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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Blu-ray player and gaming console
- High-quality Blu-ray playback
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- High-end video game console
- 3D compatibility
- Doesn't look like a home theater component
- Remote for home theater use costs extra
- So-so DVD performance
- Noisy disc-loading mechanism
The Sony PlayStation 3 Slim remains a top choice for anyone looking for a high-performance Blu-ray Disc player -- and a complete no-brainer for someone who is also interested in the PS3's prowess as a high-end video-gaming machine. Though the PlayStation 3 was once the fastest Blu-ray player around, many stand-alone Blu-ray players now load discs faster than Sony's console. Some complain that the disc-loading mechanism is noisier and less smooth than earlier versions of the PS3. Image quality with Blu-ray Discs is unbeatable. Praise is harder to come by when it comes to DVD playback, though most say that it's at least acceptable for noncritical viewing.
Internet streaming is relatively limited compared to some of stand-alone Blu-ray players, but Netflix streaming is on board. You can also download movies and TV programs from Sony's own PlayStation Store. Hulu Plus, the subscription-based version of Hulu, is another streaming option. The PS3 is also Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) certified, so you can stream content such as movies, music and photos from a networked PC. Support for all of those features is enhanced by the inclusion of a built-in Wi-Fi radio. The ability to view 3D Blu-ray Discs has also been added. The basic console includes a 160 GB hard drive for storing movies, music, photos and other files. A step-up version boosts that to a 320 GB hard drive (*Est. $300) but is otherwise identical
Because it uses Bluetooth rather than the more common RF, the PS3 doesn't play well with most universal remote controls, though some workarounds from other companies are available. You can control Blu-ray playback with the included game controller, but most people likely will find that springing for an optional AV remote (*Est. $20) is a worthwhile investment. Some purists are turned off by the idea of using a gaming console as a high-end Blu-ray player, but the majority of consumers don't seem to mind. For more information on the PS3 Slim's game-playing abilities, see the ConsumerSearch report on Video Game Consoles.
If you don't care about gaming, the Panasonic DMP-BDT210 (*Est. $150) is markedly faster, offers 3D capability and has more robust Internet streaming features. Picture quality with Blu-ray Discs and DVDs is first-rate. There are no issues if you want to use a standard universal remote for control. However, you can't use the DMP-BDT210 to play video games or surf the Internet (the PS3 Slim includes a basic built-in web browser).
We found lots of reviews that dig into the details of how the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim performs as a Blu-ray player. The best is at AudioVideoRevolution.com, where you will find a pages-long report. Good reports are also available at CNET and Engadget.com. There are tons of owner-written reviews at Amazon.com.
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Our Sources
This is the most detailed report we've seen on how the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim performs as a Blu-ray Disc and DVD player. Reams of information are presented on how the PS3 Slim measures up on its own and as compared with the regular PS3. Performance is dinged for being seconds slower than its predecessor, and the disc-loading mechanism is criticized for issuing sounds during startup that are a little disconcerting and annoying. Picture quality with Blu-ray is terrific, but DVD playback is found wanting. Overall, the PS3 Slim is called a great value.
Review: Sony 120 GB PlayStation 3 Slim Review, Thomas Spurlin, Sept. 9, 2009
2. CNET
This brief report is most useful for those who want to know how the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim stacks up as a Blu-ray player. Good and bad points are summarized, and conclusions are testing based. Blu-ray performance is praised, and DVD performance is found good enough for all but the pickiest of viewers. The review calls the speed good enough, though newer Blu-ray Disc players are faster, and Sony's PlayStation 3 Slim rates near the bottom of the disc-speed pack.
Review: Hands-on: PS3 Slim as a Blu-ray Player, Matthew Moskovciak, Sept. 15, 2009
3. Engadget.com
This article examines the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim and compares it with the previous version. Playback quality is not addressed, but other details, such as energy consumption and operational speed are tested. Value is commended, even for those who don't plan on using the PS3 Slim for game playing.
Review: PlayStation 3 Slim Review, Ross Miller, Aug. 27, 2009
4. Amazon.com
More than 400 owners report on the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim. The majority give it 5 stars, helping the console achieve an overall rating of 4.4 stars. Negative comments include a handful of complaints about issues related to firmware updates. There's also a little "fanboyism" between those who praise and pan the PS3 Slim, which is not unusual for video game console user reviews.
Review: PlayStation 3, Contributors to Amazon.com
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