When did the Blu-ray player come out?

Is it worth Buying a Blu-Ray player?

• I have a newer (less than a year old)HDTV.However it is only a 720p ,32 inch.I have a DVD player that supposedly upconverts regular DVDS,but I want to buy a Blu-Ray Player.With my TV will I notice a difference between my upconverted DVDs on Dvd player,to the bluray player on my 720p TV.Bluray players have come down in price so its a good time to get one,but dont know if its worth it or not.Or should I wait to add Blu ray after I get a 1080 HDTV.I am just confused..

• Answer:

  Blu Ray is designed to be at it's native resolution of 1080. When it plays on a 720p TV, the image is down converted so it can play at your TV's native resolution of 720. Since your TV size is 32in you would have to be fairly close to detect the difference (or fully enjoy the benefits) of upgrading to a 1080 TV anyway. If your next TV is larger (48" or bigger) then the quality difference would be noticeable at a farther distance. By the way, there are some very good upconverting DVD players out there that get the image to near HD. This is important as it may be, depending on your DVD library size, very expensive to replace your movies to Blu Ray. Finally, the costs of Blu Ray vs. DVDs is quite substantial when you add it all up.