Lots of choices when going hi-def
Blu-ray or the highway?
No way.
When it comes to watching your favorite shows or movies in high-definition, we’re talking choices, people. Lots of them.
Blu-ray, you may recall, was recently crowned king of the next-generation DVD format war amid much fanfare.
But before you rush out and spend a big chunk of change on a Blu-ray DVD player, you might want to weigh your options rega rding watching shows in hi-def.:
Consumers have plenty of choices when it comes to watching high-definition movies and TV shows.
Blu-ray player
Pros: Superior video quality compared to regular DVDs. Convenient format, too. Just pop the DVD into your player.
Cons: Hang onto your wallet. Costs anywhere from $400 to $600 to buy one.
Upconverting players
Pros: Lets you watch your DVD collection in near-HD quality by digitally enhancing the screen resolution. A lot cheaper than a Blu-ray player.
Cons: Quality still inferior compared to Blu-ray.
HD content viewed from your computer
Pros: It’s free, although you can buy devices such as Slingbox that let you stream TV programming to your computer. Don’t need a high-definition TV.
Cons: Requires a speedy Internet connection and a computer that has a pretty fast processor. Smaller screen size compared to a TV. If you get a device such as Slingbox, you still need to pay $130.
Online shows, movies from your TV
Pros: Using a device such as Apple TV means you don’t have to be hunched over your computer to watch your favorite show.
Cons: Price. Apple TV, for example, costs $229.
TiVo
Pros: Captures television programming onto a hard disk. All you need is an antenna, broadband connection or subscription to digital cable or satellite service.
Cons: Price. About $299 for a TiVo HD DVR. That does not include a monthly service fee.
Satellite and cable
Pros: Watch HD programming on your TV without having to download or stream it. Also have the option of being able to tape content onto a digital video recorder.
Cons: Your monthly bill will increase because HD programming and boxes with built-in DVRs are extra. Storage space is limited.
Video game systems
Pros: The PlayStation 3 has a built-in Blu-ray player. The Xbox 360’s online service also lets you rent hi-def movies.
Cons: Expect to pay at least $400, which is on par with some of the cheaper Blu-ray players. But if you don’t like video games, what’s the point?
