Should i buy blu ray or dvd player

It's not always the case that a player will be able to play lower-resolution discs, so it's worth checking our Blu-ray player reviews or the store listing before you buy. Not a DVD player, there's really no point. Very few are still made and we don't test them any more. Ideally, you should buy a 4K Blu-ray player. Despite some 8K TVs now being released, 4K will be the main resolution used by the TV and film industry for years to come. If you don't have a 4K TV already, then it's likely that you will when you next upgrade, and a 4K Blu-ray player will let you make the most of the display, as well as let you watch your existing Blu-ray and DVD collection if you choose the right model - use our TV reviews to help you.

As 4K Blu-ray players and discs become more common the costs will come down. This happened when Blu-ray was taking over from DVD. Blu-ray discs and players cost a fortune during the transition, but now they cost roughly what DVDs and players did then. See our pick of the best Blu-ray players for a steer on which to buy.

Test score. But do you really need to upgrade? We look at the differences so you know which is best for you. Martin Pratt. The main differences between DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray The difference between the three different types of disc is how much data you can store on them. Resolution Think of a movie or a TV show as a file on your computer — the higher the resolution, the sharper the image and the more space it takes up on the disc: DVD Max resolution p, also known as SD standard definition Blu-ray Max resolution p, also known as HD high definition 4K Blu-ray Max resolution p, also known as 4K.

More on this How to buy the best Blu-ray player Which? Some also have a wired Ethernet jack, which can often provide a more reliable, consistent Internet connection. Some Blu-ray players may have composite yellow, red, and white RCA connections for use with older gear. In addition to HDMI outputs, many players also have digital optical or digital coaxial audio connections, or both. These support multichannel audio, as well as stereo. Some models may also offer stereo RCA connections for use with older stereo gear.

Players are compatible with different video services, so make sure a particular model supports the movie services of interest to you. Offerings vary by brand and sometimes by models within a brand. The available services could change over time if the player manufacturer makes different arrangements with video providers.

If you plan to connect to the internet, determine whether you can deal with a wired connection to your home network or whether you want a player with WiFi capability; most models these days offer it. Audio Capabilities All Blu-ray players support 5. Almost all new Blu-ray players support high-resolution, multichannel audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio, though some can internally decode the signals and others pass them to a capable receiver for decoding.

There are scores of brands of Blu-ray players across all categories, some very well known and others much less familiar. Some manufacturers offer products of various types, and others are known mostly for one type of Blu-ray product.

While DVD players are still obtainable, they are decreasing in availability. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. Sign In. Become a Member. Remember Me. Forgot username or password? Not a member? Need further assistance? Please call Member Services at Blu-Ray Players. Sign in or Become a Member. Buy Right Every Time Get digital access to our independent product ratings. Shades of Blu There are now two types of Blu-ray players, regular and Ultra.

It's the same as owning vinyl, CDs, or tapes of artists and musicians you like: the better quality is certainly a factor, no matter how imperceptibly improved analog or laser-based file formats may be, especially as these audio-visual experiences of quality tend to be measurably subjective and even psychological. It might make sense to own a DVD or Blu-ray player if you're already inundated as such with a library of discs you need to play—but getting started in seems like a slightly oddball move.

Even still, it's not unheard of to delve into an older technology in search of capturing the feeling of "quality" when the horizonless tundra of streaming sometimes feels like choices run amok.

Just look at the resurgence of vinyl in The reasoning for owning a dedicated disc player for DVDs or Blu-rays definitely comes into play when you're setting up a home theater.

While most people are content to buy a good-enough TV, set it up in the living room, and call it a day, more enthusiastic viewers may want to take things a step or two further. Even if you've only decided that your TV's built-in speakers aren't good enough and have upgraded to an affordable soundbar , you've taken a step toward improving the general quality of your home viewing experience. If it makes sense to "equalize" the disparity between your TV's picture quality which is likely very good, especially if it's a newer 4K or HDR TV and its audio output, doesn't it also make sense to equalize the disparity between your TV's picture quality and, say, Netflix?

The latest TVs use enhancements like "quantum dots," OLED panels, LED dimming and "blasting," full-array backlights, and quad plus core processing to produce the best images possible, especially the High Dynamic Range sets. Even entry level name brand sets utilize many of these technologies. While plenty of people have zero bones to pick about the quality of the content delivered by services like Netflix and Hulu Plus, a dedicated DVD or Blu-ray player is simply better.

Even a wired ethernet internet connection results in compressed content when streaming. While p content on Netflix might look better than a subp DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray discs are guaranteed to look better, especially for detailed, filmic content.

If you've dipped a toe into things like light-blocking curtains or better speakers, investing in a disc player isn't that far out of your wheelhouse. While this is definitely a larger overall investment than paying a monthly price for Netflix and Hulu, it's also "permanent.

And this isn't just a concern for enthusiasts and collectors! It's also a concern for parents, babysitters, or anyone who's got younger viewers. As you may know, toddlers and young kids tend to find one movie they love and watch it over and over and over. But what happens if your kid loves "Coco" and Netflix decides to knock it out of the roster one month?