Time Warner Cable Television Service Deals

When HDTV sets initially began arising in the marketplace in 1998 folks were dazzled at the clearness hi-def offered over standard television sets. Since then millions of men and women have bought new televisions to take advantage of wide screen pictures with DVDs and high definition cable and satellite programming. While many folks still haven't made the jump, a recent technology discovery has made even HDTV fans take notice. Developed by Sony, Blu-Ray has pushed television resolutions to the next level. Just a couple years ago, nobody had a clue what format would become the inheritor to DVD, but now Blu-Ray has take the crown and I'll tell you why you should think about adding Blu-Ray to your home entertainment system.

Though research commenced almost ten years ago, Sony and its partners did not release a final commercial product until mid 2006. The name Blu-Ray derives from the blue laser that is utilized to read data from a Blu-Ray formatted disc. This contrasts with the red laser used to scan regular DVD discs. But why is Blu-Ray better than existing DVD formats? Although Blu-Ray discs and players don't appear any different than normal DVDs, they can store much more data meaning clearer picture, improved audio, and more special features. DVDs can hold up to 8 gbs. of data while Blu-Ray discs can hold 50 gigs. Huge 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're essentially not utilizing everything the TV can deliver when watching standard DVDs.

On release prices for Blu-Ray players were far beyond what an average user wished to spend. Costs between $700 and $1000 were not unusual for the first Blu-Ray players. And, there had been another competing standard on the store shelves that created a lot of confusion. Toshiba and NEC introduced their own DVD successor with release of the HD DVD standard. HD DVD, with enough space for 15 gigabytes, was an advance over regular DVDs but couldn't equal the specifications of Blu-Ray. However HD DVD did have some market authority. First, HD DVD was on the market 3 months before Blu-Ray. Second, HD DVD devices where a little less expensive to make and had a cheaper price tag as a result. Lastly, HD DVD had more movie studios on signed up at launch than Sony did which meant more flicks were at first available while Blu-Ray remained rare.

Sony had one gigantic trick up their sleeve that quite potentially saved Blu-Ray from a Betamax fate. Sony made use of a Blu-Ray player into their long awaited PlayStation three and sold the entire device for a bit less than many stand alone players were being sold for at the time. Quickly, Blu-Ray commenced making strides until shortly it outsold HD DVD 2-to-1 by late 2007. More and more movie studios began to commit to the Blu-Ray format exclusively, beginning with Warner Brothers in early 2008. Straight after Toshiba stopped making HD DVD players and recorders. By the end of 2008 rental firms Netflix and Blockbuster, as well as major shops, said they'd no longer carry HD DVD films. Currently all major studios release their movies on Blu-Ray. A few have continued to produce HD DVD and Blu-Ray releases simultaneously.

Costs have fallen dramatically during the last few years too. Many name brand Blu-Ray players from firms like Panasonic and LG can easily be found between $150 and $250. Blu-Ray disc recorders are in the $200 - $400 range and falling. For anyone who likes viewing movies at home and has invested in a high definition TV, now is a fabulous time to have a look at adding a Blu-Ray player to your setup. Even people who may be doubtful about Blu-Ray's enhancements over DVD owe it themselves to head down to their local electronics store and ask for a Blu-Ray demonstration. The picture sharpness and audio fidelity from Blu-Ray is truly excellent.

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