Yet another home theater/blu-ray thread

**ruxCYtable** · 02-25-2010, 10:05 AM

I am in the market for a blu-ray player that can stream Netflix. According to the Netflix website there are only four brands of blu-ray players that are currently compatible: Insignia, LG, Samsung and Sony. I am hoping to get by on less than $150. I have an ethernet port near the TV so wireless capability it not a concern.

I don't know much about Insignia and it seems to kind of be an "off" brand. Reviews are mostly positive on Best Buy's website, however, and you can get one new for $130. I looked on eBay and there are several of these models for sale "as is" starting around a dollar, so I'm guessing they may have some quality issues!

LG and Sony seem to be good, but even refurbished they are out of my price range. There are several Samsung players under $150 that can stream Netflix, but I've noticed Samsung players seem to have more than their fair share of poor customer reviews.

Anyone got a Netflix-streaming blu-ray player they are real happy with?

**BigBake** · 02-25-2010, 10:08 AM

Yeah, but it's over your stated budget. I love the ps3 and netflix streaming.

Quality wise it's blue Ray. They probably all perform well to Joe average consumer.

**tejasclone** · 02-25-2010, 10:18 AM

You might check out this forum for reviews.

Blu-ray Players and Recorders - Blu-ray Forum

**Cybyassociation** · 02-25-2010, 10:19 AM

ps3, hands down. then hands up...and wave them around, because the ps3 is just that awesome

**4429 mcc** · 02-25-2010, 10:31 AM

Netflix streaming quality blows goats if you have a big screen.

**aeroclone** · 02-25-2010, 10:35 AM

The guy is asking about a player for under $150 and all you guys can come up with is a PS3 that costs double that?

**bos** · 02-25-2010, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by 4429 mcc

Netflix streaming quality blows goats if you have a big screen.

Really depends on the age of the movie and the amount of quality bandwidth you have. With 4 bars and a newer movie, its pretty solid. i cant complain. However I watched Labyrinth a week ago with 2-3 bars and it was complete ****.

**ruxCYtable** · 02-25-2010, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by 4429 mcc

Netflix streaming quality blows goats if you have a big screen.

The TV I'm hooking to is only 32" so it should be fine. I also hope that ethernet over wifi will make a difference.

Anyone know anything about these Roku Netflix players? Little box, no discs.

**tman24** · 02-25-2010, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by aeroclone

The guy is asking about a player for under $150 and all you guys can come up with is a PS3 that costs double that?

yea but its double the entertainment

**bos** · 02-25-2010, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by ruxCYtable

The TV I'm hooking to is only 32" so it should be fine. I also hope that ethernet over wifi will make a difference.

Anyone know anything about these Roku Netflix players? Little box, no discs.

I dont, but I would assume they basically just work the same as any player.

**geek4cy** · 02-25-2010, 10:40 AM

I have an Insignia Blu Ray with Netflix and have had no issues. 55" 720P DLP and picture quality is great. Haven't used the Roku myself, but have installed one for someone. Easy to use and picture quality is ok.

**BigBake** · 02-25-2010, 12:07 PM

I would assure the streaming quality is DVD unless you are getting a HD movie.

Labyrinth looked fine on my 42"....albeit it is a movie from the 80s so I didn't expect 1080p quality.

**BigBake** · 02-25-2010, 12:09 PM

I meant assume not assure

**Flag Guy** · 02-25-2010, 12:11 PM

I had a Samsung Blu-ray player I got for $150 that could stream netflix.. though I never set it up for such since I returned it and bought a PS3 instead.

Nothing wrong with it in particular, I just wanted the PS3 and the PS3 could do everything the Blu-Ray player could do. I only had it for a few weeks and only have a few blu-rays so I didn't play with it all that much, but no real complaints from the time I had it.

That said, my favorite thing about the Samsung Blu-Ray player is I also have a Samsung TV, so the remote for one could control basic functions for the other. I believe Sony's and LG's have that capabilities to - so if you have one of those brands of TV's that is something to consider

**ruxCYtable** · 02-26-2010, 01:11 PM

Thanks all. I considered PS3 but I've never been a gamer and didn't want to spend that much anyway. I ended up with a Sony network blu ray player for $117 refurbed. I'm pretty happy with the deal I got.