Although DVD, as we know it, will be around for some time to come, the advent of high definition playback for consumers is now available in the U.S., with recording capability possibly becoming available at a later date. Check out the current Blu-ray Disc Player offerings.
NOTE: HD-DVD is now discontinued, so no new units are being manufactured, but as new Blu-ray Disc Players (or recorders) enter the market, they will be considered for addition to this list.
In addition, if you looking for PC Blu-ray Disc drives, check out some suggestions from Mark Kyrnin, About.com Guide for Computers.
1. OPPO Digital BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player with SACD/DVD-Audio Playback
Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
The OPPO BDP-83 is a feature-packed Blu-ray Disc Player that is also an excellent performer. Besides Blu-ray disc playback, the BDP-83 also provides excellent 1080p upscaling of standard DVDs using Anchor Bay VRS technology. Also, other features, such as SACD and DVD-Audio playback, front and rear mounted USB ports for importing images, video, and music from flash drives, add great audio and video flexibility. Although having a somewhat higher price tag than many players, the OPPO BDP-83 takes Blu-ray Disc Player performance and flexibility to the highest level. To find out if the OPPO BDP-83 is right for you, check out my Short and Full Reviews, as well as a supplementary Photo Profile and Video Performance Tests.
2. LG Electronics BD390 Network Blu-ray Disc Player
Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
LG has experience with both the now-defunct HD-DVD and surviving Blu-ray Disc formats, and as kept on top of things by introducing the first networked Blu-ray Disc player at last year's CEDIA. Their new BD390 expands on the success of their networked Blu-ray Disc player platform and incorporates not only expanded video and audio streaming options (which include CinemaNow, YouTube, Vudu, and Netflix), but wireless network connectivity via built-in WiFi. This is definitely a player for those that want a complete Blu-ray and internet streaming entertainment experience.
3. Sony Playstation 3 - Blu-ray/DVD Player and Game Console Combination
The Sony Playstion 3 is not only a hot video game console, but it is a great Blu-ray Disc player. For about $399, you not only get a game console that can be connected to your home theater and home network, but also provides 1080p upscaled DVD and Blu-ray Disc playback via HDMI outputs. Unlike most Blu-ray Disc players, the PS3 is upgradable to Profile 2.0. The Playstation 3 will give you your money's worth, even if you never play a video game. If you are a movie fan that has been put off buying a Blu-ray Disc player due to cost or fear of obsolescence, check out the Playstation 3 option. For a complete rundown on the PS3's total functionality, check out the report from Roger Altizer, About.com Guide For Playstation Games.4. Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-ray Disc Player
The Samsung BD-P1600 in more than a Blu-ray Disc player. First off, it does play Blu-ray Discs at full 1080p/60 or 1080p/24 resolution, provides bitstream output for both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD via its HDMI 1.3a output, and is fully playback compatible with standard DVDs, most recordable DVD formats, standard music CDs, and CD-Rs/RWs. Another bonus is that standard DVDs are upscaled up to 1080p via the HDMI output. The BD-P1600 also adheres to Profile 2.0(BD-Live) specifications. However, the big bonus is that the BD-P1600 also provides internet music and movie streaming from Netflix and Pandora. The BD-P1600 is an excellent successor to Samsung's popular BD-P1500. Check out one review of the BD-P1600 from PC World.5. LG Electronics BD370 Network Blu-ray Disc Player
Photo (c) Robert Silva, Licensed to About.com
LG was the first to introduce a Blu-ray Disc player, the BD300, with Netflix streaming capability. LG builds on that success with its new BD370. The BD370 not only has the ability play Blu-ray discs and stream movies from the Netflix film library (You need to be a Netflix subscriber), but also includes access to You Tube and Pandora content without the need for a PC. Some of the other highlights include: Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) Blu-ray Disc playback with 1080p upscaling for standard DVDs and USB host functions for flash drives and digital audio/video devices. However, two disappointments are that the user must insert a 1GB flash memory drive into the USB host port for BD-Live access and the upscaling for standard DVDs needs improvement.
6. Panasonic DMP-BD80K Blu-ray Disc Player
Blu-ray Disc players are getting more versatile and less expensive. The DMP-BD80K offers top-notch Blu-ray playback and Panasonic continues to improve standard DVD upscaling performance over its previous models. This player not only features built-in Profile 2.0 interactive capabilities, which can access additional internet content related to some Blu-ray Disc releases, but also includes the ability to download content from YouTube and Picassa. Two other conveniences include the inclusion of 7.1 channel analog outputs for use with older non-hdmi-equipped receivers, and a has very slim design. If you haven't experienced Blu-ray, consider taking the plunge with the Panasonic DMP-BD80K7. Panasonic DMP-BD60K Blu-ray Disc Player
Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
The DMP-BD60K plays Blu-ray discs at full 720p, 1080i, or 1080p resolution via its HDMI output. This player is compatible with standard DVDs and most recordable DVD formats, as well as standard music CDs and CD-Rs/RWs. Standard DVDs are upscaled up to 1080p via the HDMI output. This player also provides both onboard decoding or undecodeed bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD via HDMI. The DMP-BD60 aheres to Blu-ray Profile 2.0 specifications, which provides access to improved interactive features available on many newer Blu-ray Disc releases. This player is a great value for $299. To find out if the DMP-BD60 is right for you, check out my Short and Full Reviews, as well as a supplementary Photo Profile and Video Performance Tests.
8. Samsung BD-P3600 Blu-Ray Disc Player with Wi-Fi
The Samsung BD-P3600 is a cutting edge Blu-ray Disc player. First off, it plays Blu-ray Discs at full 1080p/60 or 1080p/24 resolution, provides bitstream output for both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD via its HDMI 1.3a output, and is playback compatible with standard DVDs, most recordable DVD formats, music CDs, and CD-Rs/RWs. Also, standard DVDs are upscaled up to 1080p via the HDMI output. The BD-P3600 also adheres to Profile 2.0(BD-Live) specifications. However, the big bonuses included in the BD-P3600 are that it offers an Ethernet and WiFi adapter for either wired or wireless connection to your home network and the internet, and it also provides access to internet music and movie streaming from Netflix and Pandora.9. Pioneer BDP-320 Blu-ray Disc Player
Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
The Pioneer BDP-320 combines practical features with good performance. Blu-ray discs are played at full 1080p via HDMI output. This player is also compatible with standard DVDs and CDs. DVDs are upscaled up to 1080p via the HDMI output. Onboard decoding or undecoded bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD is provided via HDMI. The BDP-320 aheres to Blu-ray Profile 2.0 specifications, and also BDP320 incoporates Precision Quartz Lock System (PQLS) for jitterless audio transmission between the BDP320 and compatible Pioneer home theater receivers for better audio CD playback performance using HDMI. To find out more, check my Short and Full Reviews, as well as a supplmentary Photo Profile and Video Performance Tests.
10. Harman Kardon BDP1 Blu-ray Disc Player
Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
The BDP1 is the first Blu-ray Disc Player from Harman Kardon. The BDP1 plays Blu-ray Discs at full 1080p resolution via HDMI HDMI output. This player is also compatible with standard DVDs and audio CDs. DVDs are upscaled up to 1080p via the HDMI output. Onboard decoding or undecoded bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD is also provided via HDMI. The BDP1 aheres to Profile 2.0 specifications, and as an added bonus, the front mounted USB port provides for access to both BD-Live memory expansion and still images, music, and video files stored on USB Flash Drives. To find out if the Harman Kardon BDP1 is right for you, check out my Short and Full Reviews, as well as a supplementary Photo Profile and Video Performance Tests.
