6 Reasons why you SHOULD NOT use your PS3 as a Blu-Ray Player. This really caught my eye so I put it up. The PlayStation 3 is the said to be the best Blu-Ray Player on the mart. After all, it can play PS3 games as well, but this article said you should only use it as your games console.
Here they are:
1. Doesn't work with universal remotes.
2. It's louder than standalones.
3. Interface isn't as easy to use.
4. You have an older AV receiver and need multichannel analog outputs.
5. You want to be green.
6. I need to see my receiver light up and say "Dolby TrueHD."
1. Doesn't work with universal remotes.
Sony decided not to include an IR receptor on the PlayStation 3, and home theater fans have been complaining ever since. The lack of an IR receptor means that the PlayStation 3 won't work with universal remote controls, so you'll have to use the PS3 controller or the separate PS3 BD remote to control it. It's definitely a pain for anyone who is used to activity-based macros such as "Watch TV" and "Watch Blu-ray" to control their home theater.
2. It's louder than standalones.
Although every PS3 seems to be different, the PS3 can occasionally get loud once its fans start spinning. For audiophiles, that can be a pretty big drawback, especially if you start to hear a whirr during every quiet scene in a movie. You'll have better luck keeping the PS3 quiet by keeping it in a well-ventilated area, but standalones are quieter in general and don't mind having other gear stacked on them.
3. Interface isn't as easy to use.
This isn't an issue for tech enthusiasts, but Sony's Xross Media Bar (XMB) is packed with options and can be intimidating for neophytes. Although we generally like the XMB for zipping around the PS3's functions, using a standard Blu-ray player where you just need to put in the disc and hit play is definitely a lot easier.
4. You have an older AV receiver and need multichannel analog outputs.
If you're using an older receiver and want to use its multichannel analog inputs to get high-resolution soundtracks, you can't do it with the PlayStation 3. You're better off going with a standalone Blu-ray player with onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, like the upcoming Pioneer BDP-51FD and Panasonic DMP-BD50. Of course, if you're OK with standard DVD-style surround sound, you can still get that with the PS3's optical SPDIF output, which is compatible with nearly all modern receivers.
5. You want to be green.
The PS3 is great at a lot of things, but conserving power isn't one of them. If you're looking to stay green and limit your power consumption, you'll be much better off using a standalone Blu-ray player. For example, the PS3 sucks up about 170 watts while playing a Blu-ray movie, while the Samsung BD-P1400 only uses about 25 watts. That's a fairly huge difference and can easily wipe out any power savings from using other green products such as the Philips Eco TV. (Check out our guide to TV power consumption for more green tips.)
6. I need to see my receiver light up and say "Dolby TrueHD."
Even if you do have a new HDMI-capable receiver, you'll never get the Dolby TrueHD light to turn on with the PS3. That's because although the PS3 can decode both DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD, it can't send those soundtracks in bit stream format and allow the receiver to decode them. Of course, this isn't really a legitimate reason, as you're still getting the same high-resolution audio, but some people just need the comfort of seeing the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio lights on their receiver.
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I appreciate people wanting to go 'against the crowd', but the reasons in this article are, for the most part, just stretching things a bit thin...
Yes, the reasons are legitimate, but for most people, pretty silly. Only serious audiophiles and videophiles need to bother with a standalone.
Don't like games? Fine, get a standalone. You'll get better audio and video decoding (in higher end, and later models), and you might save money (at least, in the future)....Or, get a PS3, and you can use the HDD to store video and audio files, browse the net (just a convenient little bonus), and MAYBE, just MAYBE, try a game demo or two (couldn't hurt, neh?)....
Like games? Get a PS3...
For a while still, the PS3 will be a pretty good Blu-ray player. Even years from now, it'll still be decent...Firmware updates are a big part of that.
Again, not saying this article's reasons are non-existent, just that they're not much of an issue for most people (at least PS3 owners)....
Oh, and most of the reasons listed are absolute bullshit. Be thankful there is a video game system out there even capable of playing Blu-ray. Most of the reasons are just...odd at best, especially being eco-friendly. I do care about the environment, but a gamer can do more than buy energy-conserving equipment. Turn off the lights or the A/C when you're not in the house, for example. You'll save a lot more energy that way.
The only reason I thought was actually valid was the universal remote, but even that has a reasonable solution. Don't be so cheap and buy a PS3 remote. If you're going to spend 500 bucks on the PS3, might as well throw another 30 to make your life easier.
However, I agree that a more accurate image would have been the finalized, already released PS3. Also, please note that this article is from cnet so....that explains why it is lame.
2. It's louder than standalones. (really my ps3 has never made a sound while playing movies or games)
3. Interface isn't as easy to use. (thats prefrence i personally find it quite easy to use)
4. You have an older AV receiver and need multichannel analog outputs. (how many people are seriously going to have old AV equipment for watching blu-ray's you geussed it none)
5. You want to be green. (ok i could see this)
6. I need to see my receiver light up and say "Dolby TrueHD." (wow words geuss what ps3 gives out trueHD sound not sure if its dolby certified but it does give out HD sound.)
If you look on the right side of the system where it says all the little certifications it says Dolby True HD teh 5th one in.
1) Use an IR adapter and then you can use it with any universal remote that you want.
2) I've never heard any such thing. Maybe if you have your ear right next to the PS3.
3) Maybe if you're an idiot like the author of the article over at cnet.
4) This is like bitching about people having older TV's. ugh, lame. Next.
5) More processing power = more energy consumption. BR Players are just that, they don't have cell processors in them, they just read and play discs. The PS3 is *more* than that. This comparison between a standalone is bullshit. If anything it should compare a media center PC vs the PS3. A media center PC with a BR player, that is.
6) Button lighting up does NOT mean it's not there. As jeterocks pointed out, it's even listed on the side of the box. Solution: cut out the side of your box that says "Dolby TrueHD" and tape it to the front of your receiver.
[/no offence]
I see no reason to delete this article. It's brought up interesting points of discussion. You shouldn't take things too literally against yourself when everyone is directing their comments towards the CNet dude.