Choosing the right DVD player
There are a myriad of choices out there if you’re looking at buying a new DVD Player for your home entertainment system but which is the right one for you and your family?
- Blu-ray
- 3D
- High-definition
- HDMI
- DivX
...what do they all mean?
If you have a high-definition TV (HDTV) perhaps consider getting a Blu-ray DVD player. Blu-ray discs contain 1080p video, currently the highest resolution on the market.
There are thousands of Blu-ray titles available - both movies and television.
1080p model HDTVs can display all the amazing detail on a Blu-ray disc. But if you’re worried this will leave your current film and TV collection in the dust, you don’t need to panic - most Blu-ray players can also play standard DVDs.
Another exciting development is 3D-capable players - Blu-ray players which let you enjoy three-dimensional entertainment on a 3D TV when viewed with 3D glasses.
TECH UPDATE: New 3D Blu-ray players are now starting to enter the Australian market with a huge 1TB capacity, that allows for the recording of over 600 hours of Full HD content!
You may also wish to consider whether the DVD player can play back the popular DivX compressed format. DivX is often referred to as the mp3 of video and provides a way of transferring audio and video multimedia to a hard disk.
Another question to ask is whether the DVD player has High Definition Multimedia Interface, or HDMI, capability. This is basically a digital audiovisual connector that can carry high-definition video and several digital audio channels all on the one cable.
HDMI is currently the best way to transmit audio and video in a home theatre. HDMI can support all forms of audio and video currently used on DVD and Blu-ray discs.
Even standard DVD players are better than they used to be. Most new players are progressive-scan models that can combine with an HDTV for enhanced picture quality.
Most models can also "upconvert" the video on regular DVDs to pseudo-HD on an HDTV. It’s not as good as true HD, but it can still enhance your viewing experience.
Browse through the 2nds World website to find the DVD player that is right for you, or feel free to email us online@2ndsworld.com.au & we'll happily recommend an option thats within your budget.
Can I still buy VCR Combos?
We still get a lot of enquiries about DVD/VCR combos. The appeal is not only the ability to play both formats, but the convenience of recording your VHS to DVD for archiving. Unfortunately these units are quickly being phased out of production. However, from time to time we manage to secure limited quantities of these DVD Recorder/VCR Combos as Factory 2nds from Panasonic. Please contact our Online Office directly if you would like to be advised when we receive these units.
Do Blu-ray players need to have software updates regularly to keep up with latest movies?
Every now & again manufacturers will offer upgrades to the 'firmware' on their Blu-ray units. You simply visit their website & follow the instructions (usually download file, burn onto a CD/DVD, insert into your unit & follow screen prompts).