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The Number One Component to a Great Audio and Video Setup is Blu-Ray

When high definition TV sets first started surfacing in stores about 10 years ago folks were amazed at the clearness HD delivered over standard television screens. Since that point millions of men and women have bought new TVs to enjoy wide screen pictures with DVDs and high definition cable and satellite programming. While many people still haven't made the leap, a technology breakthrough has made even HDTV backers take notice. Developed by Sony, Blu-Ray has pushed television resolutions to a higher level. Just a few years back, nobody had a clue what format would become the successor to DVD, but now Blu-Ray has take the crown and I'll tell you why you should think about adding Blu-Ray to your home entertainment system.

Though research began almost a decade ago, Sony and its partners didn't manufacture a final commercial product until mid 2006. The name Blu-Ray comes from the blue laser that is utilized to read data from a Blu-Ray formatted disc. This conflicts with the red laser utilized to scan regular DVD discs. But why is Blu-Ray an improvement over current DVD formats? Although Blu-Ray discs and players don't appear any different than regular DVDs, they can save much more info which means clearer picture, improved audio, and more special features. DVDs can hold up to 8 gigabytes of data while Blu-Ray discs can hold 50 gigs. Quite a difference. The maximum resolution of a DVD is 720x480 lines whereas Blu-Ray has a maximum of 1920x1080 (also known as full HD). If you have spent $1000 or more on a 1080p TV, you're essentially not making use of all the set can deliver when watching regular DVDs.

On release costs for Blu-Ray players were far beyond what a typical consumer wished to pay. Prices between $700 and $1000 were common for first generation Blu-Ray players. And, there had been another competing standard on the store shelves that created a lot of bewilderment. Toshiba and NEC introduced their own DVD follow-up device with the announcement of the HD DVD standard. HD DVD, with a storage capability of 15 gigs, was an improvement over regular DVDs but didn't match the specifications of Blu-Ray. However HD DVD did have some marketplace influence. First, they made it to store shelves 3 months before Blu-Ray. Second, HD DVD devices where a little less expensive to make and were sold cheaper as a consequence. Finally, HD DVD had more picture studios on board at launch than Sony did which meant more movies were at first available while Blu-Ray stayed scarce.

Sony had one big ploy up their sleeve that quite possibly saved Blu-Ray from a Betamax fate. Sony incorporated a Blu-Ray player into their highly anticipated PlayStation 3 and sold the entire device cheaper than many stand alone players were being sold for at the time. After that, Blu-Ray began making strides until soon it outsold HD DVD 2-to-1 by late 2007. More and more movie studios started to sign on to the Blu-Ray format exclusively, beginning with Warner Brothers in early 2008. Straight after Toshiba stopped making HD DVD players and recorders. By the end of 2008 rental companies Netflix and Blockbuster, as well as major retail outlets, said they'd no longer carry HD DVD flicks. Currently all major studios release their pictures on Blu-Ray. A couple still produce HD DVD and Blu-Ray releases concurrently.

Prices have fallen dramatically over the past few years also. Many name brand Blu-Ray players from corporations like Panasonic and LG can easily be found between $150 and $250. Blu-Ray disc recorders are in the $200 - $400 range and dropping just as quickly. For anyone that enjoys watching films at home and has invested in a high definition television, now is a great time to have a look at adding a Blu-Ray player to your setup. Even people who may be doubtful about Blu-Ray's enhancements over DVD owe it themselves to head down to their local home entertainment store and ask for a Blu-Ray demonstration. The picture clarity and audio fidelity from Blu-Ray is really superb.

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