Plays EVERYTHING! BluRay, DVD-R/RW, DVD +R/RW

Author's Rating:

Pros: Plays DVD+R/RW as well as DVD-R. Outputs Composite, Component AND HDMI

Cons: N/A

The Bottom Line: 
Excellent Blu-Ray player that will play anything, up-converts regular DVD's to amazing detail AND outputs to ALL THREE video standards; HDMI, Composite, Component AT THE SAME TIME!!!

Author's Review
I almost went for the Samsung, but when I read it would ONLY show BluRay and DVD-R ("NOT DVD+R/+RW) I picked this up instead.
I like the fact that it will not only output to HDMI, but also the component AND Composite (Single yellow RCA connector) - ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!!

This is important to me because I want to be able to push out to my HD projector (HD70) which does Component (the three separate Red, Green, and Blue Coaxial cables) but also it will play lower quality DVDs on my 35" CRT television (so the kids don't wear out my HD projector).
Finally, when I am able to get HDMI out to a new 1080p projector, I will be set for future viewing.

This also does an EXCELLENT job of "up-converting" a *regular* DVD (not one of my "archive" copies that I've ripped and compressed so that my kids can play the DVD and not destroy the original - I am NOT going to purchase "Shrek" a third time!!!).
What this means to you is that you get near Blu-Ray quality on regular DVD's! The upconverting really brings out details you can't see with even the best DVD players (imho)
Plus, remember those "archive" copies I mentioned? Well, I've got them on DVD-R AND DVD+R. Whatever was on sale at the time I needed some. These are copies of movies I already own. Mostly family and kids stuff. They play them to death. And as much as I've taught them to be careful, there are always accidents, and friends who aren't as careful. So, I have these copies for them to play. If they ruin them, I ripped/burn another.
Not all of the players out there will play BOTH DVD-R and DVD+R discs. Having it all AND Blu-Ray too is just icing on the cake.

As a side note, this player also includes "BD-Live!". A feature that you can plug this into your ethernet (Home Internet - wired connection) for downloads of content and extra features on Blu-Ray discs that came/come out after market. Also, can be used to upgrade/update software/hardware. I haven't found this feature useful yet, but will comment later if I do.
Also, if you do NOT have a "wired" connection available, AND the updates are important to you; you may want to spend $100 more and get the Wireless version Blu-Ray player.

This is a recent purchase. I will add more later as I find features and such that merit mention and any downgrade of the FIVES I'm giving this product.