Blu-ray players were once expensive but now are accessible to
anyone looking to play high resolution movies. But lost in the obvious HD value
of Blu-ray discs are the many other features that a Blu-ray player can have.
For those looking to get a player, it’s important to know about these
features since they are “built-in” and
can’t be added later on.So let’s examine four
features that BD players have hidden inside and which can affect their
performance in your home.
Internet Connection
Almost all Blu-ray players have wireless Wi-Fi for connecting to the router of your home
network. But some also come with an Internet-connecting port in the back for
plugging in an Ethernet cable. There are times when a wired connection may be
the best, if not only, way to connect to the Internet — for
example if the Blu-ray player’s antennas (often found in the back of
the chassis) are blocked by the player’s positioning in a cabinet or proximity to interference causing
devices like refrigerators and microwave ovens. So a Blu-ray player having the wired choice can make all
the difference between a good WiFi signal and a mediocre one
— something that can affect the quality of video being seen
from a streaming service like Netflix.
4K Upscaling
A Blu-ray player can play on a 4K TV, but the image being sent is
that of a Full HD 1080p image. But if the player has 4K upscaling, then the
image being presented on the 4K TV will look better because the video being
sent matches the native resolution of the TV. This includes streaming services
too. It’s a way to enjoy your existing Blu-ray library in a superior
fashion on the 4K TV through a 4K upscaling-compatible Blu-ray player.
Dual-Core Processing
A Blu-ray player is as much a computer as any other high-end
electronic device today (like smartphones, tablets and others). Playing discs
isn’t all the player does — there’s
menus to choose from and a variety of services to activate on command (from
streaming services to ways to enhance the video and audio being played). All this
is controlled through a graphical interface that hides the tech so as to make
choices simple. But simplicity comes with a price, in that the speed at which
the player handles commands can seem slow. This is solved by giving more power
to the Blu-ray player’s
computer processor (i.e., “dual-core” processing). You won’t see it if it’s
there, but you will notice a lack of zippiness of the player if it’s
not. And if the player doesn’t have it, there’s
no way to add it later.
Quick-Start Capability
Unlike a CD player, a Blu-ray player doesn’t immediately start
up when it’s first turned on — there is a certain amount of time
required for the player to get its act together (i.e., organize and line up the
electronics needed for it to perform). The amount of time varies and so must be
put up with — unless the Blu-ray player has been designed to start up quickly
or, as is the case with some players, has the option to enable a quick start
feature. Either way, this will speed up the initial time needed by the player
so that the time being spent can be on watching the movie, not waiting for it.
As this must be built into the player, checking the specs will tell you right
away whether it’s there or not.
The purpose of a Blu-ray player is to make what you’re
watching appear as close to the movie theater experience as possible. Making an
informed decision as to the Blu-ray player that you get is your first step.
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