Verticle TV & Music

Buying the Right Blu-ray Dvd Player For You

The home theater experience is not quite complete without a Blu-ray Dvd Disc Player. Mainly because Blu-ray players raises your entertainment level with glorious High Definition images and sounds. But which blu-Ray Player is the best one for you? Like DVD Players, different Blu-ray Players come with many different features - some may even require additional accessories, so choosing the right one is very important. Below is an outline of the common Blu-ray features to help you choose the right Blu-ray Disc player for your home entertainment setup.

High Definition - 1080p:

If you have purchased a HDTV set you are probably familiar with the terms 720p,1080i and 1080p. If not, basically what you need to know, is that 1080p is the highest video resolution available to you. And right now, Blu-ray players are the best source to get this resolution, even High Definition television broadcasts cannot compete with the visually stunning and clear images produced with a Blu-ray Player. Of course, Blu-ray Players alone do not give you these superior images, you will also need a High Definition TV set capable of displaying 1080p which will give you the clearest picture possible and this is what you should aim for. However, if you do not have a 1080p High Definition television, all Blu-ray Players have the ability to select the resolution that best suits your HDTV. A High Definition TV with a display of 720p or 1080i will still give you a remarkably clear picture.

High Definition Sound Quality:

The next big feature that draws people to the Blu-ray Player is AUDIO. Dolby Digital and DTS are the common formats you may be familiar with since these are provided on a DVD Player. Blu-ray has these formats plus superior new versions of them. First, there is Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD. They are an improvement over the standard Dolby Digital and DTS since they offer higher bit rates and more efficient compression which gives you better sound quality. And both are capable of 7.1-channel surround sound. Keep in mind, most movies produced today still only go to 5.1-channel surround sound, so if you do not have a 7.1-channel surround Sound System, there is no need to go out and purchase one.

Second, is Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, which uses a "lossless" compression codec, which means once it's decoded it is identical to the studio master. Providing you with the best possible sound, matching the movie audio you get in a theater. There is also PCM. This is an uncompressed audio format, which again matches the original studio master.

Not all blu-ray players support the new audio formats. Most can support them, but they are not required to. The three audio formats you will find in every Blu-ray Disc Player is Dolby Digital, DTS, and PCM. Therefore, to get the optimal sound performance, it is wise to choose a Blu-ray Player that has one or more of the following audio formats: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Dolby Digital and Dolby TrueHD can be decoded internally in most Blu-ray Players. Players internally decoding DTS-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio is rarer but the number is increasing. While decoding internally is great, you do need to know, not all Blu-ray Players that have built-in surround sound decoding have multichannel analog outputs. So a HDMI cable would be needed to take advantage of the Blu-ray Player's internal decoding. If your home theater receiver does not have HDMI inputs, you will need to get a Blu-ray Player with multichannel analog connections.

Having a Blu-ray Player with these new Audio formats is just one side of the story. These new audio formats also need to appear on the Blu-ray movie disc. This is nothing to worry about, because since 2009 almost every blu-ray disc manufactured and released have at least one or more of these lossless formats (Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and PCM).

Blu-ray Profiles:

Blu-ray disc have all the same bonus features that is on a regular DVD disc. Things like deleted scenes, alternate endings and trailers. But it also has special interactive features different than the DVD disc. Things such as Bonus View (picture-in-picture), online games, access to chat rooms and downloads. Not all Blu-ray DVD Players will support these features. Earlier Blu-ray DVD Players did not have to support any new "bonus features". Three categories, known as Profiles, have been established to distinguish between the different types of Blu-ray DVD Players. Now, any Blu-ray Profile will play a Blu-ray disc but with different Profiles you get different extra features available to you. There are three types of Profiles.

Profile 1.0

Profile 1.0 is very basic with no extra features available. After Nov 27, 2007 all of Blu-ray DVD Players released were required to support Profile 1.1.

Profile 1.1

Profile 1.1 is the mandatory requirement of all Blu-ray DVD Players. Profile 1.1 Blu-ray Players have 256 MB of local storage. They have the picture-in-picture function, mostly refer to as Bonus View. This is used to show a smaller picture within the movie. Mainly used when a director or actor is giving commentary about a particular movie. This movie itself is being displayed in the larger picture. Obviously a secondary video and audio decoders are needed for the smaller picture. Most major studios now have this feature in all their standard Blu-ray releases.

Profile 2.0 (BD-LIVE)

Includes all the features of Profile 1.1 with an increase in local storage to 1 GB. Profile 2.0, which is also know as BD Live, has the ability of an internet connection, usually through an Ethernet port. So it is capable of interactive features when playing a Blu-ray disc. Features such as movie-related games, downloading the latest trailers, chat rooms and other content. Most of the newer models are more likely to be Profile 2.0.

Online Streaming:

Some of the newer Blu-ray Disc Players offer online movie and music streaming from Netflix, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon-On-Demand and others. In order to use this feature you would need subscriptions to these places and a broadband internet connection. Some Blu-ray Players even allow you to add it to your home network, providing access to other digital content stored on your computer.

Final consideration:

The last thing you may want to look for in choosing a Blu-ray player is what other type of media can it play. For example, you are probably used to your DVD player being able to play CD-Rs or CD-RWs. Listening to MP3 or WMA files on your DVD player. Not all Blu-ray Players have these capabilities. Or they may be able to play MP3s on a CD but not on a DVD disc. You would have to look to see if the Blu-ray Disc Player has any of these capabilities.

In summary, here are the Key Points to remember when choosing a Blu-ray disc player:

- Does the Blu-ray DVD Player support Full 1080p Play Back?
- Do you have a HDTV capable of displaying 720p resolution or Higher. (1080p is the best)
- What Audio formats are supported by the Blu-ray DVD Player?
- What Audio Outputs does the Blu-ray DVD Player have?
- How are you connecting the Blu-ray Player to your Home Theater Receiver, via HDMI or multichannel analog connection?
- What Profile does the Blu-ray DVD Player have? (Profile 2 / BD-Live is the best option)
- What type of media and video formats can the Blu-ray DVD Player use? Does it play MP3's? Can it play CD-R/RWs or DVD-R/RWs?
- Does the Blu-ray DVD Player have Online Streaming capability?

Answer all these questions and finding the right Blu-ray DVD Player for you will become a lot easier.

About the Author

...
For more information on Blu-ray and Blu-ray Players try this handy comparison guide: Blu-ray Players Or view our list of the Best Selling Blu-ray Players and Blu-ray Deals: Blu-ray Player Deals Copyright 2010. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Avatar- Extended Collector's Edition- On Blu-ray/DVD November 16

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions GB Auctions

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

Transformers Dark of the Moon Blu ray DVD 2012 4 Disc Set Ultimate $25.00 Time Remaining: 29d 5h 46m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 Buy It Now

Joyful Noise Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set Includes Digital Copy UltraViolet $10.53 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 37m

War Horse Blu ray DVD 2012 4 Disc Set Includes Digital Copy $14.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 52m

Blade of Kings Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set $14.95 Time Remaining: 28d 23h 40m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 Buy It Now

Red Tails Blu ray Disc Dvd Combo 2012 Cuba Gooding Jr Terrence Howard $16.37 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 46m

This Means War Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set $20.89 Time Remaining: 29d 2h 12m Buy It Now for only: $20.89 Buy It Now

Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set Includes $11.50 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 34m

The Lion King Blu ray DVD 2011 4 Disc Set Diamond Edition Includes $19.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 50m

Red Tails Blu ray Disc 2012 $19.89 Time Remaining: 27d 20h 14m Buy It Now for only: $19.89 Buy It Now

Haywire Blu Ray + Digital Copy Combo Pack $15.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 34m

The Grey Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set Includes Digital Copy UltraViolet $18.00 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 7m Buy It Now for only: $18.00 Buy It Now

Beauty and the Beast Blu ray DVD 2011 5 Disc Set Diamond Edition $24.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 52m

Blue Ray DVD lot 6 RED I ROBOTID4 DAY AFTER TOMORROW MORE $17.50 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 36m

The Grey Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set Includes Digital Copy UltraViolet $18.88 Time Remaining: 22d 4h 40m Buy It Now for only: $18.88 Buy It Now

Avatar Blu ray DVD 2010 2 Disc Set $7.50 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 10m

Sony BDP BX18 1080P HDMI Blu Ray DVD Player Netflix Internet Apps Wired Ethernet $47.99 Time Remaining: 24d 23h 9m Buy It Now for only: $47.99 Buy It Now

Megamind on Blu Ray DVD 2 Disc Combo Pack 2011 $8.50 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 50m

Warrior Blu Ray DVD Digital Copy $17.99 Time Remaining: 20d 21h 9m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 Buy It Now

Life Blu Ray 4 Disc Set BBC Earth $9.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 38m

Toy Story Blu ray DVD 2010 2 Disc Set Special Edition $14.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 51m

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II Blu ray DVD 2011 3 Disc Set $12.72 Time Remaining: 21d 5h 34m Buy It Now for only: $12.72 Buy It Now

Fast and Furious 1 5 Collection Blu ray $54.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 43m

This Means War Blu ray 2012 $12.99 Time Remaining: 25d 16h 25m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now

Restrepo Blu ray Disc 2010 $7.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 55m

This Means War Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set $17.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 51m

WWE Wrestlemania XXVIII Blu ray Disc 2012 2 Disc Set $20.00 Time Remaining: 25d 9h 49m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 Buy It Now

The Innkeepers Blu ray Disc 2012 $12.50 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 31m

THE WOMAN IN BLACKBLU RAYUSA2012DANIEL RADCLIFFEFACTORY SEALEDBRAND NEW $15.99 Time Remaining: 2d 14h 58m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 Buy It Now

Pride and Prejudice Mini Series Blu ray Disc 2010 2 Disc Set $7.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 32m

Disney DVD BLU RAY Combo DIAMOND EDITION + Movie Rewards Code $8.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1h 33m

The Grey Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set Includes Digital Copy UltraViolet $17.00 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 52m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 Buy It Now

Chronicle Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set The Lost Footage Edition Includes $7.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 39m

Soul Surfer Blu ray DVD 2011 2 Disc Set $11.65 Time Remaining: 28d 19h 30m Buy It Now for only: $11.65 Buy It Now

LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS OWLS OF GAHOOLE 2D 3D BLU RAY DVD 3 DISC SET NEW $19.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 31m

The Front Line Blu ray DVD 2012 $15.95 Time Remaining: 28d 23h 43m Buy It Now for only: $15.95 Buy It Now

Contraband Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set Includes Digital Copy UltraViolet $12.00 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 32m

Walking Tall Blu ray DVD 2009 2 Disc Set $2.25 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 32m

Contraband Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set Includes Digital Copy UltraViolet $15.75 Time Remaining: 28d 23h 25m Buy It Now for only: $15.75 Buy It Now

The Wages of Fear Blu ray Disc 2009 $17.99 Time Remaining: 56m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now

Vampire Circus Blu ray DVD 2010 2 Disc Set $15.99 Time Remaining: 22d 48m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 Buy It Now

J Edgar Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set Canadian French $4.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 6m

Rubber Blu ray Disc 2011 $8.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 56m

Chronicle Watched once LN Movie 2012 Blu Ray Disc $15.00 Time Remaining: 29d 4h 57m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 Buy It Now

Sony BDP BX18 1080P HDMI Blu Ray DVD Player Netflix Internet Apps Wired Ethernet $26.00 (20 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 10m

Battle Royale The Complete Collection BLU RAY New 4 Disc Blu ray Set $26.30 Time Remaining: 8d 6h 40m Buy It Now for only: $26.30 Buy It Now

THE RUNAWAYS BLU RAY STEELBOOK REGION FREE KRISTEN STEWART $10.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 52m

Black Butler I II Complete Collection Blu Ray DVD w limited slipcover $105.00 (40 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 5m

Hop Blu ray DVD 2012 2 Disc Set Includes Digital Copy UltraViolet $9.59 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 57m Buy It Now for only: $9.59 Buy It Now

Underworld Awakening Blu ray DVD 2012 Includes Digital Copy UltraViolet $11.50 (12 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 34m

Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance + UltraViolet Digital Copy Blu ray 3D $22.99 Time Remaining: 5d 20h 35m Buy It Now for only: $22.99 Buy It Now

Mission Impossible 4 Ghost Protocol Blu ray + DVD +Digital Copy 2 Disc Set Movie $10.50 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 15m

Tangled (Four-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $29.99 You save: $20.00 (40%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Not yet released See Reviews For This Product Description Disney's 50th full-length animated feature film, Tangled is a visually appealing, music-filled adventure full of romance and humor. The movie focuses on Rapunzel, a girl with long magical hair who's lived her entire life imprisoned in a tower by her greedy mother...

In Session [Deluxe Edition CD/DVD] List Price: $18.98 Sale Price: $11.88 You save: $7.10 (37%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description On December 6, 1983, legendary blues guitarist Albert King joined his disciple Stevie Ray Vaughan on a Canadian sound stage for the live music television series In Session. Magic happened. The highly sought after video footage from that one-time renowned summit becomes available for the first time ever with the release of Stax Records' deluxe two-disc CD/DVD In Session...

Bambi (Two-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $24.99 You save: $15.00 (38%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Not yet released See Reviews For This Product Description It always comes up when people are comparing their most traumatic movie experiences: "the death of Bambi's mother," a recollection that can bring a shudder to even the most jaded filmgoer. That primal separation (which is no less stunning for happening off-screen) is the centerpiece of Bambi, Walt Disney's 1942 animated classic, but it is by no means the only bold stroke in the film...

Burlesque [Blu-ray] List Price: $34.95 Sale Price: $22.99 You save: $11.96 (34%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Not yet released See Reviews For This Product Description There is, according to Burlesque, a nightclub on the Sunset Strip that looks like a blend of Cabaret and Moulin Rouge and employs a full contingent of dancers and musicians in the service of a neo-retro-burlesque-blues program...

Megamind (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $27.99 You save: $22.00 (44%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Not yet released See Reviews For This Product Description Villainy is a way of life, but if a villain doesn't have a hero to battle, can he still expect the same sense of satisfaction from his evil deeds? When Megamind (Will Ferrell) finally defeats his long-time nemesis Metro Man (Brad Pitt), he ecstatically goes about laying ruin to Metro City, reveling in the fact that he can now have anything he wants...

Billy Joel: Live at Shea Stadium [Blu-ray] List Price: $24.98 Sale Price: $18.99 You save: $5.99 (24%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Not yet released See Reviews For This Product Description A concert celebrating the end of an era: The Beatles opened it and Billy Joel closed it.Built in 1964, Shea Stadium was the home of the New York Mets for 45 years. Designed as a multi-purpose stadium, Shea first met rock 'n' roll when The Beatles appeared there August 15, 1965, establishing Shea as the premier stadium for the world's greatest bands...

Tangled (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $19.99 You save: $20.00 (50%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Not yet released See Reviews For This Product Description Disney's 50th full-length animated feature film, Tangled is a visually appealing, music-filled adventure full of romance and humor. The movie focuses on Rapunzel, a girl with long magical hair who's lived her entire life imprisoned in a tower by her greedy mother...

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live at the El Mocambo 1983 Sale Price: $11.98   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description In 1990, Texas bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan was just emerging from a long period in which drugs had taken their toll: the previous year's In Step album was the first he had made drug free, and the results were a marvel...

The Incredibles (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) List Price: $45.99 Sale Price: $29.99 You save: $16.00 (35%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Not yet released See Reviews For This Product Description Animation studio Pixar (creators of Finding Nemo and Toy Story) reigns supreme: The Incredibles is another stunning example of their inspired storytelling and technical prowess. In a world where superheroes have been outlawed, the former Mr...

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live From Austin, Texas Sale Price: $11.98   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Few guitarists ever mastered the Fender Stratocaster like the late, great Texas bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan, and this priceless digital video disc collects both of the sizzling appearances that Vaughan and his solid band, Double Trouble, made on the PBS concert series Austin City Limits...