BLOG:Should You Buy a Blu-ray Player?

Lee Stewart · 03-24-2008, 08:09 AM

Should You Buy a Blu-ray Player?

Quote:

Here are 10 pros and cons.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (March 24, 2008) -- The high-def format war is over with Blu-ray emerging victorious over rival HD DVD.

But does this mean that you should buy a Blu-ray player now? Well, that depends on your priorities -- and your pocketbook.

To help you in your decision, we have compiled 10 pros and cons to buying a Blu-ray player now, as opposed to later in the year or, perhaps, ever.

Pro: The Picture
The Blu-ray player, which can display video in 1080p, offers the best HD picture on the market. Better than cable, satellite, off-air antenna, you name it. If picture quality is important to you, there's no point in waiting.

Con: Price
Blu-ray players now cost at least $399 at retail. But if you wait until the 2008 holiday season, the price will likely come down to $299 or perhaps even as low as $199.

Pro: More Movies
With the format war over, the studios are expected to soon release more titles in Blu-ray. Even better, NetFlix and Blockbuster both say they will dramatically expand their Blu-ray selections in the coming weeks.

Con: Less Interactivity
Current Blu-ray players (with the exception of the Play Station 3) are not equipped to handle new interactive features that will be included in future Blu-ray discs. The features will enable viewers to download ringtones, chat with fellow Blu-ray owners and access movie trailers over the Net. If this is important to you, you might want to wait until the new players are introduced later this year.

Pro: Bundling
Some TV manufacturers are now bundling free Blu-ray players with their televisions. If you're in the market for a new set, this would be a good time to come home with a free Blu-ray player as well.

Con: Downloads
While this site believes digital downloads are years away from becoming a convenient way to watch movies at home, some analysts disagree. They say companies such as NetFlix, Microsoft and TiVo will soon enable viewers to watch a new video release without having to leave the house -- and waiting long periods of time for the video to download. If true, the Blu-ray business could sputter and eventually die away.

Pro: Ownership
Unlike downloads -- or cable's Video on Demand service -- Blu-ray enables you to own your movie. Like the standard-def DVD, you can start collecting a library of Blu-ray films that can be watched over and over.

Con: Ownership
Blu-ray titles are still pricey, with some around $30 or more, roughly twice the price of some standard-def DVDs. The Blu-ray disc price is likely to fall later in the year, which could be a reason to wait until then.

Pro: Upconversion
If you have a large collection of DVDs, the Blu-ray player includes an 'upconverting' feature that will enhance the picture on a standard-def DVD. While upconverting does not make your standard-def DVD image as good as a high-def picture, you will notice an improvement. (And despite what some might tell you, the Blu-ray player will play your current library of standard-def DVDs.)

Con: Upconversion
Upconverting DVD players (without Blu-ray capability) can be purchased for under $100, far less than the cost of a Blu-ray player. If improving the picture on your standard-def DVD is what's important to you, there's a cheaper way to do it.

So, the Blu-ray picture is amazing, but is the price right? Do you like to own movies or is just watching it once enough? Is interactivity important to you or do you just want to watch a good flick with a great image?

Your answers to these questions should tell you whether it's time for you to buy a new Blu-ray player.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/blubuy032408.htm

brenner · 03-24-2008, 08:52 AM

The answer for me is no!

venomxr8 · 03-24-2008, 08:57 AM

good find Lee! I totally agree with all the pro's and cons brought up in this blog and i think that anyone who is not 100% sure if they should buy into blu ray should read this blog and take into consideration some of the points brought up

venomxr8 · 03-24-2008, 09:08 AM

but 4 what its worth, whenever i get asked if its the right time to buy blu i always say that if your ok with having a console as your player then get a ps3 now but if you have your heart set on a stand alone player then you should wait 4 some profile 2.0 players to come out. That way if u want all the interactive features u get the 2.0 player, however if interactive features don't interest u the 1.0 and 1.1 players should b considerably cheaper

HD Goofnut · 03-24-2008, 11:19 AM

Until a reasonably priced 2.0 player comes out, namely the Panasonic BD-50, then I will not be buying a Blu-ray player.

crazyal · 03-24-2008, 12:19 PM

Some of these fall into 'Possibility'. Downloads are a 'possible con' as they may or may not happen. More releases are a 'possible pro'. Bundled packages are a 'possible pro' if you're looking for both a HDTV and a BD player and are willing to accept the player offered with the TV. Of course that same HDTV could most likely be found cheaper without a player so the only pro would be any savings by buying them together.

bsruther · 03-24-2008, 12:36 PM

I won't buy one until the price comes down. There are many other things that I can spend that kind of money on that are either more practical or more enjoyable.
If the price doesn't drop by this fall, I may buy a PS3 though.
My $50 upconverter will suffice in the meantime.
When I finally do get Blu Ray, it will be like getting a new TV again.

hdtvjunkie · 04-13-2008, 07:32 PM

I'd like to have one but right now the prices are just a little too high. The players and the movies.

kjudge · 04-13-2008, 07:35 PM

No

Not yet , too expensive, still unfinished spec wise, Still buying Hd-dvd's----getting some great deals. Wont change until I get a good reason to buy into BLu.

Dare · 04-13-2008, 08:55 PM

If you have to ask that, don't buy one.

**bruceames** · 04-13-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenner

The answer for me is no!

I don't need Blu-ray either. The player I have gets very little use. I've had it for 2 months and only have watched 7 movies on it and I have 8 still in shrink wrap.

**PFC5** · 04-13-2008, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

I don't need Blu-ray either. The player I have gets very little use. I've had it for 2 months and only have watched 7 movies on it and I have 8 still in shrink wrap.

Well if I had almost the equivalent of all HD DVD movies I would be all set for quite a while too Bruce.

I have about 6 BD movies in shrink wrap still also, but that is because all I do is work for about 48 hour hours (and 20 minutes).

**bruceames** · 04-13-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

Well if I had almost the equivalent of all HD DVD movies I would be all set for quite a while too Bruce.

I have about 6 BD movies in shrink wrap still also, but that is because all I do is work for about 48 hour hours (and 20 minutes).

That MIGHT have something to do with it.

I'll bet you're looking forward to a break

I could never sleep so few hours as you do.

**PFC5** · 04-14-2008, 12:01 AM

It is killing me,as I worked until 8:30 this (Sunday) morning and ate last nights dinner then. Then I got up 2.5 hours later and here i am still working after midnight. I am afraid to heat up the dinner for fear I might fall asleep and not keep working.

The life of an accountant SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

Actually, it is more like WHAT LIFE?

**kamspy** · 04-14-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

It is killing me,as I worked until 8:30 this (Sunday) morning and ate last nights dinner then. Then I got up 2.5 hours later and here i am still working after midnight. I am afraid to heat up the dinner for fear I might fall asleep and not keep working.

The life of an accountant SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

Actually, it is more like WHAT LIFE?

My little sister is in college to become an accountant. I tell her time and time again that she'll regret it, but she will likely never have to work since her husband got a few million last year in a malpractice case. A hospital made an elementary mistake that took his little brothers life

R.I.P. Jake.... I miss ya little buddy!

03-24-2008, 08:52 AM	#2
brenner HD Rules Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Vancouver, USA Age: 58 Posts: 2,006	The answer for me is no! __________________ Pioneer Elite Pro FHD-1 LG LSS-3200A Satellite Box Pioneer CLD-97 LD Player w/AC-3 mod Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD player Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD player Monitor S series speakers Velodyne Mini-Vee Yamaha RX-V1800 receiver MX-850 Aeros Remote

03-24-2008, 08:57 AM	#3
venomxr8 It Only Does Everything!! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,092	good find Lee! I totally agree with all the pro's and cons brought up in this blog and i think that anyone who is not 100% sure if they should buy into blu ray should read this blog and take into consideration some of the points brought up __________________ My Plats

03-24-2008, 09:08 AM	#4
venomxr8 It Only Does Everything!! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,092	but 4 what its worth, whenever i get asked if its the right time to buy blu i always say that if your ok with having a console as your player then get a ps3 now but if you have your heart set on a stand alone player then you should wait 4 some profile 2.0 players to come out. That way if u want all the interactive features u get the 2.0 player, however if interactive features don't interest u the 1.0 and 1.1 players should b considerably cheaper __________________ My Plats

03-24-2008, 11:19 AM	#5
HD Goofnut The Official HDF Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 27 Posts: 6,850	Until a reasonably priced 2.0 player comes out, namely the Panasonic BD-50, then I will not be buying a Blu-ray player. __________________ My Review Setup Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p LCD Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 System LG BH200 Super Blu Toshiba HD-A20 Sony 40 GB PS3 (Now with Netflix streaming!) 156~206~My Movie Collection Latest Review: *Men in Black* Be sure to check out the Blu-ray Review Request Thread

03-24-2008, 12:19 PM	#6
crazyal Smarter than the ave bear Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,312	Some of these fall into 'Possibility'. Downloads are a 'possible con' as they may or may not happen. More releases are a 'possible pro'. Bundled packages are a 'possible pro' if you're looking for both a HDTV and a BD player and are willing to accept the player offered with the TV. Of course that same HDTV could most likely be found cheaper without a player so the only pro would be any savings by buying them together. __________________ Please don't feed the Unicorns

03-24-2008, 12:36 PM	#7
bsruther High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Melbourne, Ky Posts: 53	I won't buy one until the price comes down. There are many other things that I can spend that kind of money on that are either more practical or more enjoyable. If the price doesn't drop by this fall, I may buy a PS3 though. My $50 upconverter will suffice in the meantime. When I finally do get Blu Ray, it will be like getting a new TV again. __________________ Mitsubishi WD65734 Sony S350

04-13-2008, 07:32 PM	#8
hdtvjunkie HIGH VOLTAGE ROCK-N-ROLL Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: cabell county, WV Age: 40 Posts: 14,321	I'd like to have one but right now the prices are just a little too high. The players and the movies.

04-13-2008, 07:35 PM	#9
kjudge High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 33	No Not yet , too expensive, still unfinished spec wise, Still buying Hd-dvd's----getting some great deals. Wont change until I get a good reason to buy into BLu.

04-13-2008, 08:55 PM	#10
Dare I moon you. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,436	If you have to ask that, don't buy one. __________________ LG GGC-H20L Super Multi Blue Blu-ray & HD DVD ROM Drive 58 31

04-14-2008, 12:01 AM	#14
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,377	It is killing me,as I worked until 8:30 this (Sunday) morning and ate last nights dinner then. Then I got up 2.5 hours later and here i am still working after midnight. I am afraid to heat up the dinner for fear I might fall asleep and not keep working. The life of an accountant SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!! Actually, it is more like WHAT LIFE? __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

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