DVD Player Buying Guides

DVD players are a great way not only to watch films, but to listen to music, view photographs, and play interactive games. There is a variety of DVD players to choose from when purchasing online, with different features and types of playback. Here are some useful hints and tips about things to consider when choosing a new DVD player.

How to Choose a DVD Player: Types

Essentially, DVD players read digitally stored data held on a disc via a laser beam while the disc spins, in a similar way to a CD player. The information is processed into an analogue signal and then sent to a television screen, where it can be viewed and/or heard.

Although the most basic DVD players offer great sound and pictures, DVD players can vary in picture quality. With the advent of High Definition television you should make sure you choose a DVD player with the progressive scan feature, which works with a range of LCD and plasma televisions to produce a much sharper picture, reducing the flicker that can come with a basic DVD player working with a CRT television.

DVD players are usually 'widescreen enhanced'. This means that the picture perfectly fits modern widescreen television screens, giving a cinematic effect. Using a wide screen enhanced DVD player with a traditional 4:3 aspect television compacts the image into a narrow horizontal frame, making the picture appear taller and thinner. You may need to consider upgrading your television if buying a widescreen DVD player.

You can also buy DVD players that can be installed in cars, for passengers to enjoy films and music while on the move, and portable DVD players that come with a built-in screen that often flips up, like a laptop computer. Portable DVD players can be great for holidays, watching films on a train, or using wherever a conventional DVD player can't be used.

Basic DVD players offer great value for money, and although they don't come with as many features, they provide an affordable and straightforward means to play your favourite movies and songs.

Features to Look For When You Buy a DVD Player

DVD players will usually play a range of disc and file formats including DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD Video, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, Video CD, SVCD, MP3 CD, Kodak picture and JPEG.

DVD players usually come with Dolby Digital or Nicam sound, offering improved audio quality and two channel stereo output. Often DVD players will also include 5.1 surround sound and six channel analogue outputs - this is essential for home cinema kits where five full frequency speakers and one subwoofer deliver incredible sound, ideal for watching movies or playing music.

Other sound features to consider when choosing your DVD player include DVD Audio, where the DVD player delivers high fidelity 24 bit sound in stereo or multi-channel formats, and SACD (Super Audio CD), developed by Sony, which offers a wider dynamic range and which could potentially replace the standard CD.

The features on the DVD player should be easy to use, with easy to understand configurations and easy to navigate menus. Thankfully DVD players are becoming simpler to use, consigning to history stories of video players that were discarded due to their owners being unable to operate them!

Before Choosing A DVD Player: Check the Region

When DVD players were first manufactured, companies would design them to play DVDs bought in one continent only. This was to protect prices, release dates and information. Now you can buy multi-region DVD players that will play any DVD - especially useful if you are a fan of world cinema.

Do I Need to Buy an Extended DVD Player Warranty?

It's worth finding out what type of warranty or guarantee is available before choosing your DVD player. A warranty or guarantee ensures that your DVD player can be repaired or replaced, providing you meet certain conditions.

Retailers and manufacturers usually offer a free or fixed priced guarantee or warranty on brand new DVD players, for up to three years, so it's a good idea to compare different warranties on the products that are available.

You can find out what warranty is available for your DVD player on the retailer's web site. Apart from warranties and guarantees, you also have statutory rights when buying a DVD player online.

You should always budget accordingly when looking to buy a DVD player. Set a limit on how much you could spend, and shop around online to compare prices between different retailers. Companies regularly offer sales or discounts, so you could end up with a better DVD player for your money.