Watch Movies In Style With The Best DVD Player

Buying Guide

Although many consumers have given up DVD players in favor of solely streaming, true movie buffs still like to collect DVDs. There’s something about having all your movies displayed on a shelf. But even among the many cord cutters, DVD players have their benefits. Since some have streaming capabilities, they’re a handy way to access apps like Netflix and Hulu while also being around in case you ever want to rent a Redbox.

“While streaming movies and television have taken over our TVs, there is still a need for DVD players,” says our technology expert Molly Thornberg, the brains behind the parenting and technology site, Digital Mom Blog. Chances are you still have DVDs in your TV cabinet, or maybe your wedding video is on DVD.”

Today’s DVD players not only build in streaming capabilities, but they also let you play CDs. But not all players include this functionality, so it’s important to determine exactly what you plan to do before you start shopping. Some DVD players support multiple formats as well. So if you think you’ll be watching DVD-Rs or discs from other countries, you’ll need to look for a player with this type of compatibility.

For everyone, though, video and audio quality is typically a top priority. If you’ve tried to use an older DVD player with newer TVs, you may have noticed that it failed to offer the latest high-definition technology. Make sure it supports HD video streaming and, for best results, rent and buy Blu-ray versions of the movies you want to see. If you have surround sound, look for a DVD player that supports Dolby Digital Sound to ensure you get the full experience.

For some modern consumers, streaming is a prime feature when shopping for a DVD player. You may already have a device that helps you with that and, if so, it won’t be a consideration. However, if it is important, you’ll notice that not all DVD players include streaming as a feature. Of those that do, some make it easier than others. Look for features like a Netflix button on the remote and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, which make it easy to perform a task that will likely become part of your daily life.

Thornberg also notes that some DVD players can support upconverting, which means they can convert standard definition video to a higher resolution, aka taking that SD video and making it compatible with your HDTV.  She also notes that some DVD players are equipped with card readers, which is a handy feature for looking at family photos or home movies.

• If you have an Ultra-HD TV, you’ll need to look for a DVD player that can handle it. Consider a model that offers full HD video streaming support, as well as an up-conversion option to present DVDs in 1080p. If you’re looking for the best 4K picture for Blu-ray DVDs, you can’t go wrong with a disc player that uses advanced image processing to bring top-notch video to your home screen.
• Sound is another consideration, especially if you want the true home theater experience. Some models provide high-resolution audio, while others include Dolby Digital Sound.
• If you’ll be using your new DVD player to connect to streaming apps like Netflix, consider a player that connects easily and at an extremely fast rate. You also want it to allow users to rearrange the apps on their screen.
• Consider a DVD player that offers support for a wide range of DVD types. With this type of player, you can play both standard and rewriteable DVDs and CDs, regardless of the country where they originated.
• DVD players range widely in price depending on their features. No matter your budget, you’re sure to find one that’s right for you and your needs.

A DVD player is really one of those purchases that are best made after you’ve done a little bit of research. You may be surprised to learn that there are DVD players out there with an endless number of extra features. Depending on your particular needs, it may make sense to go with one of these specially designed models.

Opt for a miniature DVD player with a built-in USB port if you’re interested in looking at your pictures on your television screen or you’d like to listen to your favorite music playlist. A model that connects to a projector is ideal if you’re planning an outdoor movie night and you’d like to watch a rented DVD on an outdoor screen.

Perhaps, you’d like to go through your Kodak PictureCD on a television instead of a laptop. There are DVD players that can make this happen. Additionally, there are players that allow you to zoom in on a frame or fast forward frame-by-frame instead of quickly jumping to the next scene.

Another option is to go with a DVD player that has multidisc capabilities. There are models that accept two DVDs, as well as units that can handle 10 DVDs at any given time. The benefit to this type of player is that you can preload it with DVDs and CDs and then simply switch from one to the other with the supplied remote control. So, once your movie ends, you can use the remote to select a CD to listen to some tunes while you cook dinner or clean the living room. You could also quickly change from your movie to your child’s favorite flick when he or she wakes up from her nap.

Keep in mind that if you want to use a DVD player with an existing home theater system, you need to buy one that has a built-in surround sound decoder. Otherwise, you won’t be able to connect the two.

Don’t discount portable DVD players. These models are designed for use in a car during road trips or while waiting at a doctor’s office, but many of them come with an AV input and output that can sync the DVD with your television screen. That way you get the best of both worlds.

Should you lose the remote that came with your DVD player, you’ll want to pick up a Universal remote. The remote should come with a list of codes and you’ll need to find the one that matches the make and model of your player. If you can’t find it, you can reach out to the dealer to request the code.