By Steve Holdgren

Well known for producing high-quality electronic devices that are easy to use and are thoroughly tested before being released, Sony’s BDPS5500 Blu-Ray player is no exception. This model includes Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows access to a wide array of apps and online media. This Blu-Ray player also allows USB playback as well as 3D conversion on Blu-Rays and even DVDs. That’s a big upgrade over many previous models in this price range. We especially liked the ability to “mirror” the content on our Android devices onto the big screen. Available for $91, this is one of our favorite players and well worth the money for the functionality, value, and options available.  

More Specifications:

• Full HD 1080p
• 2D to 3D conversion
• Built-in Web browser
• Wi-Fi connectivity

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

The LG BP350 is an affordable Blu-Ray player at less than $100. The good part is that is it Wi-Fi enabled and will allow plenty of streaming options right to any TV. It connects to video streaming programs like Netflix, CinemaNow, VUDU, and YouTube for fast movie access. The Wi-Fi is certified for a,b,g, and n speeds so it will connect to just about any wireless router. The USB port of the front makes it easy to view photos and video from your digital library on the big screen as well. The full HD 1080p play is incredibly sharp and vibrant in color with a Blu-ray disc; even standard DVDs will look better thanks to up-scaling. Best of all, you can connect all your HDMI devices to one remote control, thanks to SimpLink—no more hassle of operating multiple remotes just to set up a movie. Better yet, this Blu-Ray player is now 3D enabled, providing plenty of great features and high-quality performance.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

The Samsung BD-H6500 is an ultra-slim, sleek 3D Blu-ray player fully loaded with many useful features. A big improvement over previous models is the inclusion of 4K upscaling, which is relatively new technology, but for those capable of displaying UHD content it is a worthy addition to the player. It is also a very smart device. This will make any TV it is connected to a smart TV. The BD-H6500 has built-in Wi-Fi and access to the Samsung Smart Hub. Searching for more video content is easy thanks to a full web browser; additionally, S-Recommendation offers you top picks based on your previous selections and what’s popular. The price for this feature laden Blu-ray player is about $150 online. 

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

Blu-Ray players are becoming increasingly more advanced while not surging to ridiculously high prices. Several new models coming out in 2015 offer smart TV viewing options, with the ability to search for movies, apps, and entertainment sites. We selected 10 of the best Blu-Ray players that showed the greatest technological advances and connectivity options. Other features we considered:

1. User-friendly interface
2. Sleek, compact design
3. Stunning full HD 1080p video
4. Ability to access personal photos, videos, and files on USB storage devices
5. Fast streaming capabilities
6. Rich audio that enables surround sound
7. Quick boot-up and loading
8. Built-in Wi-Fi
9. Multiple HDMI inputs

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Featured Blu-Ray Player Articles

Blu Ray Home Theater Systems: The Pros and Cons

Many home theater in a box audio systems today come with a built-in DVD or Blu-ray player. This simplifies things if you don’t already own one of these players, but what are some other benefits or perks to this feature? If the home theater in a box you select doesn’t have an integrated Blu-ray or DVD player, it’s not the end of the world….[more]

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 LED TVs

Following are the models our electronics category editors JB Burden and Bob Wiley think are great mid-range LED TV choices in terms of the quality/value/price/features equation. We have reviewed these or similar offerings from the manufacturers and we recommend and rated these models …[more]

Top 10 32″- 42″ LCD TVs

The small LCD TV category is still very important to the average North American consumer. We’ve included a solid list of the Best LCD TVs for 2012 based on the following qualitative and value criteria: Solid Picture Quality based on…[more]

Top 10 HDTVs

Our expert TV editors pull together the Top 10 most impressive best quality HDTVs for 2012. Editors noted several factors in helping them decide which HDTVs to include in the list including: 1. Black Level Depth 2. Side Angle Viewing Quality 3. Clarity and Clearness of Images on Screen…[more]

Top 10 Home Theater Systems

Today more and more families are picking up home theater systems, or “home theaters in a box.” It’s no wonder why—these systems conveniently link surround sound to the TV, sometimes with a built-in DVD or Blu-ray player. As we surveyed the vast selection of home theater systems, including some Panasonic models…. [more]

Best TV Series

This simple list shows off some of the best TV shows of the past few years that have a box set available. With the popularity of HBO/Showtime type shows you can get lost in finding the next great TV show (or last great)…. [more]

By Steve Holdgren

For only $77.99, the Samsung BD-J5100 is an ideal bare-bones Blu-Ray player that has a surprisingly fast loading time. This lightweight, compact model won’t take up much space in your entertainment station, and it includes HDMI, USB, Ethernet, and HDMI-CEC ports. We liked the quick-start option, which keeps the player in an active sleep mode; when you’re ready to start it up, it boots up right away. We have no complaints about the 1080p picture quality. If you don’t care that this model has no Wi-Fi and you have to connect it to a router, then you’ll be pleased with its affordable price and simple interface. Our only major complaint is that it doesn’t have a light to indicate when it’s on.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

The Panasonic BDT230 is a full HD 3D Blu-Ray player with some cool and convenient features. With VIERA Connect, users can access endless web content, including popular programs like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Facebook, Skype, Twitter, Pandora, and numerous gaming sites. Up to four people in a home can set up their personalized setting preferences. And the picture and audio quality they’ll experience with the BDT230 is enviable; the player provides a sharp, clear picture with minimal noise and high-quality audio. The Blu-Ray player also converts 2D video content from DVDs, Blu-Rays, and VIERA Connect to 3D. We only wish that the default setting didn’t allow ads. This Energy Star-certified Blu-Ray player, compact in design, is available for $106.99.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

For only $99.05, the Samsung BD-J5900 is a valuable 3D-enabled Wi-Fi Blu-ray player. This lightweight, compact model won’t take up much space in your entertainment station, and it includes HDMI, USB, Ethernet, and HDMI-CEC ports. We liked that it boots up quickly, faster than other models we’ve seen. We have no complaints about the 1080p picture quality, and the 3D play works great, too. And its Wi-Fi connectivity means that you can easily stream content from major services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Our only gripe is that it doesn’t have a light to indicate when it’s on, but that’s a minor issue.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

Whether you have a small or large entertainment space, the Energy 5.1 Take Classic home theater system will fill it with rich sound. The sleek, glossy black set of six includes 4 satellite speakers, a center channel, and a subwoofer, all wall mountable. We were impressed by the crisp, full sound and powerful bass, with low distortion and great midrange performance. You’ll want to follow Energy’s tips for installing the system so you get the optimal sound, but you won’t be disappointed when you do. This home theater system allows you to hear even the subtlest sounds along with the booming explosions, giving you an awesome movie-viewing experience. 

Quick Specs

• 6 pieces
• 33-20,000 Hz
• 200-watt subwoofer

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

For a superior 3D Blu-ray surround sound system from 2015, the Samsung HT-J5500W offers plenty of features to turn up the volume of your movies. The built-in Wi-Fi gives any TV access to all the most popular apps—Netflix, Pandora, Vudu, etc. Another nice inclusion is wireless rear speakers. Finding a place to mount rear speakers without showing too much wire has always been a problem with surround sound systems. Thankfully Samsung has directly addressed this problem with wireless speakers, this alone adds a great deal of value. The Blu-ray player in this set features 3D playback as well. This may be a technology that is phasing out, but more and more TVs are including it. Regardless, the Samsung HT-J5500W offers the advantages of Blu-ray in a single passage, attractively priced around $400.

Quick Specs

• 5.1 Channel
• 1000-Watt
• 3D Blu-Ray Home Theater System
• Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Surround
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

Today more and more families are picking up home theater systems, or “home theaters in a box.” It’s no wonder why—these systems conveniently link surround sound to the TV, sometimes with a built-in DVD or Blu-ray player. As we surveyed the vast selection of home theater systems, including some Panasonic models coming out this year, we looked at the following qualities in choosing our top ten:

1. Crisp, pure sound quality
2. For DVD models, upscaling to near HD quality
3. Straightforward setup process
4. Flexibility in speaker arrangement
5. Wireless subwoofer
6. Audio Return Channel (ARC)
7. Bluetooth or USB port for playing music
8. Comprehensive system for media streaming
9. Easy-to-navigate interface
10. Attractive design
11. Value

Home Theater System Buying Guide

How to pick the best home theater

So you want to simplify your home entertainment system and enjoy a cinematic experience from the comfort of your living room. Buying a home theater in a box is an affordable option that provides high quality surround sound and sometimes other special features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

What you need to know beforehand

Choosing a home theater in a box can be tricky if you don’t know what would best suit your home. The first thing you need to consider is what you already have—TV, DVD or Blu-ray player, game console, HDMI cables, etc. Even consider practical factors. Do you have the furniture for a TV stand arrangement, or do you favor a wall mount setup?

Also think about the size of your room, which may determine how many speakers you need. Home theater systems classify themselves with a number such as 7.1, 5.1, 2.0, and so on. These numbers let you know how many speakers come in a system (designated by the first digit) and whether it has a subwoofer for low frequency bass (shown by either a 0 or a 1 after the decimal point). So how do you know which number is right for your home? Let’s break it down.

• The bigger the room, the more speakers you’ll want to get the richest sound. Think 3.1 at the minimum. Smaller rooms can make do with smaller systems—2.1 or 1.1, for instance.
• If ease of setup and cost are major concerns, then be aware that the more speakers you have, the higher the price and the trickier it will be to set them up and adjust them to optimize the sound.
• For an audio experience closest to a movie theater, spring for the extra speakers. The deep bass provided by subwoofers contribute to this effect, making you feel the rumble of special effects as well as see and hear them. If, however, you don’t want that ground-shaking bass (say you live in an apartment), then avoid systems with a subwoofer.

Figuring out inputs and outputs

If you already have special components such as a Blu-ray player, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, etc., then make sure the home theater in a box you choose has an adequate number of inputs and outputs to connect these components to the audio system. These include HDMI, digital audio, USB, headphone jack, and docking port for smartphones/tablets. Based on the components you have (or plan to have), look for a home theater in a box that won’t limit you in the number of sources you can connect to it.

Other special features

Once you know the number of speakers and input/output ports to look for, then it’s time to consider other special features that can make your home theater experience more immersive and fun. Like playing music? Bluetooth lets you wirelessly stream music and other media from your iPod or iPad. Other systems have a docking station or USB dongle to connect these devices.

With the rising popularity of Blu-ray, you may wish to consider a home theater system that’s compatible with 3D Blu-ray. Some systems come with a built-in Blu-ray player, which is handy if you don’t already have one. Additionally, many of these systems also give you access to various apps and streaming services like Netflix, Vudu, Pandora, and more.

Think about the features you most desire, and shop around for prices. Obviously, the more you pay, the more you get, but quality home theater systems are available for less than $1000, some at half that price. Budget models give you the basics for an affordable price and suit those who don’t need a lot of bells and whistles. Once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll be better prepared to find it at a great value.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Featured Home Theater System Articles

Blu Ray Home Theater Systems: The Pros and Cons

Many home theater in a box audio systems today come with a built-in DVD or Blu-ray player. This simplifies things if you don’t already own one of these players, but what are some other benefits or perks to this feature? If the home theater in a box you select doesn’t have an integrated Blu-ray or DVD player, it’s not the end of the world….[more]

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Blu-Ray Players

Blu-Ray players are becoming increasingly more advanced while not surging to ridiculously high prices. Several new models coming out in 2012 offer smart TV viewing options, with the ability to search for movies, apps, and entertainment sites. We selected 10 of the best Blu-Ray players…. [more]

Top 10 HDTVs

Our expert TV editors pull together the Top 10 most impressive best quality HDTVs for 2012. Editors noted several factors in helping them decide which HDTVs to include in the list including: 1. Black Level Depth 2. Side Angle Viewing Quality 3. Clarity and Clearness of Images on Screen…[more]

Top 10 LED TVs

Following are the models our electronics category editors JB Burden and Bob Wiley think are great mid-range LED TV choices in terms of the quality/value/price/features equation. We have reviewed these or similar offerings from the manufacturers and we recommend and rated these models …[more]

Top 10 32″- 42″ LCD TVs

The small LCD TV category is still very important to the average North American consumer. We’ve included a solid list of the Best LCD TVs for 2012 based on the following qualitative and value criteria: Solid Picture Quality based on…[more]

Best TV Series

This simple list shows off some of the best TV shows of the past few years that have a box set available. With the popularity of HBO/Showtime type shows you can get lost in finding the next great TV show (or last great)…. [more]

More Home Theater Systems

Designed to be virtually invisible on the iPad screen, the amFilm Premium HD Clear screen protector will not distort the colors or clarity of the iPad display. Screen protectors are notoriously tricky to apply evenly and with no bubbles, but this pack comes with an extra screen just in case and directions that, if followed carefully, should ensure a perfect fit. The pack also includes a cleaning cloth and a squeeze card. We were impressed with the crystal clear clarity of the screen protector, and with the reasonable price of $8.95.

Prices

For a simple, elegant iPad stand, consider the Lipper International Bamboo Expandable and Adjustable iPad Stand. The stand conveniently expands lengthwise to fit the iPad in its horizontal and vertical positions. It also leaves a space at the bottom for the charging port, so you can charge the tablet while you use it. We were pleased with the four adjustable positions, which work great for watching videos or using Skype. If you’d like an iPad stand that has a unique look and would look classy on an office desk or in the kitchen, you won’t be disappointed with this stand, which is available at $22.28.

Prices

If you’re looking for a wireless Bluetooth keyboard to make typing with your tablet (or smartphone) easier, then the Foldable Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard Case is a valid choice at $19.99. The keyboard folds up in the middle and fits conveniently in the included pouch. The keyboard is full size and types pretty well, although we noticed the keys sometimes feel “sticky” and for some reason the Shift key is only on the right side. However, the keyboard is easy to set up and connect to your Bluetooth-enabled device. It comes in a variety of colors and has a satisfactory battery life.

Prices

This stylus from amPen protects your iPad touchscreen from oily fingerprint smudges and improves sensitivity. The rubber tip is soft and ultra-sensitive, leaving no marks or scratches on the screen. Of course, a stiffer, narrower tip could improve accuracy when it comes to writing on the screen, but stiffer tips can also leave marks behind. This stylus, in stylish black, has a dongle for attaching it to your device via the earphone jack, so you’re less likely to misplace it. It’s lightweight and fairly durable if not handled roughly. We were pleased with the durability of the tip; compared to other styluses, it seems built to hold up with extended use. This functional stylus is available for $5.99.

Prices

Keeping fingerprint smudges and oily residue off your iPad or tablet can be a frustrating challenge, but with the Targus CleanVu cleaning pads, the task isn’t as hard. The pads are made of a soft suede-like material on the cleaning side, and a leather-like material with a finger strap on the opposite side. No sprays or liquid cleaners are required for cleaning your electronic devices. The suede side of the pad wipes away greasy fingerprints and other residue with just a few swipes. The pads come in a set of three, two black and one red. We liked that they were small enough to carry around easily with the tablet. The three-pack is available for $3.99.

Prices

This protective case and stand from TabSuit protects the 7-inch Tablet Dragon Touch tablet. The PU leather exterior feels durable and strong, while the interior is gentle on the tablet, protecting it from scratches. The case holds the tablet perfectly and closes securely with a magnetic flap. The cover folds back to create a convenient stand, making it easy to prop up the tablet to watch videos or read books for extended periods of time. We especially liked that none of the ports or buttons were obscured, almost making us forget that the tablet was wearing a case at all. Given its quality construction and functional yet attractive design, this TabSuit case is a true bargain at $8.99. 

Prices