May 20, 2024 09:52Posted by Brittany Garcia to Play Blu-ray
Some of the best and our favorite films are still on Blu-ray and DVD discs. We cannot also deny the fact that these physical media provide excellent visual and sound quality. As a result, many keep these discs without any hesitation. There may come a time when you might want to rewatch your most loved movies. Thus, you might need a player for your discs. If that’s the case, then you are in the right place. Here, get to know the best 10 software and hardware Blu-ray DVD players.
Part 1. Can I play a DVD on a Blu-ray player
Many DVD disc holders and collectors are wondering if they can play it on a Blu-ray player. If you’re one of them, allow us to answer it for you and satisfy your curiosity. Definitely, yes. You can generally play a DVD on a Blu-ray player. Blu-ray players are created to be backward compatible, meaning they can play DVDs along with Blu-ray discs. So, if you have a collection of DVDs and upgrade to a Blu-ray player, you won’t need a separate DVD player. Instead, the Blu-ray player should handle both formats. Consequently, you just need to insert the DVD into the Blu-ray player. Finally, it should play without any issues. In fact, it is a convenient and commendable feature of a Blu-ray player. It is because it allows you to enjoy your existing DVD library without the need for an additional device.
Part 2. Top 5 Blu-ray DVD Player Hardware
1 Sony BDP-BX37
Sony has been a prominent player in the electronics industry. Hence, their Blu-ray players are no exception. One of their best-selling portable Blu-ray DVD players is the Sony BDP-BX37. It allows you to play Blu-ray discs in full HD as well as DVDs. It also has a built-in Wi-Fi that is stable and fast during streaming online in high-definition. Also, you can even connect it to your smartphone. Moreover, it lets you upscale your DVDs to near-HD quality.
Price: $89.95
What We Like:
- It can deliver exceptional picture quality.
- It ensures an immersive audio experience.
- It is reliable and ensures long-lasting performance.
What We Don’t Like:
- For basic home entertainment needs, the advanced features of the player might be more than necessary.
2 LG BP350
Another reliable brand that provides good quality products is LG. They offer a range of Blu-ray players that combine cutting-edge technology with easy-to-use interfaces. One such example of their Blu-ray and DVD player is the LG BP350. With it, you can play Blu-ray and DVD discs in up to 1080p resolution. Aside from that, it features built-in Wi-Fi, enabling you to access other streaming services. Using this Blu-ray DVD player, there’s no need for you to replace your old DVD collection. Wait, there’s more! It also supports MP4 video formats.
Price: $87.00
What We Like:
- It provides a good balance between affordability and quality.
- It offers an easy-to-navigate interface.
- It has a compact design that is suitable for various setups.
What We Don’t Like:
- It lacks advanced features offered compared to other models, like HDR, 4K UHD support, etc.
- Its build quality may not be as robust as its premium counterparts.
3 Panasonic DP-UB420
Are you looking for a 4K Blu-ray DVD player? Then, Panasonic is here to rescue you. Its Panasonic DP-UB420-K is popular for its capability to play 4K UHD Blu-ray discs. But, this is not limited to Blu-ray discs but also to DVDs. Plus, it provides a high-resolution audio playback. The most interesting feature of it is its voice assistant. So, it works well with Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to make voice commands. Given these extraordinary functions, you have to note that it comes with a higher price point.
Price: $199.95
What We Like:
- It excels in providing 4K Ultra HD playback.
- Supports HDR that enhances the contrast and color range.
- The player also supports Dolby Vision, which offers advanced HDR technology.
What We Don’t Like:
- It is a bit expensive, which limits its appeal to those on a tighter budget.
- If you have a non-4K display, its advanced features may not be fully utilized.
4 Samsung BD-J5700
Next up, we have the Samsung BD-J5700. It is another DVD/Blu-ray player with reliable branding. With it, you can play CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs for full HD 1080p via HDMI. It also has built-in Wi-Fi so that you can also access Smart Blu-ray features. Besides, it allows DVD upscaling, allowing you to watch movies with greater detail and quality. It lets you stream and sync content on other devices as well. Using its AllShare feature, you can watch from your PCs, smartphones, tablets, and cameras.
Price: $117.00
What We Like:
- It is equipped with smart features to access streaming services directly from the player.
- It offers a quick start feature to minimize wait times.
- The player provides decent picture quality for an enjoyable viewing experience.
What We Don’t Like:
- Some users may find the limited connectivity options restricting.
- It is not 4K compatible despite its high price.
5 Philips BDP1502
To complete our list, we have the Philips BDP1502. It is a budget-friendly Blu-ray player that offers a straightforward and reliable home entertainment solution. It can play Blu-ray and DVD discs with sharp images in 1080p resolution. Aside from CDs and DVDs, you can play CDs on it. It is also designed with simplicity in mind. Plus, this player focuses on providing essential features for a seamless movie-watching experience. Finally, it can be considered as a cheap Blu-ray DVD player available.
Price: $99.00
What We Like:
- The player offers a straightforward setup process.
- It is budget-friendly, making it accessible for users on a tight budget.
- It also delivers a good playback quality.
What We Don’t Like:
- It lacks some of the advanced features, like advanced audio codecs.
- It may not have long-term durability compared to premium brands.
Part 3. 5 Best Blu-ray DVD Player Software
1 Blu-ray Player
Platform: Available for both Windows and macOS.
Best For: Both professionals and beginners, offering a user-friendly interface for easy navigation and advanced features for enthusiasts.
First on the list, we have the Blu-ray Master’s Blu-ray Player. It is a region-free Blu-ray DVD player that lets you watch 4K Blu-ray, DVD discs, and so on. During playback, this tool lets you choose a title or chapter as you wish. You can also select your favorite audio track and subtitle. Not only that, but using its snapshot feature, you can capture your favorite part while watching. Thus, we can say that this software is a versatile Blu-ray DVD player. Apart from that, it supports various modern media files like MP4, WMV, MKV, FLV, MTS, and more. When we tried this tool, we discovered that it can process and play discs very fast. That is why we highly recommend it. Finally, it is a standalone tool that you can use even offline.
Free Download
For Windows
Secure Download
Free Download
for macOS
Secure Download
What We Like:
- It is easy to use and beginner-friendly.
- It lets you enjoy the latest Blu-ray movies up to 4K quality.
- Supports numerous media files.
- It enables adjusting video effects according to the user’s needs.
- Allows managing playlists for DVDs, Blu-rays, and other media files.
What We Don’t Like:
- For more advanced features, you need to get the upgraded version.
2 Leawo Blu-ray Player
Platform: Available for both Windows and macOS.
Best For: Intermediate to professionals.
Leawo Blu-ray Player is a versatile software designed to provide top-notch Blu-ray playback. It is a reliable all-region Blu-ray DVD player as well that you can use on your computer. Apart from Blu-ray, it lets you play DVD discs that you want. What’s more, it supports a wide range of video and audio formats. Hence, it is a comprehensive choice for movie enthusiasts. Its advanced features enable you to customize options, subtitle settings, and multiple viewing modes. Thus, we felt that it was an amazing software given its features and functionalities.
What We Like:
- The player software offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
- It supports a variety of formats, not limited to Blu-ray.
- Professionals can appreciate the advanced features offered.
What We Don’t Like:
- The software may have limited support for interactive Blu-ray menus.
- Some users report occasional stability issues, such as crashes.
3 PowerDVD by CyberLink
Platform: Windows
Best For: Professionals seeking advanced features like 8K playback, VR support, and HDR.
PowerDVD is a feature-rich Blu-ray DVD player software for Windows. It offers not only Blu-ray playback but also 8K video support. Aside from that, it supports VR mode and advanced audio technologies. It is created to let you have an enhanced Blu-ray and DVD playback. Hence, it lets you have a cinema-like experience. Moreover, it supports almost all major formats, like MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, and so on. That only means that you can enjoy other content in this player. Upon testing the tool, we can say that it can play high-quality content. Thus, if video quality matters to you, then you can use this tool.
What We Like:
- It provides excellent video and audio quality.
- It lets you enjoy features like VR support, 360-degree video playback, and TrueTheater.
What We Don’t Like:
- Limited to Windows users, making it unavailable for macOS users.
- While feature-packed, PowerDVD can be relatively more expensive compared to basic Blu-ray player software.
4 VLC Media Player
Platform: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Best For: Beginners and users looking for an open-source, versatile media player.
VLC Media Player is a famous open-source software known for its broad format support. Many people also use it to convert and edit video or audio files. One of its key functions is that it lets you watch videos in high quality. Luckily, using it, you can also open and play Blu-ray and DVD discs. Hence, it can be your go-to choice if you want a free and versatile media player. But note that its Blu-ray DVD media playback is only available on VLC’s latest version. Plus, despite being popular, we noticed that it can be challenging for beginners to use it.
What We Like:
- It is completely free to use and open-source, appealing to budget-conscious users.
- It can play a vast array of formats, including Blu-ray and DVD.
- It is fast and lightweight Blu-ray DVD player software.
What We Don’t Like:
- It may have a steep learning curve for new users.
- While functional, some users find the interface less polished.
5 DVDFab Player 6
Last but not least, we have DVDFab Player 6. It is another software that lets you play old DVDs, including Blu-ray videos. Also, it is a new-generation media player from DVDFab. It can now efficiently handle multimedia files on your local hard drives. Plus, it improved its speed, provided playlist support, and user-friendly operation. Thus, with it, it is easier to make your Blu-ray DVD discs come to life. When we saw the tool’s main interface, we felt a bit overwhelmed due to its design. Nonetheless, it’s a good option.
Platform: Available for both Windows and macOS.
Best For: Professionals seeking advanced features like 4K Ultra HD playback and HDR support.
What We Like:
- Professionals can benefit from advanced features like 4K Ultra HD, HDR, and more.
- It supports high-quality audio output like DTS-HD, Dolby Atmos, Dolby True HD, etc.
- It also supports 3D output modes.
- Supports numerous video formats like MP4, MKV, FLV, and more.
What We Don’t Like:
- Most of its advanced features come with a higher cost.
- Some users find the interface overwhelming due to the abundance of features.
Part 4. FAQs About Blu-ray DVD Players
-
Can I play a Blu-ray on a DVD player?
Unfortunately, no. You cannot play a Blu-ray on a standard DVD player. This is because Blu-rays use a different laser technology and have a higher storage capacity. Thus, it is incompatible with DVD players.
-
Is there a difference between a Blu-ray player and a DVD player?
Yes. There is a significant difference between a Blu-ray player and a DVD player in terms of resolution, storage capacity, and playback quality.
-
Are Blu-ray players still worth buying?
Yes. Blu-ray players are still worth buying for those who want higher resolution (1080p or 4K). Apart from that, if you value better audio quality, then buy a Blu-ray player. Plus, these players provide you access to a broader range of content with improved features compared to DVD players.
Wrapping up
As we wrap up, you’ve learned our recommended Blu-ray DVD players. By now, you might have chosen a player for your needs. If you’re still undecided, try to use the Blu-ray Master’s Blu-ray Player. It is the best media player out of all the mentioned tools here. Its straightforward method will enable you to watch your discs whether you’re a pro or a beginner.
More from Blu-ray Master
- Best Solution on How to Play Blu-ray Without Blu-ray Player
- My Blu-ray player Says Format is Not Supported [Full Detail]
- Which DVD player for Windows 11 Best to Play DVD Collection
- RMVB Player Review: 5 Trustworthy RMVB Players to Use
- Best Blu-ray Players: Software and Hardware Players to Learn
- Top 3 Reliable USB DVD Players You Will Wish to Have
