In the world of home entertainment, Blu-ray is at the pinnacle of high definition. High definition broadcasting currently only offers 720p resolutions, so to fully enjoy the spectacle of Full HD 1080p images consumers will have to invest in a Blu-ray solution.<\/p>\n
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a Blu-ray disc (BD) player. BD players typically feature a combination of video profiles, each which define the features that the player is capable of. Profile 1.1, or Bonus View, provides a second audio and video decoder for picture-in-picture playback and a second audio track, enabling features such as director commentary. Bonus View is typically standard on all new players.<\/p>\n
Profile 2.0, or BD Live, provides compatibility for Internet based services, but this is not available on all players. Blu-ray discs with BD Live features allow access to bonus materials, such as additional scenes, interviews, and so on. Video streaming sites such as YouTube are also accessible, as well as subscription services such as Cinema Now and Netflix, although these may not appeal to bandwidth restricted South Africans.<\/p>\n
Some form of data storage is required to use BD Live features, and this can come either from built-in storage, or an add-on component such as a USB flash stick or SD card, depending on the capability of the player.<\/p>\n
DVD resolution upscaling to 1080p is a standard feature on most players but the visual quality of this feature varies from device to device. BD players also vary in the encoded video formats they are capable of displaying (such as AVI or WMA), so it pays to read in-depth reviews.<\/p>\n
For those with analog audio amplifiers looking to augment their home theatre system with a BD player, the provision of analog audio output on the BD player will be important, as not all players provide full analog surround capabilities.<\/p>\n
Below is a table that compares BD players easily available in South Africa on price and features. Pricecheck.co.za was used to gather information about prices.<\/p>\n
Blu-ray Player <\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n| Price <\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n | BD Live <\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n | Analogue Audio Out <\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n | Internal Storage<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | LG BD-370<\/td>\n | R1 989 – R2 882<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Stereo<\/td>\n | No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Samsung BD-P1600<\/td>\n | R2 189 – R2 349<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Stereo<\/td>\n | No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Sony BDP-S360<\/td>\n | R3 940<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Stereo<\/td>\n | No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Sony BDP-S550<\/td>\n | R4 499<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | 7.1<\/td>\n | 1GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Samsung BD-P4600<\/td>\n | R4 799 – R5 499<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Stereo<\/td>\n | 1GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Oppo BDP-83<\/td>\n | R9 989<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | 7.1<\/td>\n | 1GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Denon DVD-1800BD<\/td>\n | R10 999<\/td>\n | No<\/td>\n | 5.1<\/td>\n | No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n | It is worth mentioning that the Sony Playstation 3 is still a viable and competitive option, as it is capable of BD Live features. It however lacks multi-channel analogue audio, with only stereo output supported. Optical or HDMI connections will be needed for surround audio. However, considering it is also a storage device and a game console, coming in at around R3700 for a 120GB PS3 Slim, it may prove an attractive option.<\/p>\n Also worth bearing in mind is the rumoured appearance of 3D capable Blu-ray players in mid-2010. Since these systems will require HDMI 1.4 connections on the TV set, if one is considering a new home theatre setup, it may be worth waiting until these systems make their appearance.<\/p>\n |