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CNET Reviews - Most Popular Video Players and Recorders

Rank Most Popular Titles
1 Panasonic DMP-BD55
The Panasonic DMP-BD55 is the best standalone Blu-ray we've tested and it's a good choice for those with older receivers, but most people will get the same performance out of the cheaper DMP-BD35.
2 Sony BDP-S350
The combination of its small design, solid feature set, and excellent image quality make the Sony BDP-S350 a worthwhile standalone Blu-ray player--especially if you can find it for less than $300.
3 Microsoft Xbox 360 (20GB)
With its extensive digital media features, a superior online service, and an excellent game library, the Xbox 360 remains the game console to beat.
4 Samsung BD-P1500
The Samsung BD-P1500 lacks some features and doesn't perform as well as the PlayStation 3, but its relatively low price makes it a solid option for those few people on a budget who still demand a standalone Blu-ray player.
5 RCA DTA800
Good reception, respectable video quality, and a basic EPG make the RCA DTA800 an excellent DTV converter box, despite some slightly tricky setup snags.
6 Sony BDP-S550
7 Zenith DTT901
The Zenith DTT901 DTV converter box has an easy-to-use design and solid video quality, but other boxes have more features or are easier for seniors.
8 Apple TV (40GB)
With its enhanced iTunes video offerings, PC-free operation, and a lower price tag, the updated Apple TV is a compelling Internet-enabled entertainment device for the living room.
9 Logitech Squeezebox Duet
With its excellent iPod-like remote, the Logitech Squeezebox Duet is an ideal way to stream the full range of digital music--including files on your computer's hard drive, premium subscription music services, and free Internet radio--to your living room stereo system.
10 Oppo DV-983H
The Oppo DV-983H is pretty much the ultimate standard-def disc player, but its high price means videophiles on a budget can get a better bang for their buck.
11 Winegard RCDT09A
The Winegard RCDT09A is the first DTV converter box that can be powered by batteries, and it's a great choice for those who want to use their analog portable TVs after the DTV transition.
12 Sling Media Slingbox Pro-HD
The Sling Media Pro-HD streams live TV to your PC or smartphone--but for most users, its excellent HD-capable picture quality will be diminished when accessed outside of the home network.
13 Panasonic DMP-BD30K
The Panasonic DMP-BD30 offers excellent video quality and is Blu-ray Profile 1.1 compliant, but those who want high-resolution audio will need a cutting-edge AV receiver.
14 Panasonic DMP-BD50
Excellent soundtrack support and Profile 2.0-compliancy make the Panasonic DMP-BD50 the most recommendable standalone Blu-ray player to date, but the PS3 is still better and cheaper.
15 Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite
While it's neither a must-have upgrade for existing 360 owners nor as feature-packed as the PS3, the Xbox 360 Elite's combination of top-notch gaming and digital media features make it the current game console of choice.
16 Panasonic DMR-EA18K
Outstanding recording quality and tons of features, like flexible recording speed and chasing playback, make the Panasonic DMR-EA18K an excellent all-purpose DVD recorder.
17 RCA DTA800B1
Good reception, respectable video quality, and a basic EPG make the RCA DTA800 an excellent DTV converter box, and its included remote is the best we've seen.
18 Sony BDP-S300
The BDP-S300 is a decent choice if you're limiting yourself to a relatively cheap, standard-design Blu-ray player, but everyone else should consider the competition.
19 Microsoft Xbox 360 Arcade
20 TiVo HD (20 HD hours)
While it's not compatible with your cable company's interactive and video-on-demand services, the TiVo HD's excellent onscreen interface and long list of network and Internet features puts it in a class above the generic high-def DVRs offered by most cable providers.
21 Vudu BX100
Vudu sets itself apart from similar Internet video-on-demand boxes such as Apple and Netflix by delivering movies at better quality--up to full 1080p HD resolution and 5.1 surround sound.
22 DirecTV HR20 (DirecTV Plus HD DVR)
The DirecTV HR20 is easy to use and offers plenty of features, but its operational bugs make use more of a headache than with other DVRs.
23 Sony Bravia Internet Video Link (DMX-NV1)
The Sony Bravia Internet Video Link (DMX-NV1) will stream Web video and Amazon Video On Demand to your Bravia HDTV, but its slow interface and limited content options will have you looking at alternatives.
24 Dish Network ViP722 HD DVR
The Dish Network ViP622 and 722 are among the most fully featured and versatile high-def DVRs you can buy today.
25 Dish Network ViP622 HD DVR
The Dish Network ViP622 and 722 are among the most fully featured and versatile high-def DVRs you can buy today.