LG BD670

The LG BD670 Blu-ray player isn't much to look at compared to sleeker, more stylish players like the Sony BRP-S770 ($249.99, 3.5 stars) or the Sharp BD-HP35U ($299.99, 2.5 stars), but for $249.99 (list) it offers a fantastic feature set and solid performance at an affordable price.

Atypical for any high-end Blu-ray player, the BD670 emphasizes function at the cost of form. The 1.9 by 16.9 by 7.9-inch (HWD) player is relatively free of the subtle design flourishes found on Sony and Sharp's Blu-ray players, instead sporting a plain black front plate with a metallic LG logo on the far left, a metallic Blu-ray 3D logo in the center, and a set of metallic, plastic-feeling mechanical Eject, Play/Pause, Stop, and Power buttons on the right side.

The back of the BD670 holds the standard compliment of HDMI, Ethernet, component, composite, and optical audio ports.

The 8.2-inch remote is similarly simple and accessible in its design. While none of the buttons are backlit, they're laid out thoughtfully, and the navigation pad (one of the most often used parts of the remote) is large and easy to find under the thumb.