How to Shop For the Blu-Ray Video Disc Player That's Right For You

In the not-too-distant past, we thought DVDs were the sine qua non in picture quality. Compared to VHS tapes, DVDs were far superior in terms of picture and sound quality. But time marches on, and a new digital video technology called Blu-Ray has come into the marketplace which will eventually replace today's DVDs. If you want to take advantage of the full 1080p resolution inherent in your new HDTV, purchasing a Blu-Ray disc player may be right up your alley. So how do you select the Blu-Ray disc player that's right for you? Let's take a look:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• New Blu-Ray HD videodisc player
• New HDTV with 1080p resolution for best picture (optional)

1. Blu-Ray Discs Defined. Blu-Ray discs are next-generation digital video discs that hold approximately six times the capacity of a standard DVD. Blu-Ray discs offer a full 1080p resolution standard in order to take advantage of the ultra-sharp 1080p high-definition televisions (HDTVs) currently in the marketplace. 1080p resolution is a major step up from the old DVD standard of 480p. So if you pair a new HDTV with a Blu-Ray disc player, you're getting cutting-edge picture technology that is significantly sharper than older DVDs, something we never thought possible 15 years ago. Let's review the seven features to look for in a new Blu-Ray videodisc player:

2. Blu-Ray Disc Player Feature #1: Picture. As we discussed previously, the picture resolution on a Blu-Ray disc player is significantly sharper at 1080p as opposed to the old DVD standard of 480p. But what about that second number you see after the 1080p (e.g., 1080p/24p)? Most Hollywood films are shot at 24 frames per second (fps). When mastering these films onto DVDs, the previous standard was 60p. But with today's Blu-Ray technology, 24p standard mastering matches Hollywood's 24 fps standard. All this translates into a true theatrical experience in the comfort of your own home. Higher bit rates (data transfer capacity) also give you a better picture; the more data that is processed, the higher the picture quality. Previously, bit rates for DVDs were 10 megabits per second (Mbps); Blu-Ray bumps that up to 40 Mbps.

3. Blu-Ray Disc Player Feature #2: Sound. When DVDs first came into play, consumers were awed at the crystal-clear sound coming from their television sets. With today's Blu-Ray technology, sound has improved to include more channels for surround sound and compatibility with Dolby TrueHD, Dolby's next-generation high-definition sound technology.

4. Blu-Ray Disc Player Feature #3: Backwards Compatibility and Upscaling. If you have a huge DVD collection, don't fret over having to replace all your favorite movies with Blu-Ray discs. Blu-Ray disc players are backwards-compatible, meaning they will play DVDs. Blu-Ray disc players also upscale DVD picture quality, meaning the player will electronically convert the DVD's resolution up to 1080p as opposed to the old DVD standard of 480p.

5. Blu-Ray Disc Player Feature #4: Color. Thanks to a new international color standard called xvYCC (a.k.a. "x.v. color"), the number of colors now exceeds what is visible even to the human eye. The result? Greater color accuracy and brilliant, vivid colors numbering in the billions.

6. Blu-Ray Disc Player Feature #5: Connectivity. Connectivity and interoperability are two key features of consumer electronics these days, and Blu-Ray disc players are no different. Blu-Ray disc players connect to your HDTV using HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables. Some Blu-Ray disc players come with HDMI cables, some don't. If yours doesn't, you'll have to buy an HDMI cable separately. Many Blu-Ray disc players add a USB port for external memory, and some add an SD memory card slot which allows you to view pictures and videos you just shot. Many Blu-Ray disc players also sport something previously not seen in DVD players - an Ethernet connection for firmware updates over the Internet.

7. Blu-Ray Disc Player Feature #6: BD-Live. Interactivity is another key feature of consumer electronics in today's digital world. Many Blu-Ray disc players feature an Ethernet connection that allows you to hook the player up to the Internet for firmware updates. But the really amazing feature of BD-Live is its ability to bring you special movie features, trailers, previews, deleted scenes, and even ringtones. Even more amazing, BD-Live allows you to participate in online games or communities. Imagine watching a Blu-Ray movie with a friend hundreds of miles away as you chat about it in a BD-Live forum!

8. Blu-Ray Disc Player Pricing. Blu-Ray disc players generally retail for between $200 and $400. While you will always get 1080p/24p resolution on your Blu-Ray disc player, the higher-end models add features such as BD-Live compatibility and an SD memory card slot.

Tips & Warnings

• If your new Blu-Ray disc player doesn't come with an HDMI Audio/Video cable, you must purchase one separately.
• If you have a large DVD collection, don't worry. Blu-Ray disc players will upscale your DVDs to the full 1080p resolution.
• Not all Blu-Ray players are BD-Live compatible, though many offer an Ethernet port for firmware updates.
• For best results, use an HDMI Audio/Video cable.

Resources

• CNet Blu-Ray Product Reviews
• Wikipedia Entry on HDMI

[christianmom]

on 12/11/2008 Thanks for the information. I was never really familiar with Blu-Ray. This helps a lot.