Get a refurbished Blu-ray player for $79.99

For the first time ever, you can score a Blu-ray player for just $80.

(Credit: Magnavox)

It wasn't that long ago that we finally saw Blu-ray players dip below the magic $100 mark. Now, Newegg is offering a refurbished Magnavox NB500MG9 Blu-ray player for $79.99 shipped.

That's a new low, big time, so this will absolutely, positively sell out quickly. If you're interested, chop-chop. (Make that click-click.)

The RNB500MG9 features 1080p output and upconversion and Blu-ray Profile 1.1. However, that's about it in the specs department. If you insist on BD-Live and other frilly features, keep walking.

Though I've covered this model before, I still haven't found any substantial reviews. If you already own an RNB500MG9, hit the comments and let us know what you think of it!

Newegg doesn't specify the warranty (whats up, 'Egg?), but I'm fairly confident it's a refurb-standard 90-day guarantee. (I'm checking with the vendor and will post an update in the comments when I find out.)

If you do miss out on Newegg's deal, Sears has the same model for $99.99 shipped (plus sales tax).

[tipoo_]

Wasnt there a massive dip in Blu-Ray (as well as DVD sales) recently? I think digital distribution is going to beat this out.

[rickbroida]

Maybe so, but I think it's going to be a few years yet before we get high-def digital distribution that's on par with Blu-ray. I think $80 is definitely "the right price" for a player (meaning affordable for most consumers). Now we just need better prices on the movies themselves.

[XiroMisho]

the problem I have with digital distribution is that while some companies do it, they don't do it right... I can RENT an HD title from the Sony store, however I cannot purchase an HD movie (Granted if it wasn't shot originally in HD that isn't a huge loss... but the resolution is smaller and thus needs to be blown up, so some quality is lost...) - so in that situation it's rigged so I need to buy Blu-ray if I want to have a HD movie... again some movies don't need HD (Little Shop of horrors, Clue!, Blazin' Saddles...) but others are a must (The Dark Knight, Transformers 2, ect...) - again, the difference is the source. is it worth it for me to pay 26 bucks to see Clue! in ever-so-slightly better quality? Not really... but for the newer titles - yes, it pays... until they start giving HD to buy over the internet then DLC won't be the next generation content for some time.

[tappy727]

Not in its current form. Download from iTunes and it can only play on my TV via AppleTV, which doesn't support the other stores. Download from Amazon and it can only play through Tivo or Roku, neither plays movies from iTunes. Digital downloads are just a big mess.

[jcmark42]

I'm not a big Magnavox fan, but $80-$100 would put me in the market for a different brand (Toshiba/ Sony etc) BD player.

[exo300]

For what it's worth, the local WalMart here has a shelf full of new Magnavox Blu-Rays players (profile 2.0) for about $150, if I recall, DVD players were about that price.

[macksumum]

our local walmart have blu-ray players for $99.too bad all of the bad blu-ray movies cheap while all of the good blu-ray movies are high.i have a blu-ray player and a blu-ray drive in my computer but most of the time i'm doing something else like being on the internet or watching TV.when i do watch movies on my blu-ray player most of the time it is a standard DVD because most of the TV shows or movies that i like are not on blu-ray.i can't do without my blu-ray player but i can do without my blu-ray movies.

[Shane412]

I bought this model last year from Sam's Club when it was near $200. I use it more for watching DVDs which the unit up-converts nicely. On a 42" LCD, the image is very crisp.

All I can really say is that my player works like it's supposed to. It doesn't have any fancy features but then I bought it to play movies, and it does that without issue. If nothing else, it's worth the price just to watch your DVDs at the highest resolution your TV will allow. Blu-ray discs are insanely expensive and I admit I haven't bought many but the ones I have look amazing.

[tappy727]

Blu-ray discs expensive? Try Amazon.com. There are a bunch of movies under $10 on their bestseller list. Woo-hoo.

[hjdiet]

Any known issues with this model?? Playing certain BR discs?? Firmware updates??

[faghouse]

I bought this player over a year ago and haven't had any issues to date. There hasn't been any firmware updates either (that I'm aware of). It's big and ugly, but it works better than my Samsung and Sony blu-ray decks.

[ndfuller]

This looks like a good deal, but am I the only one who is not all that thrilled with Blu Ray? I bought a special Sony deal from Amazon a year ago (thanks cheapskate) and didn't think it was worth the hassle. It's a bit better but not that much even on a 46" HDTV and it takes much longer for everything to load. I wound up selling it for a slight profit on craiglist.

To each his own. Just musing.....

[Nychocolips]

ndfuller, I feel EXACTLY the same way sometimes!

I remember reading/viewing several tech reviewers saying you need a 1080p set larger than 50" to get to full appreciation of Blu-Ray. The difference between 720p/108i and 1080p is just not that dramatic at certain sizes. Factor in the fact that some Blu-Ray DVDs* are produced very poorly while some SD DVDs are produced very well and iit can be a bit tricky without close scrutiny. Let me not forget to throw crappy Blu-Ray players into the mix. My general advice to people is not to upgrade if they are happy with what they have.

Choco

*which is why I read Blu-Ray disc reviews before I buy them.

[genghis-ron]

So why does a newish blu ray player need to be refurbished. Did the container fall off the freighter half way across the pacific? If you're going to buy a blu ray player buy a brand name otherwise you may fall victim to the adage that cheap people always pay twice. Once to buy the 80 dollar unit that fails and a second time to buy a quality player that you should have bought in the first place.

[jvbo]

I posted this yesterday:
Pioneer BDP121 Blu-Ray DVD Player for $99 @ ebay by TigerDirect
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-BDP121-Blu-Ray-DVD-Player-HDMI-1080p-Upscaling_W0QQitemZ230390481699QQcategoryZ15077QQcmdZViewItem#ht_4756wt_1165
Deal ends 23rd!

[jvbo]

Sorry, actually this listing has ended

[TheTiredGuy]

I noticed the comments about the high prices of Blu-ray movies (which I agree with). I used to buy DVDs all the time before I got a Blu-ray player. I don't buy Blu-rays as often as I used to buy DVDs. I now mainly just rent the Blu-rays. To me, Blockbuster Online has a good rental plan ($11.99 a month for 1 at a time unlimited rentals through the mail + 5 in-store exchanges-- and they don't charge extra for Blu-ray).

[the_iceman]

I wouldnt touch a magnavox, sorry. Waiting for sony, panasonic, or LG to hit 100.

[grandam121]

I wouldn't buy any electronics from Wally World. A few years ago WalMart sold a off brand name DVD player at a crazy low price and had to recall them because they were catching fire.
WalMart is noted for their recalls on everything!
Penny wise dollar foolish, that should be WalMarts new motto.

[XiroMisho]

I find that refurbished units work just as well as their non-repaired/brand new counterparts. I have a refurbished PS3, and a Refurbished HP Laptop, both work just fine without any problems - mainly because they have failed already, and those failed parts are now replaced by new ones.

Still, taking out an extended warranty is a good idea... in which case it's usually still cheaper - I don't know what newegg is offering as an Extended, but if the original device is $150, as long as it's under $14.99 it should be reasonable... if not go to Square Trade =D (Website sells extended warranties and is very good as far as price matching.)

[FASTER220]

I have never had any problem with refurb products . But I would like something about blue-ray every blue-ray movie I have paid top dollar for has been grainy to the point that i have givin up buy them untill they correct that problem , I have about fifteen blue-ray movies and a ps3 to watch them on but I would rather watch a standard dvd upscaled to 1080p becuase I'm tired of wasting extra cash on a grainy movie . So before you spend money on a refurb player that didnt have good reviews becuase its on sale theres time to wait becuase by the time it takes for them to get the blue-ray thing right all the players that had good reviews will be on sale by then . right now when you by a player it would be good advise to make sure it upscales good becuase all i can say is i blew alot of money on some grainey movies with great color i never watch .

[moneyrules]

i dont see why blu ray is so important. Im soon getting a ps3 and blu ray is nothing more than just a small add on i will try

[aislanluiz]

This product was deactivated, hope return soon