Blu-ray Vs DVD

You should only upgrade to Blu-Ray if two conditions are met:

1: you own, or are purchasing, a television 40" or larger with 1080p resolution;

2: you own, or are going to purchase, Blu-Ray discs.

If the either condition is not met, consider getting a DVD player with up-conversion with an HDMI cable to connect to your tv. Keep in mind that the picture quality on Blu-Ray discs of programming filmed for high-definition will have full HD quality on a Blu-Ray player with a 1080p television (there is little, if any, improvement in picture quality for programming not filmed for HD, such as shows from more than 5 years ago). On a 720p resolution set, it will have pretty much equal picture quality as an up-converting DVD player.

Blu-Ray discs can also hold more data, which means more extra features included on each disc (or, at least, the potential for more extra features).

I hope that helps you make a decision on what device you'd like to have.

While your intentions are noble, your information is completely incorrect. A 1080p set is not a requirement and in no way does an upconverted DVD on 720p look the same as blu-ray. Yes, resolution is a big factor but so is color saturation, sound (HD/Uncompressed soundtracks with capable receivers), special features with upgradable content via BD-Live, and did I mention color accuracy. All these are huge factors when deciding to make the move to blu-ray. The additional space a blu-ray disc offers is not just for resolution alone. It provides the room needed to recreate the movie in everyway (color, resolution, sound, etc) that DVD just simply cannot do.

The best thing is to go to a friends house or a store with knowledgeable employees and do some side-by-side comparisons to determine if blu-ray is a good option for you.

Quick and simple answer ~ Blu-ray makes any HDTV look amazing and it plays the majority of your DVD/CD collection. If you want a High-def experience, it is offered through Blu-Ray Disc.

thank you for a simple straight-forward comparison

your welcome

I still feel a litle lose with this subject, but I have a chance to purchase a used PS3 and may do so. I have no intention of buying a HDTV for a while.

There's a lot more to it than said hear. Iv'e been checking and studing the abilty of DVD players for the past 2 day's. 1.) your HI Def 1028b TV also has the ability to upgrade the picture. Look at the features list on the new players (WIFI or USB) ,Netflix, Blockbuster, CinemaNow, YouTube & Amazon Videos, Also Pandora Music & Picasa Pictures, Weather News and the Stock Market just to name those I have looked at. I will buy one in the near future probably a Panasonic High Rating. Well anyway check them out.

It sounds odd, but with all the evolving technology, discs will become as old as the VHS, UHD is already in development, higher resolutions will always continue to come out. I think Blu-ray will pass with everything else. People will end up going to streaming movies or downloads; no more expensive discs or replacing devices. Just because its HD doesnt mean its perfect. It will break and become obsolete faster with the increased competition.

Blu-Ray will be the last disc format in my opinion, digital downloads will be the next step, but the infrastructure in America is poor at best, which is why Blu-Ray will have a pretty long shelf-life. So many people dont have high speed internet, and then most who do have high speed internet max at 2mbs which is not enough bandwidth to handle HD. When everyone in American has access to and can easily achieve 5mbs in-home the need for disc formats will no longer be needed. Blu-Ray will experience a pretty long life, and can easily be expanded. 

This is the purpose of the stimulus plan. There is $7.2b in place for improving infrastructure. This will speed up America faster than previously expected. On Demand does not need high-speed internet necessarily, it can work on existing satellite or cable systems.

You must have atleast 5mb in order to achieve HD, whats the point of getting On-Demand movies and games if they are non-HD ~ when their is Blu-Ray which looks fantastic.

One day it will get done, then maybe I might get FIOS in my area. :)

Still the 5+ years (at the least) plus another 5+ years for people to understand what digial distribution is, (not even adding in retailer backlash) Blu-Ray has a long time to reign supreme.

Blu-Ray is here and looks fantastic on 1080p 24fps capable displays. The new 'lossless' audio is pretty snazzy too. If someone is in the market for a new player and not trying to get the cheapest POS available, then why not get a reasonably priced Panasonic or Samsung Blu-Ray player? They still play DVDs, very well as a matter of fact. Plus, when plugged into a router, many are capable of playing streaming video. 

I look at Blu-Ray not as a replacement for DVD's but as an addition. All my existing DVDs still look terrific (old Arcam DV79 player) displayed on the calibrated 1080p plasma. 

Nearly all new purchases are Blu-Ray discs, but the only DVDs I've actually replaced w/ Blu-Ray discs are 4 Star Trek movies, 'Blade Runner', 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and a couple other old DVDs that weren't anamorphic widescreen because I'm just that much of a geek LOL!

if you have a 1080p television preferably 120hz or up would benefit from bluray. if you have a tube television or small television 32 or below you are wasting your money.

my advice for a bluray player is a ps3 its not that much more expensive than just the players and you get to play games?!?!

I recently bought a Samsung Blue-ray and the feature I like most is the streaming capability from Netflix. No more running to the store for a movie when nothing interesting is on TV. Very slick.

jousey said…

I still feel a litle lose with this subject, but I have a chance to purchase a used PS3 and may do so. I have no intention of buying a HDTV for a while.

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You can use a Blu-Ray or PS3 with a standard definition television.  While the player has the ability to send a 1080p signal doesn't mean that you must own a 1080p television.   The output signal in most Blu-Ray players will allow you to choose 480, so legacy (standard definition) televisions will have a signal that they can use.   Most of these devices come with 480i or 480p as a default setting, but if you're getting the game console used, have the person change the resolution to what your television can handle first. 

There are a few game experts in this forum already who can help more than I can regarding the game consoles (some are experts who can run circles around me - I'll admit it!), but I did want to let you know that you don't need a HDTV to use a Blu-Ray player or watch Blu-Ray discs.  But you'll only be seeing them in SD quality on an SDTV. 

Mr. Samsung

Basic question, can I still play my normal DVD's in a blu ray?

rathbunny said…

Basic question, can I still play my normal DVD's in a blu ray?

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Yes.  It will operate as an up-convert DVD player.  I still collect a mixture of both DVD and Blu-Ray movies... both play on my BR player.

Some great responses here. Can always count on the MySears community!

If you haven't heard already, Sears is running some crazy exclusive promotions! If you buy the Samsung BD-C5500 you get a $15 instant gift card. If you buy the BD-C6500 you get a $30 instant gift card. If that doesn't do it for you, if you buy the BD-C6900 you get a $50 instant gift card. Take the extra money and buy a few movies to watch on your new blu-ray player!

i would get a blu ray with netflix, but if cost is an issue, blu ray players are down to less than a $100 now.