Criterion Collection uses PS3 as reference Blu-ray player

by Darren Murph posted Aug 13th 2008 at 5:10PM

Yeah, you read that correctly -- the obsessive audiophiles / videophiles at the Criterion Collection use Sony's PlayStation 3 as its reference Blu-ray player. In all honesty, we can't say we're too surprised. Time and again, Sony's latest console has been rated very highly as a dedicated BD deck, and the plentiful firmware updates ensure that it's always at the forefront of whatever interactive functionality is next. This snippet of factual goodness was extracted from a recent writeup that took an in-depth look at how the CC would be revamping its home theater, and even famed calibration guru Joe Kane gave his approval at using the console for playing back Blu-ray Discs. The real kicker? They also settled upon a DVIGear HDMI cable over one of those obscenely overpriced Ogre cables -- and that was after running clean out of coat hangers.

[Via CNET]

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Other hardware, Players, Sony

Tags: bd, blu-ray, blu-ray player, Blu-rayPlayer, Criterion, Criterion collection, CriterionCollection, joe kane, JoeKane, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, reference player, ReferencePlayer, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Lowest Ranked

DEEZNUTZ @ Aug 13th 2008 5:43PM

But... but it's a "kiddie game console".

Highest Ranked

Mr. E @ Aug 13th 2008 7:43PM

This is so awesome. So all of us with PS3s can be confident that the Criterion BDs we buy will have been vetted on identical equipment.

Yes, PS3 owners do buy movies, and yes, some of us even love the classics. Heck, the main reason I got into Blu-ray was to have the best home movie experience possible. I'm really looking forward to the Blu-ray release of the Criterion Collection, to experience these movies in the greatest quality they've ever been seen outside of a movie theater.

Neutral

Aaron Smith @ Aug 14th 2008 3:30PM

You'll also need a DVDO VP-50 Pro video processor to get the same video results. Apparently CNET/Engadget forgot that little bit of info. The PS3 is nothing more than a transport, it's not processing the video. Heck a Funai blu-ray player would give the same results.

Lowest Ranked

albo7 @ Aug 13th 2008 7:47PM

Why are they being so cheap? The PS3 is one of the worst Blu-Ray Players out there. There are just so many better ones that can handle better HD codecs. I'll make sure to stay away from Criterion, I prefer the highest quality, not media crippled by the PS3.

Highly Ranked

squiggleslash @ Aug 14th 2008 7:40AM

90% of Blu-ray players ARE Playstation 3s. Even if a substantially better player was out there, it would make sense for Criterion to use the PS3 as a baseline.

Highest Ranked

Mark @ Aug 14th 2008 8:00AM

There is nothing wrong at all with the PS3 as a player. It's 2.0 compliant (if you like that kind of thing), does 24fps, is very, very fast, has excellent upscaling, frequent updates, and it decodes or bitstreams most audio formats. Oh and its also a media center and games console too. It is excellent value for what it is, although if you only use it for one thing you might not think so.

Maybe finally the standalones are (finally!) starting to match & exceed the PS3 but its still the standard that other players are measured by. I'm glad that we are seeing standalones which are cheaper or as capable as the PS3. It means the market is maturing.

Highest Ranked

truegamer @ Aug 13th 2008 8:43PM

@alb07

You cut and paste the same thing you said on Gizmodo. You sure sound like someone we remember.

The PS3 can play every Legacy & HD Codec up to 5.1/7.1 on Blu-ray and DVD Movies, but it does not bit- stream HD Codecs, but it supports and plays all of them. Do some research before you talk. Explain media crippled by the PS3

Lowest Ranked

albo7 @ Aug 13th 2008 9:13PM

The PS3 doesn't even play TrueHD or DTSHD! 60% of all Blu-Ray titles have a DTSHD Track, wow good job Sony. This isn't something a software update can fix either.

Criterion, you blow balls, choose a new player.

^ I copy and pasted that too.

Highest Ranked

superklye @ Aug 13th 2008 9:48PM

Are you joking? Or are you just retarded?

The PS3 decodes TrueHD and DTSMA, idiot.

Highest Ranked

eng050599 @ Aug 13th 2008 10:06PM

albo7

The PS3 can internally decode Dolby TrueHD and DTSHD. The only thing that it cannot do is bitstream the HD audio codecs.

Highest Ranked

Franssu @ Aug 13th 2008 11:27PM

The PS3 does decode whatever codec can be found on a Blu-ray, and stremas them in friggin multichannel PCM over HDMI, which gives the same friggin result as it it streamed the compressed stream in order for your receiver to decode it. Plus, it's even better because it decodes it, which is better for older receivers who can handle multichannel PCM over HDMI but can't decode the newer codecs.

So where does the PS3 cripples Blu-rays ? It may not be the best DVD player out there -no Blu-ray player is- but it definitely is the best Blu-ray player money can buy.

If it's good enough for Joe Kane, it should be good enough for you.

Highly Ranked

rualanthony @ Aug 13th 2008 9:26PM

albo7 u dumb ass ps3 got a software update so that it can play dtshd it has truhd built in it

Highly Ranked

mntwister @ Aug 14th 2008 12:00AM

Wow, some people post without knowing what they are talking about. I've been enjoying DTS HD (and DTS Master Audio) and Dolby True HD for a while now on my PS3 and it sounds great! These must be Xbox fans.

Neutral

kcmurphy88 @ Aug 14th 2008 11:49AM

Considering that about 90% of blu-ray players are PS3s, it is probably every studio's reference. If a disc has problems on a Denon player, few care, but if the PS3 has issues.....

Highly Ranked

elvisizer @ Aug 14th 2008 12:05PM

albo7 is just plain wrong. the ps3 plays trueHD and DTS HDMA tracks, no problem.

Neutral

nathan @ Aug 14th 2008 12:28PM

While it's great to know what the Criterion setup is -- and I'm glad I have a PS3 because I'll be buying many of their Blu-rays -- but let's not forget that their last foray into a new format (DVD) was pretty poor: middling transfers, non-anamorphic discs, cropped images, etc. It took them a few years to really get it right. I hope that things progress better this time.

Neutral

RandyG @ Aug 17th 2008 2:45PM

There's at leat one HUGE problem with this: I'm sending my PS3 back for the THIRD time because of overheating. My console is completely in the open and as well ventilated and dust free as can be expected yet my original unit was sent back twice and the replacement unit is about to be shipped back. Yes, it has been a bit warm outside but surely the basic design doesn't require an air-conditioned home to coddle it into being quiet. Criterion must be hard up for attention from Purolator drivers. They won't be for long.

Neutral

Lugigi @ Aug 17th 2008 7:48PM

albo7 you're a dumbass, i'm glad that you're "sure to stay away from Criterion," as i'm sure Criterion is too... perhaps you should cut and paste that

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