With Christmas right around the corner and the CEA predicting that consumers will spend more on electronics this year then last, we have to wonder what our dear readers think is the best Blu-ray player. Of course the PS3 is the most obvious answer since it pulls double duty as a gaming device, but movie lovers might prefer a standalone with other streaming features like
VUDU or
Netflix. At the same time, home automation nuts might prefer a player with discrete IR codes or maybe an RS-232 port. So keeping everything include the price in mind, which is the best Blu-ray player?
posted Oct 25th 2009 3:30PM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Pingles @ Oct 25th 2009 3:42PM
Still a fan of the PS3 if only because it is the best-supported and likely will be for quite a while.
Annoying Poster @ Oct 25th 2009 4:31PM
for a standalone player, but nothing can even come close to competing with a PC. just buy a $60 drive and throw it in any computer and you now have the best bluray player.
Ben @ Oct 25th 2009 4:35PM
Annoying Poster,
What are you smoking?
For starters you have to already have a computer that is connected to your HDTV, but even worse is that the included software with the $70 BD player is crap and the upgrade will cost you another $60, and then you still don't have a remote or the latest codecs. Those two things will cost you another $150, so now you are up to $280 which is more than the BD390 and you still can't play Netflix HD or Vudu. And it is still slower and more complicated. No, I have all that stuff already and still prefer a stand-alone Blu-ray player because it just works better.
Quarkist @ Oct 25th 2009 4:14PM
When talking price performance, then PS3 Slim without any doubt:
Ben @ Oct 25th 2009 4:13PM
No doubt huh? What about no IR receiver, no Netflix streaming and no Vudu? Not to mention it won't even play MKV files unless you convert them first? Seems there is a little doubt, no?
Marrvia @ Oct 25th 2009 4:18PM
It plays Blu-rays right? But if you want to talk about extra features, though, how about the fact that you can play Video Games on the damn thing too?
Ben @ Oct 25th 2009 4:22PM
Marrvia,
There's games on the PS3?!! That's news to me ;)
IseWise @ Oct 25th 2009 5:07PM
Ben, there are a lot of games on the PS3.
Paul @ Oct 26th 2009 6:42AM
I have played an MKV file someone encoded from a Blu-Ray at 720p and 4GB and it played fine on my PS3 without converting it. Secondly, read Engadget and you'd see that PS3 Netflix streaming is coming next month.
oppoer @ Oct 25th 2009 4:19PM
OPPO BDP-83 is widely recognized as the current best player.
Ben @ Oct 25th 2009 4:23PM
Good call, totally forgot to include that one. We can only assume that is what all the Something else votes are going to.
Andy Anonymous @ Oct 25th 2009 8:11PM
Yeah, that's a rather large oversight, Ben. The Oppo is absolutely the best. The PS3 is a close second, but the Oppo's dizzying load speeds trump it.
Ben @ Oct 25th 2009 8:14PM
Andy Anonymous,
If you take out DVD upconverting and analog outputs, what's so great about the Oppo?
John @ Oct 26th 2009 7:17AM
@ Ben,
DVD upconverting and analog outputs are both important features, but if you really want to ignore them, there's still the really fast load times, killer interface, the ability to change Setup options on the fly, "Stretch" mode to allow maximum resolution and light output when used with anamorphic lenses in high-end home theater systems, and Source Direct mode to bypass video processing for other components; that's off the top of my head. And those are just the features that make it great as a Blu-ray player. If the question "What's the best Blu-ray player" means what's the best player in terms of overall features that happens to also play Blu-ray, there's an avalanche of additional features to be considered, including DVD upconverting as you mentioned, 24p DVD playback, DVD-A and SACD support, pretty good media file support, etc.
Paul @ Oct 26th 2009 6:45AM
@Ben The something else category isn't even beating PS3, so even if all those people were voting for one other player not listed the PS3 would be winning.
Ben @ Oct 26th 2009 7:23AM
@John
Other than the ability to change settings on the fly, nothing there really interests me and there is no way I'd pay twice as much for that one feature.
To me the real problem with the Oppo is the price when my main goal is Blu-ray playback quality. The fact is I've tested a lot of players and the PQ of Blu-ray Discs is almost always identical. So to pay twice as much for a player with comparable BD PQ for the features you mentioned is out of the question.
Bascially I think what most people do is they pick a fair price point and then they look for the best player in that price point and $500 isn't in most's price point.
A1 @ Oct 25th 2009 4:21PM
PS3 for: Film Store (US only until November), HDD for storing ripped DVDs, music, photos, replaceable HDD to store more of that stuff! Internet browser, BBC iPlayer (UK only), bitstreaming, one of the fastest BD players still and obviously being a great games console with the PSN, PSP connectablilty (remote play is very good).
No other BD player gives half as much options as the PS3 (maybe different features but the PS3 can always update to keep on top of that. Great future proof player.
Ben @ Oct 25th 2009 4:25PM
The LG BD390 is faster than the PS3 and has more content (VUDU, Netflix, MKV etc) and it cost less. It seems that besides gaming, it has more options than the PS3 and for less money.
the_matrix @ Oct 25th 2009 4:24PM
@Ben,
- IR is inferior technology - old time, instead you have Bluetooth, so you do not need to to be line sight ( you be in other room and control your device) IR huh!-
- Neflix microsoft had $ deal with Netflix which soon to be over - check the news, however, you have faster PSN video network
- Hey, you have bulitin web browser, stream free videos from youtube or xtube ;)
- MKV huh how many people care, 98% formats are DIVX and XDVI
- List is long, you want me to continue?
Ben @ Oct 25th 2009 4:27PM
Inferior as it might be, IR is still more useful than BT because it is more standard.
It doesn't matter why Netflix isn't on the PS3, it doesn't change the fact that it is a negative against it -- PSN video network? Are you really calling that a plus?
Ohh yeah, built in web browser, that is useful on a Blu-ray player -- other players have proper Youtube players.
Dvix and XviD are great for SD, but 98% of HD content is in MKV.
Yes please continue, this is fun.
zoggzogg @ Oct 25th 2009 4:34PM
I'd have to say the Popcorn Hour C-200 because it can play so much more than just Blu-ray.
Brian Kaempen @ Oct 25th 2009 4:36PM
I used to be able to keep track of them all, but not so anymore. I have a BDP-S350, but I would not classify that as perfect (I got it new and for half-price). I would say the perfect one would have wifi built-in, or at least as an available add-on, ALL the audio codec support available and all the requisite streaming support including but not limited to Netflix, Pandora and YouTube. So, what player would that be?
-Brian
Ben @ Oct 25th 2009 4:37PM
The BD390 has all of those requirements except Pandora, I think only the Samsung players have that.
William Hook @ Oct 25th 2009 4:37PM
PS3 for sure. Plenty of features, support, and updates, plus it plays games.
WiFiSpy @ Oct 25th 2009 4:39PM
LG BD390 hands down....
Ben @ Oct 25th 2009 5:06PM
Don't you have a BD390 and a PS3?
skim @ Oct 25th 2009 4:43PM
Best Blu Ray Player? That's very vague question. Best for the money? Or simply THE BEST (No holds barred).
As a home theater nut, if someone asks me THE BEST Blu Ray player, I'd pick one that has the best picture and sound quality.
With that note, PS3 is NOT the best blu ray player when it comes to picture and sound performance. Yea yea, I know about the loading speed and it plays games.
From every professional home theater magazines and other professional reviews, Pioneer BDP-09FD takes the title as the BEST blu ray player. PS3 voters, go away. I wouldn't plan PS3 as part of my kick as home theater system.
mntwister @ Oct 25th 2009 4:46PM
In my opinion, the best is the PS3, but I also own a Samsung bd-p2550 and that is the only one I know of in a decent price range (though it has been discontinued) that has the Reon HQV processor and I use it for all of my DVD's for upscaling. It also has the benefit of processing the Blu-ray discs with HQV processing, which, and I make this clear IN MY OPINION, makes the blu-ray picture look better than the PS3.
TRT @ Oct 25th 2009 4:55PM
Your first clue that the Oppo BDP-83 is the best: Other companies are cloning this unit and charging 5X as much! Audiophiles know that the Oppo is the best. Wal-Mart shoppers stick with the devil they know. If it's not offered by Best Buy or Target, most people won't know the company even exist. I own both the Oppo and the PS3.
Emannikcufesin @ Oct 25th 2009 4:56PM
LG BD390 - fastest loading times (beats PS3 and Oppo), analog outputs, Wi-Fi, Netflix, Vudu, You Tube, doubles as a Media Server for your PC, and did I mention amazing picture and sound quality?
Emannikcufesin @ Oct 25th 2009 5:02PM
I disagree. The Oppo is a nice player, but the lack of Wi-Fi certaintly knocks it out of contention for BEST Blu Ray player. DVD-A and SACD support are interesting but mean nothing to 99% of the market. Wi-Fi is a relevent feature that everyone can benefit from. The Oppo does have decent load times but they still fall behind the feature rich LG BD390. Two strikes against the Oppo. I'm sure their next player will correct these flaws and reign supreme until that day this round goes to LG.
Steven H. Taylor @ Oct 26th 2009 10:35AM
SACD and DVD-A may mean nothing to 99% of the population but admit it: to the majority of that 99% Blu-ray Disc doesn't mean much either. High-definition video is not that much less of a niche than high-resolution audio. And for many of those who do want high-def video on their screen an upconverting DVD player can do a good job already.
sean @ Oct 25th 2009 9:07PM
what about the Oppo BDP-83? Supposedly from the reviews it should be one of the best.
dagamer43 @ Oct 25th 2009 5:13PM
Is there a Blu-Ray player out there that would let me stream a BDMV folder from a ripped Bluray movie stored on a media server? TotalMedia Theatre 3 on my PC doesn't automatically switch the resolution to 24Hz which is quite annoying. Thanks!
sharpened sense @ Oct 25th 2009 6:30PM
Ben really does just hate the ps3 doesn't he... I think that for someone who wants the best possible picture and sound the Denon DVD-A1UDCI Universal Blu-ray player $4500 is the best player but that's just for us audiophile/videophiles. I think the best blu-ray player for the money is the Oppo. The best featured player for those who also want to save money is the $300 120gb PS3. Come on Ben it is a fantastic blu-ray player... blu-ray, cd-audio upconversion, wifi, movie downloads, internet browser and for the family it has the best next-gen games.
Ben @ Oct 25th 2009 6:30PM
Not really, just love to annoy PS3 owners. They get so defensive.
reddog @ Oct 25th 2009 5:30PM
pioneer BDP-09FD
xemumanic @ Oct 25th 2009 5:37PM
If it weren't for the features the 390 has over the PS3, especially with the Slim having been released, I'd have voted for the PS3. But my vote goes to the 390.
It'd take pretty much nothing more than a firmware update for most things to be equal, and my vote to go back to the PS3 Slim again.
sharpened sense @ Oct 25th 2009 5:39PM
The pioneer bdp-09 with its wolfson dacs is awesome but the fact that it doesn't do sacd or dvd-audio sucks.
sharpened sense @ Oct 25th 2009 5:48PM
Really maybe I just think differently cause I'm 27 but when it comes to features high end video games seems a lot cooler then streaming movies to my blu-ray player. Netflix streamed movies both suck and look like crap not to mention come only in stereo sound. Vudu has movies that can look good while streaming but not sound as good as blu-ray. Plus you have a blu-ray player....Why rent a streamed movie when you can rent or own a higher quality blu-ray version.
PanzerOceania @ Oct 25th 2009 5:53PM
Denon or Oppo, how come these weren't mentioned?
kevon27 @ Oct 25th 2009 8:12PM
Ben actually said he would not buy an OPPO on his podcast. He preferred the Best Buy stuff, Samsung and LG...
Ben @ Oct 25th 2009 8:13PM
Kevon27,
I'm not saying I didn't say that, but I don't remember saying it.
kevon27 @ Oct 25th 2009 9:36PM
The topic was about Oppo's new bluray player and Steve asked if you would upgrade to an Oppo an you said no. Steve seemed kinda shock that you would bypass a highly rate machine like the Oppo. You seemed more comfortable getting a LG or Samsung.
Ron @ Oct 25th 2009 6:10PM
Jesus this is a landslide lol...
Bob Mc @ Oct 25th 2009 6:15PM
Oppo
sharpened sense @ Oct 25th 2009 6:54PM
I own a launch day 60gb ps3 and a 40gb ps3 both hard drives have been replaced with 320gb hard drives and I love them both but I have some knocks on the ps3 too. Like Ben I wish it had ir for my harmony remotes. I also wish the older ps3's were quieter even though they are tons quieter then my jet turbine xbox 360, They can still be heard sometimes when the fan gets going. Yes I know the new ps3's are 3 times quieter but I don't own one of the new ones. It is because of the fans that I use a panasonic 35k and a oppo blu-ray player most of the time. I do love how when I pop in a blu-ray into my ps3's it shows a picture of the movie on the x-media bar.
kevon27 @ Oct 25th 2009 7:06PM
.MKV +HTPC+bittorrent = free bluray..
sharpened sense @ Oct 25th 2009 7:24PM
Another reason I don't like htpc's. People steal their movies instead of supporting companies.
kevon27 @ Oct 25th 2009 8:00PM
HTPC. poor people's way to stick-it to the MAN!!!!