Need advice on wifi Blue Ray player

[Drdogface]

Gonna likely try Netflix so I need a Blue Ray player with wifi or so it seems. There's a lot out there so I go to the well once again for the input of the more experienced in this field.
It is rumored that Netflix will ditch the DVD mail part and go to streaming only. Too bad if true, but streaming is cheaper and easier for me anyway.

Which ones do you all like ?

[Gordo2]

I started into Netflix using my son's X-Box 360 (built in wifi).

The X-Box has a Netflix interface (Netflix window that displays on your TV to let you select movies) that allows you to search for movies and assign them to your queue (line up of movies you want to watch). I assumed that the Netflix interface was pretty standard between the X-Box and Blu-Ray players - but was wrong.

I recently bought a Sony BDP-5570 Blu-Ray player that has built in wireless N. I was immediately disappointed with Netflix user interface. It only lets you watch movies that you add to your Netflix queue from your computer, and did not have any features to allow you to search for movies from the TV/Blu-Ray player.

I researched Blu-Ray Netflix interfaces, and found that most provide limited Netflix functionality similar to what I have with the Sony.

Outside of that, I'm good with the Sony.

If I were to do it again, I would probably take a serious look at the Sony Playstation 3 - built in Blu-Ray and wireless in addition to being an excellent gaming system. Quite a bit more $ than most Blu-Ray players - but worth it if you or your family enjoys games.

Gordo

[Neilk]

I am happy with my Apple TV... only $99 and let's you watch Netflix and surf Youtube as well. Some people say that it is limited to 720P, but other say that Netflix doesn't do true 1080P any way. So check that one out if you already have a Blu-ray player.

[Mericet]

Another vote for the PS3 here. And the Netflix interface on it does allow you to search for movies.

[Super_Dave_D]

Apple TV would be perfect for your needs.

[Drdogface]

Would like to afford a PS3 but not in the cards right now. My DVD player did just died so my thought was to replace with a wifi Blue Ray. We could take our Mac Book down to the TV room to choose movies, I guess. Apple TV looks like the ticket but I gotta see if my TV has the right cable input.

Thanks for all the ideas...

[MH911]

+1 on the Apple TV. I love mine.

[Drdogface]

I went to the Apple site to check it out. Seems it connects with an HDMI cable so I looked at that. Then looked on the back of my TV and see nothing similar. My TV is a Panasonic HD TV from about 2005 so I would have expected it to be able to use this...now I'm not real sure. Am I missing some info here ?

Edit: Ooops...better check the back of my DTV box too... Yep..there it be

[Jandrews]

Can PS3 stream iTunes wirelessly from a computer to A/V Reciever? If so, that is the ultimate answer for me, as it seems that would be the only component that does ALL THREE of these capabilities:

1) Stream Netflix
2) Play Blu-Ray Discs
3) Stream music (and video?) from a computer's hard-drive to A/V

Can someone confirm that PS3 can do #3 above?

Thanks,

JA

[MH911]

I don't know about the PS3 streaming iTunes, but the Apple TV can stream music, movies and photo's from your computer via iTunes to your AVR. Also can stream same content directly from your iPhone or Touch to your AVR via the Apple TV.

[Jandrews]

Yep, Apple TV is perfect for that. Just wondering if there was ONE component that would do all of those things. Sorry if this is a hijack.

JA

[Drdogface]

Not a hijack...right on topic. I just ordered it from Apple. Most people don't seem to like the HDMI cable from Apple so I'll get one at Radio Shack.

Edit: Radio Shack (at least my local one) was way expensive so I ordered from Amazon.

[AirKuhl]

Originally Posted by Jandrews

Can PS3 stream iTunes wirelessly from a computer to A/V Reciever? If so, that is the ultimate answer for me, as it seems that would be the only component that does ALL THREE of these capabilities:

1) Stream Netflix
2) Play Blu-Ray Discs
3) Stream music (and video?) from a computer's hard-drive to A/V

Can someone confirm that PS3 can do #3 above?

Thanks,

JA

Yes, I can confirm #3, I do it all the time. I use WMP not iTunes though, so not sure about the iTunes thing.

Of course, it does a lot of other stuff as well, aside from the obvious gaming, it'll stream movies and photo slideshows from your computer, youtube, etc. It has video editing and uploading capabilities too, but I haven't tried those yet.

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by Drdogface

Not a hijack...right on topic. I just ordered it from Apple. Most people don't seem to like the HDMI cable from Apple so I'll get one at Radio Shack.

Just order a handful from Monoprice.com. They are about $3 each plus shipping.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Jandrews

3) Stream music (and video?) from a computer's hard-drive to A/V

Can someone confirm that PS3 can do #3 above?

Thanks,

JA

Yep like Pete mentioned, the PS3 can stream audio and video (multiple formats) from any capable PC/laptop/network via (encrypted) WiFi. Not sure about iTunes, but 100% sure with Windows Media Player. It will also stream Netflix, up-convert standard DVD's to hi-def (component or HDMI), play Blu-Ray discs, SACD/DVD-A discs, browse the web, connect to bluetooth devices, etc. etc. It is a pretty versatile little machine.

[msk1986911]

I have a wi-fi blue-ray (LG) and Apple TV. Apple TV is much better...faster interface, can scan instant movies, add to your Q plus the interface to your music and photo library.

Mike

[Drdogface]

Looking further into this I see that the HDMI on the back of my Direct TV box is output for best connection to tv. My TV has no HDMI. So...how can I connect Apple TV into the system ? Are there other ways to connect Apple TV ?

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Drdogface

Looking further into this I see that the HDMI on the back of my Direct TV box is output for best connection to tv. My TV has no HDMI. So...how can I connect Apple TV into the system ? Are there other ways to connect Apple TV ?

Absolutely. You need a converter cable. HDMI to RCA, most likely. What inputs does your TV have?

[Drdogface]

It has component, DVI, S-video, and RGB. I think I can go from HDMI to DVI and add the audio with separate cables. I have not seen the back of an Apple TV unit so I dunno what they can use. The DVI input is labeled 'Digital In' on my TV, but they look the same.

[Paul_Heery]

The Apple TV2 only has HDMI connection on the rear for video. You are going to need a cable like this 28AWG HDMI-DVI Cables

You are also going to need a converter for the audio since the Apple TV2 only has optical audio out if you are not using HDMI.