Why Buy a High Definition DVD Player?

With the popularity of HD TVs and the FCC changing to digital signals, it is only a matter of time before high definition players take over our home entertainment centers.

High definition is the way of the future. Its media is becoming more affordable than ever and are expected to replace standard DVDs entirely. Blu-ray Discs can currently hold up to five times more digital information than a regular dual-layer DVD. This enables the disc to produce a better picture quality, enhanced audio, detailed graphics and more special features.

In this site, you’ll find articles related to high definition, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side-by-side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which HD player is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS — We do the research so you don’t have to.™

What to Look for in a High Definition DVD Player

High definition players are available from a variety of manufacturers; however, the best high definition players support Full HD 1080p resolutions, a variety of outputs including HDMI, easily navigated menus, and upconversion to make your current DVD collections look even better on your high definition display. Sony’s Playstation 3 also doubles as a Blu-ray Disc player, making even video games a feature on some HD players.

Here is the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used while evaluating High Definition players:

  • Outputs: The number of outputs a DVD player has the more versatile it becomes. Standard outputs should include at least one composite, component, S-Video and HDMI port.
  • Dynamic Range: Dynamic Range is the difference between the loudest and quietest signals. Typically, higher decibels are better.
  • Video DAC: The video DAC enables the video and picture information encoded on the DVD to play on the television. This feature is needed regardless of the television brand or style.
  • Signal-to-noise Ratio: The signal-to-noise ratio compares the level of wanted noise, like dialogue or music to the level of background noise. Higher ratios provide better sound quality.
  • Audio DAC: The audio DAC enables the audio and sound information on the DVD disc to play through the television or stereo. All DVD players, standard and high definition, require this feature.
  • Video Upconversion: Video upconversion digitally enhances the resolutions of your standard definition DVDs to ensure they look their best on your HD TV.
 
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Exceed Your High Definition Expectations

It’s time to watch movies the way they were intended, in full 1080p high definition. Who needs a movie theater when you have your personal entertainment center complete with a Blu-Ray Disc player? In high definition, you don’t watch a film, you experience it. 

Rank #1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10
Excellent score   Excellent
Very good score   Very Good
Good score   Good
Fair score   Fair
Poor score   Poor
LG BD300 Samsung BD-P2550 Panasonic DMP-BD35 Panasonic DMP-BD55k Samsung BD-P1500 Sony BDP-S1 Blu-Ray Sony Bdp-s300 Sharp Bd-hp20u Samsung Bd-p1200 Samsung Bd-p1400
LG BD300 Samsung BD-P2550 Panasonic DMP-BD35 Panasonic DMP-BD55k Samsung BD-P1500 Sony BDP-S1 Blu-Ray Sony Bdp-s300 Sharp Bd-hp20u Samsung Bd-p1200 Samsung Bd-p1400
Reviewer Comments Read Review
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Lowest Price Buy LG BD300 BD300
$179.00
Buy Samsung BD-P2550 BD-P2550
$228.00
Buy Panasonic DMP-BD35 DMP-BD35K
$299.95
Buy Panasonic DMP-BD55k DMP-BD55K
$215.00
Buy Samsung BD-P1500 BD-P1500
$121.00
Buy Sony BDP-S1 Blu-Ray BDP-S1
$184.00
Buy Sony Bdp-s300 BDP-S300
$104.00
Buy Sharp Bd-hp20u BD-HP20U
$119.00
Buy Samsung Bd-p1200 BDP1200
$128.00
Buy Samsung Bd-p1400 BD-P1400/XAA
$111.00
 
Overall Rating Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
Ratings
Features Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
Expert Reviews Very Good Very Good Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
User Reviews Very Good Very Good Very Good Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Good
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View Screenshots           
Features
Format Blu-ray Blu-ray Blu-ray Blu-ray Blu-ray Blu-ray Blu-ray Blu-ray Blu-ray Blu-ray
Dynamic Range 95 dB 100 dB 100 dB 100 dB 100 dB 103 dB 103 dB 118 dB 100 dB 103 dB
HDMI Output Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Profile 2.0 Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark      
Signal-To-Noise Ratio 100 dB 110 dB 115 dB 115 dB 110 dB 110 dB 115 dB 115 dB 110 dB 110 dB
Streaming Video Check Mark Check Mark         
Video DAC 8 bit / 27 MHz 12bit / 149MHz 12bit / 149MHz 12bit / 149MHz 12bit / 149MHz 11 bit / 216 MHz 14 bit / 297 MHz 12bit / 108MHz 11 bit / 216 MHz 11bit / 216MHz
Video Upconversion 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 720p, 1080i, 1080p 1080p
Audio DAC 24bit / 192kHz 24 bit / 192 kHz 24bit / 192kHz 24 bit / 192 kHz 24 bit / 192 kHz 24bit / 192kHz 24 bit / 192 kHz 24bit / 192kHz 24bit / 192kHz 24bit / 192kHz
Warranty 1 Year 1 Year 1 year 1 Year 1 Year 1 year 1 year 1 Year 1 year 1 year
DVD Player Depth 10 in 10.8 in 9.8 in. 9.8 in. 10.8 in 13.9 in. 14.8 in 13.2 in 12.8 in.  
DVD Player Height 2.3 in 2.3 in 2 in 2.3 in 3.3 in 4.1 in. 3.1 in 2.7 in 3.1 in. 3.8 in
DVD Player Weight 6.2 lbs 6.2 lbs 6 lbs 6 lbs 8.8 lbs   10 lb. 8.8 lbs 9.3 lb. 9.3 lbs
DVD Player Width 16.9 in. 16.9 in. 16.9 in 16.9 in 16.9 in 16.9 in 16.9 in 16.9 in 16.9 in 16.9 in
Energy Star Energy Star Compliance Energy Star Compliance   Energy Star Compliance Energy Star Compliance Energy Star Compliance Energy Star Compliance Energy Star Compliance Energy Star Compliance Energy Star Compliance
Memory Card Slot    Check Mark Check Mark       
 
Reviewer Comments Read Review
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Lowest Price Buy LG BD300 BD300
$179.00
Buy Samsung BD-P2550 BD-P2550
$228.00
Buy Panasonic DMP-BD35 DMP-BD35K
$299.95
Buy Panasonic DMP-BD55k DMP-BD55K
$215.00
Buy Samsung BD-P1500 BD-P1500
$121.00
Buy Sony BDP-S1 Blu-Ray BDP-S1
$184.00
Buy Sony Bdp-s300 BDP-S300
$104.00
Buy Sharp Bd-hp20u BD-HP20U
$119.00
Buy Samsung Bd-p1200 BDP1200
$128.00
Buy Samsung Bd-p1400 BD-P1400/XAA
$111.00
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