At a Glance:
Why a 4K Blu-Ray Player Makes a Difference
Our Best 4K Blu-Ray Player Recommendations
If you’re looking to get the best impact for your entertainment, we suggest going with a throwback: a 4K Blu-Ray player. Although these electronic devices have been around for a while, video experts agree that it’s hard to get anything better in terms of resolution and image quality.
If you’ve wondered what 4K Blu-Ray players are or why they continue to sell despite newer streaming platforms, you’re in luck. In this quick guide, we’re clearing up the details and explaining why these players are still contenders when it comes to enjoying cinema-quality entertainment at home.
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Blu-Ray Players4K Blu-Ray, Explained
Before, DVD players changed video playback by offering 720-pixel resolution. Then, 4K made vast advancements in video quality with 1080p pixelation.
So, why do more pixels matter? Think of it this way: each pixel is a point of light, and the more pixels an image projects, the clearer an image is. More pixels also mean more color display. In fact, 4K is the standard resolution used in movies, so if you’re a hardcore cinephile, 4K matters.
✅ Note: 8K does have more pixels than 4K, however, most media and entertainment are not compatible with 8K resolution, which is why 4K remains the more popular choice.
But where does Blu-Ray come in?
In terms of manufacturing, Blu-Ray discs are made differently than traditional DVDs, even though they look practically identical. Instead, a special blue laser (hence the name) is able to compress more information on the disc. That equates to higher video and audio quality, even better than streaming platforms with 4K playback.
Why a 4K Blu-Ray Player Makes a Difference
It’s hard to deny sales for Blu-Ray players have gone down now that streaming platforms have become the new norm. With that said, we still believe there are plenty of reasons Blu-Ray is the superior entertainment device. Need proof? Check it out!
- Dolby Atmos technology — Regarded as the leading sound technology, Dolby Atmos makes watching movies even more immersive and life-like.
- Wi-Fi compatibility — Blu-Ray players capable of connecting to Wi-Fi can be used to stream platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more.
- No content loss — We’ve all experienced the frustration of a favorite movie or series getting pulled from streaming devices. With a Blu-ray player, you keep your content.
- Pure playback — Another frustrating moment? Dealing with bad Wi-Fi can cause your favorite entertainment to skip or lag. Additionally, a bad Wi-Fi connection can lower the quality of video playback, which defeats the purpose of having a 4K TV.
4K Blu-Ray Pricing
These days, you can find Blu-Ray players starting at around $50, but high-end models with more capabilities can go for well over $250. Of course, that doesn’t include the price of Blu-Ray discs (which is an argument for some people to stick with streaming vs. Blu-Ray).
Another point to consider is the age of your television. Older TV sets manufactured before 2015 are less likely to be compatible with Blu-Ray players. Luckily, all it takes is a quick check to see if your TV supports Blu-ray. If it has an HDMI 2.0 and HDCP port, you should be able to use a 4k Blu-Ray player to watch your entertainment.
Considerations
There are still a few things we think every shopper should know when it comes to Blu-ray players. We love that they’re a relatively inexpensive way to improve movie-watching and entertainment, so what’s the catch?
For one, it’s another device you’ll have to plug into an outlet. And then there are the HDMI cords, all of which add to the clutter of an entertainment center. It’s not the end of the world, but managing TV cords is hardly a delight.
You’re also going to need a place to store all your hard copies of movies and shows. But if you’re an old-school movie viewer who likes tangible discs, this isn’t so much a concern.
Related: The Ultimate Sony TV Guide
Our Best 4K Blu-Ray Player Recommendations
These days, Blu-ray players are everywhere. That’s a good thing since it means prices will be more reasonable, but on the other hand, that makes selecting the right one for your home setup more challenging. To help simplify your choice, take a look at two Sony Blu-ray player reviews available from our catalog.
Sony® 4K Upscaling 3D Streaming Blu-ray Disc Player
For less than $150, this Sony Blu-Ray player gives you access to a fierce lineup of upgrades that seriously enhance your favorite movies and shows. On the not-so-bright-side, some users had issues with the speed of this player, and others mention the lack of apps, although the Miracast feature does allow your smart device to project onto the screen — apps and all. However, that’s a small price to pay considering all the other great features the Sony BDPS6700 offers.
This is one of the Blu-Ray players that lets you link up to Wi-Fi, so if you’re interested in a Blu-Ray player to keep up with the latest series, this one does it. True 4K resolution would have been ideal, but we still appreciate exclusive Sony tech like TRILUMINOS that enhances color quality, as well as Dolby sound quality.
Overall, this is a pumped-up package of video and sound technology that is definitely worth considering.
Our favorite Sony BDPS6700 Blu Ray review: “This Sony Blu-Ray and dvd player has so many features It was so easy to set up.
Sony 4K UHD Blu-ray Player With HDR
While our budget Blu-Ray player offers near-4K playback, the Sony UBP-X800M2 delivers true HD 4K resolution to take your media to a new level or quality. In particular, we’re impressed with the combination of High Resolution upscaling — which scales images truer to the size of a TV — and Dolby Vision, which projects colors and contrasts in richer detail. This model also comes with Dolby Atmos for a fully rounded sensory experience that cannot be achieved from a streaming platform or regular Blu-Ray player.
Overall, this Sony Blu-Ray player is a great addition to the everyday entertainment center, but it has enough power and performance to turn your media room or home theater into a luxury experience.
Our favorite Sony UBPX800M2 Blu Ray review: “Overall, I am very satisfied with the UBP-X800M2. It handles all the formats with with flawless quality and is very reasonably priced for the feature set. Highly recommended!”
This is all to say that, while Blu-Ray players are hardly a novelty, they’re still viable options for unlocking the best movie- and TV-watching experience on the market. Whether you’re on a budget or are looking to splurge on a high-end Blu ray player, there’s an option for just about every TV setup. At Bekins, we’re happy to help answer any other questions you might have about Blu-Ray players.
To learn more, shop our catalog online or give us a visit at a Bekins west Michigan electronics showroom near you!
Why Trust Bekins Appliances and Electronics?
Bekins is a local, family-owned, internationally acclaimed appliance and electronics company in West Michigan. It started as a service company in 1975 when Harvey and Barbara Bekins started their own appliance repair business out of their home in Grand Haven. We still view ourselves as a service company today, but now we also sell, install and service both appliances and electronics across West Michigan.
Scott started in the business as an 8-year-old holding the flashlight for his father. Scott rolled in the first appliances when Harvey and Barb opened our Grand Haven showroom in 1982. After Scott bought the company from his parents, Bekins started offering custom electronic services, then expanded with another state-of-the-art, interactive showroom in Grand Rapids.
In all, Bekins has earned more than 21 national and international honors. That does not include their Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics or their Grand Haven Tribune People’s Choice Award for Best Appliances (17 years and counting!).
Shop 4K Blu-Ray Players at Bekins
Stop by a Bekins location to see what a difference buying local with an experienced staff can make. Or shop home electronics online! Our friendly experts are always happy to help you m — whether you call us at 616-288-1020, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
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