Anthem BLX 200 Blu-ray Player Reviewed

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Performance
5 Stars
Value
5 Stars
Overall
5 Stars

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anthem_BLX200-Blu-rayPlayer-reviewed.gifAnthem has recently expanded its lineup to include its first home theater source component, the BLX 200 Blu-ray player. The BLX 200 was designed to serve as a worthy complement to Anthem's critically acclaimed surround sound processors, in particular the Anthem D2v. At first glance one is sure to immediately notice the familial resemblance between the BLX 200 and Anthem's D series processors. However, at $799 per unit it will take more than a pretty face for the BLX 200 to earn its keep in a world dominated by commodity driven consumer electronics gear.

Additional Resources
• Read more Blu-ray player reviews by HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Explore AV receiver options to pair with the BLX 200.
 

Behind the clean black face plate with capacitance touch transport buttons is a full Profile 2.0 compliant Blu-ray player. While this is not a universal disc player, the BLX 200 is capable of playing back AVCHD, WMA, MP3, JPEG, AVE and WMV files in addition to standard Blu-ray, DVD and CD discs. The Anthem player's video capabilities include 1080p/24fps, 36 bit Deep Color and x.v. Color support over HDMI 1.3, 12 bit / 162 MHz video DACs, and user selectable output resolution. The latest DTS and Dolby lossless codecs can be decoded internally and be transmitted as 7.1 PCM signal via HDMI for use with any processor that cannot internally decode the new lossless codecs.

The BLX 200 will let you take advantage of Blu-ray disc features such as BD-Live and BonusView. BD-Live provides access to web content and interactive features connected to the disc being watched. The BonusView feature allows for multiple audio video streams such as picture in picture which can be used to watch behind the scenes or commentaries along with the movie.

High Points
• The BLX 200's quick disc loading times alleviate one of the most common Blu-ray player complaints. Its loading time appears to be similar to that of the PS3, one of the industry's quickest loading players.
• Video output flexibility allows the user to configure the BLX 200 for the best possible performance in a variety of system configurations.
• The ability to play and view computer audio, video and picture files is very cool.
• Sonically, the Anthem Blu-ray player is a cut above some of the more disposable players.

Low Points
• The BLX 200 does not have multi-channel analog audio outputs which might tick off some audiophiles who still want to do their audio via an analog connection. Most agree however that HDMI, despite that format's shortcomings, is better today for high end Blu-ray performance.
• The BLX 200 does not have any streaming or networking capabilities which can be found on lesser expensive, more consumer grade machines, thus Netflix, Pandora and other services need to be downloaded through your HDTV, game machine or some other type of component.
• The 2GB memory required to meet BD-Live Profile 2.0 requirements is via a USB drive rather than internally installed into the unit.

Conclusion
The BLX 200 is well suited as a source when used with modern, capable processors such as the D2v it was designed to complement. However, its lack of analog multi-channel outputs means that you will not be able to take advantage of the new lossless audio codecs unless you have an HDMI equipped processor - a problem Anthem can solve for you with the D2v quite nicely. Overall, this is a solid, easy-to-use Blu-ray player suited for mid to high-end home theater systems that are going for the Nth degree of performance over some of the whiz-bang features found on the more flimsy mainstream players.

  • Comment on this article

  • By Graham

Anthem has taken the time and resources to advance the state of the art in A/V processing, and saw fit to create their first source component, presumably to do more than just complete the Anthem package (although that's logically part of the reason). It would have been nice to gain some insight into the value this product brings to the market, even if that market will predominantly be Anthem owners; it's conceivable an Anthem dealer could sell this $800 player to someone who is aspiring to something better, has some room to move, but isn't a separates client currently, if ever. The D2 wasn't the evolutionary outcome of me too processors that Anthem introduced before it. You've told me little about this product aside what I could have gleaned from the specifications tab on a website, if that.

This review could have been more significant, even given the space limitations, and everyone deserves that. Jerry has created a great resource that I am glad to open when it arrives in my email inbox. The reviews that accompany his leading and insightful editorials should have more weight.

Graham,

Our editorial model at HTR is to run 52 feature reviews and HUNDREDS of shorter, quick reviews in addition. This allows us to have a MUCH more comprehensive editorial catalog. In fact, HTR has posted more content than any other AV publication (print or online) in our short 18 months in publication which REALLY helps with our readership.

Would we like to have EVERY review be a 2,000 word plus feature review? Yes, but that's just not possible or economical for a free online publication.

Also note - we sometimes replace a quick review with a feature. We are doing that for example with the Mark Levinson No. 53 amps. At $50,000 a pair - they don't just deal them out to any publication but we got a pair. The review will post soon.

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