|  If
you're considering buying a Blu-ray
player, the time is now! Players have never been cheaper,
and prices are continuing to drop. There are a variety of inexpensive
players available, and all major studios are now releasing movies
on Blu-ray. You can now see all current new releases, plus older
titles from their libraries, in all their 1080P goodness, and
with uncompressed 5.1 surround sound that rivals the sound experience
of your local cineplex.
What to look for in a Blu-ray player
If you're buying a Blu-ray
player, you can expect to get more features and a better quality
player by spending more money. Even with prices dropping, you
can expect to spend about $300 for a decent quality player. Sure-
you can find a Blu-ray player cheaper, but it will undoubtably
be missing some key features. You get what you pay for, right?
Key Blu-ray player features
Here's a look at some of the features to look for in your Blu-ray
player:
 Profile
2.0: This is the latest Blu-ray spec and includes picture-in-picture
and online functionality called "BD Live" (via a built-in
Internet connection).- Hi-resolution audio: Your Blu-ray
 player
should have the ability to decode the newest high resolution
audio formats like DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD and
pass them to your A/V receiver as uncompressed PCM signals via
HDMI. OR your Blu-ray player should be able to bitstream the
high resolution audio to your receiver for decoding.
- Quick disc load times: There is a world of
difference between the fastest loading players and the slowest.
Some, like the PS3 will power up and have an image on your screen
in a matter of seconds. The slowest Blu-ray players will take
minutes.
- 1080P/24: All Blu-ray players will output
1080P/24, so this shouldn't be an issue. However, your display
will still need to accept this format in order for you to get
the best picture. The '24' indicates 24 frames per second which
means there is no 3:2 pulldown required. Without getting into
the technicalities of it all, let's just say you'll get a better
picture if both player and display support 1080P/24 (all else
being equal).
 
Blu-ray discs like AC/DC:
Live At Donington are great home theater demos!
Additional Blu-ray player information
Top Blu-ray players - Check
out the hottest Blu-ray players on the market today.
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