Selecting The Right Blu-ray DVD Player - Features To Consider Before You Buy

The holiday season is just around the corner. Which|That] means sales can be found on most types on electronics. So finding big savings on Blu-ray Players will not be a problem. Many market forecasters are predicting players to be as low as $65.00 this year; if not lower this coming Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And with many Blu-ray Players falling below or around the $100.00 price range. Consumers will have plenty of choices when buying a Blu-ray Player. With this many options you would think selecting on would be easy. Unfortunately, every player will have its own unique set of blu-ray features and functions. Making the choice a little more difficult.

Usually the features can be broken down into three options: a player with 3D capability, a connection to the internet and online streaming media services. Of course there are players out there that have an abundant of blu-ray features. This may seem ideal at the time, but you do not want to pay extra for a player with features you don't even use. So usually choosing the right Blu-ray player comes down to whether you want 3D, Web Access, online streaming or a combination of these features.

Connection to the Internet

Those who are not familiar with Blu-ray Players might not understand why a internet connection would be important. After all, they are buying a player to watch HD movies. Why would you need to be connected to the internet? And you would be right, a player does not need to be connected to the internet to function. But if you are connected, you can get access to some very nice features. If nothing else, it allows your to easily update a player's firmware. Firmware is software that is downloaded to add new features or fix problems on the player.

If you choose to connect to the internet you will require a high-speed DSL or cable  internet connection and a router would also be very useful.  All players manufactured today will have an Ethernet port where you can connect a network cable. Some players will have an option to connect wirelessly. These players will be more expensive, but definitely more convenient. Choosing how you want to connect to the internet will go a long way in deciding what player to buy. Especially if you want to take advantage of all the extra entertainment options that is provided when you connect to the Internet. Such as BD-Live features (online content that can be accessed on certain Blu-ray discs) and online streaming media services.

Online Streaming Media Services

Online apps and services like Netflix, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon VOD and Vudu allow you to stream movies, TV Shows and music directly to your TV. Players even provide their own web browsers to surf the internet, as well as DLNA capability - you can stream media files from your computer to your TV screen. There can also be access to social media sites such Twitter, Skype and Facebook. Some of these services are free but most will require a paid subscription (Netflix, Vudu, etc.). And each manufacturers has a different set of of streaming options. So knowing what online streaming media services each player has is vital. For example, if you use Amazon Instant video, you would want to make sure the player you choose provides you access to Amazon. Always find out what streaming options are available before you purchase any Blu-ray Disc Player.

3D Capability

3D is a popular trend all the major manufacturers are trying to implement into our home entertainment. Most mid-level and high-end players manufactured in 2011 are capable of playing back 3D Blu-ray discs, but not all of them. So if this feature is important to you, make sure you purchase a 3D Blu-ray Player. Remember, all 3D Blu-ray Disc Players can playback regular 2D Blu-rays and you do need 3D glasses and a 3D HDTV in order to watch 3D movies. Because the 3D feature in Blu-ray Players are becoming more common, you will not see a drastic rise in price for 3D players. However, 3D capability is rarely found in entry-level or cheaper Blu-ray Players.

These are just a few tips to consider when looking for a Blu-ray DVD Player. As noted above, all players will provide you with excellent Full HD 1080p video playback on Blu-ray discs. So you do not need to worry on that front. Your main focus should be what extra features or functions you want your player to have. The three main ones will be how the player connects to the internet, what online apps are available and if you want the player to be 3D capable. These are the three main factors because they are the ones you will use the most and have the most effect on how much the Blu-ray DVD Player will cost.