I got the Sony BluRay player for Christmas, and I'm thinking about returning it and spending the extra cash to get a PS3.

My question, would I be better off keeping the player? Will it give better picture than the PS3?

Quoting Althalus:

Quote:
I got the Sony BluRay player for Christmas, and I'm thinking about returning it and spending the extra cash to get a PS3.

My question, would I be better off keeping the player? Will it give better picture than the PS3?

I personally prefer the PS3 because:
1) I am 99% sure no matter what changers are made to blu-ray it will be able to upgrade
2) Can play other media such as XVID and DIVX (not sure about stand alone players)
3) Someone told me the PS3 plays games   My is just a blu-ray player
4) If you really want to you have web surfing as well.  I guess it will play YouTube videos now as well.

I personally use a PS3 as my BluRay player, and I find it great. As a games console generally has a much longer life-cycle than a standalone DVD/BR player, I also expect a longer maintenance period for firmware updates: how annoying is it when a newer model of player is released, and the frequency of updates for your "Older Generation" player slows down to a trickle and then stops? 

Anyway, I will try to list what I see as the Pros/Cons between the two:-

PS3
PROS:
- Flexible architecture means less hardware limits and so greatly assists (although not a guarantee) future compatibility. Example: PS3 was successfully upgraded from Profile 1.0 to 1.1 and then to Profile 2.0 [the first 2.0 player, I think]
- Full support for all current audio formats (DolbyHD, DTS-HD MA, etc.)
- Local hard disk is upgradable, so nearly "unlimited" local storage capacity
- More than a BluRay player: games console, media centre, web browser, etc.
- Sony spend more on making these than they sell them for! You get more bang for yer buck 
CONS:
- Fan noise builds up a little more than I would like, but not a big problem really (at least the fan is dynamic, so only runs fast when hot)
- Remote control is run over Bluetooth [I think, certainly wireless], so not compatible with many "ultimate" all-in-one remotes. Example: I can't control my PS3 via my Logitech Harmony remote control, unlike all my other equipment 
- Doesn't work with BRAVIA Sync and all that kind of technology
- No front panel display, so have to use in-player display functions to check play time, etc. (although the display function does show all info about CODECs, bitrates, etc.)
- Although not a major problem to me, it does look like a game console, not your classic standalone player. Although it does fit nicely on a TV shelf, etc.
- More expensive than the BDP350

Sony BDP350
PROS:
- Remote control is run over IR, so should be compatible with most "ultimate" all-in-one remotes.
- Does have a proper front display
- Does work with BRAVIA Sync and all that kind of technology
- Cheaper than the PS3
CONS:
- Doesn't internally decrypt DTS-HD Master Audio [according to website spec], only bitstream output. This is fine until you try to use PiP functionality, where by the unit really needs to mix the two audio streams itself (the two streams cannot be both bitstreamed to an external amp, afaik). Since it can't decode a DTS-HD MA track itself, it will need to switch primary audio track to something "lesser", or fail to render the audio correctly.
- Probably more rigid interal architecture, using dedicated, discrete chips for fixed function operations. Probably less adaptable to future specification modifications. NOTE: I don't know this for sure, but making an educated assumption on the hardware design, going on previous experience.
- Standalone player with potentially short product lifespan before replaced by newer model. This normally means a shorter lifespan of firmware updates, functionality additions, etc.
- Just plays back video disks
- Sony undoubtedly make a profit selling these (unlike PS3) which lends weight to the fixed fuction [cheaper] architecture of the unit

That's a quick list of the top of my head, looking at the spec's on Sony's website for the BDP350 

Hope it helps 

UPDATE: added quick reference to relative pricing

Quoting Lewpy:

Quote:

CONS:
- Fan noise builds up a little more than I would like, but not a big problem really (at least the fan is dynamic, so only runs fast when hot)
- Remote control is run over Bluetooth [I think, certainly wireless], so not compatible with many "ultimate" all-in-one remotes. Example: I can't control my PS3 via my Logitech Harmony remote control, unlike all my other equipment 

Fan noise:
Kept my fans from spinning up to full speed by cutting a hole in the cabinet behind the PS3 and mounting a 120mm fan to exhaust the warm air out the back (drawing fresh air in the front).  Got the idea here: http://mickwest.com/2007/06/02/cooling-ps3-cabinet/

Remote Control:
There are multiple infrared to bluetooth converters out there.  I bought one at http://ir2bt.com/ and it works like a champ.  It pairs with the PS3 and can then power it on and control all other functions.  And it works with the Logitech Harmony  .
(i note they no longer sell the one i got this summer but have a newer, more expensive one.  Their FAQ page links to the AVS forum where less expensive options are discussed.)

I believe that different PS3's have different fan noises.  I've read tons of complaints.  But in the 10 months I've had mine, I can only hear the fan if I stick my head right next to it (mine is a 40GB).  I've read similar comments from other PS3 owners.  So I don't think all PS3 fans operate at the same noise level.

Quoting Mark Harrison:

Quote:
I believe that different PS3's have different fan noises.  I've read tons of complaints.  But in the 10 months I've had mine, I can only hear the fan if I stick my head right next to it (mine is a 40GB).  I've read similar comments from other PS3 owners.  So I don't think all PS3 fans operate at the same noise level.

I also have the 40GB model and also don't hear the fan during normal operation. Some intense gaming or heavy calculations from the Folding@home may trigger the fan to run at high speed for a short while, but it will then return to regular quiet mode...

I also have a 40GB model.
I am not saying the fan sounds like a jet engine taking off, but I can hear it (sat 6-8 feet away).
It is at a low RPM normally, and when something intensive starts it picks up RPM noticeably (again, not to tornado speed, or anything). Playing back a BluRay film does seem to make it pick up the RPM noticeably too. Not a problem during most sequences, but audible when quiet on screen.

It's certainly not silent.
And from the other end of the spectrum, it doesn't irritate me that much [honest!]. I am used to it now, so don't notice it: I used to when I first got it.

My noise point was that the standalone player _should_ be quieter, unless Sony have done something majorly wrong with its design 

The only time I've heard the fan on my PS3 is when I did the self-cleaning cycle.  Beyond that, no amount of game playing or movie watching has ever made it kick into high gear and I've never heard it.  But I also have it sitting on an open shelf with tons of space on all sides.