We found that entry level pricing is at average $700. For that money you'll get the highest definition currently commercially available. If you have full HD (1080) then this technology is for you. The new laser and compression technology is much more capable that current DVD technologies. There is however a divide in the production world as to which format, HD DVD or Blu-Ray we get the win in the end. Sony's unit has great customer satisfaction ratings and a solid build quality. As does the Toshiba.

All of these units offer a backward compatibility for CDs and DVDs as well as various other formats. The Toshiba HDXA2 also has an ethernet cable so that non-copyprotected media can be redistributed through a network, which can be handy. All of these units also upscale, so that lower resolution DVDs can be scaled up to a higher level. The Toshiba HDXA2 HD DVD player and the Sony BDPS1 Blu-Ray machine also offer enhanced sound options for your home theater.

In the end your considerations will most likely rely on title selection, if you want to have you cake and eat it too then these machines may leave you missing something. We did find a "supermulti" unit by LG Electronics that plays both HD DVD and Blu-Ray. If you make that choice then price will be you single biggest consideration.