What is a Blu-ray player?
A Blu-ray player is a high-definition machine that is required to play Blu-ray discs. These special discs look like regular DVD discs, but are designed to store about six times more data than a DVD can. It’s called “Blu-ray” because the disc uses Blue Laser technology to hold film content at HDTV resolution.
Keep in mind that if you want to watch a Blu-ray movie, then you need a Blu-ray player because Blu-ray discs will not work in a regular DVD player. However, Blu-ray players will play any regular DVD as well, so there’s no need for two machines. There are many well-known brands that make Blu-ray players such as Apple, Hitachi, LG, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp and Sony.

What’s so special about Blu-ray?
Just as movies and TV shows on DVD look a lot better when compared to VHS, Blu-ray video takes a step above DVD quality. That’s because Blu-ray is high-definition quality – a full 1080p – where DVD images max out at 480p. When you pair a Blu-ray player with a 1080p display, you can enjoy the most detailed picture possible. Don’t worry though – you’ll still get an impressive HD picture if you have a 720p or 1080i TV set. Stop by your HomeTown ColorTyme store and experience the amazing difference between DVD and Blu-ray movies for yourself!

What are some features of a Blu-ray player?
With high-definition video quality, Blu-ray players use high-definition audio to with it from Dolby and DTS. Each company has developed premium sound formats to support Blu-ray discs using advanced forms of audio compression. Look for next-generation surround sound like Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD.
Several models have either built-in Wi-Fi or the ability to accept an optional wireless USB, which is convenient especially if you don’t have an Ethernet jack near your Blu-ray player. This means you can get to the Internet from your player to access an infinite amount of content including streaming movies.
Some models, like the upcoming BD590 from LG, even have a built-in hard drive that acts as storage space where you can hold music, photos and videos up to 250 GB!
Also, several major brands including Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba, have announced their first 3D Blu-ray players. Arriving later this year, these players will be able to play 3D Blu-ray discs.

Why is now a good time to get a Blu-ray player?
Blu-ray player prices have been getting more affordable – even for fully featured top-rated players from major brands. In addition, a retail report published by Blu-ray.com shows that the price gap between Blu-ray discs and DVDs has been getting smaller. For example, online retailer Amazon is now offering a great deal of Blu-ray titles for between $10 and $20, only a few dollars apart from DVD prices.
Choosing rent-to-own is an affordable way to enjoy Blu-ray. In addition to computers, appliances and furniture, your Hometown ColorTyme has popular brand-name Blu-ray players loaded with features. Let your local store know which one you’ve been eying and we’d be happy to deliver and install it into your home entertainment system at no extra charge when you open an account with ColorTyme!

Here are some brief research points that could shed some light on what’s to come:

*Because of the digital TV transition on June 12, many consumers made new TV purchases. According to research firm Retrevo Pulse, more and more households are adding high-def TVs to multiple rooms. In addition, HDTV purchases are soaring because of the availability of HD programming: terrestrial broadcasts, cable, satellite and Internet TV.

*The research company In-Stat says that digital media adaptors, pay TV set-top boxes, Blu-ray players/recorders, HDTVs, and media-center PCs are delivering Web video into households. However, all this will be overshadowed by the popularity of video game consoles. In-Stat says that consoles are currently “the most utilized devices for bringing Web video to the TV and will remain so through 2013. By 2013, over 10.7 million consoles will be used as Web-to-TV mediation devices in the U.S.”

*In-Stat also said that more than 66 million people are “using the Internet while camped out on their sofas watching TV.” Nowadays, TV has become more interactive for exactly this reason: Broadcasters know that households’ PCs aren’t too far away from their TVs. Many TV shows are asking viewers to vote online, register for contests, visit a program’s Web site for more information, and more. These networks know that they can access viewers on TVs and PCs, simultaneously. As time goes on, this becomes more the norm rather than the trend.

*Starting November 1, the new Energy Star TV specification for TVs takes effect. TVs with the compliant Energy Star specifications will be available for the holiday shopping season. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the new specifications account for both active and standby power consumption across all types of TVs.

*According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if all TVs purchased by consumers in 2009 met the new Energy Star standards, the savings in greenhouse gas emissions would be equal to removing 1 million cars from the road. Also according to the EPA, TVs that earn the Energy Star label under the new requirements will be up to 30 percent more efficient than non-qualified models, making it easier for consumers to select an efficient model based upon the government-backed criteria. The EPA projects that approximately one quarter of the TVs currently entering the market will meet the stricter specification for efficiency. A list of models qualified under the new Energy Star TV specification can be found online at www.energystar.gov.

*According to research firm The NPD Group, Blu-ray Disc video technology is moving further into the mainstream. First quarter sales of stand-alone Blu-ray players in the U.S. grew to more than 400,000 units, an increase of 72 percent over the same period last year.

*A recent PC World article said that Panasonic recently unveiled a prototype 50-inch TV and companion glasses that together give the viewer the illusion of three dimensions. Expect more 3D products from Panasonic – and other manufacturers – this year and in 2010.

*Want to know what HD programming (by service provider) is available in your zip code? Visit www.whereisHD.com and enter your zip code to find out.

Beyond conventional retail, flat panel TVs, game consoles and computers have been favorites in the rent to own industry – especially among ColorTyme customers. Multi-tasking and multi-use hasn’t been overlooked either in this market. In some cases, TVs can double as educational devices and represent the central entertainment resource for many families.

Sources: Media Business Corp., Retrevo Pulse, PC World, In-Stat, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The NPD Group, and the Consumer Electronics Association