Blu-ray VS. DVD

One question I keep getting asked is, “Why bother with BLU-RAY? I have a DVD player.” Many people don’t see a reason to plop down 150 or $200 for a new disc player if they don’t need it. What’s the point in switching over to a more expensive media to watch movies?

The main advantage of the blu-ray disc is that it has a lot more space for information or “video”. A normal DVD has about 7.5 gigabytes of space and a normal blu-ray has 44 gigabytes: around 6 times the space. This allows the video to be a lot clearer, audio to be a lot more detailed and the disc to provide a lot more extra features. Since blu-ray players can connect to the internet, many blu-ray discs have extra features that can be accessed online with social networks and the film studios.

If a viewer has a larger sized HDTV (around 46” and larger), they will definitely notice the difference in clarity and detail of the video, especially in films heavy with science-fiction CGI and computer animation. The same difference you see when watching the standard definition channel for Fox2 vs. their high definition channel. Viewers with a surround setup of five speakers will definitely notice the difference in audio, especially in action or fantasy films. And those viewers who love the behind the scenes special features that come with standard DVDs will love the (sometimes) added features that come with the blu-ray films.

DVDs, however, are not going anywhere fast. With a little less than half of the US population having HDtvs in their homes, it leaves a large portion of the population only getting a benefit from DVDs. Just like during the 90s when VHS tapes were still in stores even after DVDs had become standard, stores will still carry DVDs for many years to come. And with the revolution of On Demand video streaming on COMCAST and NETFLIX online streaming, many people wonder if the age of actual video discs is coming to an end.

So, if you’re a person who loves the experience of the theatre, and want to relive it in your home, I recommend trying blu-ray. If you love film mostly for the stories they tell, you may be fine to stay with the more inexpensive DVD videos.

Next week, I’ll go over some options that consumers have for blu-ray players, if you decide that is the path for you.