Blu-ray Player Reviews

When the format war to standardize a disc for High-Definition (HD) video playback started, the Blu-ray disc was finally accorded as the standard for HD playback. The Blu-ray disc is similar to HD DVD. But, a single layered Blu-ray can store 25 GB of HD video, while the dual layered ones can store up to 50 GB. The Blu-ray discs have proved hyper advantageous and all electronic giants jumped into the race to churn out the best Blu-ray players. Countless models from various brands were launched in 2008 and the trend continues till date. In such a situation, it has become increasingly difficult for customers, especially first time buyers to make a judicious decision. To help you make the quest for the best Blu-ray player easier, let us go through only the latest reviews for Blue-ray players. You can definitely use them as a starting point to search according to your taste and liking.

Blu-ray Players: Reviews, Ratings, and Pricing

While we take a review, we will be doing a comparison, where we will model wise take a tour of all the features and pricing, to make your decision simpler. Here's more on the five most critically acclaimed Blu-ray players:

Sony BDP-S360
This is a value for money offering from Sony. Supreme sound and picture quality has always been Sony's forte and the BDP-S369 is loaded with codecs, that help playback many formats.

• Stand-Out Feature: Supports playback of Blu-ray discs with full HD 1080p video output and supports upgradation of standard DVD video to 1080p.
• Network Compatibility: An Ethernet port provides BD Live capability for accessing bonus content from BD-Live Blu-ray Discs by connecting to a home network.
• Frame Rate: True Cinema capability allows you to watch movies at their intended 24 fps.
• Sound Output: 7.1 and 5.1 surround, stereo, 1 HDMI, supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio codecs
• Special Feature: QuickStart Mode feature starts movie playback approximately six seconds from the moment the player is turned on.

List Price: $199.99

New Sony PS3 (Slim)
The upgraded slimmer version of Sony's 3rd offering in the PlayStation series is also a superb Blu-ray player. The new PS3 further ups the ante with negligible loading time and supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HDMA codecs on bitstream to the receiver. Playstation 3 endorses one heck of a multi-functional console with features like:

• In-built Memory: Available in 120 GB or 250 GB editions for storing games, music, videos, and photos; along with a 256 MB XDR RAM and a 256MB GDDR3 VRAM.
• Video: High-Definition Blu-ray player which provides the best movie experience wit video resolution spaning 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i (for PAL 576p, 576i).
• Audio: LPCM 7.1ch surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD, AAC.
• Networking: 1 Ethernet port, Wi-Fi compatible, 2 USB ports and Bluetooth 2.0
• Gaming Controllers: 3 wireless dualshock joystick controllers.
• Special Feature: HDMI + Bravia Sync output AV output

List Price: $349.99 (for 250 GB version)

Panasonic DMP-BD60
All media player reviews remain incomplete without inclusion of this Japanese electronic giant. The DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player incorporates high quality video processing with its networking functions to provide access to a huge selection of online titles.

• Supported Media Types: BD-video, DVD-video, DVD-audio, SACD, CD, CD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, BD-R/RE
• Video Resolution: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p. Upconvertion of DVD to 1080p.
• Audio Output: 7.1ch surround, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio Essential.
• Expandable Memory: SD card slot and 1 USB port which allows playback of media formats stored in these external memories.
• Special Feature: Viera Cast connectivity for streaming from YouTube, Picasa, Weather. Also employs the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus which provides accurate color.

List Price: $199.95

LG BD 390 Network Blu-ray Player
This is another technological marvel from LG. The BD390 player has the ultimate in picture quality. Let's take a look at its features:

• Video: Full HD 1080p output and upconversion of standard DVD video to 1080p. BD Live which is able to access bonus content from BD-Live Blu-ray Discs.
• Audio: 7.1 ch audio, 1HDMI, Dolby TrueHD/Digital Plus and DTS-HD
• Networking: Connects to Netflix and YouTube for streaming video without a computer via Ethernet and Wi-Fi (802.11n).
• Memory: 1 GB built-in and 1 USB 2.0 port for expansion.
• Special Feature: Express reaction startup and quick-opening tray features make the player the fastest one and it gets ready to play the media before you settle yourself.

List Price: $334.95

OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Player
This one is acclaimed as the king of all Blu-ray players. OPPO's latest wonder, the new BDP-83 is considered by many as the best in business. The features of BDP-83 truly make it an all-in-one media player as, apart from Blu-ray, it supports playback for a myriad of video and audio formats including SACD, DVDs and many more. Let us glance at the important features of this wonder:

• Supported Media Types: BD-video, DVD-video, AVCHD, DVD-audio, SACD, CD, Kodak Picture CD, CD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, BD-R/RE
• Video Resolution: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
• Audio Output: 7.1ch or 5.1ch surround, stereo
• HDMI Audio: up to 7.1ch high-resolution PCM, up to 5.1ch DSD, bitstream or LPCM conversion of Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueH, DTS, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio.
• Internal Memory: 1 GB
• Expandable Memory: Dual USB ports which allows playback of media formats stored on a USB flash drive.
• Special Feature: Use of an award-winning video processing chip which provides a clear and true picture.

List Price: $499.99

Apart from the above models, there are a few more models, which deserves a mention. They too are loaded with similar features but miss the bus of top fives by a whisker:

• Panasonic DMP-BD80
• Sony BDP-N460
• Samsung BD-P1600
• Samsung BD-P3600
• LG BD 370 Network

I hope these reviews prove really fruitful in clearing your doubts to a large extent. Make sure to check on latest offerings and features as most brands tend to make minor changes in their pricing and features periodically. Also check out on the latest offers from various vendors to make the most of your purchase.