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High-Definition DVD Player Buying Guide
With so many households boasting high-definition televisions, the challenge is now on manufacturers to provide high-definition DVD viewing options. A few years ago, Sony stepped up to the plate with its Blu-ray technology, followed shortly thereafter by Toshiba’s HD DVD format. If you’re like most consumers, you’re completely in the dark as to what those terms mean and how to shop for a high-definition video player. Why would there be two video formats, and which one is better? Pronto’s High-Definition DVD Buying Guide will give you those answers so you can choose the best HD DVD player for you.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Why should I get a new DVD player?
High-definition DVD displays video at a resolution twice that of standard DVD. High-definition DVDs can also store up to three times more data than standard DVDs. If you own a high-definition television, a high-definition DVD player will let you get the most from the home-theater experience.
Blu-ray
Blu-ray uses a proprietary technology developed by Sony. Blu-ray discs store the data in very tight patterns, which requires a thinner protective coating in order for the laser to properly read the disc. The cost of manufacturing these super-thin discs is higher than that of regular DVD discs.
HD DVD
The term HD DVD can refer high-definition DVD in general or to the specific HD DVD format. HD DVD stores less data than Blu-ray discs, but they can be manufactured in the same plants that make standard DVDs, making HD DVD production less expensive.
The great format war
Both Blu-ray and HD DVD are actively recruiting hardware manufacturers and movie producers. It’s best to wait until a single format emerges, although you can test the waters with a high-definition DVD player that supports both formats or by getting a Blu-ray compatible PlayStation 3 or an optional HD-DVD drive for an Xbox 360.
Essential extras
Look for a high-definition player that plays standard DVD with upconversion to get the most out of your current DVD collection. Look for HDMI connections for the best picture and sound quality. Ethernet or wireless connections will let you watch movies from the Internet or your computer.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
Toshiba HDA35 HD DVD Player
We like the Toshiba HDA35 HD DVD Player which supports the HD DVD format. This high-definition DVD player has integrated Ethernet connectivity, HDMI support and built-in decoding of new Dolby and DTS HD audio formats. Backwards compatibility with standard DVD lets you keep using your existing collection.
experts say
Komando.com—“If you're buying Blu-ray, be sure to buy a Profile 1.1 machine. Profile 1.0 machines should continue to play all Blu-ray movies. But DVD standards are always a mess. Profile 1.1 is safer.” Source: Komando.com
PC Magazine—“You don't want to buy an obsolete format. The two technologies don't work together, and it is very unlikely that both formats will survive. Both kinds of players will work with "old-fashioned" DVDs, but if you want a high-definition video experience on a disc, right now you will have to choose one or the other." Source: PC Magazine
Ars Technica—“Keep in mind that it was only in the third quarter of 2006 that DVD player ownership overtook VCR ownership for the first time—a decade after the first DVD players were introduced. The end result will still be Blu-ray and HD DVD battling it out on the bleeding edge with the small number of early adopters while everybody else is content to sit home and watch old school DVDs.” Source: Arstechnica.com
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of high-definition DVD players?
In December 2007, Toshiba released the first laptop to offer a rewriteable HD DVD drive. The laptop comes standard with a TV Tuner, designed to receive two channels at the same time so consumers can watch one while recording the other. The HD DVD drive can also record on less expensive standard DVDs, giving consumers the flexibility to choose their format type based on needs.
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all High-Definition DVD Players) |
| $ | While the HD DVD format dominates in the entry-level high-definition DVD player price range, a handful of Blu-ray players are available. Expect basic functions and limited connectivity, and be sure that any high-definition DVD player in this range is backwards compatible with standard-definition DVDs. |
Compare prices at 31 stores $120 - $595 |
| $$ | High-definition DVD players in the middle range give you a choice of fully featured HD DVD models with HDMI ports and support for HD audio formats or Blu-ray players where you’ll need to pick and choose the features you want. At a minimum, look for Ethernet or wireless connectivity that will let your player take advantage of online movies. |
Compare prices at 45 stores $199 - $795 |
| $$$ | At the high end, you’ll find feature-rich Blu-ray DVD players with integrated audio amplifiers. You can also choose a combination player that supports both the HD DVD and Blu-ray formats. |
Compare prices at 5 stores $859 - $1,099 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Blu-ray
Blu-ray is a specific type of high-definition video storage developed by Sony. Blu-ray uses a thinner disc with more densely packed data to store video information.
Ethernet
A standard method of connecting computers and other electronic devices to form a wired network.
Gigabytes
A measurement of data storage equal to roughly one billion bytes or 1024 megabytes (MB). One byte is a single unit of data storage or a disc.
HD DVD
One of two competing high-definition DVD formats, although the term is sometimes used to describe high-definition DVD as a whole. In terms of format, HD DVDs hold a little less data than Blu-ray discs, but they are less expensive to produce.
HDMI
High Definition Multimedia Interface, a new standard for connecting home-theater components that carries large amounts of video and audio data through a single, bundled cord.
Resolution
A measurement of the display quality of DVDs and home-theater components. The numbers given in resolution measurements count the total horizontal scan lines; 720 displays have 720 horizontal lines of resolution while 1080 displays have 1,080 lines. The letters “p” and “i” describe how the screen is refreshed, with progressive-scan “p” displays offering slightly better picture quality than interlaced “i” displays.
Upconversion
The process of converting standard DVD images to high-resolution outputs. While not capable of truly replicating HD DVD quality, upconversion does improve color consistency and the level of detail.
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