What is a blue ray disk?

volley lov

I watch disney channel, and they are talking about "blue ray" disk. What are they?

Answer
Blu-Ray is a high definition format for movies and videos from SONY. Its competitor used to be Toshiba's HD-DVD in what was known as the "high-def" wars. Toshiba gave up, and Sony's blu-ray is the standard format for high def movies. The resolution and sound quality is the best format currently, and has a ton of memory. There are Blu-Ray players that can play it, but Sony also included blu-ray compatibility in their PS3s. Blu-Ray players typically cost in the 400 dollar range.

Blu-ray 5 disc changers?

Jeff P

Are there any 5 disc Blu-ray changers on the market? Aside from the 400 disc mega-changer that Sony makes, it looks like they are all single disc units.

I love my 5 disc dvd changer, and I'm holding out for a similar unit before taking the plunge into Blu-ray.

Answer
Given the increase in streaming services such as NetFlix, Vudu, and Blockbuster. I doubt you will see a blu-ray changer ever hit the market. For better or for worse the industry is moving away from physical media and towards cloud based storage. Hollywood has more control of how you watch the content and in turn can make more money in the long run. Personally, I prefer a physical disc so I can watch it on my terms and share it with family or friends but I think that is a trend that is dying much like CD purchases gave way to digital downloads/iTunes.

So if you want to experience killer blu-ray performance I'd opt for getting a changer now and just enjoying it.

PS - Get an internet enabled player with the Vudu movie download service. Vudu offers thousands of blu-ray like quality downloads that you only pay for if you use (not subscription based like NetFlix).

Good luck.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is a blue ray disk?

volley lov

I watch disney channel, and they are talking about "blue ray" disk. What are they?

Answer
Blu-Ray is a high definition format for movies and videos from SONY. Its competitor used to be Toshiba's HD-DVD in what was known as the "high-def" wars. Toshiba gave up, and Sony's blu-ray is the standard format for high def movies. The resolution and sound quality is the best format currently, and has a ton of memory. There are Blu-Ray players that can play it, but Sony also included blu-ray compatibility in their PS3s. Blu-Ray players typically cost in the 400 dollar range.

Blu-ray 5 disc changers?

Jeff P

Are there any 5 disc Blu-ray changers on the market? Aside from the 400 disc mega-changer that Sony makes, it looks like they are all single disc units.

I love my 5 disc dvd changer, and I'm holding out for a similar unit before taking the plunge into Blu-ray.

Answer
Given the increase in streaming services such as NetFlix, Vudu, and Blockbuster. I doubt you will see a blu-ray changer ever hit the market. For better or for worse the industry is moving away from physical media and towards cloud based storage. Hollywood has more control of how you watch the content and in turn can make more money in the long run. Personally, I prefer a physical disc so I can watch it on my terms and share it with family or friends but I think that is a trend that is dying much like CD purchases gave way to digital downloads/iTunes.

So if you want to experience killer blu-ray performance I'd opt for getting a changer now and just enjoying it.

PS - Get an internet enabled player with the Vudu movie download service. Vudu offers thousands of blu-ray like quality downloads that you only pay for if you use (not subscription based like NetFlix).

Good luck.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What do u think of the Blu Ray Disc sceme?

blu ray player 400 disc image

voluntaril

What do u think of the DVD players they are coming out with next.. these Blu Ray DVD players... ?

Would it be cheaper to just buy a Ps3 that already has this professinal function?... a built in Blu ray Disc reader than to purchase any regular form of Blu Ray DVD player?

Answer
Before you consider buying note the following:

- There is no difference in audio and video quality between Blu-ray and HD DVD (competing and incompatible formats).

- HD disks include advanced sound tracks better than DVDs ... if your sound system can reveal the improvements.

- Disks are more expensive than DVDs (and not yet readily available as previewed disks).

- There are about 800 disks available in total for the 2 formats, split almost equally. Some movies are available in both formats, but most are format specific (so if you choose one format you won't be able to play the other movies in HD (although you can play a normal DVD version since players in both formats are backward compatible with DVDs ... in fact they upconvert them to a form of HD).

- Introductory level HD DVD players are half the price (~$200) of Blu-ray players ($400) ... and for the vast majority of consumers all they can benefit from.

- Dual format players exist, and while currently very expensive (~$1000) they are the probable future since neither format is likely to disappear.

- You won't benefit from Blu-ray or HD DVD unless you have a medium sized HDTV and watch it from closer than you are probably used to.

- Better quality (>$100) upscaling DVD players (or a low end HD DVD player) will make DVDs look almost as good as HD disks.

- DVDs won't be disappearing any time soon. HD disks are still (and many would say will remain) a niche format, currently being outsold 20:1 by DVDs.

- So ... and I would advise waiting 6-12 months before deciding ... if you DO decide to buy Blu-ray the PS3 is by far the best deal for a blu-ray player. It is both a good player and the only one of the various models that can be updated to match the capability of 2nd generation players being introduced now (there are different .. and more advanced .. requirements for players first sold after Oct 31, 2007). If you play games that is a bonus, but even if you don't consider that many custom home theatre installers choose the PS3 as a HT Blu-ray player.

Hope this helps.

Is a DLP projector compatible with showing Blu-Ray movies? Is the picture any bette than normal viewing?

kazoo

I have a DLP projector at home and was curious if the crispness of Blu-Ray or HD movies will show being played through it.

Answer
Yes, a Blu-ray (or HD DVD) player would be compatible (assuming you have an HDCP compliant (see below) DVI or HDMI input on your projector), but would not necessarily provide any visible benefit.

It isn't really the type of projector (e.g. LCD, DLP or LCoS) that matters so much as the specifications. For example, to see even minimum benefit you need a minimum "720p" projector (i.e. the 720 is number of pixels (height) and "p" means "progressive" scan), with as high a contrast ratio as possible (min 2000:1). But for full benefit you need a 1080p projector.

What will probably show up more than increased "crispness" is increased colour richness and improved audio (although the latter is obviously not anything to do with the projector).

A word about HDCP ... it is an encryption scheme designed to prevent copying of copyrighted HD material (manufacturers think we are all criminals!). When active (and not all HD disks yet encode the "activator") it will enforce downsampling (reduced resolution) of analog signals and total cuttoff of digital signals if the devices at each end of the cable are not HDCP compliant.

So, a few caveats. You projector should work, but unless it is a 1080p model you will get limited benefit over DVD. It is actually likely that a good upscaling DVD player would give you as much of an improvement ... and cost less.

When you consider that there are 1% as many HD disks in both HD DVD and Blu-ray formats combined (800) as there are DVDs (80,000), and that the two HD formats are incompatible and most of the movies available in one format are not available in the other, there is little incentive to buy an expensive Blu-ray player (min $400). We will all be watching DVDs for a long time to come.

If you don't have a good upscaling DVD player (e.g. Oppo 981, $229), I'd suggest considering one. You might also consider the Venture HD DVD player available from Walmart (USA only) for $197 (It's a rebranded Toshiba HD-A3) ... it's a pretty good upscaling DVD player that also plays HD DVDs (which give identical audio and video quality to Blu-ray).

Hope this helps.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Is there something deficient about the blu ray player on the PS3?

blu ray player 400 disc image

Iceberg22

It just seems too good to be true.

So you can purchase a PS3 with a blu ray player for 400. Yet, to buy a blu ray player individually, you would have to pay 400-600.

Is the blu ray player on the PS3 deficient?

Answer
To my knowledge, there are no issues with the Blu-ray disc player on the PS3. In fact, the PS3 has generally been acclaimed as a very decent Blu-ray player, and great for value.

Sony has been using the PS3 as a platform to promote the Blu-ray disc as next-gen format. As a result, until this year, Sony actually was performing at a loss/break-even in terms of profit for the PS3 division (as a result of the 'low' pricing). Supposedly they have started entering the profit band now since manufacturing costs have come down (cheaper Blu-ray & cell production, no more emotion chip needed, etc.).

Certainly, the PS3 is not a dedicated Blu-ray player, so some of the specialized players you buy may offer some customization and adjustments you can't find on the PS3. But in terms of playback, there should be absolutely no issues with the PS3.

The PS3 is being promoted as not just a gaming system, but as a full-fledged home media entertainment system. Because of this, in addition to Blu-ray, the PS3 includes capabilities to play DVDs, CDs, SACDs, and various PC media formats like mp3s, avis, mpgs as if it were an HTPC, so you should expect it will play Blu-rays as well as any other player.

Blu ray or a upscaling player? Is blu ray disc player worth it to buy?

elle

I just bought a LCD 1080i. I"m debating on just buying upscaling or blu ray disc player. Can Blu ray play regular DVDs and play on 1080i format? Or should I just save money and by a upscaling player that plays regular DVDs. How is the output on the upscaling player?

Answer
Not an easy question to answer.

First, you will have to decide based on YOUR priorities ... but let me offer some things to consider.

- Blu-ray is, and will likely remain, a niche premium format for people who can benefit and are willing to pay the premium price (~$300+ for the player and $5-$20 more for disks of the same movie vs DVD).

- Opinion of Blu-ray can vary from "wow!" to "what's all the fuss about" ... depending on how it is being displayed.

- To FULLY benefit you need a 40" or larger 1080p HDTV, with a good surround sound system capable of handling the advanced audio formats.

- You will still get some benefit from Blu-ray with a 720p HDTV (what you have), but you don't mention screen size, where you intend to watch from and whether you have a good sound system ... all of which influence the benefit/cost equation.

- Many Blu-ray films are poorly mastered and don't look much better than DVD even under optimum conditions.

- An upconverting DVD player won't make a DVD look as good as a Blu-ray disk, but on a 720p HDTV under about 40" detail will look fairly close. But picture quality is subjective -- and dependent on more than just resolution -- so you really have to see it for yourself and decide if Blu-Ray is worthwhile. Why not view a DVD and a Blu-ray disk on a HDTV similar to yours and see for yourself?

Personally I can say that I have a 720p projector and a 110" screen, and I tried HD DVD disks (which give essentially identical picture and audio quality to Blu-ray) and found insignificant improvement over upscaled DVDs. Since then I have bought 2 HD DVD tiltes (Planet eart and Sunrise Earth) and over 50 DVDs. I use my HD DVD player as an upscaling DVD player ... and pay about $20 less for movies than if I bought Blu-ray. So I guess I'm biased ... but upconverted DVD look just fine with me.

I should caution that not everyone sees the same thing (which is why I recommended seeing for yourself).

If you do consider an upconverting players note they are only as good as the video processing chip they use ... so avoid the under $60 models. The best are Oppo's models but they are a bit pricy.

BTW, if you do decide an upconverting DVD player is enough the liquidation prices (~$75) in effect on the Toshiba HD-A3 or Venture HD-7000 (Wal-Mart's brand) HD DVD player make them a very attractive option (and as a bonus you can play any of the 400 HD DVD movies available (Noting there will be very few new ones after this month)). But you will have to move fairly fast .. a lot of people have realized the same thing and they are getting snapped up fast.

Finally, if you decide on Blu-ray, other than the PS3, you should wait until near the end of the year to get a Profile 2.0 (BD-Live!) player, and for prices to come down a bit.

Hope that helps.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What features or performance specs do the higher priced Blu Ray DVD players have that the PS3 doesn't?

blu ray player 400 disc image

Sony has recently unveiled a $500 Blu Ray DVD player but the original models released were around $300 to $400 more than the PS3 - which also played Blu Ray discs. What features or performance specs do the Blu Ray DVD players have that justify the higher price compared to the PS3?

Answer
The players themselves aren't really different at all. I've heard the stand along player will load a little faster, although the PS3 loads pretty fast on its own. I own a PS3 and a Toshbia HD-DVD player, and the PS3 runs circles around the Toshiba in terms of load time.

Another benefit of the stand alone players is more outputs, particularly audio-wise. The PS3 has an HDMI output, which is the best output for video and sound. However, a lot of people don't have HDMI hookups on their receivers/TVs so they are forced to use simpler connections. And the PS3 doesn't offer many of these simpler outputs. If you have HDMI, there's no benefit of these stand alones players in this matter. But if you don't have HDMI, you'll get better outputs, at least audio wise from a stand alone player.

Another benefit is that the PS3 is basically a mini computer, and has a fan in it. So do other machines, but some people complain about the fan noise of a PS3. Again, as an owner, I've never had a problem myself. But a stand alone player should run quieter if you think that may be an issue.

The bottom line is that I don't see much difference between the two. I still like the PS3 as it offers the Blu Ray plus much more. I have an HDMI hook-up,so the added outputs don't do anything for me. And I've never had problems with load times or any fan noise. From my perspective there's no real benefit of a stand alone. You may be able to find a better price (although PS3s off ebay are pretty close price wise) or get a better deal (the new Panasonic machine comes with free movies). But performance wise they're pretty much the same.

Here's a good thread discussing your questions, touching on other minor issues:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=861803

how does a blu ray player work?

martini

i dont get it, like if i buy a blu ray player and have a blu ray disc then im all set? do you connect the blu ray player to your tv like you would with a dvd player? how come i cant find a blu ray player with surround sound speakers?

Answer
You can connect a Blu Ray player the same way you connect a DVD player using the (usually) supplied A/V cables ( Red, White, Yellow), or for better results, and if your TV has the correct inputs, you can connect using either a Component cable ( Red Green and Blue - be careful as the blue and green look almost alike, make sure you connect the green to green and blue to blue on the TV and the blu ray player, otherwise you will get funky weird color, if at all) For best results, connect using an HDMI cable for both video and audio through your TV.

Wait, your not done yet. Once you have connected to the TV, depending on your TV type, you may have to go into your Blu ray player settings and select the output type. By default,your bluray player is set to output through the AV cables, some will simultaneously send a signal through the HDMI if a HDMI is connected and the player detects it. If you are using Component, cables, you may have to go into the settings and actually change the output mode of your video signal. Again, it depends on your Blu Ray Player, but most can't send a signal simultaneously between the component and HDMI cables.

As for your other question. Most blu ray players are sold as an add on to an existing HT system, there are a few manufactures (Sony, Samsung) that have 5.1 complete package HT Systems that include the subwoofer and the 5 speakers. Panasonic has a 5.1 and a 7.1 (for true HD surround) system at around $400-600 respectively.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers