Getting started

Home-entertainment options are expanding. Regular DVD players are still going strong, while Blu-ray players let you enjoy high-definition video. Digital recorders can capture HDTV content and standard-definition video. And portable DVD players let you take the show on the road. We're even starting to see some TVs and home theater systems that incorporate Blu-ray players.

Blu-ray players are a good match for high-definition TVs, which can display all the detail contained on Blu-ray discs. All Blu-ray players can also play standard DVDs, and upconvert the video to quasi-HD resolutions for display on an HDTV. We've also now seen the first portable model, from Panasonic.

Standard DVD players are still going strong. Almost all new standard players are progressive-scan models. When used with an HDTV, they can provide picture quality that’s better than that of typical standard-definition TV programming. Most progressive-scan DVD players are "upconverting" models that can convert the video contained on all regular DVDs to pseudo-HD (when viewed on an HDTV, of course).

Portable DVD players have a built-in screen so you can watch standard DVDs in a car, plane, or dorm room.

A DVD recorder lets you record standard-definition TV programs onto removable discs. Some digital video recorders can capture high-def content on a hard drive, while others can record only standard-def.

This DVD player guide can help you sort through the various options to find the right model. While price is always a factor, also consider the features and brand. The connections and the types of discs a player supports will also be important considerations to ensure that the player is compatible with your other components. And make sure you check out our shopping advice, which should help you to find the right model at the best price.

See also:

HDTVs

Digital video recorders

Home theater systems