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Decent Blu Ray Player for 120-ish?


#1 AshesofWake   chum is fum CAGiversary!   4672 Posts   Joined 18.7 Years Ago  

AshesofWake

Posted 25 March 2011 - 08:41 PM

I'm looking to get a blu ray player and I really don't want to spend much, but honestly I don't know much about them since i've never cared for blu ray until now. Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated and what brands are usually good? I saw Vizio and RCA brands for 100 bucks but i honestly don't know if I should trust them. I would like netflix streaming, but not required since I have my 360.

#2 Spanky   2 Legit CAGiversary!   881 Posts   Joined 12.9 Years Ago  

Posted 25 March 2011 - 11:41 PM

Why not a PS3? It's only $100 more for a refurbished console. You get blu ray, netflix, 3D support and can play games.

#3 0_0   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   544 Posts   Joined 14.8 Years Ago  

Posted 26 March 2011 - 12:00 AM

You could probably pick up a 40GB PS3 for $140

#4 Zaku77   \m/ CAGiversary!   5122 Posts   Joined 13.2 Years Ago  

Posted 26 March 2011 - 12:26 AM

PS3 is definitely the way to go. It's a good blu ray player, netflix on there, and the games. Seems silly to spend $120 for JUST the blu ray player when a bit more gets you the total package.

#5 AshesofWake   chum is fum CAGiversary!   4672 Posts   Joined 18.7 Years Ago  

AshesofWake

Posted 26 March 2011 - 01:14 AM

i've already ruled out a ps3, i used to own one and i honestly don't find it worth spending 100 dollars more for having the ability to play its games. not that i dont like the system, but its really not worth it for me, i played the games I wanted on it and no desire for anything else. Plus i don't like buying items like that refurbished or used, thus its a tad more expensive than i want it to be. To me a new PS3 runs 300 dollars plus tax, paying that much than less than half the price just for a blu ray player for now is worth it.

#6 tgk2044   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   1075 Posts   Joined 19.7 Years Ago  

Posted 26 March 2011 - 01:41 AM

I bought one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/...#ht_4985wt_1002

The item was brand new, not a problem with it. Great Wi-Fi 3D player. They have a few others of the same model for sale if you look in their other items. I'd highly recommend it.

#7 Sinistarr   CAG Veteran CAGiversary!   41 Posts   Joined 19.3 Years Ago  

Posted 29 March 2011 - 06:57 PM

Look into whatever Insignia model Best Buy is currently selling. I got an Insignia Blu-ray player from BB on Black Friday a year or 2 back, and it's held up like a champ. Only Profile 1.1 (no online capability) and no analog audio outs, but I don't care about/need either of those; it does everything else I need - 1080p24 out, bitstreaming hi-def audio, no firmware updates necessary so far. Not a stellar standard DVD player, but that's what the HD-XA2 is for. :)

#8 Transformah   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   404 Posts   Joined 18.8 Years Ago  

Transformah

Posted 31 March 2011 - 04:30 PM

The Insignia NS-WBRDVD2 at Best Buy is ~$130 and has built-in Wi-Fi that streams Netflix, CinemaNow and Pandora. If you're looking for something new in this price range, this is a decent player that has everything you need. There are cheaper options if you don't need the built-in Wi-Fi for streaming.

#9 MrOlympiaSC   CAGiversary! Validating   548 Posts   Joined 14.5 Years Ago  

MrOlympiaSC

Posted 31 March 2011 - 04:43 PM

Why not a PS3? It's only $100 more for a refurbished console that will probably die on you in 4 months.

Fixed.

#10 HyperRealist   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   215 Posts   Joined 14.8 Years Ago  

HyperRealist

Posted 31 March 2011 - 04:49 PM

If you get an Insignia don't update the firmware. You can change BD and DVD regions if you press Setup and 9113 on the remote.

#11 sethrhf   The Watcher CAGiversary!   530 Posts   Joined 19.3 Years Ago  

Posted 31 March 2011 - 07:00 PM

Best cheap player right now is

Panasonic DMP-BDT110 Wi-Fi Ready 3D/2D Blu-ray Disc Player

it's around 129.00 at amazon

plus there is a mail in rebate for Avatar 3d disc free when you send in your upc and receipt

#12 basketb   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   396 Posts   Joined 13.9 Years Ago  

Posted 31 March 2011 - 08:41 PM

+1 on the Panasonic (especially if you sell the Avatar movie on ebay for $100+).

#13 AshesofWake   chum is fum CAGiversary!   4672 Posts   Joined 18.7 Years Ago  

AshesofWake

Posted 01 April 2011 - 05:38 AM

ooo la la muchas gracias for the suggies.

#14 Transformah   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   404 Posts   Joined 18.8 Years Ago  

Transformah

Posted 01 April 2011 - 03:22 PM

Just note that "wifi ready" means you have to buy an additional dongle to connect to the Internet. Not a big deal if you can hard wire.

#15 AshesofWake   chum is fum CAGiversary!   4672 Posts   Joined 18.7 Years Ago  

AshesofWake

Posted 01 April 2011 - 07:52 PM

i can hard wire, but how much do those dongles go for? are they specific to blu ray player or are they just any wireless dongle out there? sorry for the ignorance but i honestly havent researched blu ray players at all. plus cant find any newbie guides either :/

#16 Shoulda Been Harvey   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   108 Posts   Joined 12.1 Years Ago  

Shoulda Been Harvey

Posted 01 April 2011 - 08:14 PM

Take a look at this. They're horribly bulky and depending where you're putting your player it may get in the way. I have the LG BD-530 and love it. I got it on Black Friday but you can still get it a good price. It's pretty no-frills but not too lacking in features. I don't care about crap like Netflix because I already have a 360 hooked up to the TV and can connect my laptop in two seconds.

#17 aspen1284   You're all right in my book CAGiversary!   868 Posts   Joined 15.7 Years Ago  

Posted 02 April 2011 - 12:14 PM

Anyone know how long it takes to get that Avatar movie from Panasonic in the mail? If you did sell it on ebay, then that player is a steal!!

#18 HyperRealist   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   215 Posts   Joined 14.8 Years Ago  

HyperRealist

Posted 02 April 2011 - 12:46 PM

I currently own a Sony, Panasonic, LG and Insignia BD players. I'd rate them.

1. LG
2. Insignia
3. Panasonic
4. Sony

The Panasonic DMP-BDT110 sounds like a pos. The reviews say Netflix doesn't even work.

#19 klwillis45   Tararrel CAGiversary!   2569 Posts   Joined 18.2 Years Ago  

klwillis45

Posted 02 April 2011 - 01:10 PM

http://www.sonystyle...6104171&XID=M:t

#20 basketb   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   396 Posts   Joined 13.9 Years Ago  

Posted 03 April 2011 - 03:55 AM

I currently own a Sony, Panasonic, LG and Insignia BD players. I'd rate them.

1. LG
2. Insignia
3. Panasonic
4. Sony

The Panasonic DMP-BDT110 sounds like a pos. The reviews say Netflix doesn't even work.


1. What are the model numbers of the players you own? And according to what criteria did you rate/rank them?
2. Link to the BDT110 reviews?

#21 Enuf   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   8191 Posts   Joined 12.8 Years Ago  

Posted 04 April 2011 - 02:27 AM

I have a PS3 but here's a link to several high rated(customer) ones

http://www.walmart.c...0 500002 500003

#22 iluvmywife   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   484 Posts   Joined 17.9 Years Ago  

Posted 09 April 2011 - 10:12 PM

Both Amazon and Best Buy are runing specials on this player,
Panasonic DMP-BDT110 Wi-Fi Ready 3D/2D Blu-ray Disc Player.

At amazon it is $133 and you get two free movies from a really small list of less demand titles.

At Best Buy instore it is $149 plus tax and you get $40 in free movies.

I got it at best buy and really like this player. I had a older Samsung that was a complete POS. I alsmost moved one of my PS3 into this room but I really wanted a stand alone unit.

#23 Sinfulfate   The Podfather CAGiversary!   1257 Posts   Joined 13.1 Years Ago  

Posted 09 April 2011 - 10:30 PM

I'd say get a PS3. They go for under $200 on Craigslist easy. Right now there is a 320GB slim PS3 brand new on my local Craigslist for $175. Spending $100+ on a standalone blu ray player is a huge waste of money imo.

#24 iluvmywife   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   484 Posts   Joined 17.9 Years Ago  

Posted 09 April 2011 - 11:06 PM

^^^ I don't know, buying used is to me is a waste of money, how do you know that the previous owner did not totally abuse it? What happens if it stops working in a couple of months. Since the OP and some people don't want a PS3 and since the thread is titled "Decent Blu Ray Player for 120-ish?, I think people want to know about deals on stand alone players.

Besides, some people want to run an HDMI from the PS3 direct to the TV and want to run an optical straight from the player to a receiver. This is not possible with PS3, best I can remember.

+1 on the Panasonic (especially if you sell the Avatar movie on ebay for $100+).


+2 and now when you buy it you can grab $40 worth of movies free instore on the same receipt. Deal is good thru 4/23 I believe.

#25 JasonTerminator   Not a psychopath! CAGiversary!   2588 Posts   Joined 19.5 Years Ago  

JasonTerminator

Posted 09 April 2011 - 11:26 PM

^^^ I don't know, buying used is to me is a waste of money, how do you know that the previous owner did not totally abuse it? What happens if it stops working in a couple of months. Since the OP and some people don't want a PS3 and since the thread is titled "Decent Blu Ray Player for 120-ish?, I think people want to know about deals on stand alone players.

Besides, some people want to run an HDMI from the PS3 direct to the TV and want to run an optical straight from the player to a receiver. This is not possible with PS3, best I can remember.



+2 and now when you buy it you can grab $40 worth of movies free instore on the same receipt. Deal is good thru 4/23 I believe.


PS3s have an optical out, and HDMI of course, so why not?

It's hard to recommend any stand-alone player with the PS3 around, since it's one of the best blu-ray players on the market. Honestly, any player at $120 or less would do for the simple task of playing most blu-ray discs, and if you want more features, then you should buy the PS3. You won't find a better blu-ray player for less than $500 or so than the PS3.

#26 AshesofWake   chum is fum CAGiversary!   4672 Posts   Joined 18.7 Years Ago  

AshesofWake

Posted 08 May 2011 - 10:52 PM

sigh, i just hate buying consoles used and 300 is too much for a ps3 personally for me.

but alas...I have a lot of amazon credit, might as well just keep saving, haha.

#27 sunnysky   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   1585 Posts   Joined 15.3 Years Ago  

Posted 08 May 2011 - 11:51 PM

The HTGuys just reviewed a rather cheap one.
They liked it a lot
Panasonic DMP-BDT110 Blu-Ray player.
It's 3D capable and running at 129 on amazon.
And it qualifies for the free 3D copy of Avatar.

#28 AshesofWake   chum is fum CAGiversary!   4672 Posts   Joined 18.7 Years Ago  

AshesofWake

Posted 09 May 2011 - 02:50 AM

The HTGuys just reviewed a rather cheap one.
They liked it a lot
Panasonic DMP-BDT110 Blu-Ray player.
It's 3D capable and running at 129 on amazon.
And it qualifies for the free 3D copy of Avatar.


sigh, for a second i thought it was a wifi, or i would have grabbed :(

#29 AshesofWake   chum is fum CAGiversary!   4672 Posts   Joined 18.7 Years Ago  

AshesofWake

Posted 09 May 2011 - 04:03 AM

think I'll just wait it out a bit see if the ps3 price drops in a month or so and just say screw it and get a basic panasonic player with no crazy whistles

#30 yesiamaplant   CAGiversary! CAGiversary!   210 Posts   Joined 14.1 Years Ago  

yesiamaplant

Posted 09 May 2011 - 04:20 AM

Best Buy's wi-fi enabled Insignia player is working out well in my bedroom (PS3 is in the living room). It mostly plays Netflix, but I've never had issues with it playing discs like I've found with every other cheap disc player I've purchased. I believe it runs $120 or close to it.

Edit: The one I linked to appears to be the new version of the one I purchased last year. Mine is a bit sluggish on the menus, but it works great otherwise and they may have fixed that in the new version.