Better Mac companion: PS3 vs Blu-Ray

[Schmittroth]

So my wife and I just took the plunge and ordered an HDTV. My dilemma is now PS3 vs. Blu-Ray player.

I would enjoy a console but I'm older (+30), and most of the games I enjoy seem to be better on my Mac. There are definitely some games that I can't play on my Mac that would be nice to have but Enemy Territory is sure to keep my busy until Starcraft 2 rolls in and that'll soak up most of my gaming time until 2010.

The PS3 still seems to be the standard by which other Blu-Ray players are measured, and in the difference in price is less than my wall mount cost. Any thoughts?

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

Get the ps3. Its arguably the best blu-ray player on the market and its not very expensive compared to others. It also gives you the option to play games if you want, you can share media from your computers via wi-fi, its upgradable to every new blu-ray version....
Its worth it when you consider how much it can do.

 

[bored911]

I have to agree with Bandit...The reason that it is the best Blu-Ray player is because while the ability of Blu-Ray discs expand, the PS3 will be able to keep up with powerful firmware updates while with a plain Blu-Ray player you run the risk of losing out on future generations. Also, the PS3 has one of the best pictures, while also having the *lowest*(maybe not anymore) price. Finally, as Bandit mentioned you will have the ability to stream media to your PS3 which is a huge plus in anyone's book. Oh right, and there's this weird game system somewhere in there too

 

[stainlessliquid]

The PS3 also supports UPNP, so you can stream music and video from your computer to your PS3 over wifi to play on your TV.

 

[Schmittroth]

I was planning on hooking my imac up to the TV via DVI-HDMI. I also already have a TivoHD for Netflix and other streaming services. Does the PS3 offer any advantages?

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

If you are going to plug your computer right into your tv the ps3 is pretty much only going to be a blu-ray player with a bit of gaming then, right? Even so, its a good deal and is the best BD player out there.
Does an apple remote work via blue-tooth? If so you can probably pair it with the ps3 and use it for blu-ray navigation and such things. Idk 100% on that, but it seems logical.

 

[Schmittroth]

Does an apple remote work via blue-tooth? If so you can probably pair it with the ps3 and use it for blu-ray navigation and such things. Idk 100% on that, but it seems logical.

Here's a sad bit of irony. The mac remote is infrared (IR) but the PS3 uses BLUETOOTH for its remote which means even my universal remote won't work with it. I could probably pair my apple BT keyboard and mouse but I still don't get a remote! And all the IR->BT devices are mad expensive. Lame.

 

[angelneo]

I was planning on hooking my imac up to the TV via DVI-HDMI. I also already have a TivoHD for Netflix and other streaming services. Does the PS3 offer any advantages?

For me, my computer is located in another room away from my living room, so PS3 allows me to stream my media library from all my other computers in my house to the TV, although the interface for selecting hundreds of videos is not optimal but hopefully a future update can change it.

 

[madmaxmedia]

PS3's load Blu-Ray disks much faster than standalone players too, due to the horsepower inside. A PS3 will load a Blu-Ray about as fast as a regular DVD in a DVD player, while I've heard of pretty long load times for standalone Blu-Ray players (30 seconds to a minute or more.)

 

[alexbates]

I would have to agree that the PS3 has a much higher quality than any any other blu-ray player and also loads faster. If you are looking for something at the cheapest level, you can get an Olevia for around $150. I have an Olevia TV at home, and it is great. Its an off-brand, but has good quality.

 

[iVeBeenDrinkin']

Here's a sad bit of irony. The mac remote is infrared (IR) but the PS3 uses BLUETOOTH for its remote which means even my universal remote won't work with it. I could probably pair my apple BT keyboard and mouse but I still don't get a remote! And all the IR->BT devices are mad expensive. Lame.

The dualshock controls the PS3 amazingly well, I see no need for anything else.

 

[merc669]

For me, my computer is located in another room away from my living room, so PS3 allows me to stream my media library from all my other computers in my house to the TV, although the interface for selecting hundreds of videos is not optimal but hopefully a future update can change it.

First off; What everybody has said about the PS3 is correct. Its a great Blu-Ray Player and the ability to play games is an added plus. However, I have a MBP that runs Wireless and a PC Upstairs hardwired to the router. My PS3 can see the PC but cannot play anything (Cannot remember what the error is at the moment (The Folders and Drive are Shared)) and does not even see the MBP (I have DVD/CD and File Sharing ON and the Firewall is set to allow all Incoming). What do I need to enable on both and the PS3 to use the two computers as Media Servers (Audio and Video)? Thanks!

Bill.....

Update; I downloaded a program for the Mac called "Medialink". It appears to be running but my PS3 still does not see it. I can see and modify files on my PC from the Mac but the PS3 does not see anything on my Mac. Kind of lost as to what to do.