Best Blu Ray Player

Sony BDP-S350

As with most new technology, it has taken Blu-ray players multiple models to work out the initial glitches before being able to offer a solid product. Sony achieved this recently by presenting the BDP-S350, and providing the high quality that a Blu-ray player is expected to give at a reasonable price. The BDP-S350 can be found for around $250 and gives the average consumer everything they need from a BluRay player. Philips adds the BDP7200 to the list of affordable Blu-ray players and is priced around $200. However, one of the main things to consider in terms of value is the quality of the picture. Budget players such as the BDP7200, are unable to provide true picture quality, weakening their investment value.

What's Good:

The BDP-S350 provides some of the best BluRay image quality in its price range and is able to smoothly provide 60 frames-per-second at 1080p signals. This model not only presents quality Blu-ray picture, but also supports DVD upscaling . This means that those with a vast DVD collection can give their old players away with confidence, knowing that the BDP-S350 will seamlessly play their DVDs while increasing the image quality. A similar model such as the Sharp Bd-hp20u can be found in the same price range as the BDP-S350 but only provides moderate support for quality DVD playback.

What's Bad:

One of the most voiced complaints about the BDP-S35 concerns the difficulty in updating the firmware. Not only do you have to download the firmware onto a flash drive from a computer, but the user must then locate a hard to find recessed USB port on the back of the player in order to insert the drive. The user who wants a simple and streamlined process to keep up with the support being offered for their BluRay player needs to factor this issue into their purchase. However, Blu-ray players such as the Sharp Bd-hp20u don’t even offer an option for a firmware upgrade at all, presenting the buyer with the risk that their purchase might be obsolete in the near future.

Why it's the Best:

The aesthetic and practical value that Sony provides with the BDP-S350 makes it the top pick of the Blu-ray category. Its ability to provide advanced Blu-ray quality while simultaneously offering superior backward compatibility makes this model a great investment and provides a smooth transition from the DVD format.