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Blu-ray Players: Ratings of Sources
Total of 25 Sources
1. CNET
Sept. 2, 2009
Best Blu-ray Players
by Matthew Moskovciak
Our Assessment

CNET does a good job of staying on top of the latest Blu-ray players. The site reviews most new models as soon as they come to market and details its findings in reports that manage to inform but not overwhelm. An editors' rating makes it easy to see where each Blu-ray player stands in relation to its competition. Among current models, the Sony PlayStation 3 has been knocked off of its perch as the best of the Blu-ray players, surpassed by the Oppo BDP-83 and the LG BD390. The Samsung BD-P3600 is nearly as strong of a performer.

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Sub-$300 Blu-ray Player Battle
by Al Griffin
Our Assessment

Sound & Vision magazine lines up three reasonably inexpensive Blu-ray players -- the Panasonic DMP-BD60K, the Samsung BD-P1600 and the LG BD370 -- and puts them through their paces. Testing is thorough and results are described, though perhaps not in as much detail as in some other reviews. The Panasonic DMP-BD60K offers the best image quality overall. Al Griffin is disappointed with the player's media-streaming abilities, but he adds that it will be the player to beat once Amazon on Demand compatibility is added -- which happened in late June. The Samsung BD-P1600 scores just as well when playing back Blu-ray Discs, but it suffers some small bobbles when dealing with standard-definition DVDs.

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Disc Players
by Editors of Home Theater magazine
Our Assessment

Home Theater magazine has reviewed a number of Blu-ray players in expertly done single-product reviews. An at-a-glance section at the top of each review provides high and low points, and ratings are given for performance, value, features and ergonomics. Discussion is well detailed, but not so much so as to completely overwhelm nonvideophiles. Three current players earn a Top Pick designation. The Viera Cast feature in the Panasonic DMP-BD60K isn't a big plus, but the performance and other features are. The Samsung BD-P3600 offers good features and outstanding Blu-ray Disc playback, but it's pricey. The Oppo BDP-83 universal player is even more expensive, but it can play back any disc format in addition to Blu-ray and does so with terrific picture quality and great usability.

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4. ConsumerReports.org
DVD Players and Recorders
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment ConsumerReports.org rates Blu-ray players based on competent testing, though it falls short when it comes to enlightening discussion. Still, the site is very up to date and tests lots of Blu-ray Disc players. Six players are recommended, including top performers and budget choices, but you do need to be a subscriber to learn what those are.
5. PCMag.com
As of Nov. 2009
High-Definition Players
by Editors of PCMag.com
Our Assessment

PCMag.com's Blu-ray player reviews aren't the longest we've seen, but they still manage to pack in tons of technical details -- sometimes to a confusing degree. Testing is competently performed and described, but we would have liked more discussion of how players perform in actual use. Ratings of each player can be used to compare relative performance. The best Blu-ray players are singled out for Editors' Choice recognition; the LG BD390 and Sony PlayStation 3 Slim make the cut, though the PS3's performance as a Blu-ray player is not extensively discussed. One negative is that it has been several months since PCMag.com last reviewed a Blu-ray Disc player.

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6. Big Picture Big Sound.com
As of Nov. 2009
Blu-ray Disc Players
by Editors of BigPictureBigSound.com
Our Assessment There are only a handful of reviews here for current Blu-ray Disc players, but all are thorough and informative without being overly technical. The Samsung BD-P1600 is relatively inexpensive, yet it's blessed with a rich feature lineup and good performance. The Panasonic DMP-BD80 is costlier, but it also has terrific performance and some valuable extras, such as 7.1-channel analog audio outputs.
7. AudioVideoRevolution.com
As of Nov. 2009
Blu-ray Players
by Editors of Audio Video Revolution
Our Assessment

Though a shorter report sneaks in from time to time, most Blu-ray player reviews here are richly detailed. Players are not rated or ranked, but comparisons are sometimes made and opinions are offered. Noteworthy is a long and detailed report that compares the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim to its predecessor, with an emphasis on how it performs as a home entertainment component rather than as a gaming machine.

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8. Ultimate AV Magazine
As of Nov. 2009
HD Disc Players/Recorders
by Editors of UltimateAVmag.com
Our Assessment

UltimateAVmag.com provides authoritative, comprehensive and highly detailed reviews. Discussion can get a little technical, but conclusions are clear and concise. The magazine does not rate or rank Blu-ray players, but comparisons between models are often made. While lots of older Blu-ray players remain listed, the magazine has reviewed the Oppo BDP-83 in recent months. David Vaughn calls it "the complete package," raving about its speed, wide disc compatibility range and flawless playback quality. Despite its relatively high price, he calls it an "incredible value."

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9. PC World
As of Nov. 2009
Blu-ray
by Lincoln Spector
Our Assessment

PCWorld's latest roundup is out of date, but a couple of more recent reports can be found here. Lab test results are provided but not well explained. Viewing tests, while not detailed, get the job done. Ratings are provided, with enough variation to distinguish the winners from the also-rans. Among current Blu-ray Disc players, the Panasonic DMP-BD60K is worth its small premium over other top-tier players thanks to great image quality and design. The Sony PlayStation 3 Slim is rated even higher, but the brief review focuses only a little attention on performance as a Blu-ray player.

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10. Audioholics.com
As of Nov. 2009
Blu-ray and High-Definition DVD Players
by Editors of Audioholics.com
Our Assessment

Audioholics.com doesn't test a lot of Blu-ray Disc players, and that's unfortunate because its Pro Review reports are exceedingly thorough yet still accessible for the nonvideophile. The Oppo BDP-83 is a "well-rounded player" that excels when playing back Blu-ray HD discs, standard-definition DVDs and audio discs. The LG BD390 lacks some of these disc compatibilities but delivers HD image quality that's just as good, costs less and adds important extras, such as the ability to wirelessly stream content from the Internet.

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11. About.com
As of Nov. 2009
Blu-ray Disc Player Top Picks
by Robert Silva
Our Assessment

Blu-ray reviews written by Robert Silva, home theater guide at About.com, are a bit of a mixed bag. The best reviews equal or better those found at other sites, with testing meticulously detailed and explained. Discussion, while not extensive, covers the essentials and then some. Other reports, however, clearly are based on more-cursory examinations or perhaps just manufacturer data. Still, About.com is worth a visit to see if a Blu-ray player you are considering is covered in one of the better reviews here. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

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Blu-ray Players
by Editors of Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
Our Assessment

The reviews here are highly detailed and sophisticated, delivering all the technical information that videophiles want and need. However, some of what's here may leave more casual shoppers scratching their heads at times. Recent reviews include an in-depth report on the Oppo BDP-83, which is "highly recommended." The high-end Sony BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray player is solid but vastly overpriced for what it delivers.

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13. AVGuide.com
As of Nov. 2009
Home Theater Reviews
by Editors of AVGuide.com
Our Assessment

AVGuide.com covers Blu-ray players in nicely done single-product reports and occasional multi-player roundups, most of which originally appeared in Playback magazine. Information is plentiful and well explained. Ratings and a bottom-line assessment are provided. The best players are singled out with a Recommended designation. The site could be easier to use, however, and only one current Blu-ray player is featured -- the universal player Oppo BDP-83 -- but it draws raves from reviewer Chris Martens for its versatility and better picture quality "than anything I've seen or heard at, or even remotely close to, its price."

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14. Engadget.com
Aug. 27, 2009
PlayStation 3 Slim Review
by Ross Miller
Our Assessment

Although Engadget.com is better known as a technology news and gossip blog, this report does an excellent job of tearing apart the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim and comparing it with its predecessor. Testing is appropriate and well explained. Attention is paid to its performance as a Blu-ray Disc player. Slower performance when loading movies is noted, but the PS3 Slim is still "a hard-to-beat value" even for those with no interest in playing games.

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Blu-ray Players
by Editors of Home Cinema Choice magazine
Our Assessment

Though there are some technical differences, and not all Blu-ray players covered are available in the U.S., but Britain's Home Cinema Choice magazine offers nicely detailed and helpful reviews. Testing is conducted and results are reported. Ratings are provided. The best Blu-ray players earn Best Buy awards. The LG BD370 qualifies for its solid performance and features at a bargain price. The Sony PlayStation 3 Slim is called both better and worse than its predecessor, but it generally gets a thumbs-up.

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16. BestBuy.com
As of Nov. 2009
Blu-ray Players
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
Our Assessment

The Best Buy website is a good place to read user reviews. Navigation is easy, and some Blu-ray players get lots of feedback. A nice touch is that posters are asked if they would recommend a specific player to a friend, and those results are presented at the top of the customer review page for each product. The Panasonic DMP-BD60K scores particularly well, with more than 90 percent of the approximately 50 users who've reviewed it saying that they would recommend the player.

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17. Amazon.com
As of Nov. 2009
Blu-ray Disc Players
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment

One advantage Amazon.com has over BestBuy.com is that reviews here tend to be somewhat more detailed; another is that the many players reviewed get far more feedback. The Panasonic DMP-BD60K is a standout, with an overall rating of 4.5 out of five stars after more than 120 reviews, though a small handful complain about some freezing problems. The LG BD390 also does well, though its rating is a little less impressive. Most owners also love the Oppo BDP-83 -- all but a handful of the almost 100 reviews give it a perfect score. For Blu-ray buyers on a budget, the Sylvania NB530SLX pleases almost everyone who reports in.

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18. E-gear.com
As of Nov. 2009
Product Reviews
by Editors of E-Gear.com
Our Assessment

E-gear.com hosts a handful of Blu-ray player reviews, though finding them can be a chore because all reviews are lumped together in one listing. The reviews themselves are of decent quality and clearly based on hands-on testing, though they're not as rigorous as many others. Comparisons are made on occasion and opinions are offered, but Blu-ray Disc players are not rated or ranked. That said, the LG BD390 is a step up from the LG BD370 and Samsung BD-3600, though the reviewer is not sure the improvement is worth the price premium. However, he has no such qualms about the Oppo BDP-83, which he says is worth the investment.

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19. Blu-ray.com
As of Nov. 2009
Blu-ray Players
by Editors of and Contributors to Blu-ray.com
Our Assessment

Blu-ray.com features comprehensive lists of new and upcoming Blu-ray players, as well as a comparison tool that enables site visitors to look at individual players on a nuts-and-bolts level. Many players have fairly detailed user reviews and occasionally editor reviews. Additionally, most current and older players have their own dedicated review threads within the site's forum, some with thousands of posts. Reports can vary greatly in their level of detail, but links to professional reviews are often provided, and most users seem willing to help others with specific questions.

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20. High-Def Digest
As of Nov. 2009
High-Def Digest Forums
by Contributors to HighDefDigest.com
Our Assessment HighDefDigest.com hosts a discussion forum that's both informative and entertaining. There's lots of good information and user-to-user help on a subforum dedicated to Blu-ray, including reviews. A smackdown forum lets proponents battle it out over HD formats and distribution methods, though much of the fire has died with the end of HD DVD.
21. AVSForum.com
As of Nov. 2009
Blu-ray Players
by Contributors to AVSForum.com
Our Assessment You'll find lots of far-ranging -- and sometimes heated -- discussions about everything and anything Blu-ray on this popular site. Hints, tips, problems, solutions and tons of user reviews are just some of what's available. Be prepared to spend some time reading, however, as some of the threads can go on for hundreds, thousands and even tens of thousands of posts.
Blu-ray Players
by Editors of Home Entertainment
Our Assessment Reviews here aren't the most detailed we've seen, but they reflect hands-on testing along with thoughtful analysis. Unfortunately, while opinions are given, players are not really compared, ratings are not supplied and best choices are not clearly identified. Additionally, only a few current Blu-ray Disc players have been reviewed.
23. Bluray-Players.net
As of Nov. 2009
Top 10 Blu-ray Players
by Editors of Bluray-Players.net
Our Assessment This site offers a list of top Blu-ray players based on "performance, sales and user reviews." Normally we give sites like this little credibility, but here it appears that some hands-on testing is done for most Blu-ray players listed. Still, in most cases more attention is paid to appearance and design than to actual performance.
24. HomeTheaterReview.com
As of Nov. 2009
Blu-ray Player Reviews and Information
by Editors of HomeTheaterReview.com
Our Assessment HomeTheaterReview.com reports on a good number of Blu-ray players. Most reviews are not well detailed, however, and actual performance is barely -- if at all -- touched upon in most cases, so we can't be sure that anyone is actually testing the players. Other negatives are that players are not rated, and no attempt is made to name the best Blu-ray player.
25. Epinions.com
As of Aug. 2009
Blu-ray Players
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our Assessment Epinions.com is an independent site where contributors can review products they own. While the user-written reviews are frequently much more detailed than at other sites, there are far fewer of them. In addition, discontinued players continue to be listed, and some popular options -- such as the Sony PlayStation 3 -- can only be found by searching for them.

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