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article last updated on 10.8.2009
There are now relatively affordable Blu-ray Disc players on the market
with solid video performance. Most
entry-level players have an manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of about $300,
with online prices around $170 - $200. We list here the most widely
available models that have above average performance.
Sony BDP-S360 Blu-ray Disc player
 Sony is
one of the founding companies that invented the Blu-Ray Disc format.
Naturally, this gives Sony an edge over other manufacturers. This
is Sony's third generation (as of Spring 2009) of entry-level players,
offering solid video performance and built-in surround sound
decoding and output via HDMI to your home theater receiver. It plays DVD-Videos and upscales
it to 1080p resolution for the best picture quality possible. 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)
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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 (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 was $300):
Samsung
BD-P1600 Blu-ray Disc player
 As
Samsung's second generation Blu-ray Disc
player, this model offer solid performance. It is comparable to Sony
BDP-S360 entry-level player above, with some differences. The
Samsung comes with high-speed internet video streaming, from services
such as Netflix or Pandora, or music streaming. It has two USB
ports, but is missing a coaxial audio output. 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)
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Supports high-definition Blue-ray video at 720p,
1080i, 1080p
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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
Essential to PCM via HDMI cable (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 v1.3 (1), component video (1 set),
composite video, optical audio output (1), analog stereo output (1 set)
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Additional Connections:
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warrantee: 1 year parts, 90 days labor
Available at (MSRP was $300):
Sony
ES BDP-S2000ES Reference Blu-ray Disc player
 This
is Sony's top-of-the-line Blu-ray Disc
player and serves as the definitive reference standard. "ES" is
Sony's "Elevated Standard" line, featuring top-notch quality,
construction, and performance. As a
reference quality player, its features include rigid beam construction,
aluminum top panel and insulator feet, separate audio and video circuit boards to minimize interference between the video
and audio signals. For high performance, you do not need to look any further... Technical
Details:
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Motorized front panel for access to the disc tray
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Plays: Blu-ray Disc, DVD-Video, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW
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Blu-ray Disc (BD)-Java Interactive Capability
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Supports high-definition Blue-ray video at 720p,
1080i, 1080p (60Hz/24Hz)
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Audio format support: decodes Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD,
Dolby Digital, dts-HD, and dts for output via 5.1-channel analog
audio outputs
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Connections: HDMI v1.3 with x.v.Color support (1), component video (1 set),
S-Video, optical audio output (1), coaxial audio output (1), analog stereo output (1 set)
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warrantee: 5 years (parts/labor)
Available at (MSRP was $1300):
Sony
Playstation 3 Game Console / Blu-ray Disc Player
 Why
spend $250 to $300 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:
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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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120 GB hard disk drive
Available at:
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