On a 32-inch HDTV the visual difference between a Blu-ray disc and a DVD played on an upscaling DVD player is negligible, but if you long to take the Blu-ray plunge, now is certainly a better time than three years ago, when there were barely any movies out on the format and you couldn't find a player for cheaper than $500.
Netflix Coupon for New Netflix-Enabled Insignia Blu-ray Players Brings Price to $99 & $149 [Hacking Netflix]
(Thanks, Mike!)
To me though, it's worth it, plus monthly power cost isn't that bad when it isn't turned on all that much, just when I'm using it.
]]>@darkforcesjedi: That's what I was thinking. I have a 32 inch TV, and I can see a world of difference between Blu-Ray and DVD on it. @_@
]]>My current DVD player has a feature called "last memory" where if I hit that button, I can turn off my DVD player or change movies, and when I come back to that other disc later, it will prompt me and I can pick up exactly where I left off. No last memory, I won't buy it.
Both the 2-disc Toshiba SD-2200, that I bought back in 2000, (and still have) and the 5-disc Sony DVP-NC85H/B, that I snagged in 2006, do this automatically -- and I don't believe it was advertised as anything other than a general advantage of DVD.
]]>It is one of those things that are "nice to have, but couldnt care less if i didnt have it"
]]>OR you could do everything you just mentioned with a Roku and this BluRay player (or any other BluRay player) for $250 total.
]]>@gjones77: Ditto on that! I love my merkur HD :)
]]>Even those with Netflix complained about the $3 extra a month they charged for it. They really thought they should not have to pay extra for it. So the value, even for those that bought more expensive equipment didn't think the cost was worth $3! to watch 10 movies a month.
]]>I can stream off of Netflix and Hulu, watch DVD's and BluRays from Netflix, play PC games with a 50" Plasma monitor, all in 1080p.
It's truly a happy world.
]]>@Smashville_now with Monster Energy: "What do you think you tear off to get into your DVD?"
I thought it was an oppurtunity to learn a foreign artform.
I'm just worried that I'll buy this and it'll break in 6 months because it's a shitty brand/build.
]]>@theblackdog_Oktoberfest: None of my DVD players have ever advertised "last memory" and they all do that. Were you upsold on a feature?
]]>-- Insignia screams "cheap store brand"
-- My current DVD player has a feature called "last memory" where if I hit that button, I can turn off my DVD player or change movies, and when I come back to that other disc later, it will prompt me and I can pick up exactly where I left off. No last memory, I won't buy it.
-- I already own a Roku box, I don't need the Netflix streaming on this blu ray player
-- My TV is currently a 25 inch SDTV, I'm not upgrading until this one croaks, or some super ultra sweet deal on a 1080p comes out.
-- The only blu-ray I would get would be rentals from NetFlix, I am not rebuying all of my movies again, especially at the $30 a disc price point.
]]>@Kaisum: Consumerist doesn't sponsor products.
]]>@idip: My complaint is that the media is expensive. I always shop around for a blu ray blu ray maovie ill like. I dont by blu ray movies that are older than 2 years because the older movies at the end of the day are just doctored up. But the difference with the proper equipment is stunning, like the concept with a VHS compared to a DVD.
Blu ray is also tougher, more scratch proof and can withstand more stress from bending.
And no, I wouldnt trust a $150 blu ray player as far as I could throw it.
]]>I clearly haven't paid enough attention to them.
I always thought it was movies they were advertising.
My bad, disregard the comment. Bring on the coupons.
]]>@Kaisum: my thoughts exactly.
]]>But on a quality TV the difference is simply amazing. I hardly ever rent DVDs from Netflix anymore, unless they're for my kids.
]]>@idip: I love Blu-Ray. I only buy movies I know I would like and would want to watch more than once, and I've never actually paid $30 for a movie. The most I've paid is about $24.
]]>@bornonbord: Netflix always sends coupons and ads. What do you think you tear off to get into your DVD?
]]>Part of the beauty of Netflix is it's simplicity. I get them advertising movies on that removeable flap, but I'm not so sure I want them sending me ads for gear.
Of course, I realize they are trying to drive revenue because their BluRay rentals cost more, but now that Insignia has done this deal, what's to stop Netflix from giving you an ad for Walmart, or Honda?
Hell, they already have a mailing list and an attentive audience, they could just start sending a booklet out with each DVD full of ads.
]]>@idip: Why buy Blu-Ray? Rent from Netflix. That means less clutter and mess for my den and I'd rather not have DVDs lying around. Works for me and I don't need to have a Blu-Ray sitting around anyhow.
]]>"On a 32-inch HDTV the visual difference between a Blu-ray disc and a DVD played on an upscaling DVD player is negligible."
...
For the visually impaired, maybe.
]]>And when I walk into Best Buy I see aisles of BluRays now. It's very remarkable. However, every time I see one, the average $30 price tag doesn't seem so appealing and I have no urge to buy one.
My friend and I were discussing how BluRay is probably going to be the last tangible format as now Digital Streaming is becoming more popular and accessible.
If the prices of the players and Blurays a like were cheaper, maybe I would have a different opinion. But it seems like we're only going to be buying the Pixar movies on Bluray. Nothing else seems worth it.
Okay OKay... maybe the complete set of Harry Potter if and when it comes out.
]]>