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With HD TV rapidly becoming the standard, it seems that Blu-ray has set the new benchmark. As we all know too well, Blu-ray discs are certainly more expensive than traditional DVDs but what exactly sets them apart? Is now the time to make the switch? And will you need to update other aspects of your entertainment system to do so? Firstly, and probably most importantly, let’s consider the picture and sound quality of a Blu-ray disc. Like a DVD, a Blu-ray disc is simply a medium for storage, however it can store up to five times as much data. This means that full HD films can be stored on just one disc. So, is the picture quality any better? Yes, there is no doubt that the picture quality is better, and sharpness, detail reproduction and colour is also better, and with five times the resolution it is hardly surprising. Even to the untrained eye the difference between Blu-ray and DVD is apparent and becomes more obvious the bigger the screen. However, the increase in quality is not consistent throughout all films. While Blu-ray productions such as ‘Casino Royale’ will leave their DVD counterparts miles behind, older films may only show a slight difference between the two, unless the film has been re-mastered. Are there variations in quality between different Blu-ray players? If there are any variations then it will be minimal, as essentially all each player does is relay the data on the disc and this is something all players can manage without any problems. However, some devices may offer an additional video equalizer which allows you to enhance films that may have been poorly mastered in the first place. As well as better picture quality, Blu-ray also offers better sound quality than a DVD; provided it was produced with HD sound in the form of Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution or multichannel PCM. These formats will make an obvious difference; regular Dolby or DTS audio will only provide a marginal increase in sound quality. Ok, so far so good – Blu-ray trumps a regular DVD every time, but are there any disadvantages? Well, obviously there is the price, but you are paying for quality. Apart from this there is just the fact that Blu-ray takes significantly longer for the player to start up from standby mode and load a disc than a DVD. This is to do with the complexity of the material and the significantly larger amounts of data on the disc. DVDs are also capable for fast forwarding and rewinding quicker for the same reason. But as with most new technology it is only a matter of time before Blu-ray catches up. If you feel that it’s time to make the switch there are outstanding deals to be found online that can help you to buy Blu ray player components, as well as compatible Samsung LCD TVs.
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