So the family is quickly coming to a bit of a crossroads. Our movie buying trend has pretty much reached a 50/50 split between DVD and Blu-ray. We have 2 TVs, and pretty soon we'll want to be able to watch any of our movies on either TV at any given time. This means getting a 2nd device capable of playing Blu-ray movies.

So the question is, do we get a 2nd PS3, or do we get a Blu-ray player?

Obviously a Blu-ray player without a HDD is much cheaper than a PS3, but having a HDD is useful, and having a 2nd PS3 has its advantages. Money is an issue, it really would ba a bit of a stretch forking out for a PS3 (or a really good BR player with a HDD). The 2nd TV is only a crappy old CRT, so more than likely we'll be in the market for a HD TV some time too.

It'll be a little while before the decision becomes really necessary, but I'd like to hear people's views on this. It might be worth waiting around to see if any sales come along wheree a TV is combo'd with a PS3 or BR player. It's a pity we don't have Best Buy here with their, it seems, annual Bravia'n'PS3 sale, to anticipate.

If your family is a group of people that love movies, I would recommend Netflix enabled Blu-ray player, and one of the best options is Ps3. 

Given are you willing to wait six months - nine months for a price drop?

You should have made this into a poll, nonetheless the results would have strongly supported my recommendation. PS3 all the way, you are able to update the player, access additional content and of course use it as an additional movie player. On top of that you can get Netflix and like, no contest here. PS3 for world domination.

Try to get a PS3 off eBay. Make sure it works and the seller allows returns if DOA. Should save some money and still get all the benefits a PS3 offers. Plus you can have LAN parties in your house :p

Buy a $100 Blu Ray player.

He lives in New Zealand and netflix is not an option down there.

@BinarySolo

I really wouldn't recommend you getting either the blue-ray player or the second PS3 until you get a new TV... Blue-Ray is kinda rubbish on anything below 720p and as your monitor is a CRT I doubt you'll get any benefit from watching blue ray on it. Stick with blue-rays on your bigscreen, endure a bit until you get your second TV and make a decision then. If you wait until the end of year, you'll also likely see a price drop on the PS3 to boot.

Standalone blueray players are dirt cheap these days, but if you're into value over price, then there's really no argument over getting a PS3... you already have a library of game and your household has at least 2 gamer if not more. You will be able to enjoy all the feature of a premium blue-ray players from the PS3 plus some nice bonuses such as constant firmware update, a harddrive and network capability for movies direct from your computer.

*cough*

Well, I would suggest getting a new PS3.  Can never go wrong with all those additional features.  And if money is an issue, I would say wait about 6 months, as there will probably be a price cut around that time.  Or if you can wait even longer, Wal-mart (I'm assuming you have them in your neck of the woods) had a Bravia PS3 combo last Nov/Dec.  I would think they'll have another one this year.

PS3

You get VoD features, internet browser and it is futureproof in terms of blu ray players. It is by far the best bd player on the market

I say you wait for an HDTV, otherwise there's not much of a point in getting Blu-Ray, but if you want a Blu-Ray player go with the $99 ones. PS3 is great and you're right having a second one has it's advantages, but if money is an issue, then a second PS3 is just unnecessary.

it depends on when your getting this blu ray player. many feel a price cut for ps3 is coming at some point this year. and I'd hate for you to kick yourself either for buying a 300 dollar ps3 only for a 200-250 one to come later or to buy a 100-150 bluray player only for 200-250 ps3 to come along. the price cut stuff is just rumors though

Another factor is are you the only one in your household that actually plays games on ps3, would the other features of this ps3 actually be utilized fully to  warrant a purchase. on the other hand even if only you played games there would be a benefit to having a ps3 on both tvs, so if they are watching movies/tv on one you can use the other. 

so in the end at this point in time i'd say wait, and the closest sales i can think of is some fathers day electronics sale.