How to choose a BDVD/Blu-ray player

Are you a film and TV fan who’s on the lookout for a new BDVD/Blu-ray player so you can enjoy your favourite movies or shows in that sweet, sweet full high definition? I know it can be a bit confusing trying to choose the right player in today’s market, thanks to a mind-boggling number of features and specifications out there. But, there’s no need to fret, because I’m going to give you some tips on how to choose a Blu-ray player.

Why Buy a Blu-ray Player?

The other day, a friend of mine actually asked me why people still needed Blu-ray players. His reasoning was that with streaming services such as Netflix, there was no longer a need to physically own copies of movies or television shows on disc. While that may be true to some degree, streaming films and shows isn’t always all it’s cracked to be. For instance, if you tend to stream content a lot, then you need a pretty fast internet connection, as well as a generous data plan to watch stuff in high quality. With a Blu-ray player, you don’t need to even be connected to the internet to watch your content (which is great for those times when the internet is down), and you can save your precious data allowance for something else. As well, even the HD/4K streams that Netflix and others broadcast aren’t completely uncompressed HD footage, so you won’t necessarily get as good a picture as you would with a Blu-ray disc.

Features to look for in a Blu-ray Player

Okay, so you’ve been convinced that a Blu-ray player is the way to go. So how do you choose the one that’s right for your particular needs? There is no point in buying something and paying a premium for a feature you won’t or can’t use, so let me run down some of the features you will see advertised, and what they mean.

4K Upscaling

The newest TV tech is fast becoming more common in home theatre setups today. Essentially, 4K televisions offer four times the detail of regular HD TVs, and a 4K upscaling Blu-ray player like the Sony 3D 4K UHD Wi-Fi Blu-ray Player does the same thing for your DVDs and Blu-ray discs, offering stunning clarity and a jaw-dropping level of detail.

Good DVD Quality

It is also worth mentioning that since you probably still own a boxload of DVDs, it is always a good idea to look into whether the Blu-ray player you are looking at has a good rating for DVD standard definition picture quality. All players are not made the same, and although all Blu-ray players can play DVDs, not every one of them does so well. Make sure you pick one that does your DVD picture justice.

Wi-Fi Enabled

If you do stream content, or want to use your home theatre as a complete home entertainment centre, then you will want to have a Blu-ray player like the Sony 3D Blu-ray Player with 4K Upscaling & Wi-Fi that can connect to your home Wi-Fi network. That way you will be able to stream content wirelessly from a variety of sources and get your fill of web browsing right from the comfort of your couch.

3D Movie Player

You don’t have to go to the theatre to experience 3D movies anymore. Many Blu-ray players, like the Samsung 3D Blu-ray Disc Player with 4K Upscaling & Wi-Fi offer active 3D technology so you can watch the action jump right off the screen in your home.

Buy a Blu-ray for Your Budget and Needs

Ultimately, the Blu-ray player you choose has to fit your budget, and also your needs. There is no point in buying a 4K upscaling player if your home theatre system doesn’t include a 4K television. The same goes for 3D players. You need the 3D capable TV as well, so don’t spring for that type of player unless you have the right accessories or plan on buying them soon. But have a look at what is available for Blu-ray players at Best Buy, and start planning your next home movie night.