How to pick a DVD player

In the beginning DVD players like other electronics were priced in an unrealistic range for the beginner. Technological advancements taking place over a few short months allow this price to drop over night and place the DVD player into the majority of homes. This guide is a how to when it comes to buying DVD players.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Let’s start with the basics. For anyone who cares to know DVD is short for Digital Video Disc. The reason that DVDs are so great is the idea that they can hold so much more then any format before them. When put side by side you could condense around 6,800 of those floppy disks on to one DVD. Could you imagine getting up to change the DVD 6,800 times during one movie? Unthinkable. When it comes to CDs they still have nothing on the DVD. CDs hold around 35 minutes of video due to the fact that they only have one layer. A DVD can be recorded on both sides and has two layers on each side which equals around 9 hours that you can condense on to one DVD. DVDs use shorter wave lasers allowing the audio and the video to be sampled more times per minute. What does that mean to you? A clearer picture and better audio.
2. What was that whole last paragraph for? You need information like this when you go to make a purchase. The more you know the easier it will be to pick the right DVD player for you. Players also play different ratios. Some movies are recorded wide screen (16:9) or what we are normally use to (4:3). There are also audio options. A DVD can contain up to 32 language tracks. When you’re choosing a player it comes in handy to know what you will be playing on it. Some players do not support all this and it will reduce what DVDs you can buy if it does not support the tracks. Not to worry movie makers thought of every thing. Even if you can’t afford all this they make movies that play on different systems. Just be sure to read the format on the back of the DVD before buying.
3. You have to draw the line some where. Know your budget before you walk into the store. Knowing what you want and shopping around the ads before you go will save you a bundle. If you are not sure what you want out of a player salesmen can be helpful but may talk you into something that is far more then you will ever need. The dollar range here can vary from $100 - $5000. The major difference between these players once you get past the ratios is the picture and audio quality. Other options control how much you are able to manipulate the picture. I have to say I paid the extra $50 dollars between two models to have the option to skip through the beginning of the DVD. I am not impatient however children’s attention span seems to slip as the previews go on and on. For me this was just the add-on I needed.
4. Realize that the more expensive models may require more then just the initial purchase. How are you going to hook it up to your TV? The higher range DVD players require the purchase of additional cables and it can be overwhelming at over $30 a cord for some of the high quality hookups. Another thing to think of is do you have some where to stick it? Some older TVs do not support certain hookups. This is where your salesman can come in handy. Take the make and model of your TV in with you when you go and most of the time they are able to point you in the right direction. Some stores offer install in your home for an additional fee. If you’re moving or hooking up cable most cable companies offer hookup for a fee on the initial visit. Show around and find the best deal.