Sony PS3 as a DVD Player

[Lake Erie Boater]

I came across the Sony PS3 Slim while trying to find a Blu-Ray player to mate up with a Flat Screen for this years winter upgrade (replacing the TV/VCR). They actually measure smaller in overall size then a typical DVD player and will play Blu-Ray disks in addition to providing a gaming system for those rainy days.

Any thoughts on the pros and cons of using this as a DVD player?

 

[wish2fish]

I heard they are the best blu ray player you can find for the money!

 

[uraldyx]

I have had one for a year now and use it for a DVD/Blu Ray player all the time. At the time I wanted a Blu Ray player and they were the same price. I do play games on it as well. It is every bit as good as my Harmon Kardon DVD player I replaced and rivals any Blu Ray player i have looked at. I have been very happy with it as a gaming unit as well as a DVD/Blu Ray Player.

 

[Four Suns]

There are a few things that you should be concerned about. I bought an Xbox a few years back for the reason of having one unit instead of two (but they supported the HD format and not BluRay).

The first issue is heat. These gaming consoles are essentially a computer system and they spit out A LOT of heat compared to dumbed down consumer electronics. If you plan to put it in a cabinet with it turned on, you'll need to have a way to cool the cabinet. I cooked an Xbox in a home TV cabinet... we have a PS3 now and it gets just as hot.

The other issue is the remote. You'll need to use their remote as a universal IR remote will not work with it. Their remote is based on bluetooth...

 

[uraldyx]

The other issue is the remote. You'll need to use their remote as a universal IR remote will not work with it. Their remote is based on bluetooth...

There is a way around the remote issue, albeit not that cheap. About a year ago, I went to a Logitech Harmony remote ($250 most places, have seen it cheaper) to control everything. It is programmed through your PC and was the only universal remote that I could find that would control my Harmon Kardon receivers as well as the cable box. Over the Christmas break, I found an adapter made by Logitech that will convert the IR to bluetooth. I have been using it for 3 weeks now and it works great. Has complete functionallity for the PS3. Here are the links:

Remote:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Logitec...reen/8631411.p?id=1194051531629&skuId=8631411

Adapter:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Logitec...on+3/9274714.p?id=1218072892306&skuId=9274714

They make a cheaper remote, but not sure if it works with the adapter. Also the adapter will need to be plugged in to a AC outlet to work. Little pricy for the setup, but I use mine at home and replaced all my remotes finally.

 

[Four Suns]

Great link. Thanks.

 

[uraldyx]

Great link. Thanks.

Just glad I could contribute, even if not boat related. I am usually the one taking information from the site, not providing it.

 

[Tonka Boater]

Remote:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Logitec...reen/8631411.p?id=1194051531629&skuId=8631411

Adapter:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Logitec...on+3/9274714.p?id=1218072892306&skuId=9274714

Go with the Harmony 900 if you want to keep your components hidden behind a cabinet. The Harmony One uses IR and the 900 uses RF with repeaters.

I upgraded my old 890 to the new 900 and it's phenomenal -- so simple that my mother in-law can use it and the RF/repeater combo works flawlessly. Best remote you can get in the price range.
.

 

[SeaRay]

One thing that I just learned on our PS3 is that if it is networked it will play media from a PC that has Windows 7 on it.

So, if you have your PS3 wired into the stereo system and you want to listen to music that is on your PC you can play it through the PS3.

It will also play slide shows of pictures and even movies.

I know you can do this with the memory of the PS3 and card readers as well but if you already have a bunch of media on your PC there is no need to copy it.

I thought it was pretty cool, and I just stumbled on it after upgrading our PC to Windows 7.

 

[Jackie J V]

I've been using the PS3 as my DVD/BlueRay player since they first came out. I could never understand why I'd pay the same amount for a plain BlueRay as the PS3 when I could get the gaming (plus I've got teenagers...). Nowadays you can get the player for pretty cheap, but I'd still go for the PS3.

Last year I got a PS3 just for the boat in the spring, unfortunately a month or two before they came out with the slimmer and cheaper version. D'Oh!

This spring, I plan to take out the existing Sony DVD/VCR combo and replace it with a new slim PS3. Gary had a very good point on the heat, which does exist and isn't something that I'd really taken into consideration. I'll need to ponder on a solution for that one. Also causes me to think that the PS3 won't be as efficient of an energy draw when at anchor and running on batteries. Hmmm...

 

[Lake Erie Boater]

Guys,

Thanks for all the useful information. I don't think that heat gain will be a big problem as the area where my TV is currently located has a fairly large open space behind it. Take away the boxy original TV/VCR and replace it with a flat screen and the volume of open space behind it grows even bigger.

Now if I could only find a good deal on one that is actually in stock somewhere.