Anyone have Blu-Ray Player Suggestions?

[tishaLA]

Here's the deal: I'm trying to cut back on expenses, so I'm getting rid of cable (or at least scaling back significantly, to basic cable and no DVR), but I'm going to keep my cable internet connection.

I'm thinking the best thing to do is to get a Blu-Ray for streaming capabilities, but I'm not sure whether to get one with wifi built in, wifi enabled, or what. I plan to subscribe to Netflix and possibly Hulu Plus, but I'll also be able to stream some stuff (illegally) via the internet connection.

The other possibilities I have thought about are Roku and PS3 (although I have no intention of ever playing video games, I've heard that the streaming capabilities are great).

Any suggestions?

[LynneSin]

1. I like my samsung - I have wireless on it

The really cheap Blue-Ray usually do not have wireless.

[Ohio Joe]

2. I love my PS3

Works great with both blu ray and DVD's and the streaming is also flawless.

[tishaLA]

3. Do you game much? Would it be worth it to buy one

if I didn't plan to game? (I say this, of course, knowing that if I did buy one, I'd go get some horrible game and sit there for hours cursing at it whenever I fucked up)

[Ohio Joe]

5. I do game a lot

You can see my various reviews in the gaming forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=248

Anything for a shameless plug :D

[CBGLuthier]

4. PS3

I have Roku and the PS3. I love the Roku, having used it for over two years now, and it is an incredible value worth having in its own right. You can get great audio services and great pretty good video services. Amazon is available on the Roku and not the PS3. We use it for that just plain have to see stuff like the upcoming season of Breaking Bad.

But the PS3 is a great BD player and seems to do a fair job of up-scaling for DVDs and lower quality streams. Its Netflix interface is a little bit snappier than the Roku's. Its Hulu+ interface is much smoother. We use Hulu+ for The Daily SHow, Colbert Report and over 500 Criterion films.

Also Vudu is available on the PS3 and not the Roku. Vudu claims to have the highest quality HD available in streaming. Currently they are pay as you go, with a daily 99 cent movie, but there are rumors they could go to a subscription model.

There are not near as many streaming options on the PS3 at this time as the Roku offers.


Games are fun too. Currently my wife and I spend a little spare time mowing down zombies in Dead Nation, one of the games Sony gave away as compensation for their recent outage.

[Dappleganger]

6. We have several solutions...

the kids use the PS3 all the time, which also plays blu-rays/dvd's and streams Netflix and Youtube. IMO that's the best all-around solution.

We also have the cheapest, wireless blu-ray player by Insignia (Best Buy's house brand) and have had no problems with it (two years old, is used all the time). It also streams Netflix. We paid $80 for that on sale.

We have a couple of Roku boxes for streaming Netflix to kids' tv's as well as their other channels. We also have the old Apple TV to stream movies off my laptop and music.

[DainBramaged]

7. Just hook your PC up to your TV and stream Netflix

That's what I did. It has an HDMI out so I plugged a cable between the two and voila, streaming Internets.....and at night I do DU from it with a wireless keyboard in bed.