I have two PS3′s, both doing media player duty and I have never regretted the purchase of either unit.

I have a blu-ray player on my htpc, but it’ too noisy and slow (I want to throw the sucker out the window, though I still use the PC as a home server). Now I’m sticking with my dvd / vhs player, hopefully 2011 will have better options.

Get with the program – digital downloads.

Bluray = fail… let it die.

“Because the technology behind digital media is not there yet. It’s getting close, but there is still a long way to go. First of all, storage has never been cheaper, and storage capacities for digital players is rising exponentially, even as costs are dropping. But there still isn’t enough storage to hold all of your movies.”

is the quote which I think misses the point. With something like netflix, there’s no need for any storage at all. Instant access to movies, on demand… and being able to stream to 6 different players with only 1 account… including streaming to more than one player at the same time, means storage is a non-existent issue.

“Netflix and other streaming services are great, and great value, but even with today’s faster networks, the streaming services are too heavy for the bandwidth load.”

is a quote that I think is mistaken… perhaps I’m just fortunate with my internet… it’s comcast… the higher speed level… nothing I’d call all that great though… I’ve never had any hicups yet, or visual glitches apparent, despite streaming more than one video stream, as well as having a phone service which is exclusively voice over IP (magic jack), as well as being in a cell phone dead spot, and having to run several cell phones through a network extender (which is also using the bandwidth for those who are unfamiliar with how that works). I’ve got a family of 6… 3 of the 4 kids are teen/preteen, so these services are seeing simultaneous heavy usage… yet I’ve never yet had a problem with hicups or visual artificats, nor have I personally experienced any issues with my MMO’s while those other services are running.

I’d have to say, if netflix and my broadband carrier are handling that ok, I don’t think there’s much of an issue. I grant that net neutrality issues may ultimately change that picture, but that’s a pure hypothetical at this point… as it stands RIGHT NOW… there’s no problem. Under various future hypothetical circumstances, it’s anyones guess and that would of course change the equation.

Personally, I’m thinking the netflix model is more likely to hold than the blu ray model, which is simply an extension of prior service models. Certainly we see a heavy move to cloud storage with a monthly charge for access. That’s true whether you discuss netflix, or whether you discuss several of the other services, such as the MP3 music services becoming so prevalent on our cell phones.

I def. agree with you though – When they say that you’re streaming a HD movie, you’re truely getting what you’ve paid for. Plus, it’s always nice to have a physical copy of something. Then, you can always make it digital later!

I might upgrade to whatever comes after Blu-Ray. Or I might buy a Blu-Ray player when everything is available on Blu-Ray (unlike now). But that’s a few years off, at least.

There aren’t really many movies that I want to see that are even available on blu-ray. I am an old school Anime fool, so needing to see each and every misplaced human hair that somehow made it onto various cells, is really not my bag.

I don’t think there’s a compelling reason to get one just yet.