Best Blu-Ray Player

[DarkWing6]

I'm looking for the best value in a Blu-Ray player. The wife and I are probably going to pick one up this year as our gift to one another, so what do you all think would be the best value? I'd like to keep it around the $200 mark, but I can stretch that for the right player. This will be hooked up to our 42" Panasonic Plasma 1080p that we bought in March, so it will be able to take full advantage of the Blu-Ray. I don't want to get a PS3 (too much $$ for something I wont use much).

[Farbin Kaiber]

Damn, I was gonna say PS3 > *.

[Collin]

As far as I know the PS3 is the cheapest bluray player, but I could be wrong.

[Vedubin01]

As far as I know the PS3 is the cheapest bluray player, but I could be wrong.

Its not the cheapest but one of the better drivers of Blu-Ray. I just went though Crutchfield.com and ordered a Sony ES home receiver and got the Sony BDP350 for under $70 shipped.

[DarkWing6]

As far as I know the PS3 is the cheapest bluray player, but I could be wrong.

PS3s are $400 and you can get blu-ray for under $200 now.

[daniel]

PS3s are no longer the cheapest, but for the money they are arguably the best, and here is a quick rundown as to why.

first of all, blu-ray movies load within seconds. in a standalone blu-ray player, you sometimes have to wait 30-45 seconds just for the movie to start playing.

secondly, it supports every audio codec used on blu-ray discs with the exception of one, which i can't remember the name of, which can only be processed by very very high end receivers.

thirdly, its firmware is easily upgradeable and comes with all the system updates. the blu-ray processing part of the PS3 is always updated. The PS3 is upgradeable to profile 2.0, which allows for extra disc options and various other things i can't think of right now. The cheapy blu-ray players on the market right now are NOT upgradeable to this.

It also has built in wifi, so you don't have to worry about having your PS3 near a router to get the updates.

One downside: No IR port, so you must use the PS3 controller or buy the blu-ray remote for $20, or buy a universal remote that supports bluetooth. There is a solution to this though, which is buying this little USB IR dongle that receives the IR inputs like a normal player.

Another note: Some blu-ray players just flat-out won't play certain movies, even when updated. This issue has not yet afflicted the PS3. Hopefully this doesn't become too big of a problem. I work at blockbuster, so I have to deal with people coming back with a brand new movie that just won't play.

but if all that doesnt matter to you, just buy the cheap samsung blu-ray player and call it good.

[golde30]

PS3 /thread.

[Massive Lee]

Buy a PS3 for Blue-Ray movies. And play Gran Turismo or Tomb Raider when you're bored.

[h0lmes]

You can always get a blu-ray drive for your computer or HTPC. I got mine for about 100 bucks.

[jflip2002]

Definitely the PS3. Learn to play madden while youre at it.

[KenC]

I don't think you're going to get anything that great for $200. You running HDMI or Component?

[DarkWing6]

Leaving now to buy a PS3 with James and John.

Be back later.

[RCWells]

I bought the PS3 a couple weeks or so back, sweet. I just need to pick up some cool games for down time. So far you guys recommend: GT, Tomb Raider, and Madden. Anything else??

[drifty340i]

Pioneer blu-ray are the best on the market imo, BUT allot more $$$

[Pinepig]

There is all kinds of cool things you can do with the PS3, my favorite is streaming Top Gear episodes ( and other media ) from the computer ( in the office ) to the Plasma in the other room. This functionality is built in to the PS3, Media player 11 on your PC and you are good to go.