Five reasons not to buy a Blu-ray player yet
By John P. Falcone, CNET.comFeb 08, 2008
With HD-DVD looking more and more like it's on the ropes, it would seem like the ideal time to commit to Blu-ray--right? Not so fast. There are at least five reasons to stick with your good old-fashioned DVD player--at least for the next few months. (And, as always, there are some key caveats and insider secrets for those who can't resist pullling the trigger as soon as possible.)
1. Nearly all current Blu-ray players are obsolete: The Blu-ray standard is still evolving. Most models currently available use the original Profile 1.0 standard, while some newer models use Profile 1.1 (which adds the ability to show picture-in-picture commentaries). Later this year, the first Profile 2.0 players--which add the ability to deliver online special features (BD Live)--will become available. Ironically, both of these are designed to bring the Blu-ray standard in line with HD-DVD players, which have long been able to deliver these features.
Caveat: Does anybody really watch those picture-in-picture-enabled commentaries? Or want updated trailers downloaded from the Web? Beyond the hardcore cinephiles, I think the answer is a big "no". In other words, if you're among the vast majority who wants to watch only the movie, you're not really gaining anything with a 1.1. or 2.0 player. Those older Blu-ray players should play everything else on the disc (the non-playable features are just grayed out on the menu).
2. Blu-ray is best on a big-screen TV: Can you see the difference between standard DVD and Blu-ray? Yes--but it may not be as noticeable as you would think. Like all high-definition material, Blu-ray discs look their most impressive at bigger screen sizes, where DVD can sometimes start to look a bit soft. Put another way: If your TV is 37 inches or smaller, you probably won't be getting a huge advantage from Blu-ray.
Caveat: Eagle-eyed videophiles--or those who sit especially close to their 1080p TVs--may well see a difference. Rule of thumb: If HDTV programming looks noticeably better than DVD playback on your TV, then Blu-ray will be a worthwhile investment.
