DVD is old news. It's certainly not dead — it's been around for awhile, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. But by now, it's given the market everything it possibly can. For better or worse, DVD has no place in the future of film distribution: That is the realm of Blu-Ray.
Getting Started with Blu-Ray
Understanding the current state of Blu-Ray technology makes it much easier to decide what to buy. To get the most out of Blu-Ray media, you'll need an HD TV capable of 1080p output. While 720p displays will suffice, televisions with lower resolution capabilities than this do not have the capacity to leverage the additional visual information that Blue-Ray discs can store. This is true not only because Blu-Ray is an inherently high definition format, but because an increasing number of films are being distributed in 3D. Such films are stunning on high-definition displays, but are not universally supported on televisions with low-resolution displays. On the other hand, a Blu-Ray player is the only way to take full advantage of what your HDTV is capable of if it does meet these standards. Price shouldn't stop you from investing in one — quality machines can be picked up for as little as $100. Those without HDTV setups or who simply prefer the freedom to watch their films wherever they might want should look into portable units. These are compact devices with built-in screens that can play Blu-Ray disks anywhere. The average price for a well-reviewed portable player is $200, but some have managed to find good units in the vicinity of $150.
Features
All Blu-Ray players are capable of outputting 1080p HD video to compatible televisions: This is their defining feature. A number of new features have become standard lately, however. These include:
- Backwards Compatibility
- 3D Video
- Surround sound audio
Most devices are capable of playing standard DVD's in addition to Blu-Ray disks. Of these, almost all can switch between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, and can typically display at various levels of zoom. These are nice features to have when viewing disks that do not feature native widescreen formatting. As hinted above, many Blu-Ray players also support 3D video. This is rapidly becoming a standard feature, but whether or not it is a necessary one for your needs depends on your television's capabilities. While not all Blu-Ray players support 3D images, they do all support multichannel surround sound, and some offer Digital Theater Systems surround sound — a particularly hi-def audio format. If you already have a home theater system in place, it pays to invest in a player that offers this cutting-edge technology. Otherwise, rest assured that you'll be able to enjoy high-quality standard surround sound regardless.
Brands
The bulk of the world's high-quality Blu-Ray players belong to a small number of brands, which helps streamline the decision-making process quite a bit. Sony has a reputation as one of the market's top producers of multi-purpose Blu-Ray devices. The $105 BDP-S590 boasts the following features:
- Crisp high-definition display.
- Advanced 3D Capabilities, including the ability to simulate 3D displays from 2D images.
- WiFi and Streaming, allowing users to connect to the Internet to watch NetFlix, Hulu, or YouTube.
Panasonic produces a number of slightly more expensive Blu-Ray players that offer certain specialized features that the BDP-S590 and other less-expensive Sony models don't. These include SD card support, faster load times, and ultra-high quality audio output. Serious videophiles swear by the OPPO brand of Blu-Ray players, however. Most OPPO models live in the $500 range, and boast highly specific features for discerning power users.
Buying Guide
Power users have well-established specific needs.
- DTS sound for home theaters.
- Multichannel HDMI output.
- Advanced image Interpolation and sharpening technology.
If your needs include features of this ilk, Sony's high-end models — such as the BPDS7200 and similar products — or flipping through the OPPO catalog. These are both surefire ways to locate a machine that will precisely meet your needs. Those who are just in the market for a strong multipurpose Blu-Ray player, however, would do well to stick with the more accessible models offered by Sony or Panasonic.
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