Sony BDP-S300
September 10, 2008
Manufacturer's overview
Everyone will marvel at the stunning sound and picture quality of this second-generation Blu-ray Disc player. With remarkable features and versatile performance, the BDP-S300 is an amazing value.See and hear a whole new world of high definition with the incredible BDP-S300 Blu-ray Disc Player. The crystalline clarity of 1080p Blu-ray Disc movies and DVD up scaling has to be seen to be believed. Amazing 24p True Cinema output and cinema-tuned picture presets allow you to see movies exactly how the director intended. And with BRAVIA Theatre Sync, you can now you can control your compatible BRAVIA TV and AV systems from just one remote.
Our Take
This is predecessor of Sony's BDP-S350 model. As such, it is similar in terms of features. The one missing feature is the ability to upgrade the Profile 1.1 to 2.0. This player lacks the ethernet port which limits it to the Profile 1.1. As there are very few if any disc with internet content, you might not mind a player with Profile 1.1.
The connectivity exactly same as the S350 model with the exception of ethernet port. It has the standard HDMI interface as well as component and S-video for standard definition output. It does have 5.1 channel audio support for better backward compatibility.
The image quality is on par with most Blu-ray player, which means it is excellent. This player has option to output the video in true 24 fps format. 24 fps is the original frame rate at which most movies are shot. The review sites and user reviews generally rate the video output of this player as excellent. The upconversion quality is pretty similar to that of S350's level. If you have big DVD collection, this player's upconversion will be more than adequate.
The audio decoding capability is pretty similar to that of S350 model. It lacks the decoding of high definition Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats. This can be easily overcome if you have receiver capable of decoding them as this player can send the signal through bit stream. Other than that, it can handle any other audio format.
The remote is very similar to that of S350. Very functional unit which lacks the back lit buttons. You should not have any problem with this unit.
Overall this is very popular model as it is feature rich model. However, if you must have profile 2.0 than you might want to have look at the S350 model as that model can be updated where as this model can not.
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Video Review
Sony BDP-S350 Review
September 10, 2008
Manufacturer's overview
Revel in astounding HD clarity with the BDP-S350 Blu-ray Disc player. The most noticeable additions to this year's model are the Ethernet port that lets you download firmware updates directly to the player, and -- with one of those firmware updates -- access web contetent encoded to Blu-ray discs via BD-Live, compatibility with the Bonus View feature of select Blu-ray movies, and a USB port that allows you to add more storage to access the growing number of special features that will be available given the immense storage capacity of Blu-ray discs themeselves. This player also outputs a Full 1080/24p True Cinema picture, and upscales your existing DVD collection to 1080p when using an HDMI connection. Dolby TrueHD capability delivers lossless sound that is true to the original studio master. Bringing it all together is the new icon based Xcross Media Bar, which provides simple navigation of the player's menu system.
Our Take
Sony has pushed its Blu-ray format to victory over the HD-DVD format. It has made foray into the mass market by offering BDP-350 model. Althought it lacks the Profile 2.0, it has plenty feature and punch to become a very popular Blu-ray player. Sony has promised to update the Profile in the near future.
The connectivity lacks some of the backward compatible audios. It lacks the 5.1 or 7.1 audio channel connectivity. The standard HDMI is present as well as component and S-video. The big plus is having the ethernet port for future update to Profile 2.0.
The video output is very good across the board. None of the problems that plagued earlier players are present in this player such as jaggies, blockiness, and chopiness. The image quality is very sharp and can handle fast moving scenes with ease according to user reviews. The upconversion quality is fantastic for exisiting DVD movies.
The audio support is bit lacking as it does not have onboard decoding of DTS-HD Master Audio. However, it does have onboard decoding capability of Dolby TrueHD. If you have receiver capable of decoding these you can easily output these formats via bitstream. But if you are lacking receiver you will be limited to Dolby TrueHD decoding.
The remote is pretty good with plenty of big directional pads and good compatiblity with other components. However, we would of have liked to have back lit buttons.
Overall, it is an excellent player at a great price. This is one of the most popular stand alone Blu-ray player.
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Video Review
Panasonic DMP-BD10A
September 10, 2008
Manufacturer's overview
The DMP-BD10A features an audio upgrade package that brings high end surround audio to the viewing experience via the inclusion of 7.1 channel surround, Dolby True HD and dts-HD High Resolution Audio decoding technology. The DMP-BD10A also incorporates Panasonic's proprietary EZ-Sync system for integrated one-touch operation of Panasonic home-theater components. In addition to playing pre-recorded Blu-ray movie discs, the DMP-BD10A plays conventional standard-definition DVDs and conventional CDs. Other key features of the DMP-BD10A include proprietary P4HD technology for performing IP conversion at the pixel level for ultra-fine details, a 297MHz 14bit Video D/A Converter with 4X oversampling, video noise shaping that improves signal-to-noise ratios by shifting noise to an unused band, and theoretical support for nearly 4400 billion colors. The DMP-BD10A also incorporates Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital and dts decoding, and BD-J (Java application) interactive capability.
Our Take
This is one of the first attempt at Blu-ray player by Panasonic. As such, it lacks some of the features that are present in recent Blu-ray player releases. The player lacks the newest Blu-ray Profile. This player comes with Profile 1.0 which lacks the picture in picture capability of 1.1 and internet connectivity of Profile 2.0. If having the latest profile is a must for you, you might want to look for some of the newer models.
The connectivity is pretty standard. It has HDMI and component video output as well S-video. The 5.1 and 7.1 audio channel connectivity is pretty nice if you lack a receiver. As stated earlier, the high definition signal can only be carried by the HDMI interface.
While this player lacks the feature of some of the newsest players, it makes up for it in video output quality. As with other Panasonic players, it has received great reviews across the board. The pictures are sharp and it lacks the blockiness or choppiness experienced by some players. Having said that, most Blu-ray players have great imaging quality for most part. The upconversion quality is excellent as with other Panasonic models.
For an earlier model, this player has excellent audio support. IT can decode standard Dolby Digital and DTS. It also supports high resolution audio tracks Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD via bit streaming to the receivers. The addition of 7.1 audio channel support is big plus for people with 7.1 audio channel set up.
The remote control is pretty bad for Blu-ray player of this caliber. It lacks back lit buttons as well as difficult navigation. The remote also lacks good support for other devices. You might want to pick up Logitech Harmony remote control.
Overall, it is an excellent player and can be had at low price due to its earlier spec. If you have to have the Profile 2.0, you might want to avoid this player. However, if you can live with older spec, this player is an excellent pick up.
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Video Review
Samsung BD-P1500
September 10, 2008
Manufacturer's overview
Experience the blu-ray difference with the SAMSUNG BD-P1500. You’ll get incredibly detailed images with brilliant color in full high definition 1080p resolution. Amazing picture quality isn’t the only benefit. This blu-ray disc player comes with SAMSUNG’s Anynet+ technology which lets you control all your SAMSUNG AV devices from just one remote. The BD-P1500 lets you have it all - watch your favorite DVDs and blu-ray discs or listen to CDs with the highest-quality audio.
Our take
This is an affordable player that is cheaper than most other popular Blu-ray players. The player forgoes the Profile 2.0 for the earlier Profile 1.1. This might turn off some buyers. However, Samsung has promised to upgrade the Profile in near future. This is possible because the player does have network connectivity via its ethernet port.
The player includes standard connectivity options. It has the standard HDMI output for 1080p video output. It includes component and composite output for standard definition output. It lacks the analog 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog outputs. More importantly, it has ethernet port as mentioned earlier. This will allow firmware update or Profile update in future.
The overall video quality is perfectly acceptable according to many user reviews and various review sites. Some have reported seeing some chopiness and blockiness. But these instances were minimal hard to notice unless you are looking for it. The upconversion of existing DVDs were reported to be outstanding.
The audio option is somewhat limited when it comes to high definition audio decoding. The player can deocde Dolby TrueHD but lacks the deoding capability of DTS-HD Master Audio. The good news is that it can output both of these format in bit stream format which can be decoded via receiver. If you already own a quality receiver, the lack of decoding capability should not deter you from this player.
The remote control is fairly standard. It can operate other components. However, people have complained about its lack of backlit buttons which can be pain when viewing movies in the dark environment.
Overall, it is an excellent player with great price point.
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Video Review
Panasonic DMP-BD50
September 10, 2008
Manufacturer's overview
The Ultimate Playback Source for High Definition 1080p Content
The DMP-BD50 is Panasonic's third generation Blu-ray disc player. Blu-ray media offers a wide range of functions that foster the transition to HD including 1080p image quality, lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio and versatile Picture-in-Picture applications. The DMP-BD50 adds the new BD-Live function, which uses the internet to further enhance your entertainment experience by allowing you to download additional contents and share the information with other BD-Live users. In the future, BD-Live will allow users to connect the DMP-BD50 to the internet to download such data as images and subtitles, and to join in multi-player interactive games that are linked to bonus movie content contained in Blu-ray discs.
Experience True Cinema Viewing Right in Your Living Room
For optimum image HD i/p quality, the DMP-BD50 features the PHL Reference Chroma processor and P conversion processor, which combine to create UniPhier, a precise digital video processor that produces sharp, crisp, natural colors that are extremely faithful to the original movie.
Incredible Sound Completes the Hi-Def Experience
The true to the original source images are complimented by an exceptionally pure, accurate sounds achieved through Audio Re-master and integrated decoders for the lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats. Furthermore, the DMP-BD50 can be combined with a 7.1 channel amplifier and speakers for full 7.1 channel surround sound.
HD Networking with SD Card
Networking is an essential product of the DMP-BD50. The included Memory Card slot allows for easy transferring of images from an HD camcorder or digital still camera via an SD Memory card. You can simply insert the SD card into the DMP-BD50 to view images on a large screen HD flat panel television with AVCHD format video images or JPEG stills in full 1920x1080 resolution.
One-Touch Control from Your TV's Remote
With EZ Sync HDAVI Control, you can control your Blu-ray Disc player and all your home theater components with your TV's remote2. Simply press the EZ Sync button and select "BD Player" on the menu screen; the BD player's menu will be displayed and you can begin playback.
Our Take
This player is one of the first player to implement the Blu-ray Profile 2.0, BD-LIVE, which supports the internet connectivity. The movie studios will have internet only contents available on the upcoming Blu-ray movie releases. Also, the Profile 2.0 will allow firmware update via internet instead of flashing through the use of discs.
The player offers plenty of connectivity including HDMI and component video output. It offers 5.1 analog output for backward compatibility. As an added bonus, the player has SDHC card reader that can read various data such as MP3s and JPG pitcure files.
The review on the video quality seems to be positive from various review sites. Both users and reviewers are very satisfied with the video output quality. The picture displayed no choppiness or blockiness. It also handled various video output format such as 1080i as well as 1080p.
There is no shortage of audio output option on this player, It supports high resolution audio formats Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio via onboard decoder. It can also send out the audio via bit stream format to receiver should you choose to do that. Naturally, it supports the 5.1 and 7.1 channel analog output.
The included remote does the job adequately. It is programmable remote so you can use it to control various other home theater equipments.
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Top 5 Blu-Ray Players
September 10, 2008

With the format war firmly laid to rest, it is great time to purchase a Blu-ray player. However, there are plethora of different Blu-ray players that might confuse regular shoppers. The Blu-ray players are constantly updated to allow more features and contents in the way of Blu-ray profiles. Blu-ray players started out with profile 1.0 and expanded to 1.1 and 2.0. The subsequent profile added addition features such as picture in picture and internet connectivity. The video output quality should not vary too much from player to player. However, there are players that do decode video little bit better than the other players.
The video output will vary from person to person depending on on the television sets. On the other hand, there are various options available when it comes to audio decoding. Some have onboard decoding capability where as other players might need a quality receivers to truely bring out high definition audio. Most consumers who own regular DVD disc might want to pay attention to the upscaling capability of Blu-ray player. The good upconverstion will enhance picture quality of existing DVD discs. The quality of included remote control might save you some money on purchasing separate universal remote control that could cost as much as $100. We will go through feature of various Blu-ray models to help you decide which player is right for your needs.
Without further a do, here is a comprehensive list of Top 5 Blu-Ray Players currently available in the market.
If you strongly feel differently about our top 5 choices, please vote!
Which Blu-Ray Player is currently the best in the market?
- LG BD550 (21%, 18 Votes)
- Panasonic DMP BD85K (21%, 18 Votes)
- OPPO BDP-93 (18%, 15 Votes)
- LG BD550 (15%, 13 Votes)
- Sony BDP S570 (15%, 13 Votes)
- Samsung BD C6500 (8%, 7 Votes)
- Sony BDP S370 (1%, 1 Votes)
- Samsung BD C7900 (0%, 0 Votes)
- Samsung BD C6900 (1%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 85
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September 7, 2008
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