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article last updated on 10.6.2010
3D Blu-ray Disc players is a new phenomenon. In order experience a
3D visual experience, you will need one of these 3D capable players, along with
a 3D-ready LCD or plasma HDTV and that brand's active shutter technology 3D glasses.
The HDTV and 3D glasses must be made by the same manufacturer, due to
each manufacturer's proprietary timing synchronization between the HDTV
frame rates and active shutter 3D glasses. At about $150 - $250
per pair, the 3D glasses are not cheap. The 3D capable HDTVs are
not cheap either, as they are currently selling at a premium versus
comparable
non-3D HDTV models. If you are interested in 3D Blu-ray, it is not
a bad idea to buy a 3D ready Blu-ray player now, since they are
reasonably priced without a steep premium over
non-3D Blu-ray players.
However, you may want to wait a while before upgrading to the 3D HDTVs
and 3D active shutter glasses. Prices will come down dramatically
after the early adopters buy their sets.
Samsung BD-C6900 3D Blu-ray Disc player
 Samsung
was the first electronics manufacturer to introduce 3D Blu-ray
players and this is it! The player comes with a
built-in surround sound
decoding with 6.1-channel analog audio outputs for older AV
receivers without HDMI inputs or Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master
Audio decoding.
You can playback
Netflix streaming movies (subscription required),
along with other internet sources such as YouTube, Pandora via a
wired internet connection. If you want to use Wi-Fi, there is
an optional Wi-Fi USB adapter ($80) if you do not want to fuss with an
Ethernet connection. For your DVD-Video library, it up-scales
DVD-Video content to 1080p resolution for the best picture quality possible.
Note: To experience 3D, you will need a
Samsung-brand 3D-compatible HDTV and Samsung-brand 3D glasses. Technical
Details:
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Plays: Blu-ray Disc, DVD-Video, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW,
CD, CR-R, CD-RW with MP3 or photo CDs (JPEG files),
SACD
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Supports high-definition Blue-ray video at 720p,
1080i, 1080p (60Hz/24Hz)
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Blu-ray Disc (BD)-Java Interactive Capability
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Audio format support:
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built-in audio decoding for Dolby Digital, Dolby
Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts, dts-HD and dts-HD Master Audio to PCM
via HDMI cable (HDMI output only, no 5.1/6.1-channel analog audio outputs)
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outputs bitstream for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts-HD
and dts-HD Master Audio for decoding by capable home theater
receivers via HDMI cable
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Connections: HDMI (1), component video (1 set),
composite video, optical audio output (1), coaxial audio output (1), analog stereo output (1 set)
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Additional Connections:
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warrantee: 1 year (parts/labor)
Available at (MSRP is $400, new as of Spring 2010):
Sony BDP-S470 Blu-ray Disc player
- Recommended!
 Sony is
one of the founding companies that invented the Blu-ray Disc format.
Naturally, this gives Sony Blu-ray player has an edge over other manufacturers. This
is Sony's fourth generation (as of Spring 2010) of entry-level players,
offering solid video performance and built-in surround sound
decoding and output via HDMI to your home theater receiver.
You can playback
Netflix streaming movies (subscription required),
along with other internet sources such as YouTube, Pandora via a
wired high-speed internet connection. If you want to use Wi-Fi, there is
an optional Wi-Fi USB adapter ($80) if you do not want to fuss with an
Ethernet connection or just buy the
Sony BDP-S570 with
built-in Wi-Fi for only $60 more. For your DVD-Video library, it up-scales
DVD-Video content to 1080p resolution for the best picture quality possible.
Read our review of the Sony
BDP-S470.
Note: This model is 3D Blu-ray ready. A free firmware update
will be available Summer 2010 via internet. To experience 3D,
you will need a Sony-brand 3D-compatible HDTV and Sony-brand 3D
glasses. Technical
Details:
-
Plays: Blu-ray Disc, DVD-Video, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW,
CD, CR-R, CD-RW with MP3 or photo CDs (JPEG files),
SACD
-
Supports high-definition Blue-ray video at 720p,
1080i, 1080p (60Hz/24Hz)
-
Blu-ray Disc (BD)-Java Interactive Capability
-
Audio format support:
-
built-in audio decoding for Dolby Digital, Dolby
Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts, dts-HD and dts-HD Master Audio to PCM
via HDMI cable (HDMI output only, no 5.1/6.1-channel analog audio outputs)
-
outputs bitstream for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts-HD
and dts-HD Master Audio for decoding by capable home theater
receivers via HDMI cable
-
Connections: HDMI (1), component video (1 set),
composite video, optical audio output (1), coaxial audio output (1), analog stereo output (1 set)
-
Additional Connections:
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warrantee: 1 year (parts/labor)
Available at (MSRP
is $200, new as of Spring 2010):
Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray Disc player
- Recommended!
 This model has everything the
BDP-S470 model
(above) has, plus built-in Wi-Fi and built-in 1 GB memory for
BD-Live content. Read
our review of the Sony BDP-S570. Available at (MSRP
is $250, new as of Spring 2010):
Sony
Playstation 3 Game Console as a Blu-ray Disc Player
 Why
spend $140 to $200 for just a 3D Blu-ray Disc player when you can spend just $300 and also get a state-of-the-art game console? The Sony Playstation 3
(PS3) game console supports Blu-ray Disc playback right out of the
box. It supports 3D Blu-ray with a free firmware upgrade. With its built-in Wi-Fi capability, you can playback
Netflix streaming movies
(subscription required), along with other internet sources such as
YouTube and Pandora. For convenience, we suggest adding the
Blu-ray remote
control accessory to make your life easier. The only problem is
that you may have to fight off your kids when you want to watch Blu-ray
Disc movies. Technical Details:
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Plays: Blu-ray Disc, DVD-Video, DVD +R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW,
Audio CD, CD-R/CD-RW
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160 GB hard disk drive
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4th generation "slim" design
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supports 3D Blu-ray ready with a firmware update in
October 2010
Available at:
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