As new products emerge to complement HDTV displays, selecting a disc player can be tough. What's best for you? A few simple questions can help.
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Is your main goal to watch movies with the highest possible video resolution? |
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Are you willing to buy new, higher-priced discs? Or do you simply want the most from DVDs you already own? |
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Would you like the option to record? |
For the highest video resolution, you'll want a high-def disc player. You've probably heard of the two competing formats, Blu-ray and HD DVD—they're now involved in a battle reminiscent of the VHS vs. Beta wars of the late 1970s/early 1980s.
Each format plays discs developed only for that technology, meaning a Blu-ray copy of Spider-Man 3 won't play in an HD DVD player.
Here's the tricky part: Nearly all movie studios align with one technology or the other, so each title is available only in one format. As a result, many viewers base their decision on the format that supports their favorite movies. So Shrek fans may go for HD DVD; Disney aficionados would favor Blu-ray. Review current inventories but keep an eye on the future: Studio alliances can and do change.
Here's an option if you don't want to choose one high-def format over the other. Dual-format players have the technologies to play both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs and are priced accordingly, in the $700 to $1,000 range. As of this writing, relatively few manufacturers offer dual-
format players.
Perhaps your needs are simpler. You don't want to purchase new high-def discs; you just want your current DVD collection to look great on an HDTV. You want upconversion, a technology found in nearly all new DVD players.
Upconversion (sometimes called "upscaling") is a process that improves the quality of a video image so it can be enjoyed on a higher resolution screen. It can make a standard DVD (480) look better on an HDTV (720 or 1080) than on a non-HD display.
In general, upconversion creates a smoother-looking image by making your TV screen's horizontal lines less apparent. The technology recognizes the video information and performs "line doubling"—in essence, it fills in the blanks.
DVD players that offer upconversion usually make it easy, with one simple HDMI connection to your TV. Prices range greatly, from $70 to $1500—but there are plenty of choices between $100 and $350. And remember: They're only equipped to play standard-definition DVDs.
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Finally, as digital storage options become more plentiful, many people look to DVD recorders as their method of choice. here are a variety of available benefits, so be sure to know what you're getting. |
DVD recorders can include upconversion, built-in digital broadcast tuners, inputs for your DV camera, video outputs including HDMI, "long-playing" record modes, and even hard drives that work in conjunction with a disc recorder. Again, consider what's most important to you when choosing.
Whether you want a complete DVD home entertainment system or wish to add your own disc player, Bose® Lifestyle® systems make it easy to enjoy HDTV. See Lifestyle® systems »
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