New Blu-ray player Ratings: Lower prices, more models with Internet access, 3D capability

Given the excellent HD scores of all the Blu-ray players in our Ratings, picture quality is now almost a given for both Blu-ray and DVD playback. But differences in features still separate some models from others.

In our new Blu-ray Ratings, available to Consumer Reports Online subscribers, you'll find more models with built-in access to online content, such as streaming movies from services such as Netflix or Vudu; a growing number of players with either built-in Wi-Fi or the ability to add a Wi-Fi adapter; and even more models with 3D capability.

Perhaps the best news is that prices for Blu-ray players—even those with lots of features—continue to fall. We have several CR Best Buy recommendations that sell for $150 or less, and they all can access streaming movies and other Web-based content. These models can be a cost-effective way of getting Internet content on your TV if it lacks that feature. If you can do with fewer features, there are even a few more basic Blu-ray players that sell for under $100.

Prices for full-featured 3D models also continue to fall. The lowest-priced 3D-capable model, a Sony, is now just $170, and a sibling that includes built-in Wi-Fi is just $30 more. With the price premium for 3D so low, you may want to consider a 3D model even if you're not quite ready to buy a 3D TV, as all models can also play standard 2D Blu-ray movies. Then you'll be ready to go when you make the move to a 3D TV. Just remember that there still isn't very much 3D content, and you'll also need to get 3D glasses (which still cost $150 or so per pair) to complete the system.

Recently, Sony announced the first Blu-ray player that uses the new Google TV platform, which, in addition to being able to access online content, allows full Web browsing. We're hoping to get our hands on one very soon, so look for this model in upcoming Blu-ray Ratings.

—James K. Willcox