Just when we started to understand what a home theatre system was, a new type of system entered the market; the Blu-ray home theatre system. What is a Blu-ray home theatre system and why should you consider upgrading to one?

What Does Blu-Ray Mean?

Blu-ray is the copyrighted name for the latest DVD disc format. It was designed specifically to faithfully display High Definition (HD) and 3-D videos. In order to play a Blu-ray disc, a Blu-ray player is required. You cannot play a Blu-ray disc on an ordinary DVD player, but you can play an ordinary DVD or video disc on a Blu-ray player.

Another catch to Blu-ray players is that while you can view a disc on your existing TV set, you will not get true HD picture quality. Since Blu-ray players are more expensive than regular DVD players, your money is wasted if you upgrade to the new format without also upgrading your television set.

Why Invest in a Blu-Ray Home Theatre System?

If you have been thinking of investing in a home theatre system, it is time to start thinking about investing a little more and getting a Blu-ray home theatre system. Why? Because HD and 3-D are the wave of the future and within a few years, most ordinary home theatre systems will be obsolete.

The good news if you already have a home theatre system is that in order to enjoy full HD and 3-D, you probably don't need to upgrade your entire system. Most of the better existing systems already have HD compatible TVs, so it's just a matter of replacing your DVD player with a Blu-ray player.

What Features Should I Look for in a Blu-Ray Home Theatre System?

Any system marketed as a Blu-ray home theatre system will include everything you need for HD TV. All Blu-ray players are not alike, though, so you should focus on the built-in features of the Blu-ray player included in the system. Just a few years ago, few Blu-ray players were available in Australia and those that were available were very expensive. This is rapidly changing, though, and today most major brands and models are available in Australia and their prices are dropping. Whereas in the past you would have to expect to pay well over $600 for one, today, you can find a serviceable player for under $200.

The price of the player will be reflected in the price of the system, so expect to pay more for extra features. Even inexpensive players will include features like DVD upscaling, which improves the picture quality of ordinary DVDs, and MP3 playback, but not all will include features like a built-in hard disc, a USB port.or a memory card slot, but do you need these? The best way to buy a Blu-ray Home Theatre System or upgrade your existing system is to find a home theatre specialist in your area and let them steer you in the right direction. They will be able to help you choose a system that will give you everything you need to enjoy HD and 3D without breaking the bank.