Hey all, I would like some advice - not fanboyism

I had a conversation with my parents that started with the line

"So Scott, was is Blu Ray anyway"

and ended with

"should we buy one, or a new dvd player? (our old one broke)"

So, with full reasoning provided shoud I recommend

Just a normal dvd player

A blu ray drive for their pc, and an attachment to allow them to play this on their tv (distance between the two is 5 meters)

A standalone Blu Ray player

A PS3

If you could provide a price estimation (in Aussie dollars if you know prices down under)

Also could you go through how complex the setup would be to use (I can install it, but my parents aren't particularly tech savvy and need to be able to use it)

For media things recommend a PS3.

I don't know how tech-savvy your parents are but this is truly the best media center available for this price. (For gaming alone I would start to recommend a 360 but if you want both ...)

Best BluRay player
Great streaming and media support from external hard-discs (and replacable hd)
Great image player for digital images.

Seriously as a media center its amazing. And you might get some gaming out of it.

For BluRay: Looks amazing on the right TV but the discs are a bit expensive. But the upscaling of DVDs also looks great on the PS3 until BR discs drop in price

do they have an HD TV?

Yeah, An LCD LG tv - 96 cm I believe. Reasonably sure it supports 1080p

Do you live at home and do you want a ps3? because its a perfect time to talk up a new toy for you and make it seem like its for them if you do (starcraft is from Australia he knows the prices)

(i'd def try to get them to upgrade to blu-ray anyway)

live at home 3-4 months of the year.

There are a couple of PS3 games I'd buy if I had the console, but honestly I'd rather choose what my parents will find easiest and best - I'm not here often enough to warrant them getting a PS3 for my sake.

Then I think the PC to Tv would be a hassle

The Ps3 is easy to use... I mean there is an option in the list that has automatic playback where when you insert a disc into the ps3 when its off it will go straight to the movie. The controller is simple... a little different than some but it still easy to pick up (taught my 20 year old sister with downsyndrome how to use it)

(I'd go with blu-ray for whatever you decide stand alone or ps3)

cheers

Oh and stand alones and ps3 are upscalers so even the regular dvds should be upgraded and the installs are component cables with are exactly like composite but have a blue green yellow red red white instead of just red white yellow... or there is HDMI (which will get you the best picture and sound) and its just like a USB on steroids... i've never had a sound system so I don't know how that would go if they have one.

The PS3 is an average BR player at best.

@Pooperscooper
Component cables don't have a yellow cable, and you can't upsacale DVDs over a component connection as it's against the DVD forums T&Cs(unless you have XBMC on an Xbox1).

@scottie
How good is your parents eyesight? You would be surprised how many people cant tell the difference between SD and HD because they can't see well enough.