Help me spend money!

[rbbdrooger]

With my summer bonus just two months away, I'm planning on buying another piece of entertainment hardware. I just can't figure out which one. Help me decide!

Currently it's between (random order):

1) An HD decoder for cable tv
Right now my cable company only offers a couple of HD channels like Discovery, National Geographic and a Movie Channel, but more stations are planning on HD broadcast in the near future.

2) A Blu-ray player
Being able to watch BBC's Planet Earth in 1080p is enough reason to buy a Blu-ray player. But they're still a bit expensive (cheapest standalone player is €359 right now). PS3 might be an option, but that's even more expensive and I already have a 360.

3) A Wii
I'd really, really like to play Super Mario Galaxy and Brawl. But that's my only motivation. The Wii can't do anything else so I'm not sure if these two games are worth spending €250.

4) A decent digital camera
Probably the most expensive option. I'm a bit of a photography enthusiast. I have Nikon SLR that still uses 35mm. A Digital SLR would be really nice. I'm thinking Nikon D40x, D60 or D80.

5) A PC upgrade
My PC is getting a bit old. Some extra memory, a new video card and a faster processor wouldn't hurt. I'd like to be able to play StarCraft 2 when it comes out.

[downphoenix]

I say either Digital Camera or PC Upgrade, you'll get the most out of these. Blu Ray players prices will come down, plus you could spend the money on a PS3 instead of one of those. Wii is good fun but I doubt you'd get much use out of it right now, and you can wait on the HD Decoder, they'll get cheaper too, and as you said, there isn't much offering of HD programming by your provider, so same thing as the Wii, you won't get much use out of it. Yea, you can get PC parts cheaper later on, but you'll be missing out on more than just Starcraft 2, and Digital Cameras prices have been pretty much stagnant lately, you could pick up a better camera down the road later for the same price though, but since you're stuck using film, I say its about time to upgrade.

[Darth Daver]

I'm not voting yet but I would recommend a Digital SLR or a Wii. Blu-ray players are going to come down in price pretty quick so i'd wait a bit for that. I wouldn't bother with a PC upgrade but rather get a brand new PC, parts are so overpriced. HD decoder? Just get a better TV that upscales your SD picture, there just aren't enough HD channels to warrant HD decoders just yet.

In fact i'd say just get the new camera, someone on my website posted a review of the D40x, the review itself isn't that good but the camera is amazing. I've used it too and it's outstanding, I'd get one myself if I had the money.

If the camera is too expensive then a Wii is good when your mates come over, and for the games you mentioned, although I'd say it's worth picking up Mario Kart too when it's out but i'm sure this forum will provide enough opinion on the Wii anyway.

[E6600]

I was going to suggest getting a Mac, but from the option available go with a Wii

[Romanc]

Personally I would rate it 53241, but then you are not me. I'll give you a rule of thumb advice; rate them after how much time you envision you would spend using each option, and take it from there.

[Dr Pepper 6pk]

depends on what you really want, but i;ll go for the camera

[rounds1]

I'm a bit of a photography enthusiast. I have Nikon SLR that still uses 35mm.

I voted Wii before I saw this quote. This quote pretty much sums up the thread imo.

So, take one from Wii and put it on camera.

[Power666]

Originally Posted by rbbdrooger

1) An HD decoder for cable tv
Right now my cable company only offers a couple of HD channels like Discovery, National Geographic and a Movie Channel, but more stations are planning on HD broadcast in the near future.

Not worth it at this point. If you anything, it'd be wiser to save up for a new HDTV that supports cable card 2.0 and get that when ever your cable company does get around to upgrading thing.

Originally Posted by rbbdrooger

2) A Blu-ray player
Being able to watch BBC's Planet Earth in 1080p is enough reason to buy a Blu-ray player. But they're still a bit expensive (cheapest standalone player is €359 right now). PS3 might be an option, but that's even more expensive and I already have a 360.

Again not worth it. The PS3 is realistically the only Blu-ray player worth while on the market. A new Blu-ray profile spec the Blu-ray Live (basically online functionality) are coming. The PS3 is guaranteed to support these. Future stand alone players will be arriving that'll be cheaper than the PS3 with these features.

Originally Posted by rbbdrooger

3) A Wii
I'd really, really like to play Super Mario Galaxy and Brawl. But that's my only motivation. The Wii can't do anything else so I'm not sure if these two games are worth spending €250.

Look around at other titles before deciding on this.

Originally Posted by rbbdrooger

4) A decent digital camera
Probably the most expensive option. I'm a bit of a photography enthusiast. I have Nikon SLR that still uses 35mm. A Digital SLR would be really nice. I'm thinking Nikon D40x, D60 or D80.

Getting an SLR digital camera actually sounds like a good idea. I'm not familiar with these model though.

Originally Posted by rbbdrooger

5) A PC upgrade
My PC is getting a bit old. Some extra memory, a new video card and a faster processor wouldn't hurt. I'd like to be able to play StarCraft 2 when it comes out.

Depending on how much you're thinking of spending and how much of an upgrade you want, you may very well be better off waiting a bit.

6) Donating my money to the forum god

Yes, I do accept such generous tribute like this.

[boffo]

I suggest buying some magic beans. They're always a smart purchase.

[codenamelenny]

I suggest a digital camera if your really into taking pictures. But if you already have a good one then get a wii, the rest of the stuff you should wait.