DVD Players: HD or Blu-Ray?

My Top DVD Players: HD, Blu-Ray and Combo

If you are into gaming, you are probably on the Blu-Ray side since a PS3 can play Blu-Ray disks as well as games. On the other hand, if you're looking for an inexpensive player, chances are you'll want an HD-DVD. For those who cannot decide which side of the fence they are on, our Top 3 will appease all...

One of Toshiba’s latest DVD players is the HD-A3. With 720P/1080I hi-def playback, this 3rd generation entry level model features a progressive scan and HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) that supports a digital audio/video connection on a single cable. At a size of 16.9 x 12.9 x 2.3”, it weighs 7.3 lbs. Web enabled, it can download movie trailers, ringtones, games, and music from studios.

The A3 has built-in decoders for Dolby digital Plus, DTS-HD high resolution surround sound, and 2-channel Dolby TrueHD. It will play HD DVD, DVD, DVD-R DL, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD VR, CD, CD-R and CD-RW formats. The player is has an Ethernet port which makes it possible for regular updates and support. Outputs include HDMI, composite video, component, digital optical audio, and analog audio.

With an onscreen display, you can select between English, Spanish, and French languages. You can also optimize picture quality with settings for color, brightness, contrast, noise blocker, and edge enhancement. Although this model may not be top of the line, it is Energy Star compliant and more than adequate for a basic player than can also be used as part of a mini-home theater system. The Toshiba HD-A3 has an MSRP of $299, but you can find it at online discounters for as low as $179. As special incentives, the company is offering a free Star Trek Phaser Remote with the purchase of the player and Season One of the original series or five free DVDs with purchase of a player.

Panasonic has a nifty little HD DMP-BD30K, the latest generation of its Blu-Ray BD10 players. It features Final Standard Profile that allows picture-in-picture technology and audio mixing. In addition, it has 1080/24p playback with Deep Color Compatibility for better picture quality and HDMI 1.3B, which takes 8 bit technology up a notch to a 12-bit, 4096 step gradation. At a size of 2 5/16 x 16 15/16 x 12 5/8”, it carries a weight of only 7.3 lbs.

Panasonic is proud of its PHL Reference Chroma Processor with advanced P4HD imaging technology, UniPhier processor, and its EZ-Sync that allows you to control all your Panasonic home theater components (if you are fortunate enough to have them) with one remote that has an easy one-touch turn on, TV input choice, and speaker switch. I figure even without the hoopla, it has a nice picture quality. Hang on for this list of compatability: BD-Video, DVD-Video, DVD-VR, JPEG, AVCHD(H.264) DVD-R/-RW/-R(DL), DVD-VR, AVCHD (H.264) +R/+R(DL)/+RW Playback Video, AVCHD CD, CD-R/-RW, CD-DA, MP3 (CD-R/-RW only), and JPEG (CD-R/-RW only.) I got tired just writing it all down, but more knowledge can never be a bad thing.

One of the better features of this DVD player is that has an SD Card slot with AVCHD codec so that HD can be transferred in its original 1080p format. The company’s Direct Navigator technology will search for individual scenes and JPEG stills can be shown through the player at a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Add to that a component video out, an s-video out, and 5.1, 2 channel and digital audio outs. Panasonic has its own enticement. Buy a player before the end of January 2008 and you will receive 5 free videos. Although Blu-Ray players are still more expensive than HD, this DVD player comes with a price tag of $499, down from the $1,295 price of its former generation.

LG was the first company to come out with both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD combo players. Their BH100 was awarded a best of C/Net Award in 2007 for its innovation and was listed in PC Magazine's top 100. The BH200 Super Blu, released in the Fall of 2007, looks even better.

At a size of 17x3x10 inches and a weight of 8.4 pounds, it features an HDMI output of up to 1080p, for compatibility with HD TV's. Also, standard-definition DVDs are up-scaled to match the resolution of full HD TVs. Both NTSC and PAL compatible, the BH 200 will play DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, Blu-Ray Disc, and HD DVD. Audio-wise, it features a 100db Signal to Noise ratio, Dolby Digital Audio with outputs of SPIDF and HDMI, as well as being able to handle Dolby Digital regular and Dolby True HD, DTS, DTS-HD, MPEG 1/2 L2, and MLP. (Translation: This unit will play *any* DVD, with excellent clarity and sound quality.)

This Blu-Ray player has the niceties of closed captioning, aspect ratio selection, chapter skip, parental play, search/slow/step/skip in both forward and reverse, and zoom. Let’s not forget its energy efficiency. Finally, it has SimpLink control, an all-in-one in case you are a fan of LG and have other products from the company. With all its advantages, the LG BH200 Super Blu Blu-Ray HD DVD Combo Player does not come cheaply. It has an MSRP of $849, but I found at Amazon for $799.

Also of note, Samsung has announced that their BD-UP5000 HD-DVD Blu-Ray Combo Player will begin shipping in February 2008. The list price is $999, but again, if you search at Amazon or other discounters, you can find it for around $799.

So what should you do? Choose an HD-DVD player for its thriftiness or Blu-Ray for compatibility with your gaming system? Nobody knows if Blu-Ray will triumph or flop in the marketplace (remember Betamax) even though it is regarded as technically superior. If you MUST have a player that supports Blu-Ray or HD-DVD, my advice is to buy a combo unit that can play ALL formats. The rest of us will be served well by sticking with plain old standard-definition DVD players, while market forces decide the winner of the high-def format battle.

Do you have a Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, or combo DVD player? Tell us your experience by posting a comment below...