Blockbuster is selling a Sylvania Blu-ray Disc player for $99.99 throughout its nationwide chain of stores. However, as reported by Home Media Magazine the player is the Sylvania NB501SL9, an older model BD player with 1.1 profile and no internet connectivity. The originally priced $249 BD player is also available at Amazon and Walmart for about the same price.
Be warned that while this is a cheap way to get into high-def media the lack of internet connectivity and USB drive for firmware upgrades are just going to cost you more in the long run. No internet means no BD Live. No internet and no USB drive means you’ll have to fiddle around with burning CDs to upgrade the firmware. The player is also lacking optical digital out connection, using digital coaxial for surround sound. For about $50 more you can get a network connected Blu-ray player with BD profile 2.0, and enjoy BD Live support.
On the positive side, the player does support HDMI deep color, DVD upscaling, 7.1 channel audio, and 24 frames-per-second as well as host an SD card slot.
The Sylvania NB501SL9 was first released back in 2008.
Get discount pricing on Blu-ray players at Amazon.com.
