Physical media might be on their way out, but that's no reason to pass on getting a new Blu-ray player. Here are the best ones available, according to the editors at CNET.
Sony PlayStation 3 Slim
($250 and up)Good: More affordable price; more compact and quieter; all games in high-definition; easy-to-use interface; doubles as a Blu-ray and upscaling DVD player; built-in Wi-Fi; spacious hard drive; HDMI output with 1080p support; no external power supply; built-in Web browser; free online gaming service.
Bad: Lacks backward support for PS2 games; no infrared port means non-Bluetooth universal remotes aren't compatible.
Bottom line: With a smaller design, more energy-efficient operation and built-in Blu-ray and multimedia capabilities, the PS3 Slim delivers a compelling package for an affordable price.
Panasonic DMP-BDT210
($160 and up)Good: Has built-in Wi-Fi, a simple user interface, and an excellent suite of streaming-media services, including Netflix, Amazon Instant and Skype. It also has the fastest overall disc-loading speeds tested. Although its "touch-free" disc tray opener is gimmicky, we found it occasionally useful.
Bad: It has fewer overall streaming services than some competitors, missing high-profile services like Hulu Plus. It also lacks onboard memory for accessing BD-Live features.
