High-definition Blu-ray players are continuously gaining favor. Video from traditional DVDs contains fewer than 350,000 pixels, while 1080p Blu-ray video packs more than two million, which outputs sublime, high-resolution detail. The current crop of Blu-ray players offer stellar HD picture quality, fast disc-handling, and extras like integrated Wi-Fi, 3D support, and audio and video streaming. Blu-ray is the best option for watching high-definition video content on an HDTV. These days you can buy a well-performed player less than $200 if you do some smart online shopping. Still, there are a lot of choices out there. Here's what you need to consider when choosing the right Blu-ray player:
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What to Look for in a Blu-ray Player
BD-Live: Discs with BD-Live offer additional downloadable, streaming multimedia, or interactive Web content. Some models are described as “BD-Live ready”, meaning that they lack the necessary internal storage to support the feature, you must provide extra memory--a USB flash drive or memory card--to enable the BD-Live feature. If you think you want to use BD-Live, it's best to look for a player with enough built-in memory to support it. Models without BD-Live usually cost less, but there are few available.
A/V connections: All players include a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port that can stream audio and video over a single cable. HDMI supports Blu-ray's maximum video resolution as well as all audio formats, including the lossless ones (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio) that some A/V receivers support, so it's the best way to hook the player to your HDTV. 3D Blu-ray players use newer HDMI 1.4 connections, but can connect to a TV using standard high-speed HDMI cables, which can carry 3D and HD signals. A few manufacturers include an HDMI cable in the box, but with most models, you need to provide your own.
Wi-Fi: All current players will include an Ethernet port for a hardwired network connection, that can be inconvenient if it requires you to run a long cable between rooms. A growing number of new models now integrate Wi-Fi, so you can wirelessly connect the player to your network to access the Web for media streaming, BD-Live, and firmware updates. You should to beware models called "wireless-ready," you need an adapter (called a dongle) to enable wireless connections. The adapter may be included with the player, or you may have to buy it separately.
Web Features: Most players make good use of that Web connection. Many Blu-ray players can connect to the Internet to stream movie services from Amazon Instant Video, CinemaNow, HuluPlus, Netflix, and Vudu. You must pay for this content, in most cases through a pay-per-view arrangement. Specific services vary by manufacturer and player, Internet-connected players can access free content from sites such as YouTube, photo-sharing sites such as Picasa and Flickr, Internet radio stations such as Pandora, eBay. Some manufacturers, like Samsung and Vizio, also include widgets that display news, weather, and give you access to social-networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Then, of course, there's the Sony PlayStation 3, which in addition to being a very solid Blu-ray player, also lets you stream video and play hundreds of games.
3D capability: If you think you want to upgrade to a 3D TV in the near future, you need a Blu-ray player that will play 3D discs. Each major manufacturer has at least one 3D-enabled player in its lineup, many offer more. They can play 3D Blu-ray discs, as well as regular Blu-ray, discs, DVDs, and CDs.
Popular Blu-ray Player Brands
Panasonic, Samsung and Sony are all top-tier consumer electronics manufacturer in multiple product categories. Panasonic Blu-ray players have been hailed in past years as solid performers and good values. Their 3D Blu-ray players offer a wealth of advanced features and worth of buying. Sony's 2011 Blu-ray Disc player lineup includes several players. Its PlayStation 3 game console remains among the most powerful Blu-ray players available. Samsung is often an innovator, as it was one of the first to include a Blu-ray player in a HTIB (home theater in a box), and among the first to offer a Blu-ray player with 3D capability. Insignia is Best Buy’s electronics house brand. If you're looking for a budget model, it will be one of your considerations.
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