Editor's Pick - LG BD390 Network Blu-Ray Disc Player

Besides being one of the best Blu-ray players of 2009, the LG BD390 is one of the best entertainment gadgets to add to your home entertainment system. First of all this model has an amazing Blu-ray performance. It played Blu-ray and DVD movies very well and was also very fast in loading the movies. In fact, it is almost twice as fast as some other brands of Blu-ray players out there (no names shall be mentioned).

The LG BD390 also comes with a wide variety of features to make it a well-rounded entertainment unit. For one, it is one of the very few Blu-ray players in the market that has built-in wi-fi connectivity. This means that the player can play streaming content straight from the internet without the need of a LAN cable. Once connected, you can view content from sites like YouTube, CinemaNow and Netflix. It has on-board decoding for DTS HD and DolbyTrueHD sound formats as well as analog 7.1 outputs. This model also comes with 1GB of built-in memory.

The LG BD390 Blu-ray players sport a reserved look, with a black glossy front and an overall look that would subtly fit into the design of any space. On the front, there is a USB port where you can connect a USB drive of hard drive to the player (for viewing any downloaded content). When it was launched a couple of months ago, the LG BD390 was quite pricey making it less of an ideal choice for price-sensitive customers. Now, you can buy one of these for just around $237 each. Talk about getting the best at a bargain!

For more product info and customer reviews, visit LG BD390 Blu-ray. For reviews and info on other DVD and Blu-ray players, visit http://dvd-planets.blogspot.com

Blu Ray DVD Player Review LG BD 390 - Our Choice For Best Buy

Are you dissatisfied with your present video resolution? Are you not able to fully enjoy the movies you like the most? Blue-ray DVD player is the best option for those who wish to relish the beauty of the films and videos in high definition format. Here you do not simply watch the video, you virtually go through it and that defines the power of high definition!

High definition videos have revolutionized the world of entertainment altogether and enable the viewers to enjoy the mesmerizing power of the media. Be it your favorite videos or games or other data, the high resolution records take you to a different world. The clarity and resolution you experience from a high definition DVD is unmatchable, not to mention the old standard definition DVDs.

The optical disc storage medium, Blu-ray, was developed in a ground-breaking endeavor by the Blu-ray Disc Association. Blu-ray discs were created to record and playback the high definition videos. Even though HDTV sets made their appearance in the market, there existed no known systems to record and playback the high definition data. The discs were developed to store the high definition videos, PS3 video games and other information.

The optical disc format surpassed the ordinary format in several aspects which is evident from the immense storage capacity of the new format. The high definition discs can store up to 25 GB data on a single layer and about 50 GB information on the dual layer disc. The sophisticated audio and video codec of the new discs with their vast storage potential presents the customers the authentic, astounding features of the high definition.

The new format was assigned the name Blu-ray as it used the blue-violet laser for reading and writing the data contrary to the red laser used in other optical disc technologies.

The shorter wavelength of the blue-violet laser permits more stuffing of data in the disc, which is being cited as another plus of the Blu-ray DVDs. The physical dimension is more or less the same as that of the conventional DVDs and CDs.

Good quality Blu-ray DVD players display the same high quality, high resolution, colorful image with excellent clarity. The 1080 pixels resolution offered by the high definition discs has definite advantage over the old DVDs and the day will come soon when the old ones are almost displaced from the market.

Oppo BDP-83 is considered as the popular Blu-ray DVD player with unsurpassable standards even though the price is pretty high. The LG BD 390 is a good option for those who wish to set a medium budget, where one can avail the superior features and high speed at a moderate price. Among the players, Sony PS3 Slim gains competitive advantage by offering all the features at an affordable price. Our choice for best over all blu ray player when you take into account price and features is the Lg BD 390.

Bob D Williams has been involved in the SEO field for over ten years. Working in various SEO services but specializing in link building services. And in search engine optimization.

http://www.qualityelectronicsales.com

Sharp Aquos LC20D42U 20-Inch LCD HDTV - Excellent Quality in a Small Size HDTV

Anyone who has searched for a great, small-size HDTV knows that this can be a challenging mission. Most high-quality HDTVs are in the larger sizes, and those that typically exist in a small, say 20 inch, size, often seem to sacrifice good picture for a small screen. Recently, however, I came across the Sharp Aquos LC20D42U 20-Inch LCD HDTV, and I must say that this HDTV is the perfect solution to the problem of wanting excellent visual clarity for a small space.

What makes the Sharp Aquos LC20D42U 20-Inch LCD HDTV a great little HDTV? There are a number of features that make it the best choice in this market.

For starters, the space it takes up is minimal: at 20.6 x 8.8 x 15.7 inches and a mere 15.8 pounds, it is the perfect size for the kitchen counter, bedroom, or even a dorm room - basically any place where space is at a premium.

Picture quality is very important to many folks who are investing in HDTV technology. Especially where the TV is going to be viewed a lot during the day, such as in high-traffic areas like the kitchen, having a great picture is an important consideration.

In this case, the Sharp Aquos LC20D42U 20-Inch LCD HDTV does not disappoint. With a high-performance LCD panel for high brightness, a high contrast ratio, and low-reflection glare protection, the viewer will enjoy the benefits of full HDTV quality throughout the day, in a variety of environments and lighting situations. The color is superb, the picture is extremely clear, and an additional benefit is the fact that the "off-angle" viewing is very, very good!

Whether you are in search of the perfect small-screen HDTV for yourself, or as a great holiday gift for someone special, the Sharp Aquos LC20D42U 20-Inch LCD HDTVis an excellent investment in HDTV technology, and a great choice for a superior viewing experience.

Before you buy, make sure to check out the full list of all the Sharp Aquos 20-Inch HDTV product features, additional information, and product reviews from actual Sharp Aquos 20-Inch HDTV owners.

Blu-Ray Reviews Of The Sony BDP-S300 Multi-Region Blu-Ray Disc Player

Blu-Ray Disc Player: Excellent picture quality on Blu-ray and DVD; DVD upconversion up to 1080p; HDMI output. Right off the bat everyone in the room noticed the image quality from the Blu-Ray Disc Player S300, it's always comforting when the results right out of the box are at least on par with expectations, surpassing them is of course a nice bonus.

The SONY BDP-S300 Blu-Ray Disc Player is an important product, giving Blu-ray some much needed traction in the affordable player category. Combine that with recent news from rental powerhouse Blockbuster that it is expanding Blu-ray titles in its stores (at the expense of HD DVD in most cases), and the BDP-S300 looks like a no-brainer.

HQV Benchmark Results: The BDP-S300 Blu-Ray Disc Player scored very well with the standard definition HQV benchmark disc, it passed most of the tests with flying colors and was able to lock onto the 3:2 film cadence test faster than many other of the DVD and BD/HD players tested recently.

o Color Bar/Vertical Detail: Pass - Score 10 of 10

o Jaggies Pattern 1: Pass - Score 5 of 5

o Jaggies Pattern 2: Pass - Score 3 of 5

o Flag: Pass - Score 10 of 10

o Picture Detail: Pass - Score 10 of 10

o Noise Reduction: Pass - Score 10 of 10

o Motion Adaptive Noise Reduction: Pass - Score 10 of 10

o 3:2 Detection: Pass - Score 10 of 10

o Film Cadence: Pass - Score (Combined) 40 of 40

o Mixed 3:2 Film, Horizontal Text Crawl: Pass - Score 10 of 10

o Mixed 3:2 Film, Vertical Text Crawl: Pass - Score 10 of 10

o Total Score: 128 out of a possible 130.

And the remote is a good one- it controls both the player and a television.
Unlike Sony's first-gen BDP-S1 (and Pioneer Elite's BDP-HD1) the BDP-S300 will play back CDs, either from its analog audio outputs or any of its digital audio outputs, including HDMI.

Once loaded and running, the BDP-S300 performed like a gold medalist. The best Blu-ray Discs looked sensational at either 1080p/60 or 1080p/24. And for those using 720p displays, or displays that will not accept 1080p inputs, the player also performed beautifully when set for either a 720p or 1080i output.
The Sony BDP-S300 Multi-Region Blu-Ray is a sure winner
The Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray player is a good one, with superb playback quality from Blu-ray Discs, and solid upconversion of standard definition DVDs for your legacy collection.

Description: Everyone will marvel at the stunning sound and picture quality of this second-generation Blu-ray Disc player. With remarkable features and versatile performance, the BDP-S300 is an amazing value.

BDP-S300 Strengths: Picture Quality

Strengths: Great picture and excellent sound

Weaknesses: None for me

Summary: I bought this Blu-Ray player last July to watch movies and it has worked flawlessly for me from day 1. I am not a viewer who will use picture in picture (which this does not have) nor do I play any of the games which are on some of the discs. I wanted a Blu-Ray player which gives me full HD video and great sound. The audio sounds great on my surround sound system when I use it. Sometimes I just use the TV speakers and the audio is excellent. If you are interested in a Blu-Ray player with outstanding video and excellent sound this player is for you.

Strengths: Plays Blu-Ray Discs, upconverts standard DVDs. Full 1080p output. Good array of audio outputs.

Strengths: Great picture when playing Blu ray Disk. Connected all audio connections at once except Coax, and all worked automatically...Great sound.

While the Sony BDP-S300 is an entry level Blu-ray player, entry level doesn't necessarily mean cheap. You're getting a capable high definition video player. VD's is lackluster at best and it only decodes Dolby Digital Plus. If you already have a capable upconverting DVD player and don't care about the decoding of Dolby TrueHD and the myriad of high definition DTS formats, this may be the Blu-ray player for you.

Summary: Sony has finally come out their second generation Blu-ray player at half the original price of the original! The BDP-S300 looks like a bargain compared to their previous BDP-S1 model.

Besides the cost benefit, you get more with this player. Unlike the previous model the S300 can play CDs in addition to DVDs. In addition, it seems to load slightly faster than the previous model.

All in all, the BDP-S300 delivers what it promises.

The new BDP-S300 model can output 1920 x 1080p (progressive) high-definition video, currently the highest resolution high-definition signal available through an HDMI(TM) connection. The player supports various video formats, including MPEG2, MPEG4-AVC and VC1.

For those who own an HDTV set without HDMI, an analog component output for 1080i (interlaced) is available as well.

The new BD player is compatible with most standard DVDs and has the added feature of 1080p upscaling through HDMI to 1080p capable HDTVs, improving the picture performance of existing DVD libraries.

Watching PIRATES I and PIRATES II I found the picture striking and vivid with no artifacts. My receiver is a delivers 5.1 DD so I am unable to take advantage of the uncompressed PCM codec. However, the Dolby digital audio track was quite impressive. All things considered, this an excellent player at a very good price.

This is an excellent BD Player for under $500! The picture quality is awesome!
Excellent upscaler quality for DVD movies

Below is mentioned that it can't be made region free. Only partially true. A California company already sells this model in a Multiregion (multi-region) version. It can play any Region A and B Blu-Ray Disc movie and display it on any TV that has HDMI input, regardless of video standard (PAL-SECAM-NTSC etc.)

This is a unit that we would buy for ourselves if it weren't for the fact that we couldn't make it region free, because we have a huge DVD collection with movies from regions 1 and 4. If you are going to play only region-free ("region 0") or region 1 discs then this unit is a great pick, especially because its cost/benefit ratio: great price and excellent image quality for DVDs - if the relative slowness of this unit doesn't bother you.

I haven't gone through all the bells and whistles yet, but the picture quality just floored me. Even my wife who really doesn't get the whole 'high def thing' was greatly impressed. We watched Pirates/Caribbean 2 and couldn't believe the quality.

Pros: Excellent picture quality, inexpensive for a Blu-ray player, offers HDMI upscaling to 1080p

Anyone looking to experience the formidable pleasures of watching movies on Blu-ray Disc, and at a reasonable startup cost, is advised to check out Sony's BDP-S300.

This is a magnificent Blu-ray DVD player. It enhances regular DVD viewing and presents Blu-ray discs in full 1080p (if you have a 1080p HDTV).

The video and sound quality is amazing!

Very good product for the money. Well worth getting if you want to get the best picture from your large widescreen HDTV.

"I have owned this Blu-ray player about 2 weeks. I purchased my first Blu-ray movie this past weekend and I was blown away by the full 1080p picture that it produces and the full digital sound is awesome. Be sure to purchase an hdmi cable for this player and you will not be disappointed. It will also upconvert standard DVD's to near HD quality."

Have this unit for a week and love it. Bought it for my husband from appliance bestbuys the price was great the units great and I would definitely tell everyone to buy this one if they want a good Blu ray without emptying their wallets.

Multi-region Blu-Ray Players now available! REGION FREE DVD players/recorders and High Definition, HD DVD players,Advanced Optical players/recorders in Blu-Ray DVD players/recorders. A multi region (aka codefree, allzone) DVD player or recorder is capable of playing DVD discs from anywhere in the world, that is all 8 regions and both PAL and NTSC standards. http://www.planetomni.com has many. Many not only play them but convert from one standard to the other for showing movies on any TV on earth. There are also PAL-NTSC 110-220 volts DVD/VCR Combos for use worldwide. CODEFREE DVD / PAL-NTSC VCR combos and MULTISTANDARD VCRs will play 100% all known DVD discs including FRENCH DVDs. You can buy region free and region free converting DVD players and region free DVD recorders from http://www.mindlogic.com . Come with LIFETIME Warranties and ship worldwide. They also carry PAL-SECAM-NTSC TVs, PAL plasma, PAL LCD and PAL DLP multisystem TVs and multisystem converting and non-converting VCRs, voltage transformers, video standards converters & 140,000 other products. Tel. 877-327-5076, 925-686-9945

LG BD 370 Network Blu-Ray Disc Player

Blu-ray players have been around for quite some time. Bluray did win its battle with HD-DVD a while ago and is now the standard HD media definition. A lot of blu-ray players allow you to watch high definition movies in HD and enjoy your HD experience, but there are only a few that go beyond that and allow you to do more with your player. LG BD 370 is one of of those.

LG BD 370 is the most recent LG Blu-ray network player that allows you to go beyond movies and bring more content to your HDTV through your high-speed Internet connection. The device comes with NetCast for YouTube and CinemaNow. That means you can use your gadget to watch YouTube videos right on your TV.

LG BD370 provides you with full high definition (1080P) capability. It also up-converts your non-HD media. You can also take advantage of Netflix HD-BD to play Netflix content right on your HDTV. All that can be done through your high speed Internet connection. All you have to do is connect your gadget to your Internet connection via Ethernet, and you are all set.

LGBD370 is not for everyone. If you don't have an HDTV or don't want to break the bank on high definition movies, you should look elsewhere. It's true that you can watch Netflix BD using this device, but it would be hard to justify the price of the device without proper content. But if you are looking for an innovative gadget that allows you to get more content on your HDTV using your broadband internet connection, you should try this player. The picture is crisp and the sound quality is top notch. Add to that the fact that you can watch thousands of YouTube videos on your TV, and you will have enough content to consume for years.

Looking for more Blu-Ray players?

DailyFind.net is your source of latest blu-ray deals and coupon bargains. For more information, log on to http://www.dailyfind.net

Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player

The Blu-ray movie format is the latest consumer movie format that is set to take over DVD movies in a year or two. The images produced even from most advanced DVD format are nowhere near the league of Blu-ray movies in terms of clarity and resolution. The image clarity is simply stunning. It brings the term 'hi-def' to a whole new level.

With that in mind, major electronic manufacturers wasted no time in rolling out their own fleet of Blu-ray players. The Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray disc player is currently one of the best players in the market. Here is a quick review of this new model.

The Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray disc player has a beautiful design. Measuring at just 8 inches long and 2 inches tall, this sleek little player can be subtly slipped into your TV cabinet. It has a black, high-gloss front panel. There are no physical buttons on the front panel, and when it is on stand-by mode, all you see is the time display from behind the gloss panel. It is undoubtedly one of the best looking players out there.

Moving on to the features, the Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray disc player plays full HD blu-ray movies at 24 frames per second. This allows you to view movies with a level of clarity and realism that was never before possible.

You can also play CDs, DVDs, and MP3 files on this player. You can either use a disc or access files through the USB port. Movies with older movie formats (such as DVDs) will be automatically up converted to the best HD quality possible. I watched some of my older DVD movies on this player (Shrek 3 and Spiderman 3) and the improvement in the quality of images was pretty impressive.

One of the coolest features of this player is that it is Netflix and Pandora ready. Just plug in the internet cable and you can download and watch videos or listen to music of the internet! Considering the amount of features that comes with the Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray disc player, this model offers great value for your money. If you are looking to get a Blu-Ray player, this model is undoubtedly the ultimate choice.

For more reviews and product info on the Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player and other Blu-ray players, visit Blu-ray Players.

HDTV Antennas - How to Choose the Right One

The type of antenna you get for your TV will determine the number of channels you can receive and the quality of the picture. If you're getting a new HDTV, you might need a new antenna, but not because the technology is different: all HDTV broadcasts are in the UHF spectrum, so any UHF antenna will do an adequate job. The real reason to get a new antenna is that there will be many more channels available, clustered into narrower frequency widths, and you might simply need a bigger and higher quality antenna.

A good strategy for buying an antenna is simply to get the best and most capable antenna that is practical for your living situation. Let's start at the top, and work our way down:

Roof- or attic-mounted outdoor UHF/HDTV antenna.

The higher you can mount your antenna, the more stations you will pull in, and the stronger they will be. If you are able to mount one on the very top of your house, do it. If neighborhood codes, landlord issues or weather concerns prevent that, the next best spot is the attic. Make sure it receives UHF, for the HDTV channels, and VHF for local channels.

One decision you'll have to make here is whether to get a directional or omnidirectional TV antenna. Your choice will depend on the location and strength of the area TV transmitters. If they are all clustered in a small area, like a nearby mountaintop, a directional antenna can be pointed in that direction and will give you the best signals. If you live halfway between two urban areas, an omnidirectional antenna will be necessary to get signals from transmitters in different directions. The easiest way to make this decision is to visit antennaweb.org, type in your address, and you'll find out which type and size antenna will be necessary.



Amplified indoor antenna.

If you can't put an antenna of the roof, or you just can't afford the cost of an outdoor antenna, an amplified indoor antenna is the next best choice. It uses an electric current to strengthen the signal, enhancing weak channels that you might not get with a regular antenna. The only problem with an amplified antenna is that they sometimes amplify noise along with the signal, so they could make some channels worse.



Non-amplified indoor antenna.

A simple "rabbit ears" antenna is the least powerful option, but in many cases it is all you need. If you live in an urban area or near a transmitter, or you simply don't want to put a lot of money into an antenna, this is your best choice.

Another thing to consider is the switch from analog to digital broadcasts that the FCC has mandated for February, 2009. If you only have a VHF antenna, but you wish to receive digital broadcasts, you will need a new antenna. You can learn more about antennas and HDTV in general at helpful HDTV info websites.

About the Author

Tom Webster is a researcher and copywriter who writes for FlatHDTV.net, a guide to the HDTV revolution.

How To Buy An MP3 Player

Are you looking for an MP3 player but am not sure which type and model to buy? There is a wide variety of MP3 players out there, from flash memory based players to hard drive based players. Choosing a good player from the market is no easy task. What features should you look for? What are the key considerations? This article aims to answer those questions and more. Now, let's see how we can pick the perfect MP3 player.

Types of MP3 player

There are essentially four types of MP3 players in the market today. These include flash-based players, hard-drive based players and MP3 CD players. Let's look at them in turn.

Flash-based MP3 players

Flash-based MP3 players have a flash memory chip built-in. They tend to be very tiny, ultra-portable and have no moving parts. As a user, you can do all your sports activities without worrying about your music skipping a beat. The downside to flash players is their high cost per megabyte. These players range from 32MB to 2GB, and the most popular models tend to be those from the Creative Muvo line, the iRiver iFP series and more recently, the Apple iPod Shuffle.

Hard-drive based MP3 players

Hard-drive based MP3 players use a 1.8-inch hard disk drive to store your music. The hard disk can hold large amounts of music - we're talking about 10GB and above. If you have a large music library and want to store tons of music, a hard-drive based MP3 player is the way to go. The cost per megabyte is very low. The downside? Well, due to the hard disk drive, which has moving parts, these players are not suited for rough physical activity or extreme sports. One of the most popular MP3 players in this category is the Apple iPod, which is selling like hot cakes out there.

Micro hard-drive based MP3 players

More recently, manufacturers have come up with micro hard-drive based MP3 players like the Apple iPod Mini, Creative Zen Micro and Rio Carbon. Featuring a smaller hard drive (which still gives ample storage space of about 4 to 5 GB), they have a much more compact design compared to full fledged hard disk players. The few models mentioned above are selling like crazy too.

MP3 CD players

MP3 CD players are another type of MP3 player. These units look and feel like regular CD players. You can burn up to 150 MP3 songs to fill one CD-R disc, then play it on the unit. The disadvantage of such players is their large size and their tendency to skip if jostled.

Key Features of MP3 Players

Having looked at the different types of MP3 players, let's look at the key features of an MP3 player.

Size and weight: If you're looking to bring your MP3 player on trips or on sporting activities, a small compact design is very important. In such cases, you should go for a small flash based player or one of the micro hard drive players.

Storage capacity: This is an important factor too. If you need to store your whole music library into the MP3 player, then you probably need a hard drive based player with 10GB of storage or above. If you only want a few select songs to listen to on the subway, then a flash based player would suffice. Do take note that some players offer expansion slots in the form of CompactFlash or SD cards.

Battery Life: This is often overlooked. Battery life is a very important consideration, especially if you're out with your player and have no way to recharge. Hard disk players tend to have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries while some flash players offer AAA battery support. I personally own a Creative MuVo Micro N200 which uses AAA batteries. This is great for me because once it runs out, I can just pop in a new one - no hassles about finding some electrical socket to recharge.

Connectivity Options: The way the MP3 player connects to your computer is also an important factor. The latest models tend to support high-speed USB 2.0 transfers. The better ones like the Apple iPod also give Firewire support.

File Format Support: You will most likely be wanting to play MP3 songs on your player. However, if you want to listen to a wider variety of music files, like WMA or OGG Vorbis, then make sure you see it in the player specs.

Other Considerations

Many of the latest players also include features I've not covered in the above. For example, some players come with a built-in FM tuner, which is very useful if you get tired of your MP3 music. Other have a built-in voice recorder which allows you to record audio as WAV files.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many considerations to think about when purchasing an MP3 player. To get the most suitable player, you want to think about how you will use the player. Usage should drive your purchase decision. The other thing to take note of is to shop around, both online and offline - compare prices before shelling out the cash. Good luck hunting for that MP3 player!

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on digital photography. Visit his website at http://www.digital-music-guide.com for tips and tricks on selecting MP3 players, music services and music software.

Sony BDP-S370 Blu-Ray Player Review

Out of the four new Blu-ray players announced this year by Sony, the BDP-S370, is the least expensive. (below $180.00) Costing less, doesn't always mean lesser value. You still get a nice set of features. Including access to BRAVIA® Internet Video, iPhone®/iPod touch® compatibility, Gracenote™ Metadata Service, Share Personal Entertainment and many more.

The BDP-S370 is coated with a glossy black finish and has a slim/sleek design. The control buttons are located on the front bottom where there is an indentation. The buttons are a mixture of touch sensitive controls and push buttons. Also, located on the front of the player, providing you easy access, is an USB port. The audio and Video outputs are found on the back of the Blu-ray player. And with it's Quick Start/Quick Load feature, you can start enjoying movies faster than ever before on a Blu-ray Player.

Video Quality: Displays great picture quality when playing Blu-ray Disc, the BDP-S370 can be connected the following ways: HDMI, Component or Composite Video outputs. HDMI connection will give you Full 1080p Output. Further enhancing the video display are features such as 24p True Cinema™ Technology, Deep Color and Precision Cinema HD Upscaling. Like almost all Blu-ray Players, the BDP-S370 will upscale standard resolution to 1080p image quality when playing a standard DVD.

Audio Quality: The BDP-S370 has internal audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby TrueHD (bitstream), Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD (bitstream). It has a 192kHz/24bit Analog-to-Digital Converter and supports Digital Video Standards such as AVCH, MP3 and PCM. Audio connections for the BD-S370 are as follows: HDMI, Analog Audio Output: 2.0ch (L/R) and one Optical Audio Output. Unfortunately, there are no 7.1 audio outputs. Therefore a receiver with a HDMI input is require to decode the newest audio codes that are on the Blu-ray movie. All of these features and functions help provide you with very good audio quality.

This entry level Blu-ray Player has many other great features. One of which is BRAVIA® Internet Video. Here you can access a wide range of movies, TV shows, videos and music from the internet and stream them directly onto your TV. Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker and much more are all included with the BRAVIA® Internet Video feature. The BD-S370 will upscale the streaming media to near High Definition 1080p quality.

To use BRAVIA® Internet Video, you have to establish an internet connection to the Blu-ray Player. An Ethernet Port is located on the back of the Blu-ray Player, or you can connect to a wireless broadband network via a USB Wi-Fi adapter. This is not included with the Blu-ray Player and has to be purchased separately. Once connected to your Home Network, there is a feature called Share Personal Entertainment you can access. Where you can stream video files, music or photos between compatible devices. A compatible DLNA device such as your computer.

An interesting feature included with the BDP-S370 is the Gracenote Metadata Service. This will conveniently display information about the movies you are viewing. Another interesting feature that may appeal to some is the iPhone®/iPod touch® compatibility. This turns your iPhone® or iPod touch® into a remote control. This free app lets you control the Blu-ray DVD Player, while also giving you details on actors, directors and more.

THE PROS: The Sony BDP-S370 has a good set of features including Wi-Fi Ready, Streaming services like Neflix and Amazon On Demand, SACD playback and DLNA. Great picture quality and internal audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby TrueHD (bitstream), Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD (bitstream).

THE CONS: Does not have any analog 7.1 audio outputs. DLNA feature will not be available until July 2010. No Built-in Wi-Fi, so a USB wireless adapter will be need if you want to connect to the internet. No 3D technology. Sony's BD-S470, BD-S570 and BD-S770 will all eventually have 3D capability.

THE FINAL WORD: Overall,Sony's BDP-S370 is a good Blu-ray Player in this price range. Has great image and audio quality on Blu-ray Disc. While lacking in some of the features found in higher end Sony Players, the BDP-S370 is a very good entry level Blu-ray DVD Player. -- Price you should look for when purchasing -- Under $180.00

For more information on Blu-ray and Blu-ray Players try this handy comparison guide: Bluray Players Or view our Videos and Blu-ray Player reviews here: Blu-ray Player Reviews Copyright 2010. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Sony HTSS360 Blu-ray Disc Player Home Theater System Review

While home theater systems have been around for quite some time, Blu-ray disc capable home theater systems few and far in between. For the most part, this means that anyone wanting to watch full HD video on their home theater system have to get a separate Blu-ray disc player. For the user who is starting from scratch, its nice to have the option of getting a system than can play everything without having to search for the Blu-ray player that jives with the home theater system of your choice. For this reason, Sony have come up with the Sony HTSS360 Blu-ray Disc Player Home Theater System that consists of an AV receiver with three HDMI inputs and a 5.1 speaker system.

The Sony HTSS360 has four identical speakers (the front and surround speakers), as well as a tiny center channel and a sub-woofer. The front/surround speakers are encased in plastic with each speaker housing a single 2.6-inch cone driver. The center channel is even more compact than the speakers while the sub-woofer is passive in that it is un-powered with no built-in amp. This means that the system has a very small footprint in comparison to other home theater systems and should fit any room quite well.

Even the AV receiver has been made compact, complete with a stylish silver finish that would blend in well with most decors. The front panel has almost no controls except for the power button, input selection button and the huge volume knob on the right. The Sony HTSS360's remote is the standard Sony remote but thankfully it comes with bass and treble controls as well.

While the Sony HTSS360 comes with an automatic speaker calibration feature, you can also do your own manual tweaking. The set comes with an auto-setup microphone, which plugs into the back of the unit. The set also has a DCAC (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration) system that adjusts the volume level of each speaker and the sub-woofer, measuring the distance between each speaker and the user's listening position.

On top of the three HDMI inputs, the Sony HTSS360 is equipped with 3 analog audio inputs and 3 digital audio inputs; 2 optical and 1 coaxial. It also has Sony's Digital Media Port and comes equipped with Dolby and DTS sound decoding modes, including Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, and DTS. While there is no built-in support for satellite radio or HD radio, the Sony HTSS360 does offer both AM and FM tuners.

For more product info and customer reviews, visit Sony Home Theater. For reviews on other home theater systems, visit http://home-theater-system-reviews.blogspot.com

1080p HDTV

You may know that 1080i refers to 1080 lines of vertical resolution interlaced. This means that instead of 30 frames a second, the TV displays 60 fields per second, where each field contains alternate lines of the picture. Because the fields are refreshed so quickly, your brain interprets the signal as 30 full frames per second.

720p means 720 vertical lines of progressive scan video where every frame of the
signal is displayed in its entirety, giving a higher-quality, film-like appearance to
the picture.

Most HDTVs or HDTV-ready TVs support either 720p or both 1080i and 720p, very
few support 1080p HDTV. Part of the reason for this is that very few broadcasters
want to broadcast 1080p signals. The reason for that is that 1080p requires
significantly higher bandwidth than either 1080i or 720p. And for broadcasters,
bandwidth is a precious commodity. Using up more bandwidth for one signal means
that there is less room for other channels. So in many cases, opting for a 1080p
signal would mean dropping or degrading other channels.

Is 1080p HDTV important? Well, yes and no. Not all video footage benefits greatly
from progressive scan. Sports broadcasts and action movies look better at 720p
than 1080i because there is lots of fast movement and the interlacing in 1080i is
sometimes noticeable, reducing the quality of the picture. Movies and TV shows
where there is not a great deal of fast action look better at 1080i than 720p because
the higher resolution has a greater impact on quality than the progressive scan,
which has little effect where there is only a small difference in the image between
frames.

So, while 1080p HDTV is the best of both worlds, the cost in terms of bandwidth, is
very high compared to the benefit for most people most of the time.

Kenny Hemphill is the editor and publisher of The HDTV Tuner - a guide to the kit, the technology and the programming on HDTV.

HDTV Delivered by Satellite Cable Or the Internet to Your PC

How times they are a changing when it comes to the television. Over recent years we've had new products and delivery systems almost constantly changing.

The box or the basic television set has changed from a relatively small unit to a huge box using a CRT or tube. We have seen the shape of the TV picture change from a 4:3 format to a 16:9 format which has made watching the widescreen movies a better experience. In more recent times we've seen the introduction of the flat screen or the flat screen plasma and flat screen LCD televisions which are still bulky but a lot less likely to damage your health than the larger CRT based units. Over similar periods we've seen the introduction of the DVD and now the new Blu-Ray devices.

The point of mentioning the above is to illustrate how many changes there have been and it is of no surprise that the debates about the best TV systems will continue. The current debates evolve due to two key developments. The first point is the concept of digital television and the second is the concept of High Definition Television or HDTV and both really are sort of packaged together. HDTV screens provide a lot more detail to the picture and high quality sound. The larger the screen the more desirable it is to have a high definition set.

Once you've established that you want to buy an HDTV or already have one then the next question is how you get the best range of broadcast services at the best value for money. As you can imagine, or already found out, this previous question is complex and rapidly changing. This assumption overlooks the possibility of accessing free to air high definition transmissions. At the time of writing I understand ATI in addition to their existing ATI TV Wonder PCI cards have recently released a product called ATI HDTV Wonder which is available in the USA. This brings HDTV to the PC.

The following are probably the most commonly available HDTV solutions are:-

- Cable HDTV or HDTV Cable - available via the traditional cable distributors. At the time of writing it is widely accepted that this does not generally provide the best range of services and value. There are, of course exceptions, and if you find a local cable supplier that meets your exact requirements then great.

- Satellite HDTV or HDTV Satellite - this is a great way to get the product because once a new channel is added then everyone gets access via the satellite. Dish network (sometimes seen as dishnetwork or just dish TV) is the largest national provider in North America and DirecTV trailing somewhat behind. Sky satellite is the only large commercial supplier in the UK. Satellite HDTV is received by use of a satellite dish and satellite receiver box. There are free satellite TV broadcasts but these are generally for the less popular channels.

- HDTV via the internet and loaded to a computer. Satellite TV to PC and My New Satellite TV are 2 of the leading products capable of delivering literally thousands of TV channels that have initially been distributed by satellite.

Whatever your choice today then as sure as we can be there will be further developments just around the corner. It's always worth reading the up to date HDTV reviews and finding any HDTV FAQ or FAQ HDTV page to get the latest information before spending your well earned money on the best HDTV you can afford.

Satellite TV has always been digital and it is no surprise that we are now able to get HDTV distributed via satellite. We are now able to get satellite TV to PC in HDTV mode providing even wider choice. Take a look at our website for more information, reviews, videos and help with choice of your HDTV.

Samsung BD-C5900 1080p 3D Blu-Ray Disc Player Review

Samsung seems to be giving us every opportunity to get ready for the 3D trend in Home Entertainment. Along with its recent introduction of 3DTVs, Samsung has produced a great line up of 3D Blu-ray Players. The BD-C5900 Blu-ray Player is the entry level model that is Wireless LAN 'Ready', has internal decoding of Dolby and DTS soundtracks and access to Samsung Apps for streaming online content. Providing you with innovative features at a very reasonable and affordable price.

The BD-C5900 Blu-ray Player is only 1.7 inches thick, with a a stylish black high glossy finish. The control buttons, once powered on, will light up; making them easier to use. The buttons are located on the right side of the player. The Blu-ray 3D logo on top of the player also glows once the player is turned on. There is a USB Port just below the power button on the right. On the left side of the player is the disc loading tray.

VIDEO QUALITY: The Samsung BD-C5900 Blu-ray Player will provide you with great images. Video connections include HDMI (ver 1.4), Component Video Output and Composite Video Outputs. The best possible images will be with a HDMI connection which is capable of Full HD 1080p video on Blu-ray Discs and 1080p up-conversion when playing back DVDs. The Ultra Fast Play feature, should allow you to load these discs in less than 15 seconds, according to Samsung. Samsung has also conveniently equipped the player with it's Screen Fit feature which can automatically convert 21:9 aspect ratio movies to 16:9 aspect. A great feature if you if want to eliminate those annoying black bars on the Television screen.

AUDIO QUALITY: The BD-C5900 Blu-ray Player provides you with the latest 7.1-channel studio-quality surround sound (via. HDMI) with high resolution audio formats. You can connect the audio through one of the following outputs, HDMI (ver.1.4), Optical Digital Output, or Analog Audio Output 2.0-ch. It has internal audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio. The player can also, transmit the audio in bitstream if you want the audio decoding done by your A/V receiver. However, it does not have 7.1 analog outputs, so those with older non-HDMI A/V receivers, the BD-C5900 may not be the best option.

The BD-C5900 Blu-ray Player is one of the rare entry level models that is equipped with the new video processing technology that supports 3D playback. It can provide great high definition 3D images found on 3D Blu-ray discs. Of course you will require a 3DTV and 3D glasses in order to enjoy 3D entertainment at home. While not necessary, it is recommended that you connect the player to one of Samsung's 3D HDTVs. This will allow you to take advantage of Samsung's Anynet+ feature, giving you control of all Samsung's audio and video devices with one remote control.

The BD-C5900 Blu-ray player also provides you with access to Internet-TV and Samsung Apps. Once you are connected to the internet, via the Ethernet Port or through a wireless USB LAN adapter (Sold Separately), you can stream movies, videos, TV shows, music and photos, etc. Some of the online streaming media service you can access from Samsung Apps are: BLOCKBUSTER®, YouTube™, Netflix, Monopoly gaming, interactive card games, Facebook®, Twitter™, Pandora, AccuWeather, Associated Press, USA Today and many more.

With Samsung's Allshare feature you can sync the BD-C5900 Blu-ray Player up to many of your digital devices. This will allow you to enjoy music, movies and photos from your computer, camera and mobile devices, on your TV screen. Supported files formats include MP3, DivX, Divx HD, JPEG, JPEG HD, MKV, or AVCHD. The BD-C5900 is Profile 2.0, so it has BD-Live support. You can download content from a certain Blu-ray Discs. Content such as deleted scenes, current movie trailers, features, movie trivia, chat rooms, live commentary and much more. There is no internal memory, so an external USB flash drive is required if you want to download BD-Live content.

THE PROS: The BD-5900 Blu-ray Player from Samsung is very similar to the BD-C5500 Blu-ray Player which was released earlier this year. The big difference between the two players is that the BD-C5900 has 3D Blu-ray capability. It also is Wi-Fi 'Ready', BD-Live 'Ready', and is DLNA certified. Supports online media services: Internet-TV/Samsung Apps(provides content from Netflix, Pandora, Vudu, Blockbuster, Picasa and Twitter). Has internal audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus.

THE CONS: To enjoy 3D at home, you will need to have a 3D TV and 3D glasses. It is only WI-FI 'Ready', so you have to purchase a wireless LAN Adapter. No internal memory for Storage and to access BD-Live content. A USB external memory device is needed.

THE FINAL WORD: The Samsung BD-C5900 3D Blu-ray Player provides great audio and video quality. It has great features such as Online Streaming and DLNA support. It lacks some of the features of higher end models, but it is one of the cheapest 3D Blu-ray Players on the market. This alone should make the BD-C5900 an appealing option for those wanting to enjoy 3D Movies at home. -- Price you should look for when purchasing -- Under $230.00

...
I would like to offer this FREE BLU-RAY PLAYERS BUYING GUIDE when you visit http://www.Bluray-DVD-Players.com Or view our list of the Best Selling Blu-ray Players and Blu-ray Deals: Blu-ray Player Deals Copyright 2010. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Refurbished HDTV - What HDTV Means in Plain English

A refurbished HDTV is similar to a brand new HDTV - the HDTV part. I will discuss what refurbished really means (you may be pleasantly surprised...), buy right now you want to know what HDTV stands for, right? Here it is: HDTV stand for High Definition Television; a TV that has a resolution approximately twice that of conventional televisions in both horizontal and vertical dimensions, providing impressive picture quality. The picture quality of HDTVs is much better because compared to 525 lines of resolution in NTSCs (National Television Systems Committee) and some SDTVs (standard definition television), it uses 720 or 1080 lines of resolution.

The widescreen aspect ratio of HDTVs is 16:9. Aspect ratio is the ratio of width to height of the TV screen. NTSCs and some SDTVs use a traditional squarish ratio of 4:3; while 16:9 is the ratio of widescreen formats for all High Definition Televisions (HDTVs) and some SDTVs. Its ability to accept and display such high resolution pictures results in clear and vivid images. HDTVs also have remarkable surround sound.

I've explained HDTV in plain English detail, now I'll give you a quick rundown of refurbished HDTVs. Buying refurbished HDTVs is becoming quite the rage these days. Scores of people have come to discover that refurbished is not "used" and it's not some kind of thing sold on e-bay or Craigslist. Refurbished HDTVs are inspected and tested by factory technicians and are factory certified that they work like new. They also come with manufacturers' in-home warranties, so in essence they are guaranteed to work. Now, here's the good part: Refurbished HDTVs can be bought for incredible savings. Because they legally can't be sold as brand new, they are often marked down 30% - 70% and they're quality TVs! I'm talking about brand names: Samsung, Sony...

If you find a reliable place to buy a refurbished HDTV on the internet, it can definitely be bought safely online. Believe it or not, buying refurbished HDTVs has been the rich man's secret... until now.

One major thing to look out for when buying a refurbished HDTV is to buy it from a reputable dealer. The number one concern when looking for any refurbished product is it's safety. Spending even a dime for a broken TV is like throwing money in the garbage. Find out exactly what to look out for here: www.squidoo.com/refurbished-hdtv.

You definitely can get a name brand, high quality TV at incredible savings! Thousands have already done so. Telling your friends and family that you bought a refurbished HDTV is your choice. They will never know if you don't tell them! It looks (and practically is) brand new. It comes with a manufacturer's 90 day warranty and yes, the warranty is in-home! Learn more about refurbished HDTVs and the most reliable place to get them. Put your fears about safety to rest once and for all.

Know Your Blu-ray DVD Player's Profile (Before You Buy Your Next DVD Player)

When buying a Blu-ray disc Player you will see a new feature that may be unfamiliar to you. It is called the Blu-ray Profile. It is an important feature you need to know because it is one of the main differences between blu-ray players and DVD players.

With DVD players there was a single hardware requirement but this is not the case for Blu-ray players. It may be confusing at first but it is easy but once you know what each profile means. And even though Blu-ray technology is rather recent, you will find it is moving forward at a rapid pace so the format is constantly changing and evolving. If you're not careful you may end up with an "older" Blu-ray player.

So, what exactly is a Blu-ray Profile? Well, they are used to catalog Blu-ray players and it determines the standard features and specifications of audio and video codec abilities found in Blu-ray Players. What a certain Profile a DVD player has tells you what set of features it supports. Blu-ray Profile 1.0 was the first set of features and functions labeled for discs and players. Then came Profile 1.1 and the latest is Profile 2.0 (BD-Live).

Now, any type of blu-ray profiles will play a blu-ray disc but with the different Profiles you get different extra features available to you.

Blu-ray Profile 1.0

The first Profile was 1.0, it has no extra features. You may also hear it referred to as "Initial Standard Profile" or "Grace Period Profile". Being the first generation of Blu-ray players it meets the very basic standards and minimum requirements. It has 64 KB of built-in persistent memory. Local storage capability, Secondary video decoder, Secondary audio decoder and Virtual file system are all optional. But it would be rare to find any Profile 1.0 Blu-ray player with any of these features.

After Nov 27, 2007 all of Blu-ray players manufactured were required to support Profile 1.1. But you still can find Profile 1.0 Blu-ray players being sold. The Sharp BD-HP20U or the Pioneer elite BDP-95FD, for example, are still available. If you are someone who does not care for extra features and only interested in the movie, these Profile 1.0 blu-ray players maybe the right one for you.

Blu-ray Profile 1.1

Since Profile 1.1 is now the basic mandatory requirement of all players, these types are the most common. The profile 1.1 Blu-ray Players have 64 KB built-in persistent memory, 256 MB of local storage and a Virtual file system. But the main difference with Profile 1.1 players is the addition of picture-in-picture function, also known as Bonus View. This is mainly use to show a smaller picture in the corner of the movie. Usually having a director or actor providing comments about the movie or a particular scene being displayed in the larger picture. A secondary video and audio decoders are required for the smaller picture. Most movie studios now apply this feature to all their standard releases.

Blu-ray Profile 2.0

Although Profile 2.0, also known as BD-Live, is not mandatory for new players, more and more manufacturers are beginning to producing these Profile types. The major different feature in Profile 2.0 is the ability of an internet connection, usually through an Ethernet port, and it is capable of interactive features when playing a blu-ray disc. Features such as movie-related games, blogs and other content. While movie studios are excited about this features and see it as the next "big thing" in home entertainment, so far interactive content has been not been all that spectacular or riveting. However, the possibilities to use this technology are vast and will surely improve.

The other technical details of Profile 2.0 are similar to Profiles 1.0 and 1.1. It has built-in persistent memory, Secondary video and audio decoders(for picture-in-picture), a Virtual file system and 1 GB of local storage. This large increase in storage from 256 MB that is in Profile 1.1 is to accommodate downloaded material from the internet. One thing you should be aware of is that some Profile 1.0 and 1.1 Blu-ray players have Ethernet ports. This is not for download extra content but for firmware updates.

When looking to purchase a Blu-ray, you are most likely to come across all three Profile Types. So the question is, which one should I buy? Since the prices of Blu-ray Players are rapidly coming down, your best option would be the Profile 2.0 because it's the latest and the most future proof of all the Blu-ray Players. But if you're not interested in special features or interactive capabilities, than considering a Profile 1.0 or Profile 1.1 Blu-ray Player is a very reasonable choice and will save you some money. Besides, you still be able to enjoy all and future Blu-ray disc movies; you just won't be able to download extra content.

For a more information on Blu-ray and Blu-ray Players try this handy comparison guide:
Blu-ray DVD Players

Or try checking out the latest deals on Blu-ray Players here:
Best Blu-ray Deals.
Curtis Hoskins Copyright © 2008. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

HDTV Bandwidth Management

Many people, especially those with satellite TV receivers, have heard of MPEG. MPEG is a standard for reducing the size of the video signal so that it can be broadcast more easily. This is known as "signal compression". Compressed Digital Video (CDV) is comparable to using MP3 files for music. It makes the file smaller without damaging it, so that it takes less time to download (less bandwidth), and more songs can be stored on your player.

CDV reduces the signal bandwidth requirements of a TV signal to enable its transmission via the Internet, DVD, cable, or satellite. This is necessary because an uncompressed video signal is very large. High definition files are much larger than standard definition files.

A standard definition DVD movie file size is approximately 3 GB/Hour.
An uncompressed 1280 X 720 (HDTV) movie file size is over 150 GB/Hour.
An uncompressed 1920 X 1080 (HDTV) movie file size is over 350 GB/Hour.
An MPEG-2 (CDV) HDTV movie file size is approximately 9 GB/Hour.
An MPEG-4 (CDV) HDTV movie file size is approximately 5 GB/Hour.

The early use of CDV (for standard definition programming) was pioneered by the satellite TV companies, DirecTV and the Dish Network.

CDV is the process of discarding data for that information that would be invisible to the viewer. However, too much CDV will significantly distort the output. The higher the level of CDV, the more data that is discarded. Discard too much, and the distortion is very noticeable.

CDV is a tradeoff between file size and video quality. CDV operates on pixel neighborhoods, called a macroblock. The CDV records only the changes within those blocks. This works well if the video is primarily static images like text.

In a basketball game, when Kobe takes it to the basket, more pixels change from one frame to the next. When this happens, the video compression algorithm must work harder. The picture quality after compression depends on the complexity and predictability of the image.

The most common CDV standards are authored by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). Applying CDV to video is an intensive computer operation, but uncompressing (undoing the CDV) MPEG data to video is much less difficult. A C-Cube real-time MPEG-1 video encoder using 8 custom-designed video processor chips sells for $120,000.

MPEG standards are not owned by anyone. Various companies and researchers have MPEG patents, but one does not have to pay a license fee to use MPEG technology.

DVD and Blu-ray discs have CDV used during the mastering process (Blu-ray has enough disc capacity that the CDV is not aggressive, thus does not add significant distortion). High bitrate video algorithms with little CDV exist for video post-production work, but these still create an enormous file, and for this reason are seldom used for the distribution of video.

There are several MPEG standards being used but only three are in general use for commercial video distribution:

MPEG-1

MPEG-1 was the first widely used video (and audio) CDV standard. MP3 is an abbreviation of "MPEG-1 audio layer 3". MPEG-1 supports a video resolution of 352 x 240 at 30 FPS (frames per second). It is the standard for the CDV of moving pictures (and audio). This standard has roots in CD-ROM video applications, and is a popular for video found on the Internet (.mpg files).

MPEG-2

MPEG-2 can support video resolutions of 720 x 480 and 1280 x 720, at 60 FPS. MPEG-2 is capable for both standard definition TV and HDTV. The MPEG-2 standards is also used to store data on a DVD. This is the algorithm used by DirecTV and the Dish Network.

MPEG-2 is the standard on which Digital Television set top boxes and DVD CDV is based. It is based on MPEG-1, but modified for use by digital broadcast television. Different algorithms have been developed and have been integrated into the standard. MPEG-2 is well suited to HDTV resolution and bit rates. With this technique, CDV can compress video data by 15 to 25 times while still producing a picture quality that is generally considered high quality.

MPEG-4

This standard is the future CDV standard that will almost certainly be used by most services delivering HDTV. This includes AT&T, DirecTV, and the Dish Network. A number of cable operators have also started MPEG-4 trials. This standard was originally designed for the Internet. Individual objects within a scene are tracked separately. This is very efficient.

The move to MPEG-4 by the satellite companies is not designed to improve picture quality, but because this algorithm is much more efficient. An MPEG-2 HDTV channel utilizes the bandwidth of six standard definition TV channels; an MPEG-4 HDTV channel would only consume the bandwidth of three standard definition TV channels. MPEG-4 uses half the bandwidth of MPEG-2, and so your service provider will be able to offer twice the number of channels.

OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP)

Consumers are now able to purchase their own cable box/DVR combos from electronics retailers. OCAP is a way for cable operators and other service providers to deploy interactive services like a PC. This will enable your American Idol voter to cast their vote with the remote control for their TV.

Consumers want their HDTV, and service providers who can supply the programming will thrive. MPEG-4 is the best and most cost-efficient option for cable operators and other service providers.

About the Author: Brian Bradshaw is a Certified Technical Specialist (InfoComm CTS). Areas of expertise include Video, Audio, Computation, HDTV Satellite Systems, and Communications. He has a communications technology business in Plano, Texas (Dallas). More information can be found at his Website: http://bradshaw-vacuum-technology.com

Low Price Sony Blu-Ray Player

Market is flooded with numerous digital versatile disc (DVD) players, small devices that play video and music for us. Most DVD players have to be attached to a TV to show video but now some players are arrived with an attached LCD screen and stereo speakers. DVD players play both audio and video format discs.

The quality of any audio or video output on a screen is highly influenced by the format of the disc which is being played in the player. There are some optical disc formats which are supported by one or other disc players and DVD players. They are compact disc (CD) formats, DVD formats, MP3 formats and others. These days some companies are coming up with a next generation optical disc format players. These next generation optical disc formats are known as Blu ray or Blu ray Disc (BD). These are high density optical disc formats. Blu ray Discs store digital information and also High Definition (HD) Videos.

The name 'Blu ray Disc' is quite unusual, this name is derived from the Blu violet laser which used to read and write this type of disc. More data can be stored on a Blu ray Disc than on a DVD. This is because of the shorter wavelength of Blu-violet laser, which is 405 nanometer. Almost 25 Gigabytes (GB) can be stored on a single layer BD. This is over 5 times the capacity of a single layer DVD which can store almost 4.5 GB only. On a dual layer BD we can store up to 50 GB data.

BD optical disc format was jointly developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA). BDA is a group of the world's leading consumer electronics, personal computer and media manufacturers. These include Apple, Dell, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and Thomson. Blu-ray is supported by 180 of the world's leading technology companies. These companies are major names in consumer electronics, personal computer, recording media, video game and music companies.

The BD format has broad support from the major movie studios. In fact, majority of the prominent movie studios have released movies in the Blu-ray format. These are Disney, Fox, Warner, Paramount, Sony, Lionsgate and MGM. Six studios are releasing their movies exclusively in the Blu-ray format; they are Disney, Fox, Sony, Warner, Lionsgate and MGM.

Several electronic companies are offering products that can read and write CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. Companies like Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Pioneer, Sharp and LG are coming up with players with BD/DVD/CD compatible optical head. BD players are becoming popular due to that simple reason which is quality. On BD players we can play DVD also, it looks even better than before. So Blu ray DVD players are the latest buzz word in the entertainment scene, it produces clear picture with vivid colours and sharp sound.

Due to the quality it is offering, BD players are on high demand. Day by day, the demand of this next generation technology is increasing. This makes its production cost to fall. Sony Company is taking advantage from this fact and is reducing the price of its BD players. Several companies are coming ahead in manufacturing next generation BD players. Electronics Company Toshiba sells its high-definition (HD) DVD player in much less price than BD players of Sony. Now Sony is trying to get ahead in the market so it has cut £50 off the price of its BD player.

Sony's Blu-ray discs are supported by companies like Samsung, Dell and Apple, while NEC, Sanyo and others are supporting Toshiba's HD DVD. We can say that the war of formats is on. Both HDD and Blu-ray systems have almost equal functionalities, both stores large amount of data, both produce high quality image and audio, and both use a blue laser to read information. Only one difference is there, that is of price. So the price cutting step of Sony can be one added advantage of Sony BD players.

Jayson Pablo, a dedicated writer of Rupizcompare.co.uk which provide information on consumer electronics [http://www.rupizcompare.co.uk/electronics/] as dvd players [http://www.rupizcompare.co.uk/electronics/dvd-players.aspx].

HDTV Resolution Issues

HDTV resolution comes in two numbers, which are 720 and 1080. For a TV set to be a true a HDTV it must display 720 horizontal lines of resolution of course that means sets that are 1080 can display 1080 horizontal lines. 1080 will provide you with more clarity and more details. You will also find an "I" or a "p" after the above numbers. "I" stands for the lines being filled by the television whereas the "p" stands for the where the lines are filled consecutively.

One thing to remember, a 1080 set can display all images from 1080 and lower, so you can view all signals even if they are delivered in 720. At this time, there are not that many sources for 1080 available, only with high definition DVD's. Not even your satellite or cable service is broadcasting in 1080.

The major thing to consider when buying your HDTV is what you will be watching and where you will be placing the set. If you purchase a large HDTV set and it is too large for the room, the picture quality is certainly going to be lacking. The reason this is true is walk up close to any HDTV, you will be seeing things that are not there if you are at the optimal viewing distance. This is often referred to as the screen door effect. You may notice small little dots of various colors that do not actually blend with the scene on the screen. In order to have the best quality picture you must have the correct size HDTV for the viewing area.

Anita Payton is a professional writer who enjoys new technologies for the home including home automation. She is currently teaching customers how to buy HDTV and other home consumer electronics by finding the best deals online.