How To Buy Guide - Blu-ray Guide

Will Blu-ray players play my DVDs?

Yes, Blu-ray players will play back DVDs so you don’t have to worry about replacing your existing DVD library. Many Blu-ray players will also upconvert your Standard definition DVDs to HD resolution, making them look better than before.

Is there anything else I should know about Blu-ray?

Not all Blu-ray players are created equal. As of this writing, there are 3 Blu-ray profiles in existence: Profile 1.0, Profile 1.1 (aka Bonus View) and Profile 2.0 (aka BD-Live). All three profiles will play back Blu-ray movies. The main difference is that Profile 1.1 supports a Picture in Picture feature that allows you to watch something else from the disc – like a director’s commentary – in a smaller window while the movie plays on the rest of your screen. Keep in mind both the movie you are watching and your Blu-ray player have to support Bonus View in order for it to work. Profile 2.0 has all the features of 1.0 and 1.1 players and adds Internet connection capability to the mix. This allows you to access downloadable content related to the movie through the movie’s menu.

If you want to make sure your Blu-ray player isn’t obsolete in a few months, go with a 2.0 player like the Sony BDP-S550. The Playstation 3 is also one of the best Blu-ray 2.0 players on the market with its fast processor, built-in hard drive, network connectivity and regular system updates from Sony. If the idea of downloadable content or PiP Director commentaries doesn't sound that appealing to you though, you could easily pick up a 1.0 or 1.1 player and save yourself some cash.