2.0, BD-live, and BD player question

[y1154]

So my family is finally hoping on the HD bandwagon and I am starting to look at blu-ray players. Now, honestly I never heard of BD-live or blu-ray 2.0 until a couple of days ago and I'm still a little fuzzy on these two things. Is BD-live just the ability to download new extras for a movie? Is it actually major thing or is it more of a nice extra? New for 2.0, if I get a player now that does not support 2.0, does that mean that the player cannot play the disc or it can paly the disc but not look at the online stuff?
Now for the blu-ray players, I was looking at Panasonic BD30 which everyone seems to like. The only problems I have read is that it does not support some audio stuff that I really don't understand much of..... any way, should I hold out on this and wait for BD50? Oh, and are you able to get the BD30 for under $400 now somewhere?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for considering my questions.

[someonehs]

BD-Live = BD2.0 = online extras, which could be anything really... up to your imagination

I'd say its a "nice to have" you will still be able to play movies and the majority of the extras if your player is 1.0 (basic profile) or 1.1 (supports pip kinda thing)

If you are looking to spend under $400, the ps3 is easily the best value... by far.. even if you are not a gamer. Does everything a regular blu-ray player does, plus is a media center, plays games, etc. It is frequently upgraded, so you are always getting new features with it. I'm not a big gamer at all, I own rockband/resistance fall of man(free w/ system). And think its a great value.

If you buy the 40gig version off of sony website and sign up for their credit card at the same time you can get 100 off (normally $399, you can get it for $299, us only)

[y1154]

I was thinking of a playstation 3, but I already have an xbox 360 so I dont really need a new gaming system. Would only use if for the blu-ray. Plus I have heard of some picture isues on the playstation with fast moving shots... not sure if true. You guys know of a store like target or Best Buy that sells the BD30 for under 500 by any chance?? I know the playstation is cheaper but I have been leaning to a stand alone player.

[themisfit138]

All I use my PS3 for is Blu-ray. I use to own a Samsung BD-UP5000 but it wouldn't play half of the BDs that I owned, so I got a refund and bought a PS3. I figured since Blu-ray was a Sony product the PS3 wouldn't have this problem, and it was cheaper than a stand alone player.

[CptJSparrah]

Would only use if for the blu-ray. Plus I have heard of some picture isues on the playstation with fast moving shots... not sure if true. You guys know of a store like target or Best Buy that sells the BD30 for under 500 by any chance?? I know the playstation is cheaper but I have been leaning to a stand alone player.

I use my 60gig PS3 mainly as a Blu-Ray player and I've never had any picture issues with fast moving shots. Also there's very little difference (if any?) in picture quality between the PS3 & the BD30.

As it's been stated many times before the PS3 can't decode DTS HD-MA as of yet.

[snakeyez49]

I have a 360 and a PS3....I use the PS3 for blu-ray exclusively, and it's fantastic. It's easily the best blu-ray player for the money out there right now, simply because it's future-proof with its ability to be updated constantly.

[ironorr]

So my family is finally hoping on the HD bandwagon and I am starting to look at blu-ray players. Now, honestly I never heard of BD-live or blu-ray 2.0 until a couple of days ago and I'm still a little fuzzy on these two things. Is BD-live just the ability to download new extras for a movie? Is it actually major thing or is it more of a nice extra? New for 2.0, if I get a player now that does not support 2.0, does that mean that the player cannot play the disc or it can paly the disc but not look at the online stuff?
Now for the blu-ray players, I was looking at Panasonic BD30 which everyone seems to like. The only problems I have read is that it does not support some audio stuff that I really don't understand much of..... any way, should I hold out on this and wait for BD50? Oh, and are you able to get the BD30 for under $400 now somewhere?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for considering my questions.

How important is audio to you? Do you have a good surround sound system? Does your receiver have HDMI and the ability to decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio?

The BD-30 is able to send all the high definition audio formats to a receiver through HDMI so that the receiver can decode and play them. However, the BD-30 isn't able to decode those audio formats itself and send them through the 5.1 analog outputs. However, if you are perfectly happy with regular Dolby Digital 5.1 and audio isn't a big deal to you, then this shouldn't concern you.

As far as the BD-30 being profile 1.1 and not 2.0, this only means that you wouldn't be able to access the online stuff. You'll still be able to play any Blu-ray movie.

[JAC35]

As far as the BD-Live / Profile 2.0 stuff goes, imagine getting a brand new Blu-ray of your fav movie you watch it many times. Then one day you decide to check out the special features on the disc. Would you be ok with clicking on an on-line feature and having a message come up that this feature won't work on your player? If you are O.K with that, then a profile 2.0 player is probably not that important.

The PS3 also won't be compatible with your universal remote as it uses Bluetooth for remote control.

[Ashamed Pegasus]

The PS3 also won't be compatible with your universal remote as it uses Bluetooth for remote control.

True, but for $10 a Nyko USB dongle will fix that, allowing the PS3 to work with nearly every universal remote out there...

As far as not using it for games because you have a 360, don't let that stop you from buying it... You can do a lot more than just games and movies on the PS3...