Today's DVD Players

There are many makes and models of DVD players out there, at a variety of price points. How do you decide which one is right for you? If this article had been written several years ago, we would have explained features such as progressive scan and Dolby Digital encoding.

The situation now is quite different. All of these features and more have trickled down to the least expensive players. It would be hard to find a player without them! So now, what is the best advice for approaching this buying decision?

How Will You Use It?

Today, the best way to start is to think about how you will use your new DVD player. Are you finally joining the digital revolution and replacing your old VCR? Do you want a DVD player that can also play your old VCR tapes? Do you want to take your, or your children's movies with you on your next trip? Do you want a complete 5.1 Home Theater system? Or maybe, you want to make your own DVDs. Answer these questions, and we can guide you to a great solution below:

• Basic DVD Players: Just play my DVDs well.
• DVD/VCR and other Combos: Play my old VHS tapes or CDs too.
• DVD Recorders: Record on DVD like my VCR used to do.
• Portable DVD Players: For kids in the backseat or on the porch.
• DVD Home Theater: Give me the best sound too.