DCSIMG

We look at the best Blu-Ray machines on the market


Published on Friday 6 June 2008 17:13

The high definition format war has been won with Blu-ray DVDs triumphing over their HD-DVD rivals, and the next generation of entertainment is now clearly established.

Both Toshiba's HD-DVD format and Sony's Blu-ray have been battling it out for the past few years with many people too apprehensive to invest in either in case they were left with obsolete technology.

Consumers who backed the wrong format can now pick up HD-DVD titles at falling prices but there will be no further releases of discs so it is not worth picking up an HD-DVD player if you don't have one.

Blu-ray which is also available through the PlayStation 3 (PS3), provides a better quality picture and sound than standard DVDs and can hold ten times more content.

Blu-ray players can also play standard DVDs so you don't have to replace your collection, which could prove costly. Replacing a typical collection of 30 DVDs with Blu-ray discs would set you back 540.

Whilst new DVD releases average at around 12.99 their Blu-ray equivalent is usually found at 17.99. However as competition increases the price of Blu-ray discs will inevitably fall.

The same can be said for Blu-ray players which are becoming more affordable each week. The average price is 437 but you can pick up a Samsung or Sony one for 299.99 at Comet or PS3 for under 300 (289.99 on website play.com).

Dean Kirk manager of H G Rapkin, an entertainment equipment store in Abington Square, Northampton, said Blu-ray machines had been flying out the door since the format war was resolved.

He added: "We sell a lot more Blu-ray now. A new Panasonic has just come out which is 349. They are becoming more competitive. Pioneer are aiming at the higher end of the market and theirs is 1,000 but they are bringing out another model which will be less."

This year will also see around a dozen new Blu-ray players arriving in the UK, so if you are able to hold off a little longer the prices will come down.

When DVD players were first launched they cost up to 1,000 and now bargain models can be picked up for under 20.

But to get the most out of your Blu-ray player and Blu-ray discs you need to have a high definition television. Look out for the new official 'HD-ready 1080p' logo which are the best televisions on which to view Blu-ray.

Dean explained: "To get the maximum from your Blu-ray, if you are a dedicated film fan, you need a 1080p ready. This is full resolution and the maximum you can get on a television. A 42 inch plasma is 1,199.

"After 32 inch it is better to get a plasma screen than an LCD. The refresh rate is faster and there is not a blurred effect.

"However I have a 37 inch plasma which is 1080p compatible (rather than 1080p ready) and Blu-ray looks stunning. A lot of people wouldn't notice the difference."

So does the emergence of Blu-ray mean the inevitable death of DVDs?

Yes said Dean, but not quite yet. "DVDs will be around for a while. You can still buy DVD players up to 1,000. People don't want to bin their collections. But there are more Blu-ray machines coming through and it will start a price war. It is the only way to go now."

We'll save you pounds on...fuel

WITH petrol and diesel prices increasing every week, many drivers are looking for ways of cutting down their fuel bills.

As well as the obvious health benefits of cutting down the amount of car journeys and walking or cycling wherever possible, drivers can also save pounds by following a few simple rules.

-Use websites such as www.petrolprices.com to find out where the cheapest petrol and diesel can be bought.

-Ensure that your car is regularly serviced and check your tyre pressures regularly. Under-inflated tyres can cost you eight per cent more in fuel and will wear out more quickly too.

-Turning off air conditioning and heated rear windows when not required can save a further 10 per cent in fuel costs.

-Remove a roof rack if you don't need it and any other excess weight on the car. A fully loaded roof rack can add 30 per cent to fuel consumption.

-Drive smoothly and consistently. Avoiding harsh acceleration and braking can save you 10 per cent in fuel costs (and prevent premature wear and tear).

-The price of driving can also be slashed by joining a car-sharing scheme. It not only saves money, but eases road congestion.

For a driver of a Ford Fiesta, who often harshly accelerates, with a fully loaded roof rack, has the air conditioning turned on all the time, has under inflated tyres and a petrol tank that can be filled up to 35 litres, you could be saving up to 2.45 every time you fill up as prices in Northamptonshire currently range from a high of 121.9p per litre to a low of 114.9p per litre.

If you filled up on petrol every week this would work out as a saving of 127.40 a year.

Making sure you have the air conditioning off would save you another 208 per year, making sure your car is regularly serviced 167 per year, driving smoothly and consistently 208 per year and taking off the fully loaded roof rack, a massive 624 per year.

POTENTIAL SAVING ON EXAMPLE GIVEN 1,334.40


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