Blu-ray players: Best of 2011

Blu-ray players have taken the market by storm with their new improved features and functionality. The ability of the Blu-ray discs to store data makes them peculiar and highly demanded, with the demand of discs, the demand for Blu-ray players automatically rises. The rise in the popularity and sale of Blu-ray players has made the manufacturers deliver the best product possible, thus it has become difficult to find that best Blu-ray player suited for your need. To simplify things for you, we have listed below 10 best Blu-ray players that made buzz in 2011.

Sony BDP-S580

sony BDP-S580

Sony BDP-S580 Blu-ray player comes with a built in Wi-Fi with current line up of media streaming services such as Amazon Instant, Vudu, Hulu Plus, Slacker, Netflix, Cinema Now and has a free IOS with Android control app. It has an impressive exterior and more streaming services than other competitors. However, its interface is mediocre and lacks popular MLB TV service. It also lacks accessing BD-Live features from on board memory. It comes in a black glossy front panel and is very minimalist with no large buttons. There are two USB ports at the back and front of the panel.

Price: $200

USP

Option to search Netflix and other streaming media services through its excellent smartphone app.

Pros

1. The remote has minimalist look with ample space with playback button below the central pas.

2. It has good clarity and sharp picture focus

3. It has a coaxial audio output and quick loading .

Panasonic DMP-BD75

panasonic DMP-BD75

Panasonic DMP-BD75 comes in a much slimmer and compact case with an LED display panel, a couple of buttons on the front and a USB port. It features a composite video output, HDMI output, Ethernet port and stereo audio output. There are no multichannel analogue and you need to use and HDMI equipped receiver if you want to enjoy HD audio soundtracks.

Price: $100 on Amazon

USP

It has the Media Server which can access recordings and allow streaming of photo, music and video form Windows 7 PCs.

Pros

1. It can give close up shots of pictures without missing a single pixel.

2. It produces crisp audio soundtracks from an HDMI connection.

3. An array of file formats can also be played from flash drives and external FAT32HDDs from the USB port.

LG BD 690

lg BD690

LG BD 690 has a built in 250GB hard drive with an excellent user interface and a built in Wi-Fi with media streaming services such as Hulu Plus, MOG, Amazon Instant, vTuner, Netflix and Vudu. It has a unique CD ripping music functionality with superb features and is easy to use.

Price: $100

USP

All functionality are uniquely combined in this single, compact box.

Pros

1. For quick and convenient connections, there is a USB port on the front panel.

2. It can be controlled through smartphone, both for iOS and Android.

3. It can easily get through to the streaming service interface.

Panasonic DMP-BDT210

Panasonic DMP-BDT210

Panasonic DMP-BDT210 has excellent streaming media services including Pandora, Cinema Now, Skype, Netflix, Amazon Instant and Vudu with a simple user interface and built in Wi-Fi. It does lack some high profile services like MLB.TV, Hulu Plus and can not access BD-Live features as it lacks on board memory. It has a flip down front panel and comes in a black glossy finish.

Price: $149.99.

USP

The Skype button allows for a quick access to the menu screen which is most convenient.

Pros

1. It has 3D image playback for high quality images as close to the original film quality.

2. It has very fast disc loading overall speed with a touch free disc tray opener.

3. There is a ringtone notifier for incoming call even during playback time.

Sony BDP-S780

Sony BDP-S780

Sony BDP-S780 comes with more refinement as there is a 2D to 3D up conversion processing, fast loading system, plenty of streaming media service and built in Wi-Fi. It is simple and elegant in design with glossy black front panel. Using a separate USB TV camera, which has to be purchased separately it is capable to operate with Skype.

Price: $250.

USP

You can access the streaming media service through Wi-Fi by entering your network information without the use of cables. It is compatible with Sony's new HomeShare wireless audio products and can be controlled via Android phone and iPhone app.

Pros

1. It comes with an SACD playback and quick start mode.

2. It is DLNA compliant.

3. It has reduced streaming noise.

Samsung BD-D6700

Samsung BD-D6700

Samsung BD-D6700 has built in Wi-Fi, dual HDMI outputs, extensive streaming video services including MLB.TV, Netflix, Vudu, Hulu Plus and Cinema Now with a 1GB on board memory. It comes in a high gloss finish.

Price: $199.99.

USP

You can locate files or videos on both apps and other connected devices via Allshare DLNA Technology with a Search All feature.

Pros

1. It comes in a slot loading design with an uncluttered look as LCD displays touch sensitive buttons under the slot.

2. It allows you to wirelessly stream contents to your TV from other devices effortlessly.

3. It comes with integrated blue disc lighting.

LGBD670

LG BD670

LGBD670 has internal Wi-Fi, supports full HD 3D Blu-ray playback, DLNA capability and equipped with LG's Smart TV allowing for easy access to streaming media services and has excellent video quality. It comes in sleek black finish and is very unobtrusive.

Price: $129.00.

USP

It has components which can upscale and convert older DVD formats into high definition output of 1080p.

Pros

1. It has Ethernet connection with Composite Output and Component Output.

2. It has excellent video processing capability.

3. Its disc loading is a little quicker than other players.

Samsung BD-D6500

Samsung BD-D6500

Samsung BD-D6500 is quite similar to the BD-D6700 model and has built in Wi-Fi and can access Samsung apps with a wide variety of streaming media devices like Blockbuster, twitter, YouTube, Vudu, Netflix and Pandora. It is also DLNA compliant and can stream photos, videos and music from a PC.

Price: $124

USP

It can handle 3D Blu-ray playback and features Stereo, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD.

Pros

1. Its Search All feature enables quick locating of files or video.

2. It is durable, lightweight and built in speakers with bright display.

3. It is an easy set up system.

Panasonic DMP-BDT110

Panasonic DMP-BDT110

Panasonic DMP-BDT110 can play 3D Blu-ray and the 3D effect controller allows for controlling the 3D images and depth, can convert 2D to 3D with a new UniPhier Chip with impeccable image quality at less power. It also has a DLNA certified Blu-ray player to stream from the compatible DLNA unit.

Price: $134.99.

USP

It has a faster loading, improved performance and has enhanced ergonomics.

Pros

1. The sound quality with robust and pure bass sound production has improved with the new HDMI Pure Audio.

2. It also features Skype, home screensaver and Wi-Fi Ready which requires a separate wireless USB adapter.

3. There is an Auto Answering Video Message, Standby Mode and Video Voice Mail Recording features.