Video quality of DVD movies One of the factors that has caused DVDs and DVD players to lose ground is image quality. Blu-ray discs simply outperform DVDs in terms of resolution. In fact, most streaming media services offer full UD (1080p) and ultra HD (4K) quality.
TVs in buyers' homes have become larger and larger, both in size and resolution. DVDs can play 480p or 480i resolutions, which is much more obvious on a full HD or 4K TV than on a smaller screen or lower resolution TV.
Of course, some HD DVDs or well-burned DVDs can provide pretty good image quality. In fact, after a while, the human eye gets used to a certain resolution and no longer notices the less obvious details. However, it is undeniable that the video format offered by DVD is weaker than that offered by Blu-Ray.
Another aspect is the fact that streaming media services offer movies and series in resolutions from standard to 4K. Although there are 4K Blu-Ray discs, they cannot be used on most Blu-Ray players, as they require a special player.
DVD audio quality Another aspect in which the DVD format is outdated is the sound quality. Blu-Ray discs also offer better quality in terms of audio playback of movies. In addition to the audio formats that DVDs already support, Blu-Ray discs offer other options: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. DVD players can only play Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Sound and Linear PMC, these being in top quality in the early 2000s.
The difference between these formats is that Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD can mimic the quality of the original soundtrack recordings. Although they will be mixed to match home audio systems, for the first time you can watch movies on your couch that will have a very high quality.
If you have a state-of-the-art home cinema system and you want to enjoy the best sound quality, it is recommended to buy a Blu-Ray player.
DVD player versus Blu-Ray player Even if you are still a fan of DVDs and still want to buy the best DVD player at some point, we have bad news for you. Since 2013, major electronics manufacturers have stopped using DVDs and prefer Blu-Ray discs. Although you can still find DVD players in some retailers, they will not be as new models as Blu-Ray players.
However, we have good news if you want to upgrade your entertainment equipment, but intend to continue using old or new DVDs. Blu-Ray players can also play DVDs. Therefore, the best idea would be to buy a Blu-Ray player both for the DVDs you have in your video library and if you want to switch to a more advanced video format at some point. .
Although the prices for a Blu-Ray player are higher than they are for a DVD player, they are not much higher, worth an investment to keep up with technology.
Of course, there is also the option of Ultra HD Blu-Ray players if you want to watch 4K movies, but they will exceed the price of a regular Blu-Ray player. At the same time, modern video game consoles such as the Playstation 4 can read both cant DVDs and Blu-Rays. Therefore, owning a video game console will help you get rid of this dilemma.
Physical format versus digital format Given the evolution of the quality of digital formats in terms of entertainment, the digital option is becoming more and more convenient. First of all, streaming no longer requires a physical disk, which can be considered an advantage for people who do not have much space for a video library.
In fact, the video quality of streaming services has increased considerably in recent years, and people who benefit from better internet speed will not spend too much time waiting for a movie or series to load.
Of course, you may not always find your favorite movie on the streaming media service you currently use, but you can check which video library that service has before you subscribe. In any case, there are more options than ever to watch movies and series and it is no longer necessary to buy physically.
Most of the time, the price of a monthly subscription for a streaming media service can be the price of a DVD for a new movie. In the case of Blu-Ray discs, the prices of premium packages from streaming services such as Amazon Video, Netflix or HBO Now may be equivalent or may be lower.
Given that some services also offer 4K streaming, the prices are much more advantageous for streaming services than for Blu-Ray or DVD discs. Of course, if you are a collector, you will always choose the physical version of your favorite movies. However, it is good to consider the video quality of the movie you will be watching.
conclusions Although they enjoyed great popularity in the 2000s and are still marketed, DVDs are beginning to know the fate of VHS tapes. Being surpassed in video and audio quality by Blu-Ray discs and streaming media services, they will soon become collector's items.
Of course, there will always be buyers who do not want to keep up with technology and are satisfied with the old format.
But if you are not one of them, we recommend that you think twice before making the next purchase for the home entertainment system.
