High-Def Video Superguide

By Jon L. Jacobi, Melissa J. Perenson, and Lincoln Spector; testing by Jeff Kuta, PC World

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At a Glance

Sony PlayStation 3

Read PCWorld's review
Philips BDP9000
Toshiba HD-A2
Toshiba HD-XA2
Samsung BD-P1000
Pioneer Electronics Pioneer Elite BDP-HD1
Sony BDP-S1
Panasonic DMP-BD10
Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD Player

High-Def Video Superguide

High-Def Video Superguide

High-Def Video Superguide

High-definition movies are here. Whichever format you choose--be it Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD--you'll find your viewing experience enhanced by more-accurate and better-saturated colors, and greater detail. These two formats are vying to be the sole successor to standard-definition DVD, the dominant format for the past decade; with no clear winner in sight, you'll have to pick sides when buying a player, whether it's for your living room or your PC. Choose the wrong format, and your player's technology--and your movie collection--may become obsolete.

Sony PlayStation 3

Read PCWorld's review
Game console system doubles as a great Blu-ray Disc player, too.
Pros
- Integrated Blu-ray slot drive and HDMI 1.3 port
- Stunning graphics and Blu-ray movie quality
Cons
- Pricey if Blu-ray movie playback not needed
- HDMI or component cables not included
Philips BDP9000
Pros
- Terrific menu design
- Offers media-card playback
Cons
- Lackluster sound
- On-unit buttons are small
Toshiba HD-A2
Pros
- Well-designed on-screen menus
- Ethernet connection for interactivity and updates
Cons
- Outputs 1080i image resolution
Toshiba HD-XA2
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Feature-packed, including HDMI 1.3
Cons
- Hard-to-use remote control
- Poor documentation
Samsung BD-P1000
Pros
- Produces well-balanced images
- Has flash media card slots
Cons
- Lackluster sound
- Mediocre remote control
Pioneer Electronics Pioneer Elite BDP-HD1
Pros
- Produces great images
- Has built-in home network media adapter
Cons
- Slow response time
Sony BDP-S1
Pros
- Amazing picture and sound quality
Cons
- Poor on-unit button design
- Poky response time
Panasonic DMP-BD10
Pros
- Great documentation
- Superior response times
Cons
- Impractical front-flap design
- Skin tones often had a reddish cast
Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD Player
Pros
- HD DVD Player has 192MB of storage to speed access
- Inexpensive peripheral for Xbox 360 owners
Cons
- No HDMI output
- Disappointing image quality

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High-Def Video Superguide

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High-Def Video Superguide

Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD are here. Who makes the best next-generation movie player?

Sony PlayStation 3

Philips BDP9000

Toshiba HD-A2

Toshiba HD-XA2

Samsung BD-P1000

Pioneer Electronics Pioneer Elite BDP-HD1

Sony BDP-S1

Panasonic DMP-BD10

Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD Player

High-Def Video Superguide

High-Def Video Superguide

In this article:

Sony PlayStation 3

Pros

Cons

Philips BDP9000

Pros

Cons

Toshiba HD-A2

Pros

Cons

Toshiba HD-XA2

Pros

Cons

Samsung BD-P1000

Pros

Cons

Pioneer Electronics Pioneer Elite BDP-HD1

Pros

Cons

Sony BDP-S1

Pros

Cons

Panasonic DMP-BD10

Pros

Cons

Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD Player

Pros

Cons

High-Def Video Superguide

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