Blu Ray

[hail2skins]

Anybody buy a blu ray player yet? A couple of Circuit City's are closing in the area and they're having a liquidation sale. They have Samsung and Sony Blu Ray players (with the new specs).

[JasonCampbell]

Are they here to stay or in a year will having a Blu Ray player be as good as having an HD DVD player?

[BurgundyNGold]

Are they here to stay or in a year will having a Blu Ray player be as good as having an HD DVD player?
It's still up in the air from a technology standpoint.

[RedskinsDave]

It's still up in the air from a technology standpoint.

I thought blu-ray won.

Mike, I have friends who have the players and they all say the picture is ridiculous.

[csquared]

I thought blu-ray won.

Mike, I have friends who have the players and they all say the picture is ridiculous.

I just cant justify spending an extra $10 per dvd yet.

[BurgundyNGold]

I thought blu-ray won.

Mike, I have friends who have the players and they all say the picture is ridiculous.
The picture for BetaMax was better than VHS but it didn't end up making it the standard.

Sony and a few movie studios are pushing Blu Ray hard. Other providers are lining up behind HD-DVD. We'll have to see how it shakes out.

EDIT: After a bit more reasearch, it seems that Blu Ray might be the way to go.

[JasonCampbell]

The picture for BetaMax was better than VHS but it didn't end up making it the standard.

Sony and a few movie studios are pushing Blu Ray hard. Other providers are lining up behind HD-DVD. We'll have to see how it shakes out.

I'm pretty sure Blu Ray won.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13512_3-9875003-23.html

http://www.macworld.com/article/132170/2008/02/bluray.html

I heard awhile ago that there was some new technology that was going to blow Blu Ray out of the water. Of course, I guess that is true for all technology.

[BurgundyNGold]

I'm pretty sure Blu Ray won.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13512_3-9875003-23.html

http://www.macworld.com/article/132170/2008/02/bluray.html

I heard awhile ago that there was some new technology that was going to blow Blu Ray out of the water. Of course, I guess that is true for all technology.
Yeah, I edited my post on that. It seems that Toshiba pulled the plug on HD DVD.

So, Blu Ray it is!

[redskin_rich]

Blu Ray is definitely the way to go. I wish I had bought one when I got my big screen, Best Buy was giving $100 off the Blu Ray with purchase of big screen, but the standard was still up in the air then and I didn't want to be the guy who bought the Betamax, lol.

The picture is literally like looking out your window, perfectly clear and those of you with kids like me, the discs can't be scratched or at least they hold up like a hundred times better. I have a whole collection of DVD's that stall bcause of scratches from my kids mishandling them.

[tbfoster1]

I love my blue ray player (PS3) The movies are expensive as crap but I've never been much of a movie buyer. I try to rent them when they are available. I did get 5 free blue rays with my ps3 and the only other one I own is Rambo. Nothing beats watching Rambo killing people over and over again in High Def.

[JasonCampbell]

I love my blue ray player (PS3) The movies are expensive as crap but I've never been much of a movie buyer. I try to rent them when they are available. I did get 5 free blue rays with my ps3 and the only other one I own is Rambo. Nothing beats watching Rambo killing people over and over again in High Def.

How does PS3's Blu Ray player stand with respect to other Blu Ray players? I'm probably going to get a PS3 or 360 once I finish grad school (1.5 years) and if the PS3's Blu Ray player is solid, it makes it kinda hard to go with the 360 (which plays HD DVDs doesn't it?)

[tbfoster1]

How does PS3's Blu Ray player stand with respect to other Blu Ray players? I'm probably going to get a PS3 or 360 once I finish grad school (1.5 years) and if the PS3's Blu Ray player is solid, it makes it kinda hard to go with the 360 (which plays HD DVDs doesn't it?)

It is one of the top blu ray players. I read an article a while ago talking about how 1st generation blu ray players would become somewhat obsolete (except for the PS3) because they didn't have network support or something like that. The PS3 has firmware updates all the time making it better.

I believe the HD DVD player for XBox was seperate. (Don't quote me on that thought) But HD DVD is definately dead so there is no use getting it.

[Dolla Bill]

It is one of the top blu ray players. I read an article a while ago talking about how 1st generation blu ray players would become somewhat obsolete (except for the PS3) because they didn't have network support or something like that. The PS3 has firmware updates all the time making it better.

I believe the HD DVD player for XBox was seperate. (Don't quote me on that thought) But HD DVD is definately dead so there is no use getting it.

And you are correct! The HD DVD player was sold seperately. My problem with Blu Ray was that I heard, granted a rumor, that films had to actually filmed in HD in order to take advantage of the HD feature. Films like The Godfather that were released on Blu Ray, aren't really HD, but just cleaned up versions of the DVD release. Not true HD. Then again, I could be totally wrong. If they came out with a Blu Ray Band of Brothers, then I would jump all over it if it was truly Blu Ray HD.

[hail2skins]

I did wind up getting one and it has the newer standard (spec) on it. The reason the PS3 was reported as the best was because the firmware could be updated. The unit I have has that capability as well. It has an ethernet connection and a USB 2.0 port. I noticed on the website there was a firmware upgrade and I did it with no problems using a flash drive. Don't have it connected to the internet yet.

The firmware update also included a feature where I can stream Netflix movies directly to the player.

The picture is amazing on Blu ray discs.

The unit I got is the Samsung sp-b2500 ($349) and they have a 1500 ($249). The prices will probably get cheaper at the CC stores that are closing because of the liquidation.

Also, awhile back I mentioned and opportunity I had at a Circuit City about a tv that I believe an employee took for me for himself. Well, I think I got them back today. I went to see how the liquidation was going and they are currently at 20% off now. I had no intention of buying anything, just looking. I went through the entire store and in the home theatre section, something caught my eye. It was an Onkyo 7.1 surround system with everything. I'm talking the receiver (4 hdmi inputs, 2 component inputs, a host of s-video and others), 7 speakers + sub-woofer and it also included a dock for ipods. I looked at the prices and it said $379 (open box). I asked one of the salesmen if that was correct and he said yes. They then told me they could sell the open box if they have new boxed ones in stock because of the liquidation. He said he'll check and I definitely expected him to come back and say nope, can't do it. Well, he came back and said if you want it yours. I took it indeed and spent most of the day hooking it up. The think is awesome. The lowest price I could find was $550. It was missing the remote and the manual and I've already taken care of those. Got the manual online in pdf format from Onkyo and I'm calling Onkyo for a replacement remote. I just sat here and watched Journey to the center of the earth. I actually watched the 3-d version with the glasses on. Pretty cool. Tomorrow I'll be watching Kindom of Heaven. It also does up conversion on regular dvd's. It came with a blu ray disc from the NFL about the Road to the Superbowl.

I'm pretty happy right now. No more Christmas shopping for me. These are my gifts.

[hail2skins]

It is one of the top blu ray players. I read an article a while ago talking about how 1st generation blu ray players would become somewhat obsolete (except for the PS3) because they didn't have network support or something like that. The PS3 has firmware updates all the time making it better.

I believe the HD DVD player for XBox was seperate. (Don't quote me on that thought) But HD DVD is definately dead so there is no use getting it.The HD-DVD drive was separate and I thought it was a smart move by Microsoft. They could go both ways so-to-speak. I'm surprised they are letting Sony get away with that market. Their rationale is that they are putting more efforts into digital downloading/streaming. I'm ready for that as well and I hear the 360 is about to get wicked with digital downloads from Netflix.

[swheeler]

Why buy a standalone blu ray player when you can get a PS3 for the same price? I'm not trying to be critical or sarcastic or anything, just honestly curious. It seems like even if you're not a gamer, the features of a PS3 would be worth taking if they're the same price as something without them.

[guess88]

This topic's so 2007. :Pickle:

[redskin_rich]

Why buy a standalone blu ray player when you can get a PS3 for the same price? I'm not trying to be critical or sarcastic or anything, just honestly curious. It seems like even if you're not a gamer, the features of a PS3 would be worth taking if they're the same price as something without them.
I'll tell you why. Because I don't want my kids playing games on my ***CBDJ*** ing $3000 flat screen. They have their own game room, TV, Wii, DVD player, foosball, air hockey, etc. I don't play video games and I don't want that stuff invading my family room.

[smoak]

I would be floored if prices on Blu Ray didn't come down for the holiday buying season...

But, I would get the PS3 b/c with the WiFi connection it is upgradeable and others are not.

[hail2skins]

I would be floored if prices on Blu Ray didn't come down for the holiday buying season...

But, I would get the PS3 b/c with the WiFi connection it is upgradeable and others are not.Mine is upgradeable.

[hail2skins]

This topic's so 2007. :Pickle:Then why did you post in it.

[hail2skins]

Why buy a standalone blu ray player when you can get a PS3 for the same price? I'm not trying to be critical or sarcastic or anything, just honestly curious. It seems like even if you're not a gamer, the features of a PS3 would be worth taking if they're the same price as something without them.
I don't need two gaming devices. I have the 360 already and love it

[swheeler]

I'll tell you why. Because I don't want my kids playing games on my ***CBDJ*** ing $3000 flat screen. They have their own game room, TV, Wii, DVD player, foosball, air hockey, etc. I don't play video games and I don't want that stuff invading my family room.

I don't need to gaming devices. I have the 360 already and love it

Fair enough.

[Grant]

I have one but i dont use it over my regular DVD player.

[dj_stouty]

Well, Circuit City laid off several hundred workers from its Richmond HQ on Friday and as of this morning they have filed for bankruptcy. Not sure what this means in terms of getting electronics like Blu Ray and flat screens at deep discounts, but its worth keeping an eye on it.

They are also shutting down over 100 stores nationwide, so you have to think they are looking to get rid of some inventory, right?

[redskin_rich]

Well, Circuit City laid off several hundred workers from its Richmond HQ on Friday and as of this morning they have filed for bankruptcy. Not sure what this means in terms of getting electronics like Blu Ray and flat screens at deep discounts, but its worth keeping an eye on it.

They are also shutting down over 100 stores nationwide, so you have to think they are looking to get rid of some inventory, right?
They were supposed to open a new store here in a couple of weeks...

Here is a story on the status of CC:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/10/news/companies/circuit_city/?postversion=2008111010
"Chapter 11 is not a closing or liquidation," the company said in an e-mail to CNNMoney.com. "We remain committed to doing a better job of taking care of our guests, and making it easier to shop at Circuit City."

For anyone that's on the hunt for a sweet deal on a flatscreen TV, Circuit City spokesman Jim Babb said it's "safe to assume" that consumers can expect deep discounts on TVs and other products in those Circuit City stores that are being liquidated.

In the rest of its stores, Babb said the company's prices will remain competitive with the market over the coming weeks.So, if you have a store near you that is closing, there will be deals. I would hurry, my experience is that the good stuff disappears fast, usually because the employees will tip off their friends and relatives.

[hail2skins]

I already took advantage of it. I would like to upgrade my TV though and I'm keeping an eye on it. The store in my area is at 20% off right now. I'm wanting to see that go a bit higher.

[dj_stouty]

They were supposed to open a new store here in a couple of weeks...

Here is a story on the status of CC:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/10/news/companies/circuit_city/?postversion=2008111010
So, if you have a store near you that is closing, there will be deals. I would hurry, my experience is that the good stuff disappears fast, usually because the employees will tip off their friends and relatives.

I've already heard that since CC is headquartered in Richmond, that none of our local stores are planned to close. I need to do some research and find out which of the 155 stores they are liquidating are w/in 2 hours drive from me....

[Dolla Bill]

I've already heard that since CC is headquartered in Richmond, that none of our local stores are planned to close. I need to do some research and find out which of the 155 stores they are liquidating are w/in 2 hours drive from me....



Shazam! (http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/CC/461914777x0x245809/2BFAC9D9-6CEF-4027-9E51-1C635F42F7A7/110308%20Store%20Closing%20List.pdf)

[guess88]

Then why did you post in it.

I miss 2007 :(

[BurgundyNGold]

Shazam! (http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/CC/461914777x0x245809/2BFAC9D9-6CEF-4027-9E51-1C635F42F7A7/110308%20Store%20Closing%20List.pdf)
It looks like the folks in VA can go to the Manassas, Maclean or Charlottesville store closings. In MD, you can go to Beltsville, Marlow Heights or Baltimore.

All of those are hikes for me.

[dj_stouty]

Shazam! (http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/CC/461914777x0x245809/2BFAC9D9-6CEF-4027-9E51-1C635F42F7A7/110308%20Store%20Closing%20List.pdf)

Thanks!

Charlottesville is only an hour away, so I may need to take a trip over there this week.