Sharp BD-HP80U 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed

Published On: December 13, 2010
Last Updated on: October 31, 2020
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Sharp BD-HP80U 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed

Looking for an uber-sleek, wall-mountable Blu-ray player? Sharp's new BD-HP80U ($429.99) fits the bill and offers features like 3D capability, integrated WiFi, Pandora music streaming, and Netflix/VUDU video-on-demand. This player has no analog connections of any kind.

Sharp BD-HP80U 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.

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Sharp has released two 3D-capable Blu-ray players, the BD-HP80U ($429.99) and the BD-HP90U ($499.99). These two players have almost identical specs; both have very sleek form factors and can be wall-mounted, but the HP90U can be positioned horizontally or vertically (with a supplied stand) and adds an RS-232 port. We have not performed a hands-on review of the BD-HP80U, but here is an overview of its features. This Profile 2.0 player supports BD-Live Web functionality and BonusView/picture-in-picture playback, and it offers the full suite of high-resolution audio decoders. The BD-HP80U features built-in 802.11n for a wireless network connection, and the player supports access to Netflix, VUDU, and Pandora streaming. This player features 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.

Additional Resources
• Read more Blu-ray player reviews from HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Explore the 3D HDTV options to pair with the BD-HP80U.

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From a connection standpoint, the BD-HP80U is interesting because it has no analog outputs, on the video or audio end. The A/V connection panel consists of one HDMI output and one optical digital audio output. Sharp is obviously assuming that anyone who would purchase a 3D-capable Blu-ray player (which only works via HDMI) is not going to need component/composite video or stereo analog audio, and I think that's a safe assumption. The BD-HP80U also doesn't include the second HDMI output found on some 3D-capable models, which allows you to send the 3D video signal directly to your 3D-capable display via an HDMI 1.4 output and still send HDMI audio to your A/V receiver via HDMI 1.3 (so you don't have to upgrade to a 3D-compatible receiver). The BD-HP80U does not offer any advanced picture adjustments, like noise reduction, preset picture modes, etc. This player 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 BD-HP80U supports Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD, CD audio, Divx HD, AVCHD, MP3, and JPEG. You can add the player to your home network using either the Ethernet port or the internal 802.11n wireless module. The BD-HP80U lacks internal memory to store BD-Live content; a front-panel USB port is provided for this purpose. This USB port also supports music, photo, and Divx playback. This player lacks the RS-232 port found on the step-up BD-HP90U; however, it does allow you to choose between a front- or top-panel remote control sensor, depending on how and where you position the player.

Read about the high points and the low points of the BD-HP80U on Page 2.
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High Points
• The BD-HP80U supports 3D playback, when mated with other 3D-capable components.
• The player supports 1080p/24 playback of Blu-ray discs.
• It has internal decoding and bitstream output of high-resolution audio sources.
• It supports BD-Live and BonusView.
• You can wirelessly connect the BD-HP80U to your network.
• The player offers access to Netflix, VUDU, and Pandora.
• The BD-HP80U has a stylish form factor and can be mounted on the wall.

Low Points

• This model doesn't include dual HDMI outputs to send separate signals to your 3D TV and A/V receiver.
• It also lacks analog A/V outputs, so it's not a good choice for someone who owns older A/V equipment.
• This player lacks onboard memory to store downloadable BD-Live content.
• You can't stream digital media from a PC or DLNA server,
• The BD-HP80U lacks an advanced control port like RS-232.

Competition and Comparison
Compare the Sharp BD-HP80U with its competition by reading the reviews for the Vizio VBR333, the Panasonic DMP-BDT350 and DMP-BDT100, the LG BX580, the Samsung BD-C6900 and BD-C7900, and the Sony BDP-S570. Learn more about 3D-capable Blu-ray players by visiting our Blu-ray Players section.

Conclusion
In its first 3D-capable Blu-ray player, Sharp
includes worthwhile features like integrated WiFi, a sleek
wall-mountable form factor, and a Web platform that includes Netflix,
VUDU, and Pandora. However, the company has priced the BD-HP80U notably
higher than similarly equipped models, and it lacks higher-end options
like dual HDMI outputs and multichannel analog audio outputs. Still, if
you're looking for a stylish mate for your new Sharp 3D TV, the
BD-HP80U will deliver the essentials.

Additional Resources
• Read more Blu-ray player reviews from HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Explore the 3D HDTV options to pair with the BD-HP80U.

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