The video you watch—the movies and TV shows you and your family enjoy—is the centerpiece of your home theater. When it comes to video playback, you have the options of DVD players, Blu-Ray® players and home theater DVR.
Many people consider DVD players the best way to watch movies. With 100,000 DVD titles to choose from, DVD players can satiate all of your watching interests. Although some people think that the quality of DVDs doesn't compare to that of Blu-Ray® discs, the low price of DVDs and the high number of titles keeps this format high on many home theater owner's lists.
Blu-Ray® players are the newest option for watching your favorite movies, as they provide high-end picture and sound quality. In fact, many home entertainment experts believe that Blu-Ray® surpasses DVD players in terms of video and audio and will be the premier format of the future.
At present, however, the number of Blu-Ray® titles is limited and the cost is relatively high, as compared to the price of DVDs. Keep in mind, however, that you can play both Blu-Ray® discs and DVDs in a Blu-Ray® player.
Home theater DVR—or digital video—has changed the way people watch television. With this component, you can record TV shows, sports events or broadcast movies digitally and then watch them whenever you want. You don't need a tape or disc for recording, so you can start recording and watch the program 15 minutes later, while your DVR continues to record.
You can even pause a show, start watching again where you left off and then catch up with the live broadcast by fast-forwarding through commercials. Home theater DVR gives you unprecedented control in television viewing.