DVD players are inexpensive and abundant now. Fifty bucks will buy you a decent DVD player if you know how to shop and where to buy. Still, all DVD players are not created equal, and a little knowledge and preparation will help you make a smart decision.

The difficulty of programming a recorder is a common joke, and in truth, video players can be very technical. If you want to learn all the technical aspects, go to Wikipedia to learn more. This guide is a 10,000-foot overview.

I always suggest a direct approach to shopping and buying anything. First, form a list of the features you are considering. Second, browse online using shopping and rating sites, and make a list of models you are looking at. Third, go to stores to examine the models you are thinking of purchasing. And finally, go back online to look at price. Given my approach, here are the features to consider in a DVD:

HDTV

One of the biggest things to consider when buying a DVD today is the increasing standard of HDTV. Compared with regular analog TV, digital HDTV has much sharper images. It is also clear that HDTV will be the global norm in the future. The price of HDTV flat panels is rapidly falling, and in the US, over the airwave transmissions for TV will be exclusively for HDTV in 2009. DVD players that provide high definition images are beautiful to watch.

The problem is that we are in the middle of a format war between HD DVD and Blue Ray. It’s similar to the old Betamax vs. VHS struggle of long ago. Currently these players are much more expensive than normal DVD players, and the movie selection is not as great. If you have HDTV, you can either place your bet on a HD DVD machine or a Blue Ray machine, or you can use a normal DVD player until the war is over. Although, it appears that the smart money is betting on Blue Ray.

The prices differ greatly. A decent DVD player costs $50-$150. The high definition machines cost $350 to $1,300.

Main Features To Consider

The important functional features to consider when buying a dvd player are:

Home Cinema Capabilities: Such as Dolby Digital, Digital Theatre Systems. These features are pricey but a must if you have a high end home cinema system.

CD Compatibility: Some DVD players will also work as CD players. You can get a 2 for 1 bargain here.

TV Compatibility: Make sure that the technical specifications on your TV will work with the DVD player you are considering. This will require some research on your part, and you may have to buy a converter. This is where it can help to go to Radio Shack or a retail store.

Multi Disk Players/Single Disk Players: Some players can play several disks. Decide if you want this feature.

Stationary vs Portable: You can now buy portable DVD players that can move from TV to TV, or you can buy a Stationary system.

Research and Shopping Sites

This article gives you a few of the things to look for when shopping for a DVD player, but this is a complicated area, and you will have to do more online research. I use Wize.com as a great place to start, and it’s a good portal for comparing costs as well. Amazon.com is another good place to shop and learn. You’ll also want to make a few trips to stores like Best Buy and Radio Shack. Hopefully, you can get the ear of a knowledgeable salesperson.

Do your homework before you buy, and then you won’t have to go through this again in a few years. Watching the video you want is great, so keep that in mind when you shop.

Good luck!

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