You get a lot for your $99, including HDMI and component outputs. Too bad the best this H2000 can do is 720p or 1080i, stopping short of up-rezzing the video to the full 1080p video holy grail. But then, no up-rezzing looks all that great, so don't get too excited about any of this. Alas, no matter how much you process it, even with the finest Faroudja electronics (which, incidentally, aren't in this unit), it still isn't HD.

[Helios, via CrunchGear]

However, since they are at three price points with different amounts of functionality, we can recommend them to three different types of people.

First, the LG DN191H. It's small, thin, and only around $80. Although there are some shortcomings—lack of 5.1 for one—it's great for people who just want to watch some "HD" content on their new HD sets, but don't really care that much about audio quality or visual quality. Be prepared to miss out on features with this one.

Next, for the mid-range crowd, there's the Oppo DV-981HD. It supports 1080p, has fantastic DivX support, and wi the Faroudja upconverting technology, DVDs look pretty darn great. You'll have to have pretty great eyes to see a difference between one player's upconversion and another player's—it's definitely not as big as the gaps between DVD and HD or DVD and upconverting—but this player does give you great image quality.

At a price of $230, it's two or three times the price of the LG player, but you get 5.1 audio, 1080p support, and a better overall experience.

Lastly, there's the Helios X3000 network DVD/DivX player. This player has both Wi-Fi and 10/100 Ethernet, which means you can stream DivX movies off your PC without having to burn them to disc. Great.

Add to that 5.1 optical and coax output, HDMI, 1080p resolution, and you've got DVD and DivX performance at least as good as the Oppo. Which is a good thing, because at the grand total of $379, you're paying a $149 premium to add that networking functionality.

So to sum it up:
•Low-enders: LG DN191H [Best Buy]
•DVD/DivX Only: Oppo DV-981HD [Oppo]
•DVD/DivX With Networking: Helios X3000 [ModernJoys]

– Jason Chen

Did we like it? You bet your mother (in-law).

The features the X3000 has in common with the H4000—5.1 surround audio via optical or component audio outputs, HDMI, component, and VGA video—don't disappoint on the X3000. Upscaling DVDs looks great on our HDTV set in 1080i, and the 5.1 surround sounded solid on our setup as well. But the new stuff performed admirably too.

The X3000 has both ethernet and 802.11g wireless (complete with antenna). By using Window's Media Connect, you can hook up to any folder on your PC and play back any supported video file—DivX, etc.—without having to burn the disc first. If your wireless connection is fast enough and home layout obstruction free, there's no cables needed to set this up either.

In addition, there's a NeoLink Server Software that comes with the player so you can install and share music and photos as well. The Helios Media Portal is a sort of online portal you can reach with your player, but didn't have all that much content when we tested it out. Sort of a novelty rather than something you're going to be using all the time.

So is the networking functionality really worth going up $200 to $379 from the H4000's $169? We'd say so. If you're a frequent connoisseur of downloaded media, it'll save you lots of time and DVD-R discs by streaming instead of burning. But if you're looking for a thrifty solution without networking, you're be fine with the Helios H4000. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Neodigits]

Update: Reader Jeff notes you can save $37 by ordering here:
Product Page [Modern Joys]

The H4000 is solidly constructed, with a metric asston of outputs. HDMI, component, composite, S-Video, VGA, 5.1 surround audio, optical audio and coax audio makes the back more holey than Jesus' beer mug.

Upscaling DVDs to 720p (they didn't have 1080p) looked fantastic, and was dramatically better than just a standard DVD player. In addition to great image quality, the fact that you can play back all of your BitTorrented movies, TV shows and British Comedies on a $169 player makes this a great deal for HDTV owners. – Jason Chen

neodigits Helios H4000 1080p Upscaling DVD Player Review [i4u]

The player can also play back "DivX, XviD, MPEG1, MPEG, MPEG4, SVCD, VCD and HDCDs", which means pirate-fans are right at home as well. Like boy-band N*SYNC and that screaming bald dude from basic cable say, "BUY! BUY! BUY!" – Jason Chen

Product Page [NeoDigits via Crunchgear]

This all sounds good, but it's impossible to create pixels out of thin air, although they can be approximated. And then, well, you end up with approximate HDTV—not the real thing but better than nothing. Maybe. The HVD2085 retails for $200. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Red Ferret]

Like Boost and others in this space, HELIO is joiny venture between SK Telecom and Earthlink. They're even hooking up with MySpace to provide email, messaging, and photo viewing. That might sound lame to some, but there's no denying the MySpace market is massive.

There's no information on the price, yet, but the phones are pretty hot and they have a unique HELIO UI.

Product Page [Helio]