DVD players: How we test Blu-ray DVD players

Viewing and listening tests in our purpose-built room form the backbone of our Blu-ray DVD player testing. Each player is connected via HDMI sockets to a Best Buy Sony TV and compared to a benchmark LG Blu-ray player (connected to an identical TV).

Picture perfect?

viewing test

Picture quality is assessed by our expert testing panel using extracts from a collection of high-definition discs. 

Sound quality is rated by our expert three-person panel using classical, pop and jazz pieces together with speech and sound effects from film material.

What makes a Best Buy blu-ray player?

 

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Video transcript

Buying a Blu-Ray player is not always that easy decision you might think it is when you browsing online or shop like this is easy to see the features of a model, but it's very difficult to know how well it performs. [xx]. You'll find reviews of all the latest Blu-ray DVD players. We clearly list the specifications and features along side our star rating, which easily helps you identify the best, and the worst models, the best performing blue ray players are rewarded a coveted best buy award reviewers, we also give out don't buy awards to the models you should avoid.

Picture quality is key that's why you buy a Blu-ray player for that improved picture quality that you get DVD. So we try all of the right players out with the variety of the Blu-ray discs to check that the picture quality is up to scratch. We tried Blu Btu-ray discs that have lots of detail, some very very dark like the Matrix, some that have fast action in as well.

To check that all types of picture be coped with by the player. We'll do a number of things that are quite unique to which we'll test how quickly a disc will load, that's very crucial some Btu-ray players take absolutely ages to load a disc. It can take up to 50 seconds before you can actually start watching a movie.

That can be very frustrating. And, also we test as well. These new blue-ray players are going to sitting on stand by for quite a lot of their life raking up energy costs, costing you money. you measure how much electricity they use, and how much they're going to be costing you. Ease of use is crucial, how good is the remote control, how good are the on-screen is how easy are they to navigate around to find what you are looking for.

I don't think anyone else does that. Or which best buy will have fantastic picture quality for both [xx] and DVD discs. It will be easy to use, it will have a great remote control, easy to access on-screen menus. The loading times also frustrate you, be quick to load a disc, and it won't cost you a fortune in energy cost to run.

We also have member reviews for personal takes on each Blu-ray player. Each review is linked to live pricing page, helping you find the cheapest online retailers when you make your Blu-ray player purchase. We also have a useful TV connection wizard that shows you how to connect your Blu-ray player, your set top box all up to your TV set easily, to find out which Blu-ray player player is best, and to take advantage of all our free Blu-ray player advice, log in to Which.co.uk.

 

HD up-scaling

To check any up-scaling claims, we also watch standard-definition DVDs and compare the performance with our reference DVD player. The latter is connected via the standard Scart RGB, making it easy for us to spot if there is any worth in manufacturer up-scaling claims.

Our panel assesses playback picture quality by viewing a selection of film clips from commercial DVDs and a test pattern. Clips are chosen to highlight certain picture properties such as resolution, motion and colour accuracy.

Although standard-definition DVDs viewed via HDMI can look as good as the same discs viewed via Scart RGB, we're yet to see a player that actually makes any noticeable improvement. Claims of a pseudo-HD effect are stretching it a bit, to say the least.

Ergonomics and access speeds

test remote control

Our ergonomics experts then go through an extensive process trying out their various functions and features in the way consumers would use them – assessing how easy and intuitive each is to use and whether there are any significant drawbacks that would prevent us from recommending the product.

One particularly frustrating aspect of some Blu-ray players is the amount of time it takes the blue laser to read the information on disc – making Blu-ray players a little sluggish to operate. To identify the worst offenders we measure the time it takes to perform a couple of basic functions.

To switch on and open the tray takes about 10 seconds on a normal DVD player, but Blu-ray players are much slower, especially when loading a high definition disc.

We witnessed the same slothful approach when trying to play a disc. Blu-ray players take two to three times longer than the typical 15 seconds it takes a standard definition machine. Cup of tea anyone?

No bias

We mask out brand names to eliminate any bias and sneak in the same products twice to ensure consistency. No conferring is allowed and each expert completes a lengthy score sheet that our statisticians analyse to ensure the ratings we publish represent real differences.

Underpinning this is a raft of over 50 technical tests that explore each player’s capabilities and limits, plus around 250 feature checks, where we test and log what they can do.

Total test score and Best Buys

Once we have all our test results in, we evaluate the data to determine the total test score for each Blu-ray player. This is based on the following:

  • Picture/sound 60%
  • Ease of use    20%
  • Features        10%
  • Power use     10%

Those models that score 78% or over are awarded Best Buy status.

Which? works for you