Sharp BD-HP90U

Sharp BD-HP90U

After you get over the sticker shock of a $350 estimated street price (as of November 22, 2010), the futuristic Sharp BD-HP90 makes a great first impression--and so will any Blu-ray discs you play on it. But before long you'll discover some serious flaws in this player's design and features, as well as in its ability to upscale DVDs. Measuring less than an inch and a half thick, with a slot instead of a tray for discs, the BD-HP90 looks like no other Blu-ray player. In fact, it looks great. You even have the option to lay it flat or mount it vertically. This original design has some problems, however. To make the BD-HP90 look sleek, Sharp tucked the HDMI, ethernet, power, and other connectors into a hidden compartment. The result: You can't plug anything in without first turning the player upside down. And the bundled stand for mounting the player vertically isn't stable unless you drill a hole in the desk or table you plan to mount it onto and screw it down. Once you turn the BD-HP90 on and go to the Settings menu, you'll find a functional but unexceptional user interface. It offers explanations for the options, but they're not always helpful.