Best Smart 4K Blu-Ray Players With HDMI & Wireless Function for TV

Review & Comparison, Last Update March 16, 2024
Have got a collection of all-time-favorite movies and not able to watch them on your media player? Opt for a Blu-Ray player that ensures compatibility literally with all file formats. Blu-Ray player will immerse you into the world of high-definition images, quality sound and modern functionality! ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
COMPATIBLE DISC FORMATS
Max Supported Resolution
SUPPORTED FORMATS
FEATURES
PRE-INSTALLED SERVICES & APPs
INTERFACES & WIRELESS CONNECTION
BUILT-IN AUDIO DECODERS
CONTROL
WARRANTY
 
PROS

The HDR tech here will be able to reproduce the darkest blacks and the brightest whites. The noise reduction feature will minimize interferences and provide precise image expression. The Dolby Atmos® tech will treat sounds as separate objects to make the experience more immersive. 

CONS

The included HDMI cable is pretty short.

OUR VERDICT

The LG UBK80 is not without its limits but, provided the TV you're using already has Smart functionality, you have very little incentive to spend extra bucks on more expensive players. Instead, look into this one, already fitted with the right video and audio tech to support quality viewing experience.

detailed parameters
COMPATIBLE DISC FORMATS

Blu-Ray, DVD, CD, USB

Max Supported Resolution

4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160)

SUPPORTED FORMATS

MPEG4 AVC (H.264), VOB, MPEG2 PS/TS, MPEG-1, AVCHD, MKV, AVC Rec, M4V, WMV, 3GP, FLV, SMPTE VC1 (VC-9), MOV, TS, DAT, Xvid

FEATURES

4K upscaling processor, 3D support, SIMPLINK™

PRE-INSTALLED SERVICES & APPs

No

INTERFACES & WIRELESS CONNECTION

1 x HDMI output (rear), 1 x Optical audio output (rear), 1 x USB input (front), 1 x Ethernet connection (rear), DLNA

BUILT-IN AUDIO DECODERS

DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos

CONTROL

Remote control

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

The BT.2020 wide color space lets content creators provide saturated colors, making sure that the blues are aquatic and deep, the greens are natural, and the reds are vibrant and rich. The HDR10 enables the device to increase max brightness yet retain deep blacks, making the viewing experience especially captivating.

CONS

The Wi-fi module is relatively outdated. 

OUR VERDICT

There are not too many mid-range Blu-ray players that are able to tussle with high-end models on the image quality front. Fortunately, the Sony UBP-X700 is one of them. Plus, the player supports 3D and will let you mirror the screen.

detailed parameters
COMPATIBLE DISC FORMATS

Blu-Ray, DVD, CD, USB

Max Supported Resolution

4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160)

SUPPORTED FORMATS

AVCHD, HEVC, Motion JPEG, MPEG-1 Video/PS, VOB, VRO, MPEG-2 Video/PS, TS, VOB, .VRO, MPEG-4 AVC, VC1, Xvid, AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, HEAAC, LPCM, WMA10 Pro, WMA9 Standard, JPG

FEATURES

4K upscaling processor, 3D Support, Screen mirroring, Smooth video streaming with dual-band Wi-Fi, Dual-core processor

PRE-INSTALLED SERVICES & APPs

Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Instant Video, and more

INTERFACES & WIRELESS CONNECTION

2 x HDMI output (rear), 1 x Coaxial audio output (rear), 1 x USB input (front), 1 x Ethernet connection (rear), Wi-Fi / DLNA

BUILT-IN AUDIO DECODERS

DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos

CONTROL

Remote control, video, and TV SideView app

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

The TRILUMINOS tech generates a heightened sense of depth and outstandingly true, natural shades of colors. On top of that, the device is also incredibly fast. With Quick Start mode and Fast Loading technologies, it takes on average no more than 1 second to boot up your Blu-ray player.

CONS

The upscaling of DVD discs leaves a bit to be desired.

OUR VERDICT

The Sony BDPS6700 is one of the better options on the market for those who do not wish to pay the extra price but are still interested in the model that features acceptable quality and is capable of upscaling their movies to a 4K resolution and converting their average Blu-ray and DVD movies to 3D.

detailed parameters
COMPATIBLE DISC FORMATS

Blu-Ray, DVD, CD, USB

Max Supported Resolution

Full HD (1920 x 1080)

SUPPORTED FORMATS

MPEG-1, MPEG-2, Xvid, MPEG4/AVC, VC1, WMV9, Motion JPEG, AVCHD (Ver.2.0), MP3, AAC, WMA9/WMA10 PRO, LPCM, FLAC, Dolby Digital, DSF, DSDIFF, AIFF, ALAC, Vorbis, Monkey’s Audio

FEATURES

4K upscaling processor, TRILUMINOS™, 2D to 3D conversion, Screen mirroring, Smooth video streaming with dual-band Wi-Fi, Dual-core processor

PRE-INSTALLED SERVICES & APPs

Netflix, YouTube, Opera TV, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Amazon Instant Video, and more

INTERFACES & WIRELESS CONNECTION

1 x HDMI output (rear), 1 x Coaxial audio output (rear), 1 x USB input (front), 1 x Ethernet connection (rear), Wi-Fi / Bluetooth® / DLNA

BUILT-IN AUDIO DECODERS

DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD

CONTROL

Remote control, Video & TV SideView app

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

The 6-foot cable will let you easily connect the device without scooching it next to the TV. The remote has an ergonomic, convenient layout and generous button spacing, minimizing the risk of clicking the wrong button. The upscaling tech will make legacy content almost indistinguishable from actual Full HD content.

CONS

The pre-installed services can lag at times. 

OUR VERDICT

People with a TV that does not have smart functions can buy a new TV, sure, but they can also buy this affordable Blu-ray player and, besides playing CD, DVD, and Blu-ray content from discs and USB-enabled devices, they can also access online platforms and watch streaming services. 

detailed parameters
COMPATIBLE DISC FORMATS

Blu-Ray, DVD, CD, USB

Max Supported Resolution

Full HD (1920 x 1080)

SUPPORTED FORMATS

MPEG4 AVC (H.264), VOB, MPEG2 PS/TS, MPEG-1, AVCHD, MKV, AVC Rec, M4V, WMV, 3GP, FLV, SMPTE VC1 (VC-9), MOV, TS, DAT, Xvid

FEATURES

Full HD upscaling processor, SIMPLINK™ 

PRE-INSTALLED SERVICES & APPs

Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, Youtube, Amazon Instant Video, and more

INTERFACES & WIRELESS CONNECTION

1 x HDMI output (rear), 1 x USB input (front), 1 x Ethernet connection (rear), DLNA

BUILT-IN AUDIO DECODERS

DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus

CONTROL

Remote control

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

You will be able to access over 300 streaming services including movies, TV shows, music and more from some of the more popular applications. With Miracast screen mirroring technology you will be able to cast the contents of your smart device to your TV by mirroring the screen of your Android compatible mobile devices to your television set or a monitor.

CONS

The remote is unresponsive.

OUR VERDICT

There's a large variety of different Blu-ray players on the market, but if you're not a particular expert on the subject, the Sony BDPS3700 should serve as the right model for you. The level of convenience it features thanks to a user-friendly interface will work wonders for any potential customer out there.

detailed parameters
COMPATIBLE DISC FORMATS

Blu-Ray, DVD, CD, USB

Max Supported Resolution

Full HD (1920 x 1080)

SUPPORTED FORMATS

MPEG-1, MPEG-2, Xvid, MPEG4/AVC, VC1, WMV9, Motion JPEG, AVCHD (Ver.2.0), MP3, AAC, WMA9/WMA10 PRO, LPCM, FLAC, Dolby Digital, DSF, DSDIFF, AIFF, ALAC, Vorbis, Monkey’s Audio

FEATURES

TRILUMINOS™, 2D to 3D conversion, Screen mirroring, Built-in Wi-Fi with MIMO technology

PRE-INSTALLED SERVICES & APPs

Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video & more

INTERFACES & WIRELESS CONNECTION

1 x HDMI output (rear), 1 x Coaxial audio output (rear), 1 x USB input (front), 1 x Ethernet connection (rear), Wi-Fi / DLNA

BUILT-IN AUDIO DECODERS

DTS, Dolby TrueHD

CONTROL

Remote control, video, and TV SideView app

WARRANTY

1 year

X

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LG UBK80

Separate Audio Objects

The LG UBK80 is not expensive. Sitting comfortably at the mid-range segment, the device has its moments but also its flaws. Starting with the latter, the HDMI cable that the model's shipped with is pretty short, not the biggest issue but unpleasant nonetheless. Besides that, the device is fitted with limited tech, lacking audio upscaling software and maybe a Wi-Fi module to enable video streaming, something that most Blu-ray players within this price bracket are seldom manufactured without. On the upside, the company's SIMPLINK™ feature has not gone anywhere, connecting the TV to outside apps and different services. Using this system, you'll be navigating through these apps and services with intuitive ease, organizing them as you please.

The model's more basic than we've come to expect from mid-range players, though not from the audio standpoint. The DTS-HD Master Audio support is basically obligatory as far as these players are concerned, we get that. But the Dolby Atmos® technology is something that's usually reserved for premium models, so the surprise was nice, to say the least. This surround sound tech treats sounds as separate objects, releasing them to move without restrictions, flowing around and even above you to make the experience immersive, enveloping, and beyond engaging.

Review of LG UBK80 3D 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player

Detailed Visuals

From the video playback angle, the device is not trailing behind too. First things first, you're offered HDR support, making the contrast bold and the colors vibrant. Second, the model's also compatible with 4K Ultra HD content, transporting you from dull, lifeless imagery into the world brimming with crisp, detailed, nuanced, and sharp visuals. You can watch legacy content too as the device is backward compatible. That being said, we would recommend upscaling that content since LG's upscaling tech is pretty good, reproducing outdated pictures with stunning clarity. Adding more, the model's adopting noise reduction tech, minimizing interferences and offering precise image expression.

The device's footprint and outline are uninspired, no two ways about it. Blu-ray players' appearance is not something that matters the most but we'd like to see some improvements next time, maybe make the profile more streamlined, maybe the buttons less clunky.

Even taking that into account though, the LG UBK80 is impressive in its own right. People whose TV is already fitted with Smart functionality will find this product more than good enough.

LG UBK80 3D 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $99.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B076HQ99Z6

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

BluRay Disks load quickly and plays at 4k resolution.

Features

Fast load, very good fast forward & pause operations, no issues playing Blu-rays.

Outputs

Tried hooking the unit up to multiple HDMI ports and other devices work fine. This player is nice.
 

Sony UBP-X700

Polished Accents with Smooth Curves

The Sony UBP-X700 is as affordable as mid-range Blu-ray players come without compromising playback quality and functionality. Generally speaking, we can completely get behind the company's aesthetics and this product fits that mold as much as the next Sony device.

The streamlined glossy profile looks elegant and about as tasteful as these players can look. Its polished accents and smooth curves elevate the product's appearance beyond its affordable price tag. We're not saying that the device will be able to enrich most spaces but, at the very least, the player will be able to disappear into its surroundings and make an excellent addition to most modern settings.

Its measurements are pretty standard, adding up to 15 x 12 x 4 inches and weighing ~3 pounds. In other words, the device is compact enough to not impose on that precious entertainment center space that you probably want to conserve.

Of course, as much as the people at Sony care about aesthetics, it is the product's specs that make its case here. Sure, the player's 4K Ultra HD support pretty much goes without saying considering the product's relatively recent release date. We're taking that for granted now. However, we wouldn't recommend taking its HDR tech for granted.

Supporting HDR10, the device is able to produce 100 times the brightness compared to the standard SDR signal. At the same time, the player's ability to massively increase peak brightness, all while retaining deep and highly-detailed blacks, will elevate the viewing experience even further than before.

Review of Sony UBP-X700 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player

Wide Color Spaces

Some users don't care for HDR10 though. That's fine. You can use the Dolby Vision instead. Bringing different scenes to life with striking highlights, deep darks, and vibrant colors, this HDR solution creates the most immersive and engaging cinematic experience at home.

We couldn't (and shouldn't) overlook the player's new BT.2020 color spaces. These wide spaces enable content creators to promote more saturated and realistic colors, from the deepest aquatic blues to the most natural greens and rich reds.

At the same time, the player's conversion tech will give you additional shadow and highlight details. The HDR-SDR conversion here works wonders intelligently scaling HDR’s ultra-wide brightness range into SDR imagery, maintaining the most excellent picture quality even with those legacy SDR TVs.

Bottom line, the Sony UBP-X700 is arguably the only Blu-ray player within its price bracket that will be able to match high-end players on the picture quality front. Its screen mirroring tech and 3D support are nice too but, even without those, what we have here is an excellent device for the price.

Sony UBP-X700 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $178.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B078HXF9H2

 

Sony BDP - S6700

Reputation That Precedes the Company

There's this little-known saying popular in some countries that basically boils down to this: "First, you work for your reputation. Then, your reputation works for you". And if you have ever experienced starting a new activity, be it some sort of hobby with a new group of acquaintances or a new job with a large number of previously unknown colleagues, you probably know that this phrase isn't necessarily far from the truth. And although brands of different companies are not what you would describe as human, they're built upon the foundation of individuals, meaning that this saying applies to business enterprises as well. If your company has been capable of producing a variety of different quality products over the years, the customers are going to trust it even before seeing and utilizing the actual device.

If you're looking for a precedent of this kind of company, very few could serve as a better example than Sony. This Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation has been designing, developing, manufacturing and distributing consumer electronics for over 70 years now and managed to establish a name for themselves as one of the most reliable companies in the world. So whenever customers are looking for any kind of product in the world of technologies, going with one of Sony's is virtually never the wrong choice. Blu-ray players are no exception, of course, so if you're not exactly sure which one you should purchase between the myriad of potential choices, the Sony BDPS3700 is highly unlikely to disappoint you.

Review of Sony BDP - S6700 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player

Place It Anywhere You Want

When it comes to any piece of equipment, one of the things that catch the eye of the customer is the exterior of the model. The Sony BDPS3700 features a sleek black design that will serve as a great addition to any room regardless of its color palette and structure. The model also features 11.5 x 10.83 x 2.76 inches of overall dimensions making sure that it won't take too much of that precious space of yours and weighs no more than 2 pounds, meaning that transporting it shall never present a challenge to any user.

It comes with an HDMI output, a coaxial audio output, and an Ethernet connection on the rear side and a USB input and WiFi/DLNA receivers on the front. The USB input will prove especially useful in allowing you to experience all of the videos, photos and digital music that you wish from the comforts of your local content. Just like the majority of Blu-ray players, it comes with a remote control that will allow you to operate the device from the distance. But unlike most of them, it also comes with the support of Video & TV SideView application providing you with a possibility of controlling the player with your smartphone or a tablet.

The Blu-ray in question costs no more than 70 dollars and for the kind of quality it features and the kind of functionality it comes with, that is a bargain, to say the least. But, of course, you're not going to get a proper 4k player for that kind of price. While that may be upsetting, this model features a nice alternative. The device comes with a 4K upscaling function that will allow you to get the most out of your 4K Ultra HD TV by upscaling the quality of your Blu-ray movies to a quality that is very similar to a proper 4K picture.

The upscaling chip also comes in handy in improving the quality of the online content and DVD discs. On top of that, it also comes with an option of upscaling your regular Blu-ray and DVD discs to 3D. The 2D to 3D conversion function provides your DVDs or Blu-ray Disc movies with an opportunity to be automatically converted into 3D for playback on your 3D display.

Since this is a Sony player in question, the model comes with a technology unique to Sony called TRILUMINOS. TRILUMINOS is a color technology that generates a heightened sense of depth and outstandingly true, natural shades of colors.

Last but not least, the device is also incredibly fast. With Quick Start mode and Fast Loading technologies, it takes on average no more than a second to boot up your Blu-ray player.

To sum it up, the Sony BDPS6700 is one of the better options on the market for those customers that do not wish to pay the extra price but are still interested in the kind of model that features acceptable quality and is capable of upscaling their movies to a 4K resolution and converting their average Blu-ray and DVD movies to 3D.

Sony BDP - S6700 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $124.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B075Y4H4PM

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

Very good resolution Blu-ray player. I would recommend it. Just buy it and you can see 4k miracle!

Features

It has many of the standard apps for streaming and can use Ethernet wired or wifi wireless connections to access the streams.

Outputs

Very easy to set up. Plug in power cord, then plug in HDMI cable to TV and now your ready to watch brilliant movies!
 

LG BP175

Turning old TVs into Multimedia Giants

It can seem sometimes that Blu-ray had been introduced only a few years ago, but the technology is actually not that new and will soon be celebrating its 15th birthday. Because that is the case and, to some extent, because most content nowadays is usually available online, different players and physical drives are becoming obsolete and, thus, less expensive. Blu-ray players are not obsolete but they're getting there, which is why you can purchase an excellent model like the LG BP175 without spending more than $100. What's so excellent about this model though?

Well, to name one, the device supports most streaming services and comes with Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, Youtube, Amazon Instant Video, and more already pre-installed, so that even people without smart TVs can use these streaming platforms and enjoy their favorite Netflix shows. In the name of transparency, we cannot overlook the fact that these apps can lag at times, something that you can fix by updating the firmware, but still.

What will not lag is the upscaling tech though. Using the HDMI input, this player will be able to upscale legacy content, making DVD-Video content look almost indistinguishable from legit Full HD.

What will seldom lag is Sony's trademark SIMPLINK™ system, turning basic TVs into giant multimedia devices where you can create and organize multiple accounts, install different apps, switch between various services, access countless online platforms, and more.

Review of LG BP175 Blu-ray Player

Immersive Audio

People can sometimes forget about audio, even it is as important to the whole "audio-visual" medium as its video counterpart. The people at Sony don't forget about audio though, not usually anyway. Incorporating DTS-HD Master Audio, these people have allowed this device to playback lossless audio and recreate authentic surround-sound movie soundtracks. Then, you have the Dolby TrueHD support, able to play eight audio channels at the same time and mixing them in a 3D sound field, making the audio even more immersive. Last but not least, the model is endowed with Dolby Digital Plus, carrying with it reduced compression rates and more honest space perception.

Setting that aside, this model is not that different from most Sony Blu-ray players, including the USB port that enables USB playback and the company's standard remote with an ergonomic layout and decent spacing between the buttons.

To give you the gist, the LG BP175 has to be somewhere among the best budget Blu-ray players, with its above-average Full HD upscaling and streaming services support.

LG BP175 Blu-ray Player in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $87.39
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07S42W1BB

 

Sony BDP-S3700

The Player That You Need

When it comes to any sort of device, some people are well aware of what they want out of it and the kind of functions they deem necessary. Naturally, some of it stems from the fact that they happen to possess a sufficient amount of knowledge in that area. But although that's generally a big part of it, that isn't always the entire picture. Some individuals simply tend to understand what kind of features are crucial and fundamental, what sort of options they will find a use for and what type of functions are simply unnecessary in their opinion.

When it comes to a Blu-ray player, there's a variety of different options, functions, inputs and additional formats that may seem useful to one person all while being entirely meaningless and worthless to another. Some will definitely appreciate a number of different inputs, for instance, if they're the type of person that owns an abundance of different devices that feature the possibility of working together. Some of the more tech-savvy people will certainly be grateful for a Blu-ray player that can handle a variety of different unorthodox formats that you will be hard-pressed to find in your regular model.

But if you're not one of these people and you don't necessarily have an idea of what you want out of your Blu-ray player other than being a quality piece of technology, there's no need to worry. Individuals that know their way around these devices can determine that for you and come up with a model like the Sony BDPS3700, a streaming Blu-ray Disc Player with WiFi that will work wonders for you by featuring everything you didn't even know you wanted from this kind device.

Review of Sony BDP-S3700 Blu-Ray Disc Player with Wi-Fi

An Excellent Starting Point

The Sony BDPS3700 is an incredibly convenient device that features virtually everything one could possibly want from a Blu-ray player. First of all, you will be able to access over 300 streaming services and experience boundless joy and entertainment including movies, TV shows, music, and more from some of the more popular applications such as Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Amazon Instant Video, etc. With Miracast screen mirroring technology you will be able to cast the contents of your smart device to your TV by mirroring the screen of your Android compatible mobile devices to your television set or a monitor.

With a customizable user-friendly graphical interface, you will be able to easily find all of the applications and features that you deem necessary or interesting. You can divide the content of the said interface by placing all of the featured applications on one side of the screen and your favorite applications to the other side of your display. This way, you will be able to neatly organize the entirety of your content, and accessing it will be more convenient than ever. With the TV SideView application, you will also be able to utilize your tablet or smartphone (Android or iOS) to operate your Blu-ray player.

But as great as a convenient interface and a variety of different utilities can be, at the end of the day, this is a Blu-ray player we're talking about and it ought to provide you with an opportunity to experience all of the movies that you want with a nice quality of the picture and an acceptable audio performance to boot. And the Sony BDPS3700 does not fail to deliver in that fundamental regard. The device comes featuring a Full HD 1080 playback, meaning that it supports Full HD Blu-ray disc playback when connected through an HDMI cable to a compatible television set. The upscaling feature additionally provides you with an opportunity to improve the quality of the online content and is capable of upconverting DVDs to near HD quality for an enhanced viewing experience.

And the sound quality will not be the one to drag you down either featuring a Dolby TrueHD technology that makes it possible to deliver the kind of sound that is almost indistinguishable to the one that the director intended. There's a large variety of different Blu-ray players on the market, but if you're not a particular expert on the subject, the Sony BDPS3700 should serve as the right model for you. The level of convenience it features thanks to a user-friendly interface will work wonders for any potential customer out there.

Sony BDP-S3700 Blu-Ray Disc Player with Wi-Fi in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $44.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01AT6B0DK

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

Love the smart capabilities and easy to setup with wifi.

Features

Love it great size plays every format of digital media. Decent performance!

Outputs

great product. have ether net port,digital audio coaxial output port, HDMI output, Wi-Fi. Complete output method, lowest price. Great quality.
 

What Is a Blu-Ray Player?

Blu-ray players offer many advantages over regular DVD players. However, the most important one is perhaps their versatility. In addition to playing Blu-rays disks, they can also play DVDs and CDs, which makes them a worthy upgrade for those who have a big collection of DVD disks and do not want to throw it away.

Another one, of course, is a noticeable improvement to the quality of picture and sound. Most modern models pack in the advanced object-based formats including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD and more, adding realistic feel to the video content displayed on the screen.

Furthermore, Blu-ray players can access content that is streamed from the Internet. If you watch Vudu, Netflix, or Hulu, you'll appreciate this.

Finally, Blu-ray players have an upscaling feature. This means they will not only play your ol' DVDs, but also they will make sure the picture looks as close to Full HD as possible.

The range of capabilities in DVD players is pretty basic and well-known, so no introduction needed if you plan to purchase a brand-new DVD player. But if you need a multifunctional media device, then we highly recommend you to pay attention to our streaming media players review.

Best Blu-Ray Players

What Features to Compare

Compatibility

First of all, consider Blu-Ray player's compatibility with different discs and media file formats. Apart from standard compact discs like CD, DVD and VCD, such media players support older formats and Blu-ray discs. Blu-ray – is an optical disc data storage format capable of storing the highest level of image quality: Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) and Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels). Check those models that support the max resolution to play all-time-favorite movies in high clarity with vivid colors.

In addition to the standard MP3, JPEG and AVI formats encoded by DivX / XviD codecs, all modern media players are capable of reproducing a large number of other popular multimedia formats, such as MKV and MP4 video. Although 3D movies didn’t get quite a lot of popularity from the audience, a three-dimensional video is still firmly established in the market of home theaters, so if you are interested in watching 3D-movies, make sure that your player has a Blu-ray 3D support and a 1.4 HDMI interface. The list of supported formats should be clarified in the description of the model.

Functionality

Another important feature to consider is the functionality of a device. Perhaps the main peculiarity here is the access to a different premium content via the Internet. Various services may include a huge selection of movies, TV-series, and shows for all tastes. In other words, pre-installed apps and services provide users with functional capabilities that Smart TV offers. With a Blu-Ray player and different online services such as Netflix, Vudu, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Amazon Instant Video you can stream movies and TV-series on your TV. However, there is a need for the Internet connection, and some devices may be connected either by a cable or Wi-Fi. The availability of the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) function is also preferable. This way you'll be able to access photos, movies, and music stored on your devices like PCs, smartphones, and tablets wirelessly. But they must be connected to the same home network to work properly. It’s also possible to transfer content from mobile devices with the help of a screen overlap function (Miracast). In this case, the connection is performed via Wi-Fi Direct technology, which means that you do not even need to access a Wi-Fi network. Alongside the main features, it’s worth mentioning that some SONY players have a special mode that supports PlayStation 3 games on your TV. No more PS3 console needed to play your favorite games, just connect to a compatible cloud service, connect your PS controller and subscribe to the channel.

Interfaces and Control

And the last features you should pay attention to are the Interfaces and player's control. If you need to connect a Blu-Ray player to the older TV models it would work well with SCART, Component and Composite inputs. For people who own modern TVs, we'd recommend opting for a player with HDMI jacks. It will ensure that your sound and video are transmitted in a digital format. You can easily connect your Blu-Ray player to the Internet through a LAN port. And models with USB-ports will give you an ability to reproduce video and music from different HDD connected to a player. At the same time, to play sound via the external acoustic system, you should consider the number and types of audio outs, which can be either digital optical, or coaxial with analog stereo outputs. If you are going to connect your device directly to the screen, make sure that your player has all the necessary audio codecs to produce a high-fidelity audio signal. Typically, it is subject to DTS-HD and Dolby True HD formats that cannot be decoded by inexpensive Blu-Ray players. All Blu-Ray players can be controlled in 2 ways: either via a standard remote included in a box or via your mobile phone (requires a special app installation first).

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