Pioneer BDP-LX70

Excellent Blu-ray playback, 1080p/24p video output, High quality surround sound performance, Easy-to-use media streaming

Slight lag when navigating the menu, Expensive compared to other units

Great quality Blu-ray and DVD playback, media streaming

Very expensive

Ignoring price, this is probably the best Blu-ray player we've seen to date. If you're willing to pay a premium then it's an excellent product.

Extensive audio compatibility ; LAN connector

Design ; Disc-loading times ; Not a Profile 1.1 player

Even though it's not Profile 1.1, there's still a lot to like about this deck

The best-performing Blu-ray player yet ; 1080p/24 output

Not cheap ; No HDMI 1.3 ; Not BD Profile 1.1 compatible

While the LX70 is a spectacularly good performer, it's impossible not to feel that you're better waiting for Pioneer's second generation deck

Firmly pitched at the money-no-object home cinema enthusiast – and it delivers the goods in style. Stupendous ability in every regard

Excellent Blu-ray playback ; Media streaming ; Styling

DVD replay can be bettered for the price ; Only HDMI 1.2 ; Expensive

One thing we didn't appreciate was that it didn't explain how to input photos -- for that, you'll need to make sure the pictures are first in your "My Pictures" folder and then add them via the "Add to Library" option in WMP 11.

Not so far ahead into the future, the Pioneer BDP-LX70A's capabilities will be taken for granted, and the lack of Blu-ray 1.1 profile will be unthinkable, but for now it is the most accomplished blu-ray player out there.

Amazing 1080/24p pictures, Superb upscaling performance, Great sound

Only HDMI 1.2, not 1.3, Not BD Profile 1.1 compliant

If you've got the cash and the right plasma screen, we guarantee you'll be basking in hi-def picture heaven.