Bundling Services Through Time Warner Cable

When high definition television sets initially began cropping up on the market in late 90s consumers were dazzled at the clarity high definition delivered over standard TV screens. Since that time millions of people have upgraded their televisions to take advantage of wide screen flicks with DVDs and high definition cable and satellite programming. While some people still haven't made the leap, a recent technology discovery has made even HDTV aficionados take notice. Developed by Sony, Blu-Ray has pushed television resolutions to a new level. Just a few years gone, no one had a clue what standard would become the inheritor to DVD, but now Blu-Ray has won the battle and I'll tell you why you should consider adding Blu-Ray to your home entertainment system.

Though research began in 2000, Sony and its partners failed to manufacture a final commercial product until mid 2006. The name Blu-Ray derives from the blue laser that is utilized to read info from a Blu-Ray formatted disc. This is in opposition to the red laser used to scan regular DVD discs. But why is Blu-Ray better than current DVD formats? Although Blu-Ray discs and players don't appear any different than standard DVDs, they can save much more info that means sharper picture, improved audio, and more special features. DVDs can hold up to eight gigabytes of information while Blu-Ray discs can hold 50 gigabytes. Big difference. The max resolution of a DVD is 720x480 lines whereas Blu-Ray has a max of 1920x1080 (also called full high definition). If you've spent $1000 or more on a 1080p television, you are really not utilizing all the television can deliver when watching regular DVDs.

Originally costs for Blu-Ray players were way beyond what a typical home user wished to pay. Price tags between $700 and $1000 were not unusual for the first Blu-Ray players. Plus, there was another competing standard on the store shelves that made plenty of bewilderment. Toshiba and NEC produced their own DVD follow-up device with release of the HD DVD standard. HD DVD, with a storage capability of 15 gigs, was a step up over regular DVDs but didn't match the specifications of Blu-Ray. However HD DVD did have some market authority. First, they made it to store shelves three months before Blu-Ray. Second, HD DVD devices where a little less expensive to produce and had a lower price tag as a consequence. Lastly, HD DVD had more Hollywood studios on board at launch than Sony did which meant more pictures were initially available while Blu-Ray stayed scarce.

Sony had one huge trick up their sleeve that quite potentially saved Blu-Ray from a Betamax fate. Sony incorporated a Blu-Ray player into their highly anticipated PlayStation 3 and sold the entire device for a bit less than most stand alone players were going for at the time. After that, Blu-Ray began making strides till soon it outsold HD DVD 2-to-1 by late 2007. More Hollywood studios started to sign on to the Blu-Ray format solely, beginning with Warner Brothers in early 2008. Straight after Toshiba stopped making HD DVD players and recorders. By the end of 2008 rental companies Netflix and Blockbuster, as well as major stores, announced they would no longer carry HD DVD flicks. Now all major studios release their movies on Blu-Ray. A few still produce HD DVD and Blu-Ray releases at the same time.

Prices have fallen seriously during the last few years as well. Many name brand Blu-Ray players from companies like Panasonic and LG can easily be found between $150 and $250. Blu-Ray disc recorders are in the $200 - $400 range and dropping just as quickly. For anyone that enjoys viewing films at home and has invested in a high definition TV, now is a great time take a look into adding a Blu-Ray player to your setup. Even those who may be skeptical about Blu-Ray's enhancements over DVD owe it themselves to go down to their local home entertainment store and ask for a Blu-Ray demonstration. The picture clarity and audio fidelity from Blu-Ray is truly excellent.

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