Blu-ray Disc Player Shopping Guide

Helping you choose the right Blu-ray Disc player

article last updated on 5.7.2010

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 $175 - $250.  We list here the most widely available models that have above average performance.
 

Sony BDP-S370 Blu-ray Disc player

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 WiFi, there is an optional WiFi USB adapter if you do not want to fuss with an Ethernet connection.  For your DVD-Video library, it upscales 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), 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:

  • Ethernet networking port internet content or for potential future firmware upgrade

  • USB port (rear panel) for BD-Live storage via a 1 GB USB memory stick (thumb drive)

• warrantee: 1 year (parts/labor)

Available at (MSRP is $180, new as of Spring 2010):

• Amazon.com for $179.76 - with free shipping!

Sony BDP-S470 Blu-ray Disc player

This model has everything the BDP-S370 model (above) has and is 3-D Blu-ray ready.  A free firmware update will be available Summer 2010 via internet.

Available at (MSRP is $200, new as of Spring 2010):

• Amazon.com for $197.95 - with free shipping!

Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray Disc player

This model has everything the BDP-S370 model (above) has, plus built-in WiFi, and is 3-D Blu-ray ready.  A free firmware update will be available Summer 2010 via internet.

Available at (MSRP is $250, new as of Spring 2010):

• Amazon.com for $244.00 - with free shipping!

Samsung BD-C5500 Blu-ray Disc player

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 WiFi, there is an optional WiFi USB adapter.  For your DVD-Video library, it upscales 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:

  • Ethernet networking port for potential future firmware upgrade

  • USB port (1 front panel and 1 rear panel) for BD-Live storage via a 1 GB USB memory stick (thumb drive)

• warrantee: 1 year parts, 90 days labor

Available at (MSRP was $180):

• Amazon.com for $161.00 - with free shipping!

Samsung BD-C6500 Blu-ray Disc player

This model has everything the BD-C5500 model (above) has, plus built-in WiFi, 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):

• Amazon.com for $224.00 - with free shipping!

Sony Playstation 3 Game Console / Blu-ray Disc Player

Why spend $180 to $250 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.  For convenience, we suggest adding the 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

• 120 GB hard disk drive

Available at:

• Amazon.com for $299.99 - good value!

Site updated 8.30.2010

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