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RE: Cheap Blu-ray players: $$ vs. Quality...

Posted by cfraser on June 18, 2009 at 11:47:44:
The best thing about Sony BD players, I'd say, is their timely firmware updates. This isn't a minor thing, because you never know what some new BD release might have on it, they're a moving target still. Best is if you never need an update, but we can't count on that at this point.

Other than that, I haven't heard that any currently-sold cheaper models are particularly unreliable...a bit too soon to tell though. Choose one that has the outputs you need to match the gear you have (i.e. if you need mch analog outputs, or component video outs)...that may drastically limit your choices.

Another big diff between models is the quality of upscaled DVD output. And their speed of handling BDs. Other than that, the BD video output over HDMI is fairly similar among models, certainly close enough to get a good taste of the format for cheap.

I got a Sony S350 for under $200 last year, it was a generally solid basic player. Replaced by the 360 which is new so no huge discounts yet. There should be a lot of good choice under $250. I see some soon-to-be-replaced "brand name" models going for ~US$125 locally.