Birthday gift dillema: To Blu or not to Blu

[neomatrix725]

I'm getting some $$$ for my upcoming birthday. It's coming to around $500. I was wainting long for the format war to be over but now that it is I'm still reluctant to buy a blu ray.
I have a 42" 1080p HDTV. I don't watch movies to often but when I do I like quality. I've been wondering what I could spend the $$ on and while the PS3, the Panny BD30k, and the SOny 350 seem like workable options, I'm still not sure if it's worth spending that much. I can definitly find other uses for the $$ (can't we all) like getting new headphones or a high def reciever like the Onkyo.

Would it be wiser to wait for blu ray to go down SIGNIFICANTLY or purchase one now for my bday?

P.S. While HD is awesome, it doesn't have the same effect DVD had when it first came out. DVD was a revolution for Home Video. Where's Blu ray is evolution. I can still use my upconverting Sony.

[Centauri]

You strike me as the kind of person that the Insignia/Magnavox/Sylvania Blu-ray player is intended for. (Same manufacture of player, different branding)

They're available for $299 from Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Amazon/NewEgg, respectively. It is a solidly performing, and surprisingly well built player by all accounts and should satisfy the needs of anybody who is not ready to gorge on high-def.

The Samsung 1500 also isn't a bad bet at between $350 and $400.

[usckid]

Depends on how badly you want the blu ray experience. $300-500 isn't throw away money.

I didn't get a PS3 until I was able to get a $100 Walmart gift card AND $100 off using a Sony Credit card. Probably would have waited if it wasn't both promotions together.

I honestly get more use out of my Onkyo receiver so it just depends on what you consider the higher need (or want).

[Yog-Sothoth]

The PS3 is by far the fastest-loading BD player, and you can stream music and videos to it and view pictures (I used to use my Xbox 360 for that, but I like the PS3 better). It even plays games as a bonus.

I can definitly find other uses for the $$ (can't we all) like getting new headphones or a high def reciever like the Onkyo.

A new Onkyo receiver would be a waste if you had no HD audio to feed it, unless of course you have no receiver at all.

[dac_fan]

The PS3 with Sony gift card is the way to go, also you should do something nice for your mom and maybe she'll give you some more money and you can get a blu player and an Onkyo.

[ack_bak]

If you have waited this long, I suggest waiting a few more months for holiday sales to kick in. As Centauri mentioned, you will most likely be able to pick up a Funai based player (Insignia, Magnavox, Sylvania, etc) for under $200 this holiday season. No need to spend $400 or more.

[arrowspark]

Originally Posted by neomatrix725

I'm getting some $$$ for my upcoming birthday. It's coming to around $500. I was wainting long for the format war to be over but now that it is I'm still reluctant to buy a blu ray.
I have a 42" 1080p HDTV. I don't watch movies to often but when I do I like quality. I've been wondering what I could spend the $$ on and while the PS3, the Panny BD30k, and the SOny 350 seem like workable options, I'm still not sure if it's worth spending that much. I can definitly find other uses for the $$ (can't we all) like getting new headphones or a high def reciever like the Onkyo.

Would it be wiser to wait for blu ray to go down SIGNIFICANTLY or purchase one now for my bday?

P.S. While HD is awesome, it doesn't have the same effect DVD had when it first came out. DVD was a revolution for Home Video. Where's Blu ray is evolution. I can still use my upconverting Sony.

$500 goes a long way towards a digital SLR camera or HD camcorder if you are looking for alternatives to a bluray player. A large 24" LCD monitor or bigger is also a possibility. The list goes on, GPS, iphone, video card.....