. I haven't tried it myself, but it may help (Or it may just make even more noise, lol.) Have you dudes ever seen the inside of the ps3? It looks like a ps2's mobo outfitted with a ginourmous heatsink and fan! With out that giant heatsink/fan, the ps3 would be much thinner (maybe even as thin as a ps2 slim.) However, It would probably melt without it. lol. Someone should watercool their ps3, I know its not uncommon with the 360.

[Necromancer]

Not only is the firmware easily upgraded, you can play all the great playstation games of today and the past!

But sadly no support for PS2 games anymore.  Screw you, Sony!

[Paisa49]

Overall, everyone seems very satisfied with their investment in their PS3. Now, since I primarily want to use it as a blueray player, I'm thinking of getting a refurbished 40 gb, as that seems to be the most cost-effective route.

[Joe Redifer]

I have way too many wires in my setup, so I have removed the backs of the sound racks.  Before it was just a piece of plywood or whatnot with a small hole for wires.  Sucked ass.  On the front there are glass doors which are usually closed.  The PS3 does not have a lot of space around it, and it sits on top of my PS2 with about a half an inch of clearance to the shelf above it.  My friend's PS3 has A LOT more air space around it.

[Duo_R]

I have thought of that Turbo D, but everything I have ever heard of these "intercoolers" is they completely suck. The guys at Gamestop and other stores say they are a complete waste of money, but then again I wouldn't trust most of those guys have to say (there are some exceptions though).

Maybe you should try the Ntercooler from Nyko or whoever. I haven't tried it myself, but it may help (Or it may just make even more noise, lol.) Have you dudes ever seen the inside of the ps3? It looks like a ps2's mobo outfitted with a ginourmous heatsink and fan! With out that giant heatsink/fan, the ps3 would be much thinner (maybe even as thin as a ps2 slim.) However, It would probably melt without it. lol. Someone should watercool their ps3, I know its not uncommon with the 360.

[Joe Redifer]

Look at it this way... if they really knew their shit, they wouldn't be working at friggin' Gamestop.

But I agree, those intercollers are not the best solution.