Top 10 Blu-ray players

For would-be HD movie goers, the time is just right to look closely at the latest wave of Blu-ray players launched in the market. Most, if not all, feature BD-Live interactivity to download and playback bonus content off the Web as standard. This is matched by studio-quality surround sound support, which makes the players fully compatible with current as well as future Blu-ray movie disc releases.

Many of these new entries also offer quick-boot and fast disc loading times comparable to Sony's PlayStation 3 Slim. If that's not enough, many vendors are dangling extra carrots such as YouTube videos streaming, Wi-Fi connectivity and extensive multimedia file playback. Most importantly, prices have become even more affordable nowadays with entry-level kits starting at S$399 (US$293.76).

The latest contenders to make it into our top 10 chart include the new Sony PS3 Slim, LG BD390, Sony BDP-S360 and Oppo BDP-83. In fact, Chinese brand Oppo, which has its players designed in the US, scored a coup by besting its rivals from mainstream Japanese, Korean and European vendors with the highest score to date.


Click here for a feature comparison table.

	1.	Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player   CNET Asia rating: 9 out of 10 The good: Blu-ray/DVD/SACD/DVD-Audio/CD universal disc player; outstanding image quality on Blu-rays and DVDs; best-in-class operational speed and stability; 7.1 analog outputs; feels built to last; onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding; Profile 2.0-compliant; 1GB onboard memory; backlit remote; two USB ports; HDMI cable included. The bad: Expensive; competing players offer comparable performance on vast majority of Blu-ray movies; no Wi-Fi for BD-Live features; lacks streaming media services such as YouTube. The bottom line: The Oppo BDP-83 is an outstanding universal disc player with excellent Blu-ray and DVD performance plus lightning-fast operational speed. However, most home theater fans will balk at the high S$899 price. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player   CNET Asia rating: 8.8 out of 10 The good: Good picture quality; Viera Cast function has promise; simple but pleasant design. The bad: No 7.1 analog audio outputs. The bottom line: The Panasonic DMP-BD60 is a capable and likeable player which plays back Blu-ray movies with minimum fuss and maximum quality. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	LG BD390 Blu-ray player   CNET Asia rating: 8.8 out of 10 The good: Excellent Blu-ray image quality; integrated 802.11n Wi-Fi; YouTube streaming; superfast disc loading; DLNA network multimedia playback; Profile 2.0 compatible; onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; 7.1 analog outputs; 1GB onboard memory. The bad: Pricey. The bottom line: The LG BD390's combination of excellent image quality, superfast loading times and rich features make it our top choice among premium standalone Blu-ray players Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	LG BD370 Blu-ray player       CNET Asia rating: 8.7 out of 10 The good: Excellent Blu-ray image quality; YouTube player; support for most Web video formats; HD audio output. The bad: Some minor build quality issues. The bottom line: The LG BD370 Blu-ray player is a fantastically optioned piece of blue laser finery and a new benchmark for budget players. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	Sony PlayStation 3 Slim   CNET Asia rating: 8.7 out of 10 The good: More affordable US$299 price; slimmer, more compact design with quieter operation; all games in high definition; easy-to-use interface; doubles as Blu-ray and upscaling DVD player; built-in Wi-Fi; 120GB hard drive; HDMI output with 1080p support; no external power supply; built-in Web browser; free global online gaming service. The bad: Lacks backward support for PS2 games; no infrared port means non-Bluetooth universal remotes aren't compatible; online gaming, media, and commerce options still aren't as fully developed as Xbox Live, though they're getting better. The bottom line: With a smaller design, more energy-efficient operation, lower price tag, and built-in Blu-ray and multimedia capabilities, the PS3 Slim delivers a compelling package for an affordable price. Review | See full specs | Rate this