Blu-ray players & DVD players

High-def models at lower prices challenge standard units

This gift-giving season could be the first strong one for Blu-ray high-definition disc players. More Blu-ray players are arriving in stores, and prices are falling. Some sell for less than $300, and you might see “doorbuster” specials for less than $200 after Thanksgiving.

Stand-alone Blu-ray players aren’t your only option. Some Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony home-theater-in-a-box systems include a Blu-ray player, and so does the Sony PlayStation video-game system.

There are a growing number of movies to watch on a high-definition player. Most new releases come out on Blu-ray discs as well as on DVD, and studios are reissuing older films in the new format. Netflix has about 1,000 high-def titles. Blu-ray players can play standard DVDs and audio CDs too.

For more help on choosing a DVD player, see our DVD Buying Guide.