When you're ready to upgrade your viewing experience, Blu-ray players are an great way to enjoy movies stored on physical media. A Blu-ray disc holds much more data than a DVD does, allowing it to deliver a much higher resolution and more detail for both picture and sound. Blu-ray players are about the same size as DVD players, making them a good fit for many entertainment centers and TV stands.

Blu-ray Player Features

Many Blu-ray players are compatible with DVDs, so rest assured that you can enjoy still enjoy your DVD collection with a Blu-ray player. Additionally, Blu-ray players offer upscaling abilities, so your older media can be enjoyed in the best possible quality. Smart Blu-ray players feature built-in network connectivity so you can connect to your home network. This not only lets you use it like a streaming media player, enabling access to streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, but it also makes it easier to work with a smart TV by consolidating all of your entertainment options. For truly immersive viewing, look for a player that supports 3D playback.

Choosing a Blu-ray Player

Blu-ray players allow you to control the device remotely, using the right app. A wireless model often supports device mirroring so you can see your programming both on your TV and on your mobile device at the same time, which is useful if you're frequently moving around the house and don't always have the luxury of sitting down to watch. If you want to be able to connect external hard drives, look for one with easily-accessible front USB ports. If you have Blu-rays from other countries, some units can play discs from all regions, unlike most DVD players.

Getting the Most Out of a Blu-ray Disc Player

It's important to note that there are other requirements when using a Blu-ray player. You'll also need an HDTV or a home theater projector that's capable of displaying the high resolutions of Blu-ray movies. Another essential component is an HDMI cable for connecting the player to the TV and transmitting all the video and audio data in a steady stream.