BLU-RAY PLAYERS
DVDs were once the best way to watch films at home, but now Blu-ray players offer a better viewing experience. Blu-ray not only offers excellent picture and sound quality but also comes with a range of other great features.
Figuring out which player is best for you can be difficult, but our handy guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
WHAT EXACTLY IS BLU-RAY?
Blu-ray Discs (BD) are storage devices that are capable of storing more digital information than DVDs.
Blu-ray is now the best format to watch feature films or TV shows at home. There are three basic improvements over DVDs: enhanced picture, superior sound, and better special features.
CAN I PLAY BLU-RAY DISCS ON MY EXISTING DVD PLAYER?
Blu-ray discs can’t be played with a DVD player so you will need to buy a Blu-ray player.
This doesn’t mean you will have to throw away your whole DVD collection. All Blu-ray players can play DVDs, and they usually improve the picture quality too.
WILL I NEED AN HD TV TO WATCH BLU-RAY?
The biggest difference between DVDs and Blu-ray discs is the picture quality.
Blu-ray plays movies in high definition (HD). This means they have a resolution of 1080p, whereas DVDs operate at 480p. A higher value means a more detailed image is produced.
To view Blu-ray discs, you will need an HD TV. For the best results, Blu-ray needs to be played through a Full HD TV, which will optimise the picture quality. Blu-ray can also be viewed through HD-Ready TVs, but these only operate at 720p and will not show the film in full HD.
The biggest difference between DVDs and Blu-ray discs is the picture quality.
4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY PLAYER
If you have or plan to buy a 4K UHD TV, it’s recommended to get a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player. These new devices produce the best picture quality to date, giving you four times the resolution of a standard Blu-ray player. Because the technology is cutting-edge and the quality is so high, you’ll need a bigger budget for one of these devices.
Even if you don’t have a UHD TV, you can still enjoy 4K quality entertainment thanks to upscaling technology found on some devices. These players will improve the picture so you can see vivid colours and increased brightness.
For the ultimate viewing experience, Blu-ray needs to be played through a Full HD TV, which will optimise the picture quality.
WHAT AUDIO EQUIPMENT WILL I NEED?
Blu-ray players have ultra-high-quality sound, which offers another vast improvement over DVD. You’ll be able to enjoy this whether you listen through your TV’s speakers or use your own audio set-up.
Some Blu-ray devices use a technology called Dolby TrueHD to deliver audio that is 100% identical to the original. All Blu-ray players can be linked up to a surround sound system. However, you will need to ensure that the output on your Blu-ray player is compatible with the input on the surround sound system you are planning to use.
WHAT ONLINE FEATURES DO BLU-RAY PLAYERS OFFER?
Players with the BD-live function will be able to access the internet and give you special features. Any player which can connect to the internet will have an Ethernet port, and some can go online wirelessly with Wi-Fi. Other machines may be ‘wireless ready’ and will need an adaptor to go online.
Blu-ray devices offer a range of features including catch-up TV services, web browsing, and access to downloadable content. Many devices will also allow you to ‘cast’ music and video from your smartphone to your TV.
It’s important when purchasing a Blu-ray player to think about what you need from its online functionality. If you have a Smart TV, you probably already have access to plenty of online entertainment services and won’t mind a player with fewer online capabilities.
If you are looking for different online services, you should buy a different brand of Blu-ray player from your Smart TV. This is because manufacturers tend to offer similar services across all of their devices.
DO BLU-RAY PLAYERS OFFER ANY OTHER FEATURES?
In-movie features on Blu-ray discs offer some slight improvements over DVDs. This includes pop-up menus that appear while the movie is playing, and picture inside picture video commentaries (commentary footage that appears alongside the movie).
If you want to watch 3D movies, keep an eye out for players with 3D compatibility. 3D Blu-ray discs offer the most immersive home cinema experience. Bear in mind that devices with this function are often more expensive, and you’ll need compatible glasses too.
Some higher-end models also feature a built-in Freeview or Freesat TV service. This gives you access to over 70 of the UK’s favourite TV channels free-of-charge. Blu-ray players can even be used for other uses, such as playing music from CDs through your TV.
The cost of Blu-ray players has decreased over recent years and they are now much more affordable. However, you should note that Blu-ray films are typically more expensive than the standard DVD version. The most basic models start at around £54, but you can find great models for under £100. You can spend up to £400 for a smart, 4K UHD device.
