Any opinions on the PS3 as a blu-ray disc player? I don't do much gaming, but I'd probably run f@h on it. Looks like I'd probably want to buy the remote for using it as a BD player. Looks like the BD player remote is an extra at less than $25.

I don't see any obvious reason to buy the more expensive version. Apparently the only differences between the current 40G model and the current 80G model are $100, 2 extra USB ports on the 80G model, some sort of sw emulation for PS2 games on the 80G model, the title the console comes with, and the hard drive size. The hard drive is upgradable, so I don't think that's an issue. I don't have any existing PS1 or PS2 games, so the sw emulation isn't an issue for me. Did I miss anything else? Is it the same version of the cell processor?

Does it run quietly and cool so I could leave it on all the time and next to my bedroom flat panel? How about when running f@h?

How does it perform as a BD player? That would be my principle use.

Thanks,
David

It's quiet, especially compared to my Xbox 360 and ViP622.

Then again, this is probably what I really want for a BD player. It's the type of thing I've been waiting for:

http://hdguru.com/exclusive-first-re...vd-player/184/

It's listed for pre-order for $799 at the usual e-tailers.

Yes, I know about the LG player. It's not that great from what I've read.

Using it as BD player and to do F@H, I would go for the cheapest model you can find. Maybe consider buying a refurbished model. Save a few more dollars and you can get extended warranty.

PS3 is one of the best BD player out there. I have 3 in the house, as a matter of fact.

BTW, it is selling for $399 right now at Best Buy, plus a bonus Spiderman 3 BD and 7 more BDs, I think (5 of which via mail).

I've been using the ps3 for nearly a year now as a BD player. works great, and it is DAMB fast when it comes to playback, FF, RW, stop, skip, pause, eject, etc. I have also had a BD-S1 since last year, which is also great, but was 2.5x the price (of course I didn't PAY that) but it was slow, very unresponsive and by now the PS3 has totally caught up with it from a performance, audio and video standpoint.

I would get the 20gb, or 40gb, model, didnt really need the 60gb, and it IS a premium I think of about 100$, CRAZY money for just 20GB more? It DID have some extra features now that I think about it, but I do not recall what they were.

HDMI out, and with the remote (you HAVE to buy their remote since it is bluetooth, but the controllers work just fine and give a bit of a ghetto feel)

The nice thing about it is, it is ALSO a great game player and I use it sometimes in the LR to stream video to, ripped dvds to and browse email and stuff on the internet.

The 60gb unit includes WiFi. You can get an external dongle if you like. IMO buy the cheapest you can and roll on. Unless you're going to be playing PS2 games it doesn't really matter.

Thanks everybody.

The current models are the 40G model ($399) and the 80G model ($499). The 80G model has a couple of features removed from the 40G model. Both models have wifi.

nmenaker, thanks for answering my original question in detail.

-David