Sharp BD-AMS20U information from Consumer Reports

< Go to Blu-ray players page

Sharp BD-AMS20U

Approximate retail price:

$150

Summary: A 3D Blu-ray high-definition video disc player with 1080p upconversion for DVDs.

1 person has reviewed this model.

See 1 user review

Write a review

Type: 3D players

About - Sharp BD-AMS20U
The Sharp BD-AMS20U is part of the Blu-ray player test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Blu-ray player models like the BD-AMS20U are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. HD picture quality: HD picture quality indicates trained panelists' evaluation of clarity and color accuracy of a high-definition progessive-scan (1080p) signal, such as that from a Blu-ray player. All signals were routed through an HDMI connection. DVD picture quality: DVD picture quality represents trained panelists' evaluation of clarity and color accuracy of an upconverted HD (1080p) signal, from a Blu-ray player playing DVD content on a HD TV. All signals were sent through an HDMI connection. Ease of use: Ease of use indicates how easy it is to use the controls on front panel and remote, and navigate through player's menu.

About - Sharp BD-AMS20U

The Sharp BD-AMS20U is part of the Blu-ray player test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Blu-ray player models like the BD-AMS20U are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

HD picture quality:: HD picture quality indicates trained panelists' evaluation of clarity and color accuracy of a high-definition progessive-scan (1080p) signal, such as that from a Blu-ray player. All signals were routed through an HDMI connection.
DVD picture quality:: DVD picture quality represents trained panelists' evaluation of clarity and color accuracy of an upconverted HD (1080p) signal, from a Blu-ray player playing DVD content on a HD TV. All signals were sent through an HDMI connection.
Ease of use:: Ease of use indicates how easy it is to use the controls on front panel and remote, and navigate through player's menu.

About This Brand
Sharp, perhaps best known for its Aquos LCD TVs, offers high-definition Aquos-brand 3D Blu-ray players. The models are midpriced compared with the competition.

About This Brand

Sharp, perhaps best known for its Aquos LCD TVs, offers high-definition Aquos-brand 3D Blu-ray players. The models are midpriced compared with the competition.

Features & Specs - Sharp BD-AMS20U
Blu-ray load time range (sec.) Blu-ray load time range is the range in seconds that the model took to load different test Blu-ray discs, measured from the time of pressing the 'load' button to the time the first video information is displayed onscreen. Depending on disc, load time may vary from our result. Java-encoded Blu-ray discs may take longer. Blu-ray load time range (sec.)	16-36
DVD loading time (sec.) DVD load time is the length of time in seconds that the model took to load our test DVD, measured from the time of pressing the 'load' button to the time the first video information is displayed onscreen. Depending on discs, load time may vary from our result. DVD loading time (sec.)	18
DLNA compatible DLNA-enabled devices like Blu-ray players can receive digitally stored content like music, pictures, and videos over a home network connection--wireless or wired--from other compatible devices. The devices can include a computer, TV, DVR, set-top box, printer, and cell phone. For example, a computer running Windows 7 is already DLNA-enabled and will allow a DLNA-enabled Blu-ray player (with a built-in network connection) to "pull" digital photos and videos from the computer, with no additional software needed. DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance, an industry group that developed the standard and certification process covering how those media devices interact. DLNA compatible	Yes
Memory card slot This lets you connect an SD, SDHC, SDXC cards for multimedia playback such as music and photos and for BD-Live data storage to download extras like games and movie trailers in some players. Memory card slot	No
Internal memory Internal memory lets you access BD-Live to download online content, such as new movie trailers and movie-based games, when used with Internet-enabled BD-Live Blu-ray discs. To use BD-Live, a broadband Internet connection is required, and at least 1GB of memory in the player. Models that lack internal memory require additional memory to use BD-Live, in the form of a memory card or USB flash drive. Internal memory	No
Coaxial digital-audio out Digital-audio outputs are important only if your home-theater system lacks HDMI connections. As an alternative, you can pipe the digital audio signals--both stereo and multichannel--from the Blu-ray or DVD player, or television set-top box into a digital receiver. Coaxial digital audio interconnect, also called SPDIF cable, sends digital audio signals over a coaxial cable. This coaxial cable is the same as a composite-video cable -- both use common RCA connectors. Digital-audio, via coax or optical, supports multichannel Dolby Digital and DTS audio, but not the more advanced formats available over HDMI. When choosing your Blu-ray or DVD player, consider the models that have the outputs to match the inputs on your digital receiver or external, digital decoder. Most Blu-ray and DVD players have digital audio outputs--coaxial, optical, or both. Coaxial digital-audio out	No
Optical digital-audio out Digital-audio outputs are important only if your home-theater system lacks HDMI connections. As an alternative, you can pipe the digital audio signals--both stereo and multichannel--from the Blu-ray or DVD player, or television set-top box into a digital receiver. Optical digital audio interconnects, also called Toslink cables, send digital audio signals as pulses of light over optical fiber rather than an electrical signal over coaxial cable. Digital-audio, via optical or coax, supports multichannel Dolby Digital and DTS audio, but not the more advanced formats available over HDMI. Most optical cables use the small, squarish Toslink connector, but there's also a smaller mini optical connector, which looks a lot like a standard 1/8-inch mini-plug. When choosing your Blu-ray or DVD player, consider the models that have the outputs to match the inputs on your digital receiver or external, digital decoder. Most Blu-ray and DVD players have digital audio outputs--coaxial, optical, or both. Optical digital-audio out	Yes
Component out Component-video is a high quality analog video connection that can be used to transmit standard definition (480i), progressive-scan (480p), and upconverted and high definition (720p, 1080i, and 1080p) video signals. Component-video connections use three separate jacks that separate the video signal into three parts: two for color and one for luminance (the black and white signal). These connections are found on most video components that provide 480p through 1080p video. Note that most Blu-ray and upconverting DVD players will only transmit upconverted (720p, 1080i, or 1080p) video via an HDMI connection and will not transmit it through a Component-video connection. Component out	No
Wi-Fi capability This feature allows your player to connect to the Internet or to a home network without the use of a wired Ethernet connection. This is convenient when your Internet connection isn't near your entertainment setup, which would otherwise require you to run a long cable from room to room. A growing number of Blu-ray players can use Wi-Fi to connect to other DLNA-compliant devices in the home, enabling you to access digital music, videos, and photos stored on a computer or networked storage device and play them on the TV. Some players have built-in Wi-Fi capability, while others come with a Wi-Fi dongle (external adapter) that you plug into the player's USB port. In both cases, we denote Wi-Fi as a standard feature. Still other players require you to purchase the Wi-Fi dongle separately; in that case we indicate that Wi-Fi is optional. Wi-Fi capability	Standard
Type of streaming services Type of streaming services lists streaming services such as Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, and Pandora Internet Radio that are available with latest firmware update at the time of testing. Internet connection is required and some services require subscription. Services may be added or removed with future firmware updates. Type of streaming services	Netflix, YouTube, vudu HD Movies, Pandora
More features and specs

Additional Information (The information below has been supplied by an external source.)

General Information
Manufacturer	Sharp Electronics
Manufacturer Website Address	www.sharpusa.com
Product Model	BD-AMS20U
Product Name	BD-AMS20U 3D Blu-ray Disc Player
Product Type	Blu-ray Disc Player

User Reviews - Sharp BD-AMS20U

Consumer Reports User Reviews

Already own it? Write a review

By Electronics Guy

from Birmingham, AL

1.0

Worked OK for the short time it lasted

5/16/2013

Pros

DVD Upconversion

Excellent Image Quality

Cons

Slow Load Time

Best Uses

Home

Comment:

I used this product for watching DVDs and Blu rays. Although its setup was not intuitive I did figure it out and it worked -- although it is slow. Piture quality is great -- although being digital it should be.<br /><br />It played fine for about five weeks although it always had some brief freeze ups at the start of a movie and sometimes when the scene changed -- but not too bad.<br /><br />I was watching a DVD and about a half hour into the movie it started freezing badly and finally went to black screen. It won't show anything, not even menus. I called Sharp customer service numerous times over a week period and they were never able to help -- their computer was always down. I give up. It goes to the trash and I will buy another brand if I can find one that people report that seems to last -- early failure seems to be a common complaint for most any brand.

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Other User Reviews

There are 0 reviews from the web

See all 1 user reviews

Recommended Ratings

Nobody Tests Like We Do: Our testers put 100s of products through their paces at our National Testing and Research Center. Learn more about how we test for:; Performance; Safety; Reliability; Learn more

To find the model that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value. Here's one tip: Don't pay for more features than you'll use.

Blu-ray players

ConsumerReports.org

Consumer Reports Network