This may be redundant, but what is the best stand-alone Blu-ray player?

I must admit that i was one of the first to jump on HD-DVD band wagon, buying the HD add-on for my xbox 360 way back when it first came out. But with its death, my need for new HD has been doused and i need a blu-ray player so i can buy new releases. So what is the best stand-alone player with a reasonable price?

The PS3.

The Sony 3. (does that make playstation 3 sound better...more attractive?) Anyway dont take my advice, read the new issue of Home Theater mag. They see it all.

Wait for the Panasonic 50.

that PA player is taking forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

any info on that?

Kuco, I thought the Panasonic BD50 was coming out in June? Not sure though.

As far as "standalone" bluray player (assuming you don't want to get the PS3) the best at the moment is probably the Panasonic BD30 but I don't think it can be upgraded to profile 2.0.

Just get the PS3 since it's the most futureproof bluray player out there plus for some reason it's the cheapest one too.

I'm personally waiting for more profile 2 to come out before I buy, ie: when Pioneer comes out with a profile 2.

[Post edited by enc66 on Apr 21, 2008]

i should have added that as part of my question. my entertainment system is good, but aging and i will be updating it probably later this year. What affordable player will be the most up to date around june or july and not be outrageously expensive?

The best thing to do is to wait until June when you have the money and make a decision then. There's no way to know for sure what will be available and at what price. Plus every once in a while you will see a sale on a bluray player.

For me...

the best is the PS3 - hands down. The price, updatability and WiFi are huge pluses.