Toshiba BDX1200: Is this the best budget Blu-ray player ever?

You've no doubt heard of Blu-ray, but if you thought it was the domain of enthusiasts and high rollers, you may not have heard of the Toshiba BDX1200. It's an affordable Blu-ray player, but one that's packed with features. Read on and discover how they add up to one high end experience - in an affordable set top box.

Full HD pictures
The BDX1200 can pump out video at the maximum resolution even the biggest, thinner or priciest tellies are capable of displaying: that's 1080p (1920x1080), otherwise known as full HD. That means with any compatible TV, you'll see each and every single pixel for maximum detail.

Surround sound
While some set top boxes might just settle for a mere five channels of sound, the Toshiba BDX1200 is capable of decoding Dolby TrueHD seven channel surround sound on Blu-ray discs. If you've got the speakers placed in the right positions, you'll hear 360 degree sound, and even feel it courtesy of a subwoofer.

Interactive extras
You can still check out director commentaries and deleted scenes on Blu-ray movies, but with BD Live on board the BDX1200, you can do much more besides. You can jump online to check out brand new, updated and even interactive features for your disc, all from the comfort of your sofa, and even enjoy new menus that change with the seasons. It's a slick experience which will make you wonder how you ever coped with old-fashioned DVDs.

A world of USB video
The BDX1200 sports a USB port, which can play back just about any video codecs and file types from a memory stick or external hard drive. But this doesn't just provide you with a handy way of playing back only your photographs and home recordings: there's a wealth of free internet video you can tap into as well, all without cables.