Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories?
No, thank you Accept
X
Apple WWDC: What We ExpectBest Mattress DealsAssessing Viral Sleep HacksNetflix Password SharingMeal Subscription vs. TakeoutBest Solar CompaniesVerizon 5G Home InternetBest Credit Cards

Get a Sharp Netflix-ready Blu-ray player for $42.99

It's a refurbished model, and there's a rebate involved, but it's still one of the least-expensive Blu-ray players I've ever seen.

rickbroida
rickbroida
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").
See full bio
Rick Broida
2 min read
The Sharp BD-HP24U is a steal at $42.99 plus shipping--as long as you don't mind rebates.
The Sharp BD-HP24U is a steal at $42.99 plus shipping--as long as you don't mind rebates. Newegg

This is an updated version of a deal I posted a couple months back.

Need an inexpensive set-top box that can sling Netflix movies and TV shows? The refurbished Sharp Aquos BD-HP24U will hook you up for just $42.99. That's after redeeming a $20 mail-in rebate (PDF). Shipping adds $9.48, bringing your grand total to around $53.

Oh, by the way, it's also a Blu-ray player.

Funny how priorities change, right? Think about it: if I showed you, say, an Apple TV for $43, you'd probably snap it up. Admittedly, the BD-HP24U doesn't have nearly the same feature set, but it does stream Netflix--and play those quaint Blu-ray discs as well.

This player debuted in January 2010, and originally sold for $279.99(!). I'm bummed that it doesn't stream anything other than Netflix (no Pandora, no YouTube), but if Netflix is all you want, it's hard to find a cheaper solution. Especially one that also plays Blu-ray.

Because it's a refurb, it comes with a 90-day warranty. Blu-ray players can fail, sure, but I think at this price point you have to be willing to roll the dice. $43, people!

Also, the BD-HP42U doesn't do Wi-Fi, so you'll need to run an Ethernet cable from your router to the player. That can be a hassle, but in my experience, Wi-Fi doesn't always deliver the best streaming performance. You're better off with Ethernet anyway.

And speaking of cables, you'll need one to connect the player to your TV. Here's a 6-foot HDMI cable for $3.59 shipped.

Standard disclaimer: I don't know how long Newegg's stock will last, so if this sells out, don't come crying to me. (Aw, go ahead. I've always got a shoulder for you.)

Bonus deal: Game time! Until July 31, EA has Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PC) and Need for Speed: Underground (PC) for just $4.99 apiece. These are downloads, of course, not boxed copies. That's some mighty good gaming for a mere five-spot. I'm snagging Bad Company 2; see you punks on the battlefield!