Blu-ray DVD players: Choosing the best Blu-ray and DVD players Blu-ray and DVD FAQs - multi region, upscaling and more

Do I need a new TV to watch Blu-ray?

You won't be able to view Blu-ray in its high-definition glory without an HDTV. Most new HD-ready sets can process a 1080p signal and will work with Blu-ray players. TVs with an 'HD-ready 1080p' logo simply have a higher screen resolution – not a guarantee of a better picture.

The official logo

Many older HD-ready sets may not do full justice to the quality of Blu-ray discs – a slight juddering effect is not uncommon due to lack of 24fps support. The problem is quite subtle, but will be noticeable to the discerning viewer.

If you want to watch 3D movies on Blu-ray you will need a Blu-ray player that can play 3D discs and a 3D TV that can display the 3D images.

To find the best HDTV and 3D TV models, check out the 200+ reviews on our LCD and plasma TV page, or check out our extensive buying a new TV guide. 

What's upscaling and is it worth having?

Some DVD players and all Blu-ray players have a high-definition (HDMI) output so you can connect them to an HDTV – essential for watching Blu-ray in all its high-definition glory.

However, many manufacturers claim that if you play a standard DVD in your Blu-ray player or in a DVD player with an HDMI connection, the picture will be 'upscaled' or enhanced to give a pseudo HD effect.

Unfortunately, this is more marketing hype than anything else, and our expert panel have failed to see much improvement on standard DVD quality using a regular RGB Scart connection. In some cases, it even makes the picture look worse.

Can I play Blu-ray discs on a PS3?

The Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) plays games and Blu-ray discs, and costs as much as a normal Blu-ray player. In our tests, the picture from HD discs has good depth and detail and satisfactory motion.

However, bear in mind that usability could be an issue. Having to use a game controller to navigate discs and access menu systems is less than ideal. One solution is a special Sony remote control, which can be bought separately for about £18.

Multi region DVD players - regional coding ?

DVD players use a system of regional coding, so that discs bought in one region will not work with players bought in a different region. This allows film studios to control the release of movies around the world. The US is region 1, whereas the UK is region 2. Therefore, under normal circumstances you won't be able to play DVDs imported from America on a UK-bought player (and vice versa).

A multi region DVD player is usually 'modified' from the manufacturer's original specification to allow it to play DVDs from all over the world.  

Blu-ray discs use a similar, but not identical, regional coding system to standard DVDs. Region A covers the Americas and Southeast Asia; region B is Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australasia; and C relates to Central and South Asia and Russia. So if you buy a cheap Blu-ray disc in the US, it won't play on a machine that was bought in the UK.

Will it work with a surround-sound system?

Almost all DVD and Blu-ray players we've tested have at least one digital audio (SPDIF) output for connecting to a surround-sound system, and virtually all movie discs are recorded in a multi-channel format.

If you intend to use your DVD or  Blu-ray player with a surround-sound system, you’ll need one with a digital output that’s compatible with the surround-sound amplifier input. There are two types of socket - coaxial (wire) and optical (fibre optic) - so make sure you get the correct type.

Can I play CDs in a DVD or Blu-ray player?

Yes. Some machines will play other audio discs, too, including DVD-Audio, SA-CD and those containing MP3 files. Some can also read DVDs that contain Jpeg files, such as pictures saved from a digital camera.

What's the difference between 1080i and 1080p?

HDTV pictures come in two main formats: 1080i and 1080p. The four-digit number tells you how many horizontal lines make up the picture, and the letter shows how it's broadcast. The 'i' means the picture is 'interlaced' and sent to the TV in two sequences, one after another - the TV meshes them together. Almost all HD TV broadcasts are in 1080i. 

Blu-ray DVD players use the 1080p format. A 1080p picture is sent in a single sequence making the picture sharper than 1080i – but the difference is very subtle.

What does 24fps mean?

This refers to the number of frames per second recorded onto a Blu-ray disc. The high-definition discs are recorded at 24fps, rather than the traditional European speed of 25fps.

The first Blu-ray players to hit the high street a few years ago and many older HD-ready TVs could not match the 24fps refresh rate. This often resulted in juddery movements on camera panning or fast motion scenes.