On Blu-Rays…

 

As you may have noticed, we at Reckless Video now have incorporated Blu-Ray discs into our selection of films.  However, there are a few questions that have been asked quite frequently since we got them in, such as:

 

Q: What's a Blu-Ray?

A: It's a newer format of disc that is now becoming available.  The quality of the picture is better, they can hold more information (more deleted scenes, interviews, etc.), and have more features and options than normal DVDs.

 

Q: How do I tell the difference between Blu-Rays and DVDs?

A: Well, there are a couple of ways.  The Blu-Ray cases are slightly smaller, as well as transparent blue. 

 

Q: Can I play Blu-Ray discs in my DVD player?

A: No, sadly you can't.  Just as CD's can't be played on a turntable and VHS tapes can't be played in a DVD player, Blu-Rays also require a special player (which currently are pretty expensive). 

 

NOTE: On the positive side, Blu-Ray players can play both Blu-Ray discs AND DVDs.

 

Q: Where can I get a Blu-Ray player? How much are they?

A: Currently, Blu-Ray players are available from most major electronic stores such as Best Buy and Amazon.  The price ranges anywhere from $330 all the way up to $2,000.

 

So all of that generally leads to the question of whether or not it's worth it to buy a Blu-Ray player. It really depends on the person.  If you're the type who wants to be able to count individual blades of grass in the background of a scene from No Country For Old Men, and you've got $1,100 to spend (the minimum cost of a Blu-Ray player and a TV big enough for the difference in quality to be noticeable), by all means go for it.  But for your average Joe, I'd probably say wait to buy.  The price of the players will drop over the next couple of years, and it'll be much longer than that before DVDs become obsolete.  So unless you have your heart set on having the absolute newest, best quality picture right now, hold off for a bit, and just make sure to avoid accidentally grabbing the movies in the see-through blue cases.