Blu-ray DVD players: How we test blu-ray players
Picture perfect?
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 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.
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
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.
