Best Blu-ray players
Now that HD DVD is dead, home theater fans have only one choice for high-def movie discs: Blu-ray. Blu-ray players can deliver outstanding image quality, with movies encoded in 1080p resolution and rich colors that put DVD to shame. This list consists of the best Blu-ray players on the market and the bottom line is clear--the Sony PlayStation 3 is the most by far the most recommendable Blu-ray player available today. There are a few caveats--the PS3 doesn't have analog multichannel outputs or an IR receptor--but they're overshadowed by the fact that you also get a high-def gaming console and media streamer. Some home theater die hards will insist on a standalone player, but everyone else should stick with the PS3 until standalones cost much less and perform comparably.
Sony PlayStation 3
8.5 Excellent (reviewed 11/9/07)
While Sony has cut a few corners to get its entry-level PlayStation 3 below $400, it's still a great game console and Blu-ray player for the money--so long as you can live without backward compatibility for PS2 games.
Read review of the Sony PlayStation 3
Panasonic DMP-BD50
7.4 Very good (reviewed 6/6/08)
Excellent soundtrack support and Profile 2.0-compliancy make the Panasonic DMP-BD50 the most recommendable standalone Blu-ray player to date, but the PS3 is still better and cheaper.
Read review of the Panasonic DMP-BD50
Samsung BD-P1500
6.8 Good (reviewed 7/1/08)
The Samsung BD-P1500 lacks some features and doesn't perform as well as the PlayStation 3, but its relatively low price makes it a solid option for those few people on a budget who still demand a standalone Blu-ray player.
Read review of the Samsung BD-P1500
Panasonic DMP-BD30K
6.6 Good (reviewed 10/30/07)
The Panasonic DMP-BD30 offers excellent video quality and is Blu-ray Profile 1.1 compliant, but those who want high-resolution audio will need a cutting-edge AV receiver.
Read review of the Panasonic DMP-BD30K
