today's problem

ok today's problem is:
should i get a new bluray disc player??

right now i am using a sony ps3 for bluray movies............. as i dun game, the ps3 is solely a BD player and nothing else...................

i bought it a few days after it was released in singapore......... cost me S$559 a year ago







goodie points:
wifi enabled - able to download firmware updates easily
regular firmware updates
large storage - ready for BD Live with firmware update
onboard decoding of HD audio formats to linear PCM
fast loading time
able to surf internet
able to function as a computer

baddie points:
DVD region locked - code 3 only
higher power consumption than other BD player
unable to output HD audio formats as bitstream

i love the ps3 for what it is........ however the main ass is my onkyo AV amp cant flex its muscle cos the ps3 cannot output HD audio formats as bitstream........ i would wanna at least have the chance to try things out......

so i could perhaps sell the ps3 for S$350? ............ and top some cash to buy newer BD players such as these:

sony s350, now at S$699........




this is very new to the market.......... and is able to send bitstream of HD audio formats to your fav AV amp......... however, there is onboard decoding........ if u need that feature, then stay with the ps3 haha..... or the s550 at S$999..........

samsung 1500, now at S$599




i saw this last week........ and was very tempted to buy at this lower price........ however it's so plasticky that i feared for its life, hehe....... for the S$100 savings, i can buy 2 BD movies..... so i am keeping my options open........

reviews are generally positive and it is able to pass HD audio as bitstream.......... and not to forget, it has an ethernet port.........

panasonic bd30 at S$799??

this is also a profile 1.1 compliant BD player..........

IIRC, this player does not have a ethernet port........ so firmware updates can only be done through a CDR file..... abit troublesome if you are spoiled by ps3 and its user-friendliness....

all are pretty promising based on specs.......... so which one is suitable.....???

let me think about it..... :)