As any movie fan knows, sequels are rarely better than the original, but the follow up to Samsung's BD-P1000 is more The Godfather Part II than Superman 3. The Samsung BD-P1400's feature list is superior to the company's debut Blu-ray deck, and is bolster...

Ethernet port, Stylish design, Hi-res bitstream audio out

Not Profile 1.1, Some 24fps issues

Being Profile 1.0, there's only so much this player can offer, but for those with less cash to spend, this is a great Blu-ray option

The Panasonic DMP-BD30 is the world's first Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player. A certain amount of deserved fanfare is in order, as some of you will be aware that the BD market has been cursed by dithering standards. Profile 1.1 mandates for persistent memory an...

Excellent video performance, Great HD audio support, Slimline design, Profile 1.1

Low-level fan noise, Dolby Digital 5.1 when the PIP secondary Audio mode is engaged

The first Blu-ray player worth splashing your card-earned cash on. You won't be disappointed

Thanks to the PlayStation 3, the Blu-ray Disc Association is claiming minor and major victories in the HD format conflict, but while some software is shifting in significant numbers, organising a ticker-tape parade is premature

Excellent images, Solid build quality, High resolution audio

No SACD, No DTS-HD Master Audio, Not Profile 1.1

A great quality player, but with Profile 1.1 only around the corner, it's hard to recommend wholeheartedly

With digital switchover looming, the powers that be in charge of digital terrestrial TV have come up with a new badge for the AV industry: Freeview Playback. Put simply, it means that any kit sporting the logo can record TV programmes in a manner akin to...

160GB hard disk, Optical digital output, Two-channel recording

Dull desig, Picture noise, Single RGB Scart

Sharp's is a more serious attempt at a Freeview Playback box, but it lacks top quality pictures and features

This is the flagship model in Toshiba's second generation of HD DVD players, which makes it the de facto leader for the blue laser format. The HD-EP35 is currently the best specified player of its kind and this seems set to stay that way for now

High spec HDMI output, Excellent 1080p/24p pictures, Affordable price

Slow startup and disc loading, No disc resume function, Lightweight build

A dazzling spec list and stunning performance make this the finest HD DVD player money can buy

Sharp is a big name in Blu-ray. Not a lot of people know that. It's not because the company is a prolific maker of BD kit: rather, the company is a mass-producer of the blue-violet laser diodes vital for Blu-ray players

Great Blu-ray images (in 24p mode), Slimline design

Mediocre DVD playback, No BD Java 1.1 support, No DTS hi-definition audio, No simultaneous HD output on HDMI and component

It's a bit minimalist when it comes to features but Blu-ray performance shows off everything good about the format

It may be expensive, but Pioneer has gone a long way to justify the price hike. From the lustre of the black finish to the rigid build-quality, this looks and feels like a prestige product. It matches the best around spec-for-spec and adds in a CI slot an...

Good 1080p upscaling, Feature rich playback of music and picture files, Slick design

Rather complicated to use, Uncompetitive price

Great features and performance, but it's slightly let down by its complex operation and high price

The versatile DVD-RAM format offers many of the much-loved features of hard-disk recording, but on the downside it's still incompatible with the vast majority of DVD players on the market.Samsung has opted for DVD-RAM on this standalone recorder

Solid performance, Nice looks, Great operating system

No HDMI, Can't change recording mode for digital recordings

A stylish, easy-to-use all-rounder but one that could have been improved by the inclusion of an HDMI output

It is only about 18 months since manufacturers started putting Freeview tuners and HDMI outputs into digital recorders, but already it's almost routine. Pioneer's machines have usually been versatile, but they only had that magic combination from late 200...

1080p upscaling, Freeview series recording, Multiformat DVD recording

You have to choose between one of two EPGs, No broadband network link

With advanced EPG timer options and 1080p upscaling, this is one of the most flexible machines around

Taking a look at the feature list, things start to look ominous for the competition. Headlined by an HDMI output with full 1080p upscaling (plus 1080i and 720p, of course), this is a deck designed with flatpanel TVs in mind

Performance, Expensive features, User-friendliness

No DiVX playback or slot

Panasonic confirms its status as the king of recorders with a magnificent deck boasting unbeatable features