|
article last updated on 10.6.2010
Entry-level Blu-ray Disc players are now very affordable, while offering
solid video performance. The least expensive entry-level players
have an manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of about $180 - $250,
with online and street prices around $105 - $200. We list here the most widely
available models that have above average performance.
Sony BDP-S370 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 W-iFi, there is
an optional Wi-Fi USB adapter 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.
Read our review of the Sony
BDP-S370. 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 Blu-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:
-
warrantee: 1 year (parts/labor)
Available at (MSRP is $180, new as of Spring 2010):
Sony BDP-S470 Blu-ray Disc player
- Recommended!
 This model has everything the BDP-S370 model
(above) has and is 3D Blu-ray ready. A free firmware update
will be available Summer 2010 via internet. Read
our review of the Sony BDP-S470. Available at (MSRP
is $200, new as of Spring 2010):
Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray Disc player
- Recommended!
 This model has everything the BDP-S370 model
(above) has, plus built-in Wi-Fi, built-in 1 GB memory for BD-Live
content, and is 3D Blu-ray ready. A
free firmware update will be available Summer 2010 via internet.
Read our review of the Sony
BDP-S570. Available at (MSRP
is $250, new as of Spring 2010):
Samsung BD-C5500 Blu-ray Disc player
- Highly Recommended & Great Value!
 This
Samsung Blu-ray player is comparable to the Sony
BDP-S370 entry-level player above. While being a low-end
model, this Samsung offers solid video and audio performance and a
wealth of features including: high-speed internet video streaming from services
such as Netflix (subscription required), YouTube, or Pandora internet
radio via the built-in Ethernet port. If you want to use Wi-Fi, there is
an optional WiFi USB adapter ($80). For your DVD-Video library, it up-scales
DVD-Video content to 1080p resolution for the best picture quality possible. 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)
-
Supports high-definition Blue-ray video at 720p,
1080i, 1080p
-
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
Essential 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 v1.3 (1), component video (1 set),
composite video, optical audio output (1), analog stereo output (1 set)
-
Additional Connections:
-
warrantee: 1 year parts, 90 days labor
Available at (MSRP was $180):
Samsung BD-C6500 Blu-ray Disc player
- Recommended!
 This model has everything the
BD-C5500 model
(above) has, plus built-in Wi-Fi, built-in 1 GB internal memory for
BD-Live storage, and built-in audio decoding with 7.1-channel analog
outputs. Available at (MSRP was $250, new as of Spring 2010):
Sony
Playstation 3 Game Console as a Blu-ray Disc Player
- Recommended!
 Why
spend $140 to $200 for just a 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. With its built-in WiFi capability, you can playback
Netflix streaming movies (subscription required),
along with other internet sources such as YouTube and Pandora.
It supports 3D Blu-ray with a free firmware upgrade. 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:
-
Plays: Blu-ray Disc, DVD-Video, DVD +R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW,
Audio CD, CD-R/CD-RW
-
160 GB hard disk drive
-
4th generation "slim" design
-
supports 3D Blu-ray ready with a firmware update in
October 2010
Available at:
|
