wrote:

Sounds like those $39 conventional DVD players.........

That much?

the local pawn shop has 'em for 15 bucks all day!

?;^)

On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 07:20:20 -0800 (PST), Tim wrote:



wrote:

Sounds like those $39 conventional DVD players.........

That much?

the local pawn shop has 'em for 15 bucks all day!

?;^)

LOL!

You should go buy a bunch and sell them on ebay! Hell, you might make two
dollars and seventy three cents!
--
John H

wrote in message
...
On Jan 30, 10:43 pm, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Steve" wrote in message

...

On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:24:25 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:

If you want a BluRay player, I'm curious why someone would buy a
BluRay player other than a PS3 for $399? The PS3 works great as a
BluRay player. It's not slow, doesn't cut out, doesn't have *any* of
the problems you mentioned above and uses a very fast microprocessor.
By far, the very fastest available in any home computer actually.

And as a bonus, besides watching BluRay discs, you can play PS2 or PS3
games and (if you plug in a USB keyboard and mouse) even use it as a
general purpose computer running Linux. It's the best deal going in
home entertainment if you ask me.

Steve

I didn't know PS3 played Blu-Ray until after I had purchased the disk
players, mentioned the issues to my daughter and she informed me about PS3
which she has for her two boys. I have no interest in video games, so it
didn't occur to me to even check them out. Except .... due to the
discussion, she let me borrow their "Wii" system. What a blast!
You hold a controller in your hand and physically go through the motions
of
bowling or swinging a baseball bat, golf club, tennis racket, etc. I got a
kick out of it.

Back to Blue-Ray. Does the Playstation 3 also play regular DVDs and CDs?
Also, my daughter said it had operational issues similar to those I've
experienced with the Sharp and Sony players when playing a Blu-Ray disk.
I know the Blu-Ray disks hold a huge amount of data compared to regular
DVD.
I wonder if finding, reading and displaying the data is the reason for
it's
slow motionness.

Another expensive lesson learned, although once they are playing, the
picture quality is outstanding.

Eisboch

Have Guitar Hero for PS3 for my kids. Seeing how I play guitar, I
didn't think I'd like it, because it's not really like playing for
real, but what a blast! EVERYBODY that goes down to the gameroom and
tries it is addicted! Last Saturday, I was in my brewhouse getting
ready to make a batch of ale and my friend came in and kept trying to
hurry me so we could play!

My son has that game. Caught him bringing in the 'drum set' to go along
with the guitar and microphone .
Next thing I knew he had three friends down there 'playing' and singing
along. Maybe if I heard some 60s music it wouldn't be too bad.

John H. wrote:
On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:24:56 -0500, HK wrote:

Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:24:25 -0500, Eisboch wrote:


Unlike a conventional DVD player, the Blu-Ray players are basically
controlled by an internal and v-e-r-y slow microprocessor.
Running Java, I believe. I'm guessing that sluggishness might be DRM
related. The Blu-Ray standard requires the software to do a lot more
than just play the movie.
So...I should wait a while before buying a Blu-Ray player and another
restored copy of Casablanca in black and white?

I would. I can't believe people can tolerate technology that has bugs and
problems. I was reading the manuals last night and you are supposed to log
on to the manufacturer's websites and download firmware updates from time to
time. That's too much. If it doesn't work as advertised out of the box, I
have little use for it.

I re-hooked up the regular, $99 dollar DVD/CD player to my system. The amp
does an "upscaling" of the video image and, although not high definition, it
looks fine on most regular DVD's.

Now, what the heck do I do with all the free Blu-Ray disks that are supposed
to be sent? (I also bought another 46" LCD HD television and between it
and two Blu-Ray players, I have 15 free movies coming plus got a $300
rebate ... $200 at time of sale and another $100 when I send all the
paperwork in.)

I'll keep the Blu-Ray systems, but will also keep the old player hooked up.

Eisboch



Well.

I don't mind downloading updates from time to time. Hell, I do it all
the time with Windoze, and I've already downloaded two software updates
for my Garmin 4208 and various other electronic devices.

My real problem with buying yet another device to play programming on a
TV set is that the programming itself is so ****-poor. That's why I
mentioned Casablanca, of course. The "restored" B&W version of that
classic is gorgeous, but it isn't even wide screen. :)

Like most folks, we have a couple of hundred moves on DVD. We watch very
few of them more than a couple of times, and I would state without
equivocation that at leat 95% of the new movies coming out these days
are absolute crap, not worthy of watching. Of the ones that are, very
few I have seen incorporate any sort of visual effects that would take
advantage of what I see on the Blu-Ray displays at the video stores.

I'm certainly not anti-technology, but I'd want to see some really good
programming available that I'd want to watch a few times before blowing
cash on Blu-Ray hardware.

Damn, I feel horrible. We've got about ten movies, mostly Disney stuff for
the grandkids and a few Christmas presents.

Why would anyone buy a couple hundred movies on DVD?

Anyone?

That is why God invented Netflix.

On Jan 31, 10:15*am, John H. wrote:
On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:24:56 -0500, HK wrote:
Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:24:25 -0500, Eisboch wrote:

Unlike a conventional DVD player, the Blu-Ray players are basically
controlled by an internal and v-e-r-y slow microprocessor.
Running Java, I believe. *I'm guessing that sluggishness might be DRM
related. *The Blu-Ray standard requires the software to do a lot more
than just play the movie.

So...I should wait a while before buying a Blu-Ray player and another
restored copy of Casablanca in black and white?

I would. *I can't believe people can tolerate technology that has bugs and
problems. *I was reading the manuals last night and you are supposed to log
on to the manufacturer's websites and download firmware updates from time to
time. *That's too much. *If it doesn't work as advertised out of the box, I
have little use for it.

I re-hooked up the regular, $99 dollar DVD/CD player to my system. *The amp
does an "upscaling" of the video image and, although not high definition, it
looks fine on most regular DVD's.

Now, what the heck do I do with all the free Blu-Ray disks that are supposed
to be sent? *(I also bought another 46" LCD *HD television and between it
and two Blu-Ray players, I have 15 free movies *coming plus got a $300
rebate ... $200 at time of sale and another $100 when I send all the
paperwork in.)

I'll keep the Blu-Ray systems, but will also keep the old player hooked up.

Eisboch

Well.

I don't mind downloading updates from time to time. Hell, I do it all
the time with Windoze, and I've already downloaded two software updates
for my Garmin 4208 and various other electronic devices.

My real problem with buying yet another device to play programming on a
TV set is that the programming itself is so ****-poor. That's why I
mentioned Casablanca, of course. The "restored" B&W version of that
classic is gorgeous, but it isn't even wide screen. :)

Like most folks, we have a couple of hundred moves on DVD. We watch very
*few of them more than a couple of times, and I would state without
equivocation that at leat 95% of the new movies coming out these days
are absolute crap, not worthy of watching. Of the ones that are, very
few I have seen incorporate any sort of visual effects that would take
advantage of what I see on the Blu-Ray displays at the video stores.

I'm certainly not anti-technology, but I'd want to see some really good
programming available that I'd want to watch a few times before blowing
cash on Blu-Ray hardware.

Damn, I feel horrible. We've got about ten movies, mostly Disney stuff for
the grandkids and a few Christmas presents.

Why would anyone buy a couple hundred movies on DVD?

Anyone?
--
John H- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Oh, you know, John, same old ****, different day! Harry has the best
of everything!
What I can't figure out, is how Harry amassed such a collection,
seeing how his taste is SO much better than anyone else, he wouldn't
possibly stoop to watching common folks' movies.....

On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:28:35 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is
Here wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:24:56 -0500, HK wrote:

Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:24:25 -0500, Eisboch wrote:


Unlike a conventional DVD player, the Blu-Ray players are basically
controlled by an internal and v-e-r-y slow microprocessor.
Running Java, I believe. I'm guessing that sluggishness might be DRM
related. The Blu-Ray standard requires the software to do a lot more
than just play the movie.
So...I should wait a while before buying a Blu-Ray player and another
restored copy of Casablanca in black and white?

I would. I can't believe people can tolerate technology that has bugs and
problems. I was reading the manuals last night and you are supposed to log
on to the manufacturer's websites and download firmware updates from time to
time. That's too much. If it doesn't work as advertised out of the box, I
have little use for it.

I re-hooked up the regular, $99 dollar DVD/CD player to my system. The amp
does an "upscaling" of the video image and, although not high definition, it
looks fine on most regular DVD's.

Now, what the heck do I do with all the free Blu-Ray disks that are supposed
to be sent? (I also bought another 46" LCD HD television and between it
and two Blu-Ray players, I have 15 free movies coming plus got a $300
rebate ... $200 at time of sale and another $100 when I send all the
paperwork in.)

I'll keep the Blu-Ray systems, but will also keep the old player hooked up.

Eisboch



Well.

I don't mind downloading updates from time to time. Hell, I do it all
the time with Windoze, and I've already downloaded two software updates
for my Garmin 4208 and various other electronic devices.

My real problem with buying yet another device to play programming on a
TV set is that the programming itself is so ****-poor. That's why I
mentioned Casablanca, of course. The "restored" B&W version of that
classic is gorgeous, but it isn't even wide screen. :)

Like most folks, we have a couple of hundred moves on DVD. We watch very
few of them more than a couple of times, and I would state without
equivocation that at leat 95% of the new movies coming out these days
are absolute crap, not worthy of watching. Of the ones that are, very
few I have seen incorporate any sort of visual effects that would take
advantage of what I see on the Blu-Ray displays at the video stores.

I'm certainly not anti-technology, but I'd want to see some really good
programming available that I'd want to watch a few times before blowing
cash on Blu-Ray hardware.

Damn, I feel horrible. We've got about ten movies, mostly Disney stuff for
the grandkids and a few Christmas presents.

Why would anyone buy a couple hundred movies on DVD?

Anyone?

That is why God invented Netflix.

We use the Blockbuster's version, which is a good deal for us 'cause
there's a Bb about three blocks away. I guess if I were going to Madagascar
for twelve years, I might buy a couple hundred movies to take along.


--
John H

John H. wrote:
On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:28:35 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is
Here wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:24:56 -0500, HK wrote:

Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:24:25 -0500, Eisboch wrote:


Unlike a conventional DVD player, the Blu-Ray players are basically
controlled by an internal and v-e-r-y slow microprocessor.
Running Java, I believe. I'm guessing that sluggishness might be DRM
related. The Blu-Ray standard requires the software to do a lot more
than just play the movie.
So...I should wait a while before buying a Blu-Ray player and another
restored copy of Casablanca in black and white?
I would. I can't believe people can tolerate technology that has bugs and
problems. I was reading the manuals last night and you are supposed to log
on to the manufacturer's websites and download firmware updates from time to
time. That's too much. If it doesn't work as advertised out of the box, I
have little use for it.

I re-hooked up the regular, $99 dollar DVD/CD player to my system. The amp
does an "upscaling" of the video image and, although not high definition, it
looks fine on most regular DVD's.

Now, what the heck do I do with all the free Blu-Ray disks that are supposed
to be sent? (I also bought another 46" LCD HD television and between it
and two Blu-Ray players, I have 15 free movies coming plus got a $300
rebate ... $200 at time of sale and another $100 when I send all the
paperwork in.)

I'll keep the Blu-Ray systems, but will also keep the old player hooked up.

Eisboch


Well.

I don't mind downloading updates from time to time. Hell, I do it all
the time with Windoze, and I've already downloaded two software updates
for my Garmin 4208 and various other electronic devices.

My real problem with buying yet another device to play programming on a
TV set is that the programming itself is so ****-poor. That's why I
mentioned Casablanca, of course. The "restored" B&W version of that
classic is gorgeous, but it isn't even wide screen. :)

Like most folks, we have a couple of hundred moves on DVD. We watch very
few of them more than a couple of times, and I would state without
equivocation that at leat 95% of the new movies coming out these days
are absolute crap, not worthy of watching. Of the ones that are, very
few I have seen incorporate any sort of visual effects that would take
advantage of what I see on the Blu-Ray displays at the video stores.

I'm certainly not anti-technology, but I'd want to see some really good
programming available that I'd want to watch a few times before blowing
cash on Blu-Ray hardware.
Damn, I feel horrible. We've got about ten movies, mostly Disney stuff for
the grandkids and a few Christmas presents.

Why would anyone buy a couple hundred movies on DVD?

Anyone?
That is why God invented Netflix.

We use the Blockbuster's version, which is a good deal for us 'cause
there's a Bb about three blocks away. I guess if I were going to Madagascar
for twelve years, I might buy a couple hundred movies to take along.



I stopped using Blockbuster when they wanted to charge me a late fee,
when I returned the movie at 12:05. I was 5 min. late and they wanted
to charged me double the rental fee for 5 days.

On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:40:26 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is
Here wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:28:35 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is
Here wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:24:56 -0500, HK wrote:

Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:24:25 -0500, Eisboch wrote:


Unlike a conventional DVD player, the Blu-Ray players are basically
controlled by an internal and v-e-r-y slow microprocessor.
Running Java, I believe. I'm guessing that sluggishness might be DRM
related. The Blu-Ray standard requires the software to do a lot more
than just play the movie.
So...I should wait a while before buying a Blu-Ray player and another
restored copy of Casablanca in black and white?
I would. I can't believe people can tolerate technology that has bugs and
problems. I was reading the manuals last night and you are supposed to log
on to the manufacturer's websites and download firmware updates from time to
time. That's too much. If it doesn't work as advertised out of the box, I
have little use for it.

I re-hooked up the regular, $99 dollar DVD/CD player to my system. The amp
does an "upscaling" of the video image and, although not high definition, it
looks fine on most regular DVD's.

Now, what the heck do I do with all the free Blu-Ray disks that are supposed
to be sent? (I also bought another 46" LCD HD television and between it
and two Blu-Ray players, I have 15 free movies coming plus got a $300
rebate ... $200 at time of sale and another $100 when I send all the
paperwork in.)

I'll keep the Blu-Ray systems, but will also keep the old player hooked up.

Eisboch


Well.

I don't mind downloading updates from time to time. Hell, I do it all
the time with Windoze, and I've already downloaded two software updates
for my Garmin 4208 and various other electronic devices.

My real problem with buying yet another device to play programming on a
TV set is that the programming itself is so ****-poor. That's why I
mentioned Casablanca, of course. The "restored" B&W version of that
classic is gorgeous, but it isn't even wide screen. :)

Like most folks, we have a couple of hundred moves on DVD. We watch very
few of them more than a couple of times, and I would state without
equivocation that at leat 95% of the new movies coming out these days
are absolute crap, not worthy of watching. Of the ones that are, very
few I have seen incorporate any sort of visual effects that would take
advantage of what I see on the Blu-Ray displays at the video stores.

I'm certainly not anti-technology, but I'd want to see some really good
programming available that I'd want to watch a few times before blowing
cash on Blu-Ray hardware.
Damn, I feel horrible. We've got about ten movies, mostly Disney stuff for
the grandkids and a few Christmas presents.

Why would anyone buy a couple hundred movies on DVD?

Anyone?
That is why God invented Netflix.

We use the Blockbuster's version, which is a good deal for us 'cause
there's a Bb about three blocks away. I guess if I were going to Madagascar
for twelve years, I might buy a couple hundred movies to take along.



I stopped using Blockbuster when they wanted to charge me a late fee,
when I returned the movie at 12:05. I was 5 min. late and they wanted
to charged me double the rental fee for 5 days.

They stopped that.
--
John H

"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
...
Plus the whole bluray verses hd thing is sort of like the beta verse vhs.
As I remember beta, even though the superior format, lost out to vhs. And
beta was another one of sony's ideas. I'm waiting for signs of a victor
in this war before buying a high res dvd player. I think a lot of people
are as well and that's why the acceptance has been slow.

"JimH" wrote in message
...

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Steve" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:24:25 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:


If you want a BluRay player, I'm curious why someone would buy a
BluRay player other than a PS3 for $399? The PS3 works great as a
BluRay player. It's not slow, doesn't cut out, doesn't have *any* of
the problems you mentioned above and uses a very fast microprocessor.
By far, the very fastest available in any home computer actually.

And as a bonus, besides watching BluRay discs, you can play PS2 or PS3
games and (if you plug in a USB keyboard and mouse) even use it as a
general purpose computer running Linux. It's the best deal going in
home entertainment if you ask me.

Steve

I didn't know PS3 played Blu-Ray until after I had purchased the disk
players, mentioned the issues to my daughter and she informed me about
PS3 which she has for her two boys. I have no interest in video games,
so it didn't occur to me to even check them out. Except .... due to
the discussion, she let me borrow their "Wii" system. What a blast!
You hold a controller in your hand and physically go through the motions
of bowling or swinging a baseball bat, golf club, tennis racket, etc.
I got a kick out of it.

Back to Blue-Ray. Does the Playstation 3 also play regular DVDs and
CDs?

Yes.


Also, my daughter said it had operational issues similar to those I've
experienced with the Sharp and Sony players when playing a Blu-Ray disk.
I know the Blu-Ray disks hold a huge amount of data compared to regular
DVD. I wonder if finding, reading and displaying the data is the reason
for it's slow motionness.

Another expensive lesson learned, although once they are playing, the
picture quality is outstanding.

Eisboch


The 80gb PS3 is being phased out, leaving only the 40gb unit. If you
are planning to buy and 80gb you better do it soon.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,14...s/article.html




Beta lost out because Sony wanted to control the industry and demanded too
much for use of the patents.

"John H." wrote in message
...
On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:40:26 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is
Here wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:28:35 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie
is
Here wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:24:56 -0500, HK wrote:

Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:24:25 -0500, Eisboch wrote:


Unlike a conventional DVD player, the Blu-Ray players are
basically
controlled by an internal and v-e-r-y slow microprocessor.
Running Java, I believe. I'm guessing that sluggishness might be
DRM
related. The Blu-Ray standard requires the software to do a lot
more
than just play the movie.
So...I should wait a while before buying a Blu-Ray player and
another
restored copy of Casablanca in black and white?
I would. I can't believe people can tolerate technology that has
bugs and
problems. I was reading the manuals last night and you are supposed
to log
on to the manufacturer's websites and download firmware updates from
time to
time. That's too much. If it doesn't work as advertised out of the
box, I
have little use for it.

I re-hooked up the regular, $99 dollar DVD/CD player to my system.
The amp
does an "upscaling" of the video image and, although not high
definition, it
looks fine on most regular DVD's.

Now, what the heck do I do with all the free Blu-Ray disks that are
supposed
to be sent? (I also bought another 46" LCD HD television and
between it
and two Blu-Ray players, I have 15 free movies coming plus got a
$300
rebate ... $200 at time of sale and another $100 when I send all the
paperwork in.)

I'll keep the Blu-Ray systems, but will also keep the old player
hooked up.

Eisboch


Well.

I don't mind downloading updates from time to time. Hell, I do it all
the time with Windoze, and I've already downloaded two software
updates
for my Garmin 4208 and various other electronic devices.

My real problem with buying yet another device to play programming on
a
TV set is that the programming itself is so ****-poor. That's why I
mentioned Casablanca, of course. The "restored" B&W version of that
classic is gorgeous, but it isn't even wide screen. :)

Like most folks, we have a couple of hundred moves on DVD. We watch
very
few of them more than a couple of times, and I would state without
equivocation that at leat 95% of the new movies coming out these days
are absolute crap, not worthy of watching. Of the ones that are, very
few I have seen incorporate any sort of visual effects that would
take
advantage of what I see on the Blu-Ray displays at the video stores.

I'm certainly not anti-technology, but I'd want to see some really
good
programming available that I'd want to watch a few times before
blowing
cash on Blu-Ray hardware.
Damn, I feel horrible. We've got about ten movies, mostly Disney stuff
for
the grandkids and a few Christmas presents.

Why would anyone buy a couple hundred movies on DVD?

Anyone?
That is why God invented Netflix.

We use the Blockbuster's version, which is a good deal for us 'cause
there's a Bb about three blocks away. I guess if I were going to
Madagascar
for twelve years, I might buy a couple hundred movies to take along.



I stopped using Blockbuster when they wanted to charge me a late fee,
when I returned the movie at 12:05. I was 5 min. late and they wanted
to charged me double the rental fee for 5 days.

They stopped that.
--
John H

Yup, they did, but they also lost a lot of customers forever.