All posts in: Blu-ray Players

Sub $50 Blu-ray Disc players arrive for Black Friday

Electronics
By Carl Laron on November 14, 2011 in

Toshiba BDX2150

They're here. We've been waiting for Blu-ray players to crack the $50 barrier for a while now, and the first round of Black Friday circulars reveals that the wait is over. We know of at least two offers, and there's the possibility of more once all is said and done. While you can still save a tiny bit by opting for a DVD player, at this price point, a Blu-ray player makes far more sense for anyone with an HDTV, or that thinks they might get an HDTV in the next year or two. Don't forget, in addition to delivering pristine (or at least near-pristine) video quality with high-def Blu-ray discs, Blu-ray players are completely compatible with DVDs, and usually do as good a job -- or better -- than most DVD players when it comes to taking those discs and scaling their standard-def images for display on an HDTV. But are these bargain Black Friday Blu-ray players really a bargain? Let's find out Read more

Blu-ray players deliver performance, features and value

Electronics
By Carl Laron on July 18, 2011 in

3D Blu-ray Disc player

While we are still not sold on this whole 3D thing, it's pretty clear that the consumer electronics industry is of a different mind. One of the barriers standing in the way of mass-adoption of 3D for the home has been high price. This year, equipment makers seem to be doing their part in at least lowering that hurdle. As blogged about earlier, we saw that when we updated our report on LCD TVs. Now that we've looked at the 2011 crop of Blu-ray Disc players -- many of which are 3D Blu-ray Disc players -- it's clear that the story is the same with those. Add in the Internet-streaming features that many Blu-ray players bring to the table -- eliminating the need for a separate digital media player (such as the Roku XDS) -- and the value becomes even more compelling. You can get the full Blu-ray Disc player story in our just updated report. Read more

Cutting the cord: Is getting rid of cable TV a good idea?

Electronics
By Carl Laron on February 25, 2011 in

Cutting cable

We've all seen stories like this one about folks who've cancelled their cable or satellite TV service in favor of getting television programming over the air or via the web, either for free or at reduced cost . That many people are considering such a move comes as no surprise, given the state of the economy and that cable bills can run well over $100 per month for anyone desiring more than just the basics. This article at WalletPop.com explores just how much cord-cutters can save. On the other side of things, research indicates cancelling the cable subscription is probably not yet right for everyone. Whether it's right for you depends on factors like what you watch, how much you watch, the quality of your Internet connection, and even where you live. ConsumerSearch already has a number of reports that lay out some of the considerations for you, including brand new reports on video streaming services, and on digital media players that bring those services to any TV. Let's pull all of that together so you can see whether cutting the cord to your cable or satellite TV provider will work for you and your family.

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Blu-ray player deals for Black Friday -- and for right now

Electronics
By Carl Laron on November 23, 2010 in

Blu-ray players for Black Friday

As we've noted in our report on Blu-ray players, improving technology and dropping prices have made Blu-ray Disc players a reasonable choice over a DVD player for anyone that owns an HDTV. If you're considering making the move to Blu-ray this holiday season, we spotted a number of good offers on everything from basic, low-priced Blu-ray Disc spinners to feature-rich players with all the trimmings, including 3D, built-in Wi-Fi and Internet streaming support. You might need to line up pretty early for some of these deals, while you can get others right now. Here's our take on the best deals if you want to make this a Blu Christmas. Read more

Blu-ray at Best Buy: Good and better Black Friday buys

Electronics
By Carl Laron on November 15, 2010 in

Toshiba BDX1100

This is beginning to look like a merry holiday season for anyone looking to step up from DVD to Blu-ray Disc. While the Holy Grail of a $50 Blu-ray player is still proving to be elusive, we're coming tantalizingly close, and I would not be surprised to see one surface for Black Friday before all's said and done. In the meantime, the Best Buy Black Friday circular has been leaked -- you can see it at BFads.net and elsewhere -- and it includes three tempting offers for value-oriented Blu-ray players. We have our preferences, but depending on yours, all are worth considering. Read more

Target hits the Black Friday bullseye with its $298 40-inch LCD TV

Electronics
By Carl Laron on November 12, 2010 in

Westinghouse VR-4085DF

Though videophiles might not be impressed, those looking for as much TV screen as they can get for as little as they can spend just might find themselves lining up at Target in the wee hours on Black Friday (the store opens at 4 a.m.). That's because the 40-inch Westinghouse 1080p LCD TV for $298 that the store is offering as a Black Friday special just might be the killer TV deal of the season -- at least thus far. And, if you buy the TV before 10 a.m, Target is throwing in a $10 gift card as well. You can see the deal in the leaked Target Black Friday circular posted at BFads.net, and elsewhere on the Internet. Read more

Sony Blu-ray player a star at Sears for Black Friday

Electronics
By Carl Laron on November 11, 2010 in

Sears Black Friday ad

Sneak peeks at the Sears Black Friday circular have been posted online at sites like Black-Friday.net. Looking through it for technology bargains, we saw some decent, if not earth-shattering, deals for LCD and plasma TVs. Whether  they are worth getting up for at 4 in the morning on Black Friday is a call we'll leave up to you. However, if you can rub the sleep out of your eyes, we did see what looks to be a pretty compelling offer for an equally compelling Blu-ray Disc player. Read more

Walmart gets the jump on Black Friday

Electronics
By Carl Laron on November 4, 2010 in

Walmart electronics sale

Black Friday is beginning early for shoppers looking to score an HDTV or a video game console for the holidays. BFads.net reports that Walmart is reprising last year's Amazing Electronics Event Sale, which delivered prices as good -- and in some cases better -- than what the retail giant offered later in the holiday shopping season. The sale will be held this Saturday, Nov. 6, and the offers are good online or in the chain's brick-and-mortar stores. Of course, as they say, quantities are limited. Read more

Blu-ray goes mainstream

Electronics
By Carl Laron on August 31, 2010 in

LG BD590

Once considered something only for well-heeled videophiles, Blu-ray has now become a part of many home theater setups. Home Media Magazine quotes research that reports 18 percent of homes with a TV will have a Blu-ray player to go with it by the end of the year. There are plenty of reasons for that. Prices have dropped dramatically, and manufacturers have heaped loads of features into even budget Blu-ray players -- such as the ability to get  more movies, music and other content directly from the Internet. Picture quality with Blu-ray Discs is very good, even on budget players, and the best Blu-ray players overall approach visual perfection. You can learn more about the top choices in our updated report on Blu-ray players. Read more

Blu-ray player prices dip again

Electronics
By Carl Laron on March 18, 2010 in

Magnavox Blu-ray player
While most Blu-ray players, including basic models like the Panasonic DMP-BDP60K (recently upgraded as the Panasonic DMP-BD65), continue to regularly cost around $150 and up, reports have recently surfaced of players with prices as low as $50. The catch? You'll need to settle for a good, but not great, Blu-ray player or accept a refurbished model. You'll also need to be quick and/or lucky because these Blu-ray players are being snapped up in a hurry by those that find them. Read more

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