PS3/netflix questions

[miataspeedracer]

To my electronically astute brethren:

I'm thinking hard about replacing the PS2 with a new PS3 as the main DVD/movie device in the TV room. Want some input/opinions from current users. Keep in mind that the gaming aspect (GT5, if I decide to pop for that) will be a minor part of PS3 usage.

1. How good is the PS3 as a DVD player? Are controls/remote petty user-friendly? Or same as the cornfusing PS2 menus?

2. Does anyone actually use the hard drive to store media, photos, etc.? How easy is it to load/retrieve content?

3. Part of the thought process is to subscribe to Netflix and cancel my $25 monthly subscription to HBO/Showtime. How easy is it to access Netflix via the PS3?
(Bonus: Does anyone know if you can get True Blood on Netflix? If yes, what's the delay vs. HBO programming?)

4. Is anyone familiar with the PS3 media server functions? One main thing I'm trying to accomplish is to find a clean and simple way for my wife to watch her work-out videos on a TV, and for me to watch in-car videos on a TV. These videos are currently residing in iTunes on the Mac in the office.

Can you tell I'm conflicted? My other thoughts are to forgo the PS3 alltogether and buy a WiFi extender and Apple TV devices for each of the TVs.

Thoughts?

[miataspeedracer]

What? No one?

[Majik]

I think it works great as a DVD/Bluray player. It is quick and responsive to the remote. I did buy the optional blue tooth remote, it is easier than using the game controllers. Netflix is very easy to use, it is now a built in app, so you no longer need the disc to use it. It has almost the same amount of instant movies as the PC does, I dont know why it isnt the same. I don't use the HD to store media, I just stream it off the the PC. PS3 media server runs on my computer and makes it very easy to stream anything I want to use. I also use play-on to stream hulu and epsn3 to the TV. I think the apple TV would be pretty similar except for the fact that you cannot play blu-ray movies or DVDs on it. I still use that aspect of my netflix fairly often.

[goofygrin]

Netflix is associated with Starz. It looks like you can get the DVDs via mail, but not online for streaming (which is what I assume you were going for).

[OZMDD]

I have used the PS3 in the same way you describe for a couple years now, and I've been very pleased. The game aspect is secondary for me, but I love it too. I used netflix on it when they still required that you pop a disc into the ps3 to allow streaming, and it worked fine. Now I understand that you can download an app so the disc is not needed. I haven't used it that way, but I suspect its just as good if not better.

As for ease of use, I find the ps3 to be a more seamless system to use than many dvd players I've had over the years, and definitely more reliable. You will want to get the bluetooth remote for it ($20), which makes it feel like any other home theater device. You might not care, but it also surfs the web, hooks up to your wifi, and can use bluetooth headsets if you want to game and chat with a friend (I just use my Jabra BT earpiece with it and talk smack with a friend while playing Worms.)

Overall, I think its a better investment than a stand-alone blueray player, unless you only plan to watch movies on it occasionally and nothing else.

[trickyrix]

My PS3 is primarily a DVD player for me, but I like gaming and other media options. You can pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and surf the web from your sofa if you so desire. I have Netflix, but to date I haven't streamed a movie over the PS3 yet. Go figure. I bought the Bluetooth remote before Logitech came out with an IR converter to adapt it to their universal remotes, so now the Sony unit just sits in a drawer. Now I've got everything working together seamlessly with one remote.

It was worth the money to me for the extra capability.

[Jiggerachi]

I don't know anything about the ps3 but I stream netflix to the tv with my netbook. We watch Dexter and they only have seasons 1 & 2 available for stream. The others they have the dvds to mail you but no stream. I find their streaming movie selection pretty limited as well. We've *cough* aquired the rest of the Dexter seasons and play them on the netbook.

I was thinking about a ps3 for a blu-ray player, but I just forked out $400 on a new laptop for work stuff so the ps3s gonna have to wait awhile. I just hope that the laptop (and my internet connection) can handle 1080p streaming, still waiting for it to ship.

[2K Miata]

Netflix is associated with Starz. It looks like you can get the DVDs via mail, but not online for streaming (which is what I assume you were going for).

Netflix offers streaming of a large selection of movie and TV series for instant viewing. Some of current titles are only available on DVD.

Speed. Netflix offers True Blood Season 4 right now. So it looks like they are making that series available quickly. A series like Dexter has the first 3 seasons available for streaming and the remainder are available on DVD.

We also cancelled HBO recently and will reactivate it when True Blood comes back on the air and then cancel it afterwards.

We've had Netflix for about 4 months now and we use the heck out of it. Streaming about 4-6 movies a week and at least two DVD a week for things they don't offer for instant viewing. All-in-all it is a great service. I drag the box to different rooms so I only need one player. With wireless and HDIM it is real easy to hookup.

[miataspeedracer]

Thanks, all. I'm feeling better about the PS3 option...

M.