Blu Ray Players

[Matt]

I have a really basic Sony model that doesn't have the On Demand/Netflix capabilities. I'm going to stop by Ultimate Electronics tonight after work and see about buying a new one.

What I want:
- Netflix/On Demand
- Wireless capability so that it can dial into my home network
- Quality at a cheap price.

Suggestions as to what I should look for? I know that BR players have come WAY down on pricing. Also, I don't want to mess with a PS3...I want to keep the price around $100 if possible.

Thanks!

[BillyG]

You really shouldn't have an issue finding one for around that. We bought Brittany's folks one at Xmas and Sony and Samsung both had models with Netflix/Pandora/etc around the $100-$130 range. The issue though is built in wi-fi jumps it up into the $200 range, or you can buy a wireless dongle for a cheap model. Be careful when you check models "wifi" does not mean built in, most of the time it means buy our $80 wireless adapter. But for quality, I cannot recommend Samsung high enough.

[Matt]

I'm a complete novice on the On Demand/Netflix thing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it works by streaming the movie via your computer to your blu ray player...ergo, you need to be hooked up via wireless OR via cable. Is this correct?

[Abraham Smashington]

Correct.

[Abraham Smashington]

Just like the feature on the 360.

[Matt]

nevermind...just looked confirmed my own question with some quick digging.

OK, thanks for the Samsung recommendation. I'll see what Ultimate has tonight.

[Matt]

Just like the feature on the 360.

hold on...I totally spaced on the fact that I could do this on my 360. Hmmmmmmmmmm

[Abraham Smashington]

Yeah, netflix is WAY Better on the 360. HOWEVER. The PS3 does get full HD with 5.1 sounds I believe on certain HD features. But the connection is spotty over wi-fi I've found. It's much better when it's wired.

[Matt]

Is it pretty easy to set up on the 360? I assume that you just:
- open a Netflix account on your computer.
- log into the menu area of your 360 and set up access to your Netflix account.
- log into the menu area of your 360, look at what's available for On Demand, choose what you want, and stream the film directly to your TV.

Again, is that correct?

[BillyG]

Do you have Xbox Live Gold? If so, to get Netflix running takes all of about 30 seconds.

[Matt]

I do not have Xbox Live Gold. Do I need it in order to have Netflix?

[Abraham Smashington]

Yep.

[BillyG]

Indeeeeeeeeed.

[Matt]

Gold still running $50 a year?

[BillyG]

I think it went to $60, but you can usually find a card on sale for $40 or so online.