Blu-rays get their name in part due to the color of the laser used to read the disc. While the disc may be virtually identical physically to a DVD, they can hold over 5x the data of a DVDR on a single layer disc. Dual layer discs can hold 50GB of data, and there are some with even higher capacities. Blu-rays made their early appearances in 2006, amid a format-war with the HD-DVD format. By 2008, though, Blu-ray won, and HD-DVD joined Betamax on the losing side.
I could go into more of the technical specs of how it works, but today I'd like to focus more on the end user experience. High Definition is becoming the standard for shooting these days. With higher resolutions, much clearer pictures are able to be taken. Just to give an idea, the HD replays used for NFL games can allow the home viewer, or the replay official, to see much more clearly the minute details of a play. Higher resolution also requires greater storage space. Think about how much larger digital photos taken with a 10MP camera are vs 2MP. To meet this need, we got the blu-ray player.
There are many types of players available on the market today. There are players and writers which can be installed in a computer, stand-alone units, internet connected players, and even 3D players. Video game consoles, like the Playstation 3 can also be used as a blu-ray player. Pretty much every major manufacturer these days has a player (or a few).
Prices on blu-ray players can start off around the $50 mark. Some can be found for lower, with sales. Walmart had one for $38 on Black Friday as one of their Doorbusters. Some places will offer refurbished models, at a discounted price. For instance, this Samsung blu-ray player, available from Best Buy for $47.99 offers over $80 off the new price for that unit. Warranties on refurbished models will vary according to retailers, so it is good to keep that in mind.
What kind of blu-ray player should you get? First, you need to assess your needs, and your plans. If you have no intention of viewing online content from your player, and are connecting it to an older television, then perhaps a basic non-connected player is right for you. If you have plans, however, to upgrade televisions, and your home network down the line, then it may be more cost effective to have the capabilities in place. If you have a home network, will your new player be near the router, or in another part of the house? The answer to this question will determine whether or not wifi is an important feature for your player. What online content providers do you use (or plan to use)? Not all players are created equally, and not all can use all online content. Netflix, Blockbuster, Vudu, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, YouTube, CinemaNow... the possibilities and combinations are many.
Are you more concerned with backing up large amounts of data? Then maybe a blu-ray burner is more ideal for you. This one goes for $74.99. I have a very similar model to that. 3D blu-ray players have the added ability to show 3D content on 3D televisions.
To get the best signal from a blu-ray player, you will need to connect it to your television with an HDMI cable. retailers like Best Buy will sell a 6ft HDMI cable starting at about $20 (currently, they offer a Dynex 6ft cable for $12.99 on sale). It's useful to know that you can find the same cords online for a fraction of the price, like this one for $3.29.
Economical Value? I've been doing this for all the previous gift ideas. Because of the broad category, here, I can't give one simple answer. I would say that the economical value of a blu-ray player for you would be determined by how well it meets both your needs and your budget.
A player for the living room may make an excellent family gift. Remember, though, read reviews to have a lower chance of buying a lemon, and consider the warranties!
Check back for tomorrow's gift idea!
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