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Get a Sony 3D Blu-ray player for $79

The Sony BDP-BX58 also has built-in Wi-Fi for streaming Netflix, Pandora, and lots of other services. The only catch: it's a refurb with a short warranty.

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Rick Broida
2 min read
Sony

Much as I love me a good Roku box, I still think there's value in having a Blu-ray player--especially one that can stream media from all the big-name services, just like a Roku.

Today only, and while supplies last, RedTag has the refurbished Sony BDP-BX58 3D Blu-ray player with Wi-Fi for $79, plus $1.95 for shipping.

That's one of the best prices I've seen on a name-brand player with 3D, Wi-Fi, and Roku-caliber channel support.

Needless to say, a Blu-ray player is great for those times when you want ultra-pristine video and sound. I say that having been a bit disappointed with the soft-looking images from some recent Amazon Instant Video rentals.

What's more, if you splurged on a 3D-capable HDTV, you'll need a 3D-capable Blu-ray player to make the most of it. I'm not a huge fan of the technology, but I will say that "Despicable Me" in 3D is even more fun than "Despicable Me" in 2D. (So help me, I love that movie.)

A lot of bargain-price players are merely Wi-Fi-ready, meaning you need a pricey adapter, but the BDP-BX58 has an 802.11n adapter built right in. Take note, however: you'll need an 802.11n router (perhaps even a dual-band one to compensate for any non-802.11n devices in your house) if you want smooth streaming.

Speaking of streaming, the BDP-BX58 does a damn fine Roku impression. Sony's Bravia Internet Video system serves up 40-plus channels, everything from Amazon Instant Video and Netflix to Hulu Plus and Pandora.

My one and only concern with this deal, aside from the likelihood of a fast sellout, is the warranty: just 30 days. However, you can extend that to a full year for about $13, or two years for $20, with one of RedTag's warranty plans. Food for thought.

I bought a refurbished Sony Blu-ray player about a year ago, and it's been going strong. And the Bravia Internet Video stuff is mighty sweet. Just my $.02.

Bonus deal: Need rock-solid security for all the PCs in your house? Newegg has Symantec Norton 360 5.0 3-user edition for $0 shipped. That's after redeeming a $45 mail-in rebate (PDF), which comes in the form of a prepaid VISA card. Forget the slow, buggy Norton products of yesteryear; Norton 360 has won many an editors' choice award, and it received five stars from CNET.