The Insignia NS-BDLIVE01, sold exclusively through Best Buy, is the company's first Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player and is priced at an entry-level price point. We have not performed a hands-on review of the NS-BDLIVE01, but here's an overview of its features. As a Profile 2.0 player, the NS-BDLIVE01 supports BonusView/picture-in-picture playback and BD-Live Web functionality, and it offers bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio over HDMI. It does not support any type of video-on-demand streaming or download service, such as those offered by Netflix, Amazon, and CinemaNow.

In terms of video connections, the NS-BDLIVE01 offers HDMI, component video, and composite video outputs (no S-video). This player supports both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 output resolutions via HDMI. The setup menu doesn't offer any advanced picture adjustments, such as preset picture modes or noise reduction. Audio outputs include HDMI, optical and coaxial digital, and stereo analog, but the player doesn't have multichannel analog audio outputs. The player will pass the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats in their native bitstream form over HDMI, for your A/V receiver to decode; however, it lacks DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and only supports two-channel Dolby TrueHD decoding. It does have onboard decoding of Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution, but these formats are not as common.

The disc drive supports BD, DVD, CD audio, MP3, WMA, and JPEG playback. The back panel features an Ethernet port for BD-Live Web features; the player doesn't include a wireless network connection option. The NS-BDLIVE01 lacks internal memory, so the addition of an external storage device is required to download BD-Live features; dual USB ports are provided, which also support MP3, WMA, and JPEG playback. Not surprisingly for a budget player, the unit lacks advanced control ports, such as RS-232 or IR.

High Points
• The NS-BDLIVE01 supports 1080p/24 output for Blu-ray titles.
• The player can pass Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding in bitstream form over HDMI, so it's best mated with a receiver that has its own high-resolution audio decoders.
• It supports BD-Live Web content and can play picture-in-picture bonus content.
• The dual USB ports allow for easy playback of digital music and photos.

Low Points
• It lacks the most desirable high-resolution audio decoders, and it lacks multichannel analog audio outputs; so, it's not the best choice for someone who owns an older A/V receiver.
• This player does not support any type of video-on-demand or music streaming, nor does it feature a wireless option for connection to your home network.
• The NS-BDLIVE01 lacks internal memory, so you must provide your own USB storage device.

Conclusion
If you're looking for a great value in Blu-ray, Insignia's NS-BDLIVE01 is an inexpensive player that offers the important Blu-ray specs, such as BD-Live functionality, 1080p/24 video output, and bitstream output of high-resolution audio over HDMI. However, it lacks some of the audio options and added perks (like VOD streaming and wireless network connectivity) that you can now get for only a modest increase in price.