Which Blu-ray player to buy?

[jeffc]

I'm really starting from scratch, will be getting a new TV and will buy a Blu-ray player to go with it. Getting the Sony 46" LCD.

What features should I be looking for? What brands are the most reliable or offer the best bang for the buck? Not looking to break the bank, and I often go entry level, provided I'm not going to be obsolete in a year.

thanks for the input.

[wprager]

If you go a bit bigger with the TV they often have package deals where you get a (somewhat matching) blu ray player. You should be able to find a Superbowl deal right now.

Personally, I got a PS3 to be my blu-ray player; it's one of the better ones going (fast, easy to upgrade, has built-in wireless and storage), lets you play games, stream some content from the internet, Netflix, your home PC. If you were to go that route, though, I highly recommend getting a PS3 Blu-Ray remote for movie playback functions.

[jeffc]

likely won't go the PS3 route, since I don't really want one (I will become an addict). Just looking for standard blu-ray.

[Mik]

Oppo BDP-83 (if you can find one) or BDP-93. Search the forums for more info on this player.

[TechieFreak]

Look for one that has DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance).

This feature allows you to stream music and video from any source in your house, as well as on the internet. So if you've downloaded a video on your laptop, you'd be able to watch it on your 46" Sony through your Bluray player.

If your PC is your main source for your MP3s, then you can listen to your favourite music, through the player over the speakers in your home theatre setup. You can also view your pictures that you took when the family went skating down the canal, and gorged themselves on a beaver tail.

It just gives you more flexibility on where your media is, and where you want to listen/watch.

[jeffc]

Thanks

Do lower end players have these?

I'm thinking to spend $150 ish

Cant see dropping $500 on an oppo

[lawman]

get the Seiki BD660 bluray player

[wz286t]

Oppo used to be the best value for the DVD/BD player at $200-300.
As good/great as they are - they too have now become too expensive for the average buyer once they became successful. Besides, theirs are universal players(they play the multi-channel formats like SACD and DVD-Audio, and others), but I have a feeling you're not too concerned about that.
That brings us back to the major brand names: Sony(which would make perfect sense with your new Sony TV), Panasonic, Samsung, LG and then possibly Yamaha, Toshiba etc.
If you should stick to Sony - I would go with the highest affordable model (BDP-S570) at around $140-170.
Panasonic best bet in the 2D and your price range would by DMP-BD85 at $170.
That leaves Samsung BD-C5500 ($160), C6500 at $160 or C7500 at $250 or so.
And LG has BD570 at around $160.
All this and more in the latest(March 2011) issue of Consumers Reports.

[e268]

FS has LG BD555c for $100. Customer review is about 4/5.

[ogorek]

If you are not looking for 3D or wireless, Sony BDP-S370 is your best bet. If you are looking for those features Sony BDP-S570. The LG 555C has excellent picture quality but very limited internet features. The Samsung has many, many issues. Sony is limited to Fat32 usb, has no Netflix, but has the best internet contents, easy firmware update via internet, excellent picture quality, dlna, and in my opinion after trying both LG and Samsung, best value for the money.
I paid $86 for Sony BDP-S370 at WM during boxing week. I think the price will come down again to this level soon, because new models are coming out.

[MrBizi]

You might want to get one with the ability to connect to the internet.

When I bought my blu-ray player I did not realize how useful this feature would be. I now watch movies via Netflix and its awesome, the picture quality is comparable to HD cable signal and I rarely experience buffering issues. I think streaming videos will just get better in the near future as more players are getting into this market e.g. Blockbuster, Amazon etc.

I have the Samsung C6500 ($179@Future Shop). Picture quality is great but I would not recommend this unless you're tech-savvy as the wireless feature can be a bit flaky. Sony and Panasonic offer internet-ready players as well.

[cooper83]

If you are not looking for 3D or wireless, Sony BDP-S370 is your best bet.

+1

You might want to get one with the ability to connect to the internet.

All Blu-ray players connect to the internet via Ethernet port.

[hugh]

I'm thinking to spend $150 ish

Low end Sony or Panny is your best bet.

[Inzane]

For Sony S370 vs S570, does the 570 offer any benefits in terms of DVD upconverting quality or audio options?

[cooper83]

Judging by the specs, no.