Blu-ray players offer audio and video quality 4 times better than a DVD player. In addition, they have interesting features such as Wi-Fi or 3D viewing technology. For this year, we chose the Sony UBP-X800M2 as the best Blu-ray player. We particularly liked its connectivity, 4K playback and Dolby Atmos sound.
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Our selection
"Once again, Sony shows the extent of its expertise with the Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray player. With full connectivity, this model is an obvious choice…"
"For an entry-level model, the video quality of the Sony BDPS1700 Blu-ray player leaves you speechless, even though it is a Sony. Be careful not…"
"The LG UBK-90 is a basic-looking Blu-ray player with no frills. Unlike many of its high-end competitors, the Korean brand's model supports Dolby Vision."
"With the Asus BW-16D1H-U PRO, turn your workstation into a movie theater. This is probably the best external drive for desktop or laptop that you…"
Once again, Sony shows the extent of its expertise with the Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray player. With full connectivity, this model is an obvious choice given its capabilities.
239 £ on BoulangerNot too expensive, not too cheap, the Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray player will be perfect to complete a home theater. Of course, you can connect it to a non-4K TV. However, the image will not be of the same quality. As for the sound, this device will make you discover or rediscover the qualities of Hi-Res Audio. And you will have the right to a real cinema sound thanks to Dolby Atmos and DTSX.
Sold with the Blu-ray DVD of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody with the excellent Rami Malek, the Sony UBP-X800M2 is equipped with a USB port for music, photos and video. On the back of this Blu-ray player, there is an HDMI port, an HDMI audio, a coaxial and an RJ45 port. You'll also get Bluetooth and Wi-Fi! However, the USB playback is not as good as Blu-ray or DVD.
For an entry-level model, the video quality of the Sony BDPS1700 Blu-ray player leaves you speechless, even though it is a Sony. Be careful not to lose or break the remote control, it cannot work without it.
60,70 £ on AmazonIf you have less than 80 euros, we recommend the Sony BDPS1700B. This entry-level Blu-ray player is so light that you might think it's a toy. But think again, Sony quality is at work. In fact, the superb picture quality and sound rendition are proof of that. As for use, it couldn't be simpler, especially with the buttonless design.
With Wi-Fi connectivity, this Blu-ray player offers access to over 300 applications such as Amazon Instant Video and TV on demand. The full HD images are worth a look. And for connection, an Ethernet port is available in case Wi-Fi is acting up. Note that you can play videos just fine without connecting the Sony BDPS1700.
The LG UBK-90 is a basic-looking Blu-ray player with no frills. Unlike many of its high-end competitors, the Korean brand's model supports Dolby Vision.
199 £ on Boulanger
With the Asus BW-16D1H-U PRO, turn your workstation into a movie theater. This is probably the best external drive for desktop or laptop that you can find. A must have.
135 £ on AmazonIn addition to players/writers for burning Blu-ray videos from the TV, there are players/writers designed for burning videos from a desktop or laptop computer. In this respect, the Asus BW-16D1H-U PRO is the best on the market. This device comes with a stand to position it upright and take up as little space as possible.
Despite a USB cable considered too short by some users, the Asus BW-16D1H-U PRO stands out for its compatibility with PC and Mac environments. This drive is even compatible with M-Discs, without forgetting the classic CDs and DVDs of all kinds. The USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports accentuate this hardware compatibility and ensure high transfer and copy speeds.
Any specific needs?
Best entry-level Blu-ray player
Your guide :
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Sony UBP-X800M2
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Sony BDPS1700
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Asus BW-16D1H-U PRO
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Once again, Sony shows the extent of its expertise with the Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray player. With full connectivity, this model is an obvious choice given its capabilities.
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For an entry-level model, the video quality of the Sony BDPS1700 Blu-ray player leaves you speechless, even though it is a Sony. Be careful not to lose or break the remote control, it cannot work without it.
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The LG UBK-90 is a basic-looking Blu-ray player with no frills. Unlike many of its high-end competitors, the Korean brand's model supports Dolby Vision.
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With the Asus BW-16D1H-U PRO, turn your workstation into a movie theater. This is probably the best external drive for desktop or laptop that you can find. A must have.
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Compatibility
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Remote Control
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The player should be chosen according to the use you intend. There are different models and it is essential to acquire the one that suits you best. Whether you want to access multimedia content on the Internet or enjoy 3D videos on the big screen, or simply use it to watch a Blu-ray movie. The choice of a model will strongly depend on its destination. Indeed, some have Wi-Fi and others have 3D for example. You wouldn't want to make a mistake and acquire the wrong model that won't offer the functionality that suits you.
Next, pay attention to the Blu-ray profile of the player given that there are at least four. This will determine the various formats with which the player will be compatible knowing that these vary from one model to another. What's the point of buying a player that can't even play the format you have? This will only commit you to additional expenses in addition to a waste of time.
You must take into account the sound quality of the product. Good sound should go hand in hand with the Blu-ray player. It would be a waste to buy a product that offers great picture quality, but accompanied by poor sound quality. For this, choose Dolby Digital Plus or DTS High Resolution Audio. This will allow you to have very high quality sound.
As
some models do not support photos or music files, stay alert. At the same time, check to see if it supports JPEG, DivX, AVCHD, or MP3 formats, and go for the one that can play the most. For HD movie viewing, you should know that the video circuit will be different. The image quality in general is very good, but it is best to watch them on the appropriate support. For example with a cathode ray television or a video projector, the rendering will not be the same. The goal is to be able to watch movies in high definition. Unless you just want to listen to music or look at pictures. In any case, to enjoy impeccable quality, choose HD technology for your TV.
You should also consider its multimedia capabilities such as the presence of a USB port and a media card reader to perform data transfers. Determine if it has the ability to connect a WI-FI adapter or receive different files. Or if it has a plug to access the Internet. And most importantly, it is important to know the playback capacity of the device. To do this, check the user's manual or consult the product sheet of the model you're interested in.
Some products have more equipment than others. But the connectivity remains one of the most important criteria. It is preferable that it is of good quality. At the very least, you should have an HDMI port, preferably digital audio outputs, and an Ethernet jack to connect to the Internet. And if you can, it would be great if it also has a USB port and a card reader. And if necessary, a hard drive with copy functions or a DVB-T tuner. But above all, prefer Blu-ray players with a fast and very responsive start-up level. The fact that it has a burner and a recording function is not negligible either. But above all, that the disc and the drive are from the same region. This will avoid an unpleasant surprise in case they are not compatible.
A blu-ray player, a revolutionary device whose name is already enough to reveal its characteristic. First of all, the word Blu-ray is of American origin, a combination of two words, blue and ray, which mean blue laser beam in French. A compact device, it can read and reproduce video or audio formats. It ensures the best image quality and high definition.
In its interface, menus with navigation options and applications are integrated. Its characteristic, more precisely, the exploitation of this blue laser, prove its important storage capacity. Indeed, it is able to store, on an identical surface, a disc of 12 cm of diameter, 3 or even 5 times more information than on a classic DVD. It has a definition of 1080 lines, against 576 for DVDs, which explains the sharpness of the images.
Blu-ray also makes it possible to inlay images on the screen, and to visualize information captured live on the Internet or in BD-Live function. It is also thanks to this exploitation that the blue-violet ray was discovered. It is considered the finest beam with a diameter of 290 nm which promises a more ingenious and less spread engraving.
This allows for shorter cells that give it the power to store more data, making it possible to record videos in Full-HD. Thanks to Upscaling, which is a process that aims to effectively improve the image quality, the blue-ray player guarantees a very satisfactory rendering. So it might be a good idea to check in advance whether your monitor has 4K or just full HD before you buy a Blu-ray player.
DVD players have continued to progress since its inception in 2000. Although entry-level models can play a variety of image file formats, they only have simple connections, often consisting of SCART and composite sockets. If you're one of those people who want to have a DVD player close by, a portable model is perfect for you, powered by batteries. The choice of built-in screens depends on the model.
Blu-ray players allow the playback of HD formats. Their advantage is the picture quality, which is far superior to that of a DVD player. However, you will need an HD television to take advantage of Blu-ray players. The price of this type of device is also higher than that of a DVD player.
In terms of video quality, some types of DVD players have an upscaling option and can watch Full HD video on a Full HD TV. In addition, newer DVD players can use upscaling technology to convert images at the output of the HDMI cable. DVD players with upscaling cost less than Blu-ray players. However, it is advisable to choose a Blu-ray player to enjoy HD and even 4K viewing if you have invested in an HD TV.
To watch 3D movies
The 3D Blu-Ray player lets you enjoy the cinema at home. With this type of player, a compatible TV and dedicated glasses, your movies are displayed in three dimensions.
To have a device compatible with your TV
Blu-Ray is a modern technology that comes in different versions. So it's easy to find a player that fits your needs. For example, if your TV is Full HD, you can get a standard Blu-ray player. If you have a 4K television, you can easily find a player that will be compatible.
To play different multimedia files
Blu-Ray players aren't just for watching movies. You can also use them to play your own pictures and videos. In fact, some Blu-ray players have ports for USB sticks or external hard drives.
To be able to connect several devices
Blu-Tay players have various ports that allow you to connect them to other devices. So you can find models that offer HDMI jacks so you can connect your TV and computer. You can even link your player to a connected speaker if it has a Bluetooth connection.
To have a quality image
Blu-Ray players offer a higher quality image than DVD players. The image is therefore close to the one projected in the cinema. This makes the feeling even more realistic. This makes this type of device a must for your home cinema.
Keep a microfiber cloth handy to wipe down your Blu-ray periodically.
Be aware that dust can damage your Blu-ray discs to the point of making them unplayable. So make it a point to clean your discs from time to time. Avoid cloths with uneven surfaces, such as paper towels. Choose materials designed for cleaning electronic devices such as microfiber cloths and never use cleaning agents or chemicals.
Use an HDMI cable.
With
an HDMI cable, you can get the most out of your Blu-ray player. The HDMI cable also has the advantage of practicality: it can transmit both high-definition video and high-resolution audio on its own. Installing this cable will be as clean as it is easy.
Buy the cables in advance.
Some
players come with various cables including HDMI, however, we advise you not to rely too much on these cables. Indeed, they are not always of the best quality, and are often too short. When you buy your Blu-ray player, make sure you take an extra HDMI cable.
Connect the player to your home network.
New Blu-ray players now come with an internet connection. You don't have to connect your player to the internet, it will still work with or without a connection. However, it can come in handy if you want to enjoy all that the Blu-ray format has to offer. First of all, the network connection allows you to update your player's firmware quickly and easily. Manufacturers release updates fairly regularly to add features or fix performance issues that have been reported to them by customers. Some network-connected players will thus automatically notify you when a new firmware update is available.
Choose the correct audio format for your system.
If
you're not using HDMI, but the stereo analog audio output to connect the player to the TV, make sure HDMI is disconnected. Go to the audio setup menu and turn off the HDMI audio to enable the other audio outputs.
The best Blu-ray player depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are best.
A Blu-ray player is an electronic device designed to play Blu-ray discs. Since 2006, this format was invented by Sony. It has gradually replaced the DVD format. This technology is evolving over time, and currently 4K Blu-ray players with perfect sound and excellent image resolution are available on the market. The Blu-ray player plays your media files, but much better. That's why this technology is popular with many people.
Blu-ray formats are often abbreviated by acronyms:The BD-R Blu-ray Disc has a capacity of 25 GB on which content can be burned.The 25 GB BD-RE Blu-ray Disc can rewrite and burn content.The BD DL Blu-ray Hard Disc is two-layer and has 5 GB of storage.The BD-XL TL hard drive is 100GB of storage and has three layers (Triple Layer).The BD-XL QL hard drive, featuring four layers (Quad Layer) at 120GB of storage.The BD-XL DS double side hard drive, at 200GB of storage.The three-dimensional format of Blu-ray ensures compatibility with a conventional player for two-dimensional viewing. It can hold stereoscopic movies, in Full HD (1080p).Today, HD Blu-ray discs can store movies in 4K and play at 60 frames per second.
If you dream of watching your Blu-ray in three dimensions from your computer, it's possible! It requires an optical drive slot in your PC. You need to replace your DVD drive with a compatible Blu-ray drive. You should also check the technical specifications of your PC. In any case, the golden rule is compatibility!
Getting a Blu-ray player that can play a variety of formats is not enough. You need to make sure it has good video processing. If you want to listen to music at the same time, you need to check that your player is compatible with the formats you want. If you want to view photos on your TV screen, the Blu-ray player must be able to read the JPEG format.
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