Best Reviewed
Blu-ray Players
- Best Blu-ray player for videophiles Oppo BDP-93 *Est. $500
- Best Blu-ray player for most users Panasonic DMP-BDT210 *Est. $150
- Best budget Blu-ray player Panasonic DMP-BDT110 *Est. $120
- Blu-ray player and gaming console Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (160 GB) *Est. $250
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- Great Blu-ray playback
- Fast disc-loading and response times
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity
- HD audio decoders
- Non-standard design
- Audiovisual remote costs extra
- Can't use a universal remote
- HD audio only via HDMI
Though it has been matched and even passed by some stand-alone Blu-ray players, critics say the Sony PlayStation 3 is still one of the better options for viewing Blu-ray discs. It's not the least expensive Blu-ray player available, however, it's compatible with the latest Blu-ray Profiles, including BD-Live, which allows users to access additional online content. The PS3 has onboard decoders for the latest HD audio formats, but you'll need a home theater receiver that can process audio via HDMI, as the PS3 can't stream HD audio and lacks multichannel analog audio outputs. This version has 80 GB of storage for downloading additional features as well as movies, clips and games. If you don't care about gaming, the LG BD390 is feature-rich, offers both bitstreaming and multichannel analog audio outputs, has great picture quality with both Blu-ray Discs and standard DVDs, can use a universal remote and is less expensive. While you can't use it to play video games, it is every bit as fast as the PS3 and can connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. It also has the ability to stream videos from Netflix, CinemaNow and YouTube directly to your TV, and many different file types from your PC. The PS3 is also available with a 160 GB hard drive (*Est. $250), but that extra hard-drive capacity is not terribly important if you'll mainly be using it to view Blu-ray Discs.
Almost everyone who reviews home theater gear has weighed in on the Sony PlayStation 3 as a Blu-ray player, though some of those reviews have grown a bit old. It's still worth a look to view the reports from PC World, CNET, PCMag.com, BigPictureBigSound.com and Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. Amazon.com has a good selection of user reviews.
Our Sources
1. PC World
Melissa Perenson says the PS3 is a great deal and that video looks great. However, she adds, some Blu-ray players outperform it. Perenson also discusses using the game controller for Blu-ray playback.
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 80GB, Melissa J. Perenson, Feb. 26, 2009
2. CNET
While much of this review centers on the Sony PlayStation 3's prowess as a gaming console, Jeff Bakalar also focuses on its performance as a Blu-ray player. Bakalar says that regardless of price, he's yet to see a player that can outperform the PS3 when it comes to playing back Blu-ray Discs. Even several months later, CNET ranks the PS3 as the second-best Blu-ray player overall.
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 (80GB), Jeff Bakalar, Nov. 20, 2009
Though more attention is paid to the Sony PlayStation 3's prowess as a gaming console, Dan Costa says that "purely as a Blu-ray player, the PS3 is pretty amazing." Speed and video performance help the PS3 achieve Editors' Choice status.
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3), Dan Costa, Nov. 19, 2008
Reviewer Chris Boylan writes that the Sony PlayStation 3 is a "no brainer" if you're interested in some of its other abilities, such as gaming, networking and Internet connectivity. The review includes the results of hands-on testing and offers some valuable pointers. Some information in this older review is now out of date, however.
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) Blu-ray Disc Player/Gaming Console, Chris Boylan, April 15, 2008
5. Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
Kris Deering says there are better standard-definition DVD players, but the Sony PlayStation 3 is among the finest Blu-ray players on the market. While the conclusion is clear, some of the data presented may be information overload for readers who are not tech-savvy.
Review: Sony PlayStation PS3, Kris Deering, Feb. 29, 2008
6. Amazon.com
Amazon.com is a good place to read user reviews of the Sony PlayStation 3. Around 400 people have already weighed in on the PS3 in its latest configuration, and the overwhelming majority award it good-to-great ratings.
Review: PlayStation 3 , Contributors to Amazon.com
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