Best non-PS3 blu-ray player?

[Correction]

Let's face it: My parents aren't gamers, and I'm thinking this is a good investment for their Xmas present this year. So any player looks good at the moment but I can't help but think that not all blu-ray players are built the same.

Sony's blu-ray players seem to rank high amongst J & R's/Amazon's customers but here are BG boards I'm sure I'll get more brutally honest answers. Does Sony really make the best blu-ray players? What is even the difference? I just took it for granted that my PS3 is tops when it comes to playback quality at 1080p. I'm not really sure how things could get 'bad' with HD playback, however. About the only thing that would even be a priority would be an intuitive menu system and a remote that controls their TV as well as the player.

[Cephius]

It's not the best, but for the price, you can't get a better Blu-Ray player than the PS3 at this point. Plus there's the bonus of it being able to stream media from PCs in your house. Really no reason not to get it unless you desperately need the top of the line. Why did you rule out a PS3? Just because your parents are not gamers isn't a reason not to consider it

[Correction]

I don't want them fumbling with the shitty PS3 menu or having to change from the bluetooth player remote to the infrared volume/tv/etc. remote. It's already enough of a pain as it is and my parents are oooold. My parents aren't the most tech-savvy of people so their hardware expertise is minimal but the loooove movies. Simplicity is key here and the PS3, with its size/heat issues is unideal for their A/V setup.

[Cephius]

Alright well, a know a friend who recently bought this and he's happy with it. It's about on par with the PS3, and it's around $250 now down from the 500 it used to be. He said the cables were junk and he just bought a gold-plated HDMI and it was fine. The reviews on newegg seem mostly positive, and I've had no problems with Panasonic in the past.

[Correction]

Yeah I'm not worried about cabling. Monoprice HQ within driving distance of my house ftw.

[Resin]

The Panasonic DMP-BD35 is what will make all your dreams come true. Well, not really, but it's considered the best all-around alternative to a PS3, with regards to price and performance. I'm actually thinking of getting one for my parents for Christmas as well.

[Kazen]

I work at a Kmart store for the time being, the Sony blu-ray player thats usually $300 is going to be 179.99 on black friday.