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October 17, 2009 8:07 AM PDT

Get a Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player for $128 shipped

by Rick Broida
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The last time I found a Blu-ray player with BD-Live support in this price range, it was a refurbished Sony model that sold out in about 10 minutes.

Right now, Amazon has an even better deal: a new Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player for $128.23 shipped. Regular price: $250.

This player not only supports Profile 2.0 (meaning it can play the BD-Live features found on some discs), but also performs such nifty tricks as streaming Amazon On Demand and YouTube video, accessing your PicasaWeb photos, and fetching weather and stock reports.

You'll need a wired Ethernet connection to take advantage of these goodies; the DMP-BD60 has no Wi-Fi capabilities.

You'll want to read CNET's review of the player (and/or watch the above video), which is mostly positive but concludes with a mere three-star rating.

Apparently users don't agree with the criticisms, having rated it four stars out of five on average. And on Amazon's product page, the DMP-BD60 averaged 4.5 stars.

In other words, this high-end Blu-ray player rocks. And it's unheard-of to find so many advanced features for just $128. If it supported Netflix streaming, I'd call it a must-buy. As it stands, it's a must-consider.

Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog.
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Add a Comment (Log in or register) (9 Comments)
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by jcmark42 October 17, 2009 10:21 AM PDT
Looks like a great deal, but I don't need another BD player right now.
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by Sully99 October 17, 2009 10:21 AM PDT
Could Netflix be included with firmware updates?
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by benignotx October 17, 2009 10:34 AM PDT
It's $139.14 now. It's a great deal, but I'm waiting for Black Friday sub-$100 blu ray players.
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by benignotx October 17, 2009 10:35 AM PDT
It's $139.14 now. It's a great deal, but I'm waiting for Black Friday sub-$100 blu ray players.
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by yamaha745 October 17, 2009 1:40 PM PDT
its now $142 @ amazon@ 4:40pm est
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by yamaha745 October 17, 2009 1:42 PM PDT
its now $142 @ amazon@ 4:40pm est
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by jca671 October 17, 2009 6:50 PM PDT
Up-converting DVD players suit me fine for now- not that BluRay sucks or anything, but I personally don't care until the players drop below $100 and the media costs the same as regular media- hell, you know they've probably recouped their R&D by now, and the blank media they burn the movies to are probably pennies more than the old stuff.
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by rickbroida October 18, 2009 12:26 PM PDT
Dang Amazon... the price keeps creeping up! Sorry about that. It was definitely $128 when I posted...
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by Eludium-Q36 October 19, 2009 9:33 AM PDT
This could be $0 and I still wouldn't get it. Why ?! Because I don't need another box in my center that's only a player. If it's a RECORDER then I start to get interested.
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About The Cheapskate

The best things in tech are cheap. "The Cheapskate" scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets, and all the other tech stuff that makes life worth living. Send your own cheapskate tips to thecheapskate@gmail.com. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.

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