Sharp BD-HP75U 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed

Published On: September 29, 2011
Last Updated on: October 31, 2020
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Sharp BD-HP75U 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed

While the Sharp BD-HP75U Blu-ray player supports features like 3D playback, Adrienne Maxwell points out that this Blu-ray player lacks typical features of Blu-ray players at its pricepoint.

Sharp BD-HP75U 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed

By Author: Adrienne Maxwell
Adrienne Maxwell is the former Managing Editor of HomeTheaterReview.com, Home Theater Magazine, and HDTVEtc.com. Adrienne has also written for Wirecutter, Home Entertainment Magazine, AVRev.com, ModernHomeTheater.com, and other top specialty audio/video publications. She is an ISF Level II-certified video calibrator who specializes in reviews of flat-panel HDTVs, front video projectors, video screens, video servers, and video source devices, both disc- and streaming-based.

Sharp_BD-HP75U_Blu-ray_player_review.jpgAt $249.99, the BD-HP75U is the top-tier Blu-ray player in Sharp's 2011 lineup, but it's still a step down in price from last year's sleek, wall-mountable BD-HP80U and 90U. We have not performed a hands-on review of this player, but here is a more comprehensive look at its features. The BD-HP75U supports 3D playback, and it includes Sharp's Web platform, with access to Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, and Pandora. The BD-HP75U lacks integrated WiFi but comes with a USB WiFi adapter. DLNA media streaming is available, as is Sharp's AQUOS Pure mode: When you connect the player to a Sharp AQUOS TV via HDMI, it automatically adjusts the image for optimal playback. The BD-HP75U offers better build quality than the step-down 35U and 25U models, with an anti-vibration chassis.

Additional Resources
• Read more Blu-ray player reviews by the staff of HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Look for a 3D HDTV in our 3D HDTV Review section.
• Explore LED HDTVs and Plasma HDTVs to pair with the Sharp BD-HP75U.

The BD-HP75U's connection panel includes one HDMI output and one optical digital audio output; there are no analog A/V outputs. The player also lacks the second HDMI output found on some higher-end 3D models (which is desirable when trying to mate a 3D player with an older, non-3D-ready A/V receiver). The BD-HP75U 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 setup menu includes a feature called Super Picture, which is designed to improve the quality of streaming video; no advanced 3D adjustments are available.

The BD-HP75U supports the BD, DVD, CD audio, AVCHD, Divx HD, MP3, and JPEG formats. You can add the player to your home network using the back-panel Ethernet port or by attaching the supplied VR-WL25 adapter to the back-panel USB port. The BD-HP75U lacks internal memory to store BD-Live features; you must add a USB storage device via the back- or front-panel USB port, both of which also support media playback. This player is the only model in Sharp's 2011 line to offer RS-232; it also offers an IP control option.

Read about the high points and low points of the Sharp BD-HP75U on Page 2.

Sharp_BD-HP75U_Blu-ray_player_review.jpgHigh Points
• The BD-HP75U supports 3D playback.
• It has internal decoding and bitstream output of high-resolution audio sources.
• It supports BD-Live and BonusView/PIP.
• The player comes with a USB WiFi adapter.
• Sharp's Web platform includes Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, and Pandora. DLNA media streaming is also supported.
• The BD-HP75U offers RS-232 and IP control.

Low Points
• This model does not include dual HDMI outputs to send separate signals to your 3DTV and A/V receiver. It lacks 2D-to-3D conversion and advanced 3D image adjustments.
• It lacks analog A/V outputs, so it's not the best choice for someone who owns an older HDTV or A/V receiver.
• The player lacks internal memory to store BD-Live content.
• Sharp's Web platform isn't as extensive or customizable as some of its competitors.

Competition and Comparison
Compare the Sharp BD-HP75U with its competition by reading the reviews for the Onkyo BD-SP309, Panasonic DMP-BDT210, and Sony BDP-S580. Learn more about 3D-capable Blu-ray Players by visiting our Blu-ray Players section.

Conclusion
The BD-HP75U's $250 price point lands it in a crowded field of 3D-capable players. While this model offers a generally solid features package, there are similarly priced models that go a bit farther--offering things like integrated WiFi, dual HDMI outputs, 2D-to-3D conversion, internal memory for BD-Live, and Skype capability. The BD-HP75U does offer RS-232 for easier integration into an advanced control system, which is less common at this price. Plus, this player's street price dips a bit lower than other players with the same MSRP. Basically, if you're looking for a logical mate to your Sharp 3DTV or projector, want the streaming VOD basics, and appreciate the inclusion of RS-232, then the BD-HP75U is worth a look.

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