I recently went the big screen HD route with Comcast Digital and the HD box. Now I want to add a DVD player and I have a few questions. I thought I wanted a Blu-Ray player but I can't find one that also records, I don't expect to be able to record in Blu-Ray but I would like to be able to record. Will I need two seperate players?
Is Blu Ray worth the extra? I'm assuming that a Blu-Ray player will also play standard DVD's right?
Also, I see a wide disparity in cost of the HDMI cables, is there a real advantage to buying the more expensive one? TIA.
Mark
Also, I see a wide disparity in cost of the HDMI cables, is there a real advantage to buying the more expensive one?
Everything that I have ever read on this subject says there is no difference. Since HDMI is digital it either works or it doesn't. There is no in between. With that said, buy the HDMI cable for a few dollars and expect the same performance as the $50 ones.
Mark I have never spent more the 10 bucks for an HDMI cable, digital is digital it either works or it does not. As far as blue ray...I think it is worth it...I do not know of any Blueray players that record.
I think the only problem you are going to have with HDMI cables is when you need long ones- greater than 10 feet or so. Then it is best to spend the money because you are on the edge of what will work and cheaper cables won't deliver. HDMI can often have problems anyway depending on what it's connected to. That's not to say that you should spend hundreds, just stick with quality name brand stuff for a few dollars more.
Is Blu Ray worth the extra? It is if you want to watch HD DVDs which is what Blu Ray is all about as well as your HD TV. Standard DVDs are standard definition and can be played on Blu Ray players also. I expect that regular DVD players will be going the way of VCRs within the next year. Expect the prices of Blu Ray players to drop to what standard DVD players are now. I have actually seen some advertised that already are.
The problem with recording Blu Ray or other HD content is that THEY won't let you. So don't expect anything to record in anything but standard definition. I'll take your word for it that there isn't a Blu Ray player out there that will record but I'm sure that will change.
-Hal
Ditto on the issue of HDMI cables, as for a Blu Ray player....only you can decide if the $$ is worth it...I have only a few DVD's from over the years and I really don't buy many along the way, so for me a regular DVD with an up-conveter does the trick. If I were more of a movie fan and rented regularly and planned to purchase some along the way then a Blu-Ray would be worth the $$.
As stated above the longer you wait the cheaper they become.
I googled "Blank Blue-Ray" and hold onto your hats, very very ( did I forget to say VERY?) expensive, so it appears that you can burn DVD Blu-Ray disks on PC's. Weather you can burn a Blu Ray movie would depend on your willingness or ability to rip one but from an ISO standpoint, it looks like there are Blu Ray burners for PC's. FOr some reason and I'm guessing, I also see 4 GB blank Blu Ray which may suggest that you can burn standard DVD formats on your Blu Ray burner.
In a survey by one of the CE magazines, HDMI cables from xxxxxxxx.com actually outperformed the more expensive "name brand" ones at the higher speeds and 1080P. I try to stay with at least 24 gauge anyway. The real issue is keeping them connected once they are installed. Blu-Ray players with ethernet adapters can do a lot more these days, including connectivity to Netflix. Netflix sends you a disk and then you can watch anything from their catalog. Why don't you get a Playstation 3? That's the best of all worlds.
bfd, interesting, never thought of a playstation, why would that be better? My kid has x-box. Would a playstation record standard DVD's and also play at the blu ray quality level? That's what I'm trying to find.
A Playstation would not record, but it has a built in Blu-Ray player, and would PLAY standard DVDs. Did you get your kid "Call of Duty - Modern Warfare 2" yet?
The day it came out!
He makes me nuts. Otherwise he's a good kid.
Mark, do you know that they sold 4.7 million copies on the first day? That amounts to $300 million in sales. No other media (film TV concert whatever) ever generated that much in one day. Not even "Titanic".
Sounds like my roommates! They both waited in line for hours to get the game AND the night vision goggles. Go figure!