JVC's second Blu-ray player, the XV-BP11 is an entry-level model, priced about $30 less than the company's original XV-BP1. We have not performed a hands-on review of the XV-BPl1, but here is an overview of its features. Inexplicably, JVC has made the XV-BP11 a Profile 1.1 player, which means it supports BonusView/picture-in-picture playback but it does not allow you to access BD-Live Web features. Pretty much every new player on the market supports BD-Live, as does JVC's original XV-BP1, so the decision to go backwards with the XV-BP11 is an odd one. The XV-BP11 offers both onboard decoding and bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks. This model does not support any type of video-on-demand streaming or download service, such as those offered by Netflix, Amazon, and CinemaNow.

The back panel is bare bones, to say the least. On the video side, you get HDMI and composite video outputs (no component video or S-video). This player supports both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 output resolutions via HDMI. Audio outputs include HDMI, coaxial digital, and stereo analog. As I mentioned, the XV-BP11 has onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, and it also passes these high-resolution audio formats in their native bitstream form over HDMI, for your A/V receiver to decode. The player lacks multichannel analog audio outputs, so the only way to pass decoded high-resolution audio formats is via HDMI. The setup menu doesn't offer any advanced picture and sound adjustments.

On the plus side, the XV-BP11 does support a nice range of digital-media files. The disc drive supports BD, DVD, CD audio, AVCHD, MP3, WMA, and JPEG playback. Since this is not a Profile 2.0 player, there's no Ethernet port for Web connectivity and firmware updates. The front panel does include a USB port that supports MP3, WMA, and JPEG/PNG playback. The XV-BP11 does not have any type of advanced control port, such as IR or RS-232.

High Points
• The XV-BP11 supports 1080p/24 playback of Blu-ray discs.
• The player has internal Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, and it can pass these formats in bitstream form over HDMI.
• It can play picture-in-picture bonus content.
• The USB port allows for easy playback of digital music and photos.

Low Points
• The XV-BP11 does not support BD-Live Web features, nor does it offer any type of video-on-demand streaming function.
• The player lacks multichannel analog audio outputs, so it's not the best choice for someone who owns an older, non-HDMI A/V receiver.
• The XV-BP11 does not have a component video output, so it's only suited for someone who has a newer HDMI-equipped HDTV.

Conclusion
I'm not really sure why JVC felt the need to release the XV-BP11 when the original XV-BP1 has more functionality and an MSRP that's only $30 more. Yes, this model can deliver the higher-quality video and audio that are the crux of the Blu-ray format; however, there are plenty of other budget models that offer more features for the same price as the XV-BP11. If your heart is set on a JVC Blu-ray model, go with the XV-BP1 instead.