DVD players

Blu-ray & DVD player buying guide

Home-entertainment options are expanding. Regular DVD players are still going strong, while Blu-ray players let you enjoy high-definition video. Digital recorders can capture HDTV content and standard-definition video. And portable DVD players let you take the show on the road.
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Home-entertainment options are expanding. Regular DVD players are still going strong, while Blu-ray players let you enjoy high-definition video. Digital recorders can capture HDTV content and standard-definition video. And portable DVD players let you take the show on the road. We're even starting to see some TVs that incorporate Blu-ray players.

High-definition Blu-ray players are the big news in the DVD world. With the demise of the rival HD DVD format in 2008, Blu-ray is the only high-def game in town. There are numerous Blu-ray player manufacturers and a growing number of movies to watch on a high-definition player. Most new releases come out on Blu-ray discs and on DVD, and studios are reissuing older films in the new format. At press time, Netflix had about 1,200 high-def titles. Blu-ray players can play standard DVDs, and all current machines play audio CDs too. And we should soon see portable Blu-ray players.

Standard DVD players are still going strong. Almost all new standard players are progressive-scan models. When used with an HDTV, they can provide picture quality that’s better than that of typical standard-definition TV programming. A growing number of progressive-scan DVD players are “upconverting” models that can convert the video contained on all regular DVDs to pseudo-HD (when viewed on an HDTV, of course).

Portable DVD players have a built-in screen so you can watch standard DVDs in a car, plane, or dorm room.

A DVD recorder lets you record standard-definition TV programs onto removable discs. Some digital video recorders can capture high-def content on a hard drive, while others can record only standard-def.

This DVD player guide can help you sort through the various options to find the right model. While price is always a factor, also consider the features and brand. The connections and the types of discs a player supports will also be important considerations to ensure that the player is compatible with your other components. And make sure you check out our shopping advice, which should help you to find the right model at the best price.

 
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