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Cheap Blu-ray DVD Players, Best Blu-ray Player Reviews

Related Guides: 3D TVs and Home Theater

Who doesn't love a good movie? Many of us still trek to our local megaplex on the weekends to see a show, but with a cheap Blu-ray player you can watch high-definition feature films from the comforts of home. Blu-ray players are the successors to DVD players, and the picture has never looked better.

Even cheap Blu-ray players showcase video at a resolution of 1080p, something DVD players can't do. And cheap Blu-ray players often have extra features, such as an Internet connection for streaming video and audio content from YouTube, Netflix, Pandora, and other sources.

Blu-ray players were very expensive when they first appeared, but like most electronics, the prices dropped pretty quickly. Today, top-end players sell at prices well north of $1,000 but you can find a good discount Blu-ray player well south of $180. The top manufacturers of cheap Blu-ray players are the usual electronics heavyweights, including Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Pioneer, Vizio, and Philips.

An important note to thrifty consumers: Blu-ray players are meant for high-definition TVs. If you don't own an HD set, you might want to hold off on a Blu-ray player until you purchase one.

Blu-ray Players Profile.

Before we break down which features to look for in a cheap Blu-ray player, let's discuss an important designation given to all Blu-ray players -- the profile it conforms to. A Blu-ray player profile is a set of features and specifications that a player must have in order to qualify for a specific profile designation. These specifications are determined by the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of electronics manufacturers that oversees the development of Blu-ray technology, and includes Pioneer, Samsung, Dell, Apple, and Sony among its members.

There are three profiles: 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0, and we found a pretty good breakdown of these features at Crutchfield.com's Learning Center. The first Blu-ray players all adhered to profile 1.0, but that profile is outdated so you won't find any new players sporting a 1.0 profile.

At this time, all new cheap Blu-ray players support the 1.1 profile, which requires that the player include a second set of audio and video decoders to support a feature called BonusView. (BonusView is a picture-in-picture feature for Blu-ray discs that lets viewers watch additional disc content in a separate picture onscreen, such as director commentaries.) Profile 1.1 Blu-ray players must also provide a means for storing an additional 256MB of data, either through built-in memory storage or through a connection that allows for external storage, such as a USB flash drive or memory card.

Finally, there is profile 2.0, also known as BD-Live. The current generation of Blu-ray players is not required to support this profile, but models that do have a few extra features. Profile 2.0 players, such as the Panasonic DMP-BD60K (starting at $128, Amazon), Sony BDP-S360 (starting at $145, Amazon), and Samsung BD-P1600 (starting at $149, Amazon), must have an Internet connection (typically through an Ethernet port) for live audio/video streaming, additional bonus features like movie-related games and trailers, and firmware downloads. Profile 2.0 players must also have more storage capabilities than profile 1.1 players -- at least 1 GB of flash memory, which is either internal (as with the Panasonic DMP-BD60K) or external (the Sony BDP-S360 uses a USB storage device, for example). Note that Profile 2.0 players aren't necessarily more expensive -- they're just a newer technology.

Blu-ray Players Resolution and Picture Quality.

The best reason to buy a cheap Blu-ray player? You get to enjoy movies at the highest video quality possible; that is, at a resolution of 1080p. If you've read our review of LCD TVs, you're already familiar with screen resolution, but we'll break it down for you again here.

Video resolution is determined by how many pixels, or picture elements, are displayed on the screen. Generally, the higher the resolution number, the higher the quality of the image (i.e., the image displays more lines of pixels). A resolution of 1080, for example, provides a more detailed picture than a resolution of 480. You'll notice that this number is almost always followed by a letter, either "p" or "i". "P" stands for "progressive" and "i" stands for "interlaced". These terms indicate how frequently the image onscreen is refreshed each second. If you're watching interlaced video, one half of the lines in the image will be updated every 1/30 th of a second, followed by the other half. Progressive video updates the entire image at once, every 1/60 th of a second, and because of that, progressive video is higher quality.

Blu-ray movies look their best when played at a resolution of 1080p, so naturally any cheap Blu-ray player you buy will support this resolution. However, good cheap Blu-ray players should also support other resolutions, such as 1080i and 720p; the Panasonic DMP-BD60K, Sony BDP-S360, and Samsung BD-P1600 support these resolutions through a component output. This way, if you don't have a TV that supports 1080p, you can still watch high-quality video at a lower (but still high-def) resolution, such as 720p. DVDs normally play at 480p, but all budget Blu-ray players can "upconvert," or manipulate, the DVD to a higher resolution, such as 1080i or even 1080p.

Blu-ray Players Inputs/Outputs.

Blu-ray players have one primary function -- to transfer audio and video from the player to another source, usually a TV. You can also connect the player's audio output to a home stereo receiver or home theater system. Blu-ray players don't require as many outputs as other types of electronics devices, such as TVs, that may connect to several devices (DVD players, VCRs, Blu-ray players, game systems, and more). All cheap Blu-ray players have a single HDMI output, which transfers the video and audio from your Blu-ray movie to the TV. If you have a 1080p TV, connect the player to the TV using this HDMI connection; it's the only connection that supports a 1080p resolution.

Most Blu-ray players also have other types of outputs, such as component video outputs and an optical audio output. If your TV doesn't have an HDMI input, you can use the Blu-ray player's component and audio outputs to connect the device to your set. Note that component video connections can only support resolutions of 1080i or 720p, so only use this option if your TV maxes out at those resolutions. Some people like to play the audio from a Blu-ray movie through a home theater system or stereo receiver, and your cheap Blu-ray player should have an audio output that will let you connect the player directly to the stereo. The Panasonic DMP-BD60K, Sony BDP-S360, and Samsung BD-P1600 have an optical audio output that you can use to connect the player to a home stereo system, and some, such as the Sony BDP-S360, also have the old-style stereo audio outputs (two connectors that you can connect to your home stereo with a standard stereo audio cable).

Blu-ray players with an Ethernet connection let you connect your player directly to your home Internet network, which lets you download firmware updates or download audio and video from online sources such as YouTube, Netflix, or Pandora. Note that some of these online services may require a subscription, and be aware that players designated as "BD-Live Ready" aren't able to access the Internet right out of the box; you need to update the player's firmware to use that feature. The Samsung BD-P1600, Samsung BD-P1500 (starting at $150, Amazon), Sony BDP-S360, and Panasonic DMP-BD60k all have an Ethernet port, but the Sony BDP-S360 and Panasonic DMP-BD60k don't currently support Netflix or Pandora.

Blu-ray Players Media Format Support.

Cheap Blu-ray players are versatile machines that aren't restricted to playing Blu-ray movies. All Blu-ray players are required to be compatible with commercially-produced DVDs and audio CDs in addition to Blu-ray movies, and frugal consumers with libraries of DVDs invariably report improved image quality (clarity, sharpness, color) when these older-format discs are played on a Blu-ray. Most players also support a variety of other formats, such as dual-layer Blu-ray discs, recordable Blu-ray discs, recordable DVDs, and recordable CDs, so you can simply use your new budget Blu-ray player to play nearly all of the content you have on disc. Naturally, the more types of media the player supports, the better. For example, Philip's BDP5005/F7 (starting at $148, Amazon) can read Blu-ray movies, DVDs, recordable and rewriteable DVDs, audio CDs, and recordable and rewritable CDs'; Sony's BDP-S360 reads all of those formats and can also read recordable Blu-ray media.

Blu-ray Players Audio Format Support.

A Blu-ray player's video support is of primary importance, but you should also check which audio formats a cheap Blu-ray player supports when comparing models. All Blu-ray players are required to support the Dolby Digital and DTS audio formats. Both of these formats provide high-quality, multichannel audio for home theater systems comprising several speakers, such as a 5.1 audio system (five speakers and one subwoofer). If you're simply connecting your Blu-ray player directly to your TV, you won't benefit from multichannel audio support because your TV will simply play stereo sound through the set's two speakers. However, if you have a home theater system, you'll appreciate the multichannel audio that the Dolby Digital and DTS formats provide. According to a Blu-ray players review on Best Buy, a user connected the Panasonic DMP-BD60K to his existing 5.1 surround sound system and reports there's no reason to upgrade to a newer sound system because the Blu-ray's sound was quite good.

Some discount Blu-ray players, such as the Panasonic DMP-BD60K and Samsung BD-P1600, support higher-quality audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. These formats are similar to Dolby Digital and DTS in that they provide high-quality multichannel sound. The extra audio formats are a nice bonus if you plan to connect your value Blu-ray player to a home theater system. On the other hand, CNET's in-depth discussion of Blu-ray audio formats points out that these higher-quality formats may be superior on paper but few people can easily tell the difference between them and the standard Dolby Digital or DTS formats.

Blu-ray Players Additional Considerations.

When consumers buy a new electronics gadget, they want quick set up and immediate use -- the no hassles, no fuss routine. The same is true with cheap Blu-ray players. Indeed, there's not a lot of work involved in setting one up: plug it in to the wall socket, plug the HDMI cable into your TV, and you're done in a matter of minutes. However, Blu-ray players with additional features, such as profile 2.0 players with BD-Live, require a little more work: you have to find a convenient way to connect the player to a broadband Internet connection. And, if you want to run the discount Blu-ray player's audio through a home theater system, you need another cable or two to set up that configuration. Still, Blu-ray player setup is pretty easy in most cases. A few Blu-ray players reviews on the Walmart site mention how quickly and easily users were able to set up their new Sony BDP-S360, with one noting that setting up the player's menu is a breeze, as is connecting the HDMI cable.

The subject of Blu-ray player remotes pops up occasionally in consumer reviews. Ideally, your Blu-ray player will be compatible with a universal remote control you already have, but barring that, the player's remote should have buttons that are clearly labeled and easy to use. The absence of an eject button on the Sony BDP-S360, for example, elicits numerous complaints from consumer reviews of low-cost Blu-rays on Amazon. Controlling your cheap Blu-ray from a distance is the point of a remote, obviously, so you shouldn't have to aim it "just right" into a tiny sweet spot. One player that seems to have some trouble with this is Insignia's NS-BRDVD (starting at $140, Amazon, with limited availability); a user posting on CNET notes problems with the remote's responsiveness, and Best Buy customers likewise mention problems.

Consumers are generally pleased with the overall performance of their discount Blu-ray players, but some users of some inexpensive models grumble about quality problems. And while many Blu-ray players in the Cheapism niche don't have all the latest and greatest features found on pricier models, such as support for Netflix and Pandora, wireless network support right out of the box, or a lot of built-in memory, buyers for the most part are happy with what they've got: a great Blu-ray picture at a hard-to-beat price.

Blu-ray Players Image Quality.

Naturally, the image quality of a budget Blu-ray player is the feature customers care about most, and several inexpensive Blu-rays stand out in this dimension. In professional and consumer reviews of budget Blu-ray players, the Panasonic DMP-BD60K attracts especially positive comments. CNET writes that this budget player easily passed its test for image quality and the crisp images it produces are relatively free of "jaggies" (images in the video that appear to have a jagged edge). A reviewer at PC World compliments the Panasonic DMP-BD60K on its bright colors, subtle gray shades, and sharp details. And consumers posting on Epinions rave about the quality of the playback that lets you see the wood grain on a weapon and the weave in an actor's clothing. The Sony BDP-S360 likewise earns praise for its picture quality, with an expert review of cheap Blu-ray players in PC Magazine stating that this budget player upconverts DVDs better than others he has tested and displays "exceptionally detailed" 1080p video; he notes, however, that playback is a tad weaker with 1080i, the common format for BonusView. A comparative review of Blu-ray players in CNET says the Samsung BD-1600 performed better than expected in CNET's video tests, with crisp images and no hint of jaggies; on the other hand, some jaggies are visible in DVD playback, the review continues, and the picture isn't quite as sharp and clear as it is on other players, although image quality overall isn't bad.

Blu-ray player reviews in PC World are less enthusiastic about the image quality of the low-cost SharpAquos BD-HP21U, noting that the video display appears flat and the colors somewhat dull when playing some movies. CNET pans the Samsung BD-P1500 for sub-par performance in the review site's video tests; this player also suffers from other deficits that are discussed below.

Blu-ray Players Features.

Almost all new Blu-ray players, even budget models, have a few features in common. They support BonusView and usually support several disc media and high-quality audio formats. Although customers no doubt appreciate having more features in their bargain Blu-ray players, most don't seem to mind the absence of certain features, such as streaming video from the Internet, so long as the player performs well. As a satisfied owner of the Panasonic

DMP-BD60K notes on Crutchfield, there may be other players with more features, but his model has everything a viewer needs. Several user reviews on Best Buy, however, grumble about the DMP-BD60K's lack of support for Pandora and Netflix, and one customer reports that setting up the player's Internet connection can be a little tricky. But overall, users seem to like just about every aspect of this low-cost product despite the absence of a few features found on the higher-priced competition.

Walmart customers who purchased the Sony BDP-S360 generally have nothing but praise for this low-cost model in their reviews of cheap Blu-ray players. They like the player's easy setup and the fact that it's a profile 2.0 player that supports BD-Live and Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio. On the downside, they note that the BDP-S360's controls are somewhat idiosyncratic and take getting used to.

The Samsung BD-P1600 wins plaudits from a budget Blu-ray players review on Engadget.com for putting a USB port on the front and back of the unit, which the Engadget reviewer argues should be standard on every Blu-ray player. The reviewer also likes how well the Samsung player works with Pandora, an online audio streaming service. Some users posting Blu-ray reviews on Amazon gripe about problems with the firmware, but other posters cite its support for Netflix and Pandora as two features that win their favor.

Blu-ray Players Overall Quality.

If there's one area in which budget Blu-ray players consistently fall short, this is it. We found numerous user complaints about a variety of quality and performance issues, even in otherwise good players.

Samsung's BD-P1500 is an older model that Walmart and Amazon customers say has trouble playing some Blu-Ray movies; several also report that their unit broke down altogether after only a few months. Even Sony's generally well-regarded BDP-S360 doesn't escape criticism, with a couple of Best Buy customers noting that they have trouble playing DVDs on occasion. Purchasers of the Magnavox NB530MGX (starting at $128, Amazon) also post on Walmart about difficulty playing some discs, and it seems that this problem is not uncommon among Blu-ray players from a variety of manufacturers.

Slow loading times for discs is another common complaint about low-cost Blu-ray players. For example, Walmart customers knockthe Vizio VBR100 (starting at $130, Amazon) for its long load-up time, and a couple of Blu-ray reviews by users also mention that the player makes "grinding" noises during playback. The Sony BDP-S360 also takes a few hits from reviewer posts on Amazon for slow load times. And the Panasonic DMP-BD60K is dinged a bit on Epinions and Amazon for occasional freeze-ups, especially with DVDs.

Many consumers posting reviews of budget Blu-ray players on Buzzillions.com and Newegg.com report problems with the Sharp Aquos BDHP21U; in particular, it has trouble playing many Blu-ray movies. One post at Buyzillions notes that the model seems to have been discontinued, with no more firmware updates, which of course is a big red flag. (This model is not available on the Sharp website but you can still find new and refurbished units at other vendor sites.)

Our final word.

Blu-ray technology is relatively new, and it's clear that some manufacturers are still working the kinks out of their cheap Blu-ray players. That being the case, we had a hard time finding more than a handful of products to recommend. When you're ready to buy a discount Blu-ray player, check the warranty on the product and make sure you're familiar with the store's return policy so you can bring (or send) it back if you run into problems. But remember, nothing beats the image quality of Blu-ray -- that's something that budget Blu-ray buyers heartily agree on. So check out our favorite models, settle into your favorite chair, and enjoy the show like never before.

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Philips BDP5005/F7
Magnavox NB530MGX
Vizio VBR100
Sharp Aquos BD-HP21U
Samsung BD-P1500
Samsung BD-P1600
Panasonic DMP-BD60K
Sony BDP-S360

 

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