DVD Buyer’s Guide
What's Hot
Just crying for our attention this fall is the super high definition DVD market. That includes Blu-ray, the much-heralded advance in digital disc resolution. We’ll get further into the fine details on thenew player in our section devoted to its much-anticipated arrival, but the basics on the device are the following:
- Large storage capacity
- Large storage equals more space for higher resolutions
- Expensive
Blu-ray hasn’t been on the market long, and its youth is reflected in its jarring $999 (and up) price tag. Consumers should also note that the movies for Blu-ray tend to be between five and ten dollars more than their standard DVD counterparts, making the purchase a thoughtful one.
HD-DVD
Already being called the “poor man’s Blu-ray,” HD-DVD is more than just a budget super high definition player. After all, High Density DVD (or High Definition Digital Video Disc, if that is your real name…), has already drawn in a powerful support network, including the biggest movie studios, the Xbox 360 gaming console and of course, brand name manufacturers. Here are some basics on the HD-DVD player:
- Medium storage capacity (between Blu-ray and standard DVD)
- Considerable storage equals more space for higher resolutions
- Roughly half the price of Blu-ray (still many times more than standard DVD)
Like Blu-ray, the HD-DVD players are significantly more expensive than the standard devices we’ve been using for a few years now. That means both the player itself and the necessary discs make for an expensive trip to your nearest Best Buy; so again you’ll have to think the purchase through. However, since HD-DVD offers a fair medium between the ultra costly Blu-ray and the boring ol’ standard player, it might be the most popular of the home devices this Christmas.
DVD Recorders
Most DVD players can’t record your favorite shows, so if you have a hot date and the prospects of missing "Lost" are good, you’ll want to ensure that you won’t miss Sawyer’s latest sexy antics. To date, the only ways to go about this have been the (really) old VCR - and these devices are fading into oblivion faster than the standard curve television - and TiVo, which is an equally expensive purchase that isn’t fully available to all North American consumers.
The first wave of DVD Recorders were so expensive they make today’s Blu-ray prices look like ponying up pennies for wishing well dreams. Today, in the slow (how slow is yet to be determined) sunset of the standard DVD, recorders have plummeted to the $200-300 range, making them a worthwhile purchase for many this holiday season.
Portable DVD Players
Unlike the Griswolds, not every family can host a phenomenal Christmas vacation. For many, December 25 marks a long day on the road, visiting grandma, uncle Bob and that strange cousin who likes anime a bit too much. That time in the minivan is hard for those with little tykes, and keeping them entertained while navigating icy roads can be a real challenge.
The most recent method of distraction - an upgrade from counting blue cars - is the portable DVD player, which allows kids to watch their favorite Sponge Bob episodes over and over without bugging Ma and Pa. Like DVD recorders, they were once quite expensive, but in recent times have dropped significantly. You can buy one nowadays for about $150, making it a good choice if you plan on hitting the road this holiday.
Standard DVD Players
Even with the new advancements, there’s still a market for the regular DVD player. Heck, with Blu-ray and HD-DVD requiring consumers cough up $399 to $999 for new players, there will still be a long line at any retailer when the standard Sony DVD player goes on sale. That’s a given.
But if you want proof of the future of regular DVD, just look at the VCR - nearly a decade has passed since DVD began entering the average living room, and VCRs are only now being phased out. That means you can expect standard digital disc players to last for at least another four or five years - or until actors begin appearing in your living room via hologram.
If this overview was enough to entice you into the world of DVD, let the next few pages provide you with the information you need to determine which player is right for you, your budget, and your home theater!
