Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Players: What's Available?
If you're looking to jump into one of the new formats, there aren't a lot of choices. For HD-DVD, there are a few offerings from Toshiba -the HD-A2 and the $799 HD-XA2 (both quickly replaced the buggy and slow HD-A1 and the HD-XA1). If you're looking at Blu-Ray Players, pickings are slim AND more expensive: There's the Sony BDP-S1, the Samsung BD-P1000
For the moment, here are some of your choices:
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Toshiba HD-XA2 - $799
Replaces the HD-XA1
as Toshiba's high-end player. Improves on the poor loading times that plagued the HD-XA1.
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Sony BDP-S1 -$999
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LG BH100 -$1,199
It didn't take long for someone to come out with a player that plays both formats. LG's done it, and the early reports are good if not great. Oddly enough, the LG unit doesn't play regular Compact Discs!
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Other Ways to Get Your HD Fix:
- Build an HTPC.
If you're DIY inclined and want to go the HTPC route, you can add a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD disc drive to your PC for a slightly better price than that of a standalone player. You have to supply your own computer, so this adds to the expense, but for some this could be a viable option.
- Buy a new Game Console.
Sony's PlayStation 3 comes with an integrated Blu-Ray Disc player, and for a much lower retail price than Sony's standalone Blu-Ray player. Microsoft's X-Box 360 doesn't have a built in HD-DVD player but you can add an external HD-DVD drive for $159. These are great options as you also get a spiffy new game console for equivalent cash layout.
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