t3

Toshiba BDX2100

At half the price of the
other Blu-ray decks on
test, the BDX2100 is an
affordable entry-level
device. It's no surprise
that it doesn't include
showcase features such
as 3D, Wi-Fi, web TV or
DLNA streaming. Despite
this, it's an attractive,
sturdily-built machine
with excellent picture
quality, provided you
tweak the settings. It also
boasts a decent
selection of inputs, plus a
USB port on the front for
media playback and
BD Live storage.
As you'd expect, it's
easy to use thanks to a
neat if basic menu
system and disc start-up
is almost as fast as the
Sony S570. A real bargain.

Yamaha BD-S667

As the priciest player on test, the Yamaha's Wi-Fi and web services of any kind - it does offer DLNA streaming and DivX HD playback via USB - is hard to swallow. Furthermore, disc loading is ponderously slow and the menu system is basic, though functional.
The pay-off, however, is dazzling images from Blu-ray and DVD discs, plus some of the best music playback you're likely to hear from a Blu-ray player. It may not
be feature-packed but the BD-S667 is a sleek, well-built deck that merits its asking price for more demanding AV buffs.

Panasonic DMP-BDT100

A cheaper version of the
DMP-BDT300, though
still far from a bargain,
the BDT100 offers 3D
compatibility with a
single HDMI 1.4 output.
Build quality is robust
and there's a wide range
of features including USB
media playback, an SD
card slot, Viera Cast for
YouTube and picasa
access and DLNA
streaming. Wi-Fi requires
a USB dongle however,
adding an extra £80 to
the cost.
picture quality in 3D
is pin sharp and more
convincing than the
Sony's. It's also a classy
performer in 2D, but it
does feel overpriced.

LG BD570

The BD570 is a
good-looking Blu-ray
deck with built-in N Wi-Fi,
an ethernet port and
HDMI 1.3 - that means
no 3D as you need HDMI
1.4 for that. It does let
you stream an array of
digital media formats
from your PC, or over the
web using Net Cast's
limited choice of apps -
YouTube, picasa and
Accuweather is your lot.
Start-up times are fast
and Blu-ray pictures are
sharp, vibrant and clean
but we could do without
the "quirky" interface.
This resembles a fish
tank and its novelty soon
wears off as you realise
how slow it is to react.

Sony BDP-S570

As well as 3D
compatibility through its
HDMI 1.4 output this slim,
eye-catching deck boasts
high-speed N Wi-Fi with
web streaming from
Sony's terrific Bravia
Internet Video service.
This gives you access to
YouTube, catch-up TV and
DLNA media streaming.
The XrossMediaBar
interface is exceedingly
slick and makes the deck
a breeze to operate,
while start-up times are
the quickest on test. This
speed and ease of use is
backed up by sharp,
noise-free picture quality
from Blu-ray and DVD
content. An excellent,
feature-packed deck.