Blu-ray FAQs

What's the main difference between a Blu-ray disc and a standard DVD?

Blu-ray discs are built to hold substantially more data (about five times as much), so they can offer better picture and sound quality and hold more extra features without taking up additional space.

If I get a Blu-ray player, do I have to dump my DVDs?

No. All Blu-ray players sold in the U.S. are backward compatible, so they'll play your standard DVDs as well as Blu-ray discs.

Will I immediately notice the difference in Blu-ray and DVD picture quality?

Maybe. If you properly connect a Blu-ray player to a high-definition television set the difference should be obvious. If, however, you are still using a standard-definition TV, you won't see any difference.

How much does a Blu-ray player cost?

These days, you can get a good-quality player for $200 to $250, and you'll find a few for less than $200. As with most electronics, you can pay considerably more depending on the features, and prices continue to drop.

How does the cost of a Blu-ray player compare to DVD?

Blu-ray is a lot more expensive. You can find many quality DVD players for under $100, while the least expensive Blu-ray players cost $150. And those are budget models.

What do Blu-ray discs cost?

Blu-ray discs are still considerably more expensive than standard DVDs. Many older DVDs sell for as little as $5, while $15 is a bargain rate for a Blu-ray. For new releases, you can expect to pay around $30 for a Blu-ray, while a new-release DVD sells for about $10 less.

Can I rent Blu-ray discs?

Yes. Most major rental stores have Blu-ray discs available. While their stock isn't as deep as with standard DVDs, more titles are being added all the time. If you don't have access to a local rental store that stocks Blu-ray, you can always use one of the mail-order services, like Netflix or Blockbuster Online.