UltimateAVmag.com: Buyer's Guide: Disc Players / Recorders

There are thousands of DVDs out there. This is what you need to play them back, and sometimes record them, too. In addition, Blu-ray and HD-DVD bring you full high definition on a little silver disc. It's not your father's DVD.

For a list of every DVD Player/Recorder reviewed by UAV, click here.
For a list of every HD Disc Player/Recorder reviewed by UAV, click here.

UAV's Current Top Picks. These components offer the Ultimate in pure performance in each product category.

	Pioneer BDP-HD1 Blu-ray Disc Player (Provisional) $1,500
	Sony BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc Player (Provisional) $799
	Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Disc Player $499
	Sony PlayStation3 Blu-ray Disc Player $499
	Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD player $299
	Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD player $799

UAV Recommends. These components offer outstanding performance that is just short of the Ultimate, but still worthy of consideration for your system.

	Ayre DX-7e $5,999
	Lexicon RT-20 $4,495
	Linn Unidisk $11k
	Marantz DV-9600 $2,099
	Meridian G98DH $6,000
	Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi $999
	Simaudio Moon Orbiter $6,500
	Sony DVP-NS9100ES $1,300

Ultimate Bang for the Buck. These components establish the Ultimate in price/performance ratio, challenging the performance of the Ultimate and Premier Choice components at a fraction of the price.

	Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Disc Player $499
	Sony PlayStation3 Blu-ray Disc Player $499
	Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD player $299

New Products. Announcements and quick hits on hot gear that you can find at a retailer near you. These products have not yet been reviewed in UAV.

	LG Super Multi Blue Blu-ray/HD DVD Player $1,199
	Toshiba HD-A20 HD DVD Player $399

Capsule reviews, sneak peeks at components that are on UAV's test bench for full review, or that we've been inspired to comment on from face time at trade shows, in owner's systems, or at retail.

	Pioneer Elite BDP-HD1 Blu-ray Disc Player $1,500
	Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi $1,000
	Marantz DV9600 $2,099
	Sony BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc Player $799

Discontinued But Not Forgotten. These components earned our recommendation, but have since been discontinued by the manufacturer.

	Arcam FMJ DV29 $2,999
	Arcam DV78 $999
	Denon DVD-2900 $999
	Denon DVD-2910 $739
	Denon DVD-5900 $2,000
	Esoteric DV-50 $5,500
	Lexicon RT-10 $3,495
	Oppo OPDV971H $250
	Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi $1,600
	Sony DVP-NS999ES $1,200
	Sony BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc Player $999
	Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD player $399
	Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD player $799