as it seems I won't be making the cup final, I'm going to spend the money I'd saved on a Home Theatre System... Just wondering is the extra money for a 'blu-ray' one worth it, or are the ordinary systems good enough when you use a gold HDMI & optical cable?... I have an LED TV, so the picture from it is pretty good...... I see the dvds for blu-ray cost more than regular dvd's etc ....so all in all it costs more for the 'blu-ray' choice... Appreciate advice
I don't have Blu Ray myself but have watched films on it and it's a better cinema experience. I had seen Dark Knight in cinema and on DVD. Watched it on Blu Ray with surround sound it was like a different film to the DVD.
maybe silly question, but can an ordinary dvd play in a blue-ray player? (obviously I take it it wouldn't be blu-ray standard)
get one with at least one usb connections in it also. you can play video files from a usb stick when plugged into the bluRay player and also connect it to the internet
If you have a full hd tv then yes the difference over DVD is massive. It's like watching a match in hd and then flicking over to the regular channel it's crap compared to but it's down to what ur used to. You can pick up a Sony or toshiba Blu ray player now for under a €100 and the discs are coming down in price too with a lot Blu ray discs now actually coming with a free DVD version. A full hd tv is essential though not a hd ready tv which is not the same at all.
Not sure of your budget, but check out richersounds.ie. They are based in Belfast but ship to south for very little and offer great value for money. I bought a Pioneer Home Cinema System with built in blu ray player a few years ago and the picture and sound would blow ya away. They also have a section on boards.ie Make sure whatever you buy has multiple HDMI inputs for connecting other devices such as xbox, sky box etc.
What ever kit you get , try and see does it 2 of these away from all the surround sound connections as it means you will be able to hook up a second device .