1080p

• The term 1080p describes the resolution of a high-definition television; the full resolution is 1,920 vertical pixels by 1,080 horizontal pixels. While it is not the newest technology on the market — 3-D television claims that title — 1080p is currently the highest resolution available. It is unlikely, even in the future, that technology will evolve beyond the 1080p resolution because the human eye is incapable of distinguishing between 1080p and anything higher; technological advances instead will likely focus on other elements of the viewing experience, such as 3-D.
  
  

Blu-Ray

• Blu-ray is a specific type of high-definition video disc that is designed to display at a resolution of 1080p. Additionally, many Blu-ray players feature a connection to the Internet. Blu-ray discs often capitalize on that Internet connection by offering bonus content — deleted and extended scenes, games, commentaries and more in a feature called Blu-ray Live — that you can only access through your Blu-ray player’s link to the Internet.
  
  

Upconversion

• All Blu-ray players allow you to play your standard-definition DVDs, and most players offer an upconversion feature. While upconversion will not display a standard-definition DVD at 1080p, the quality is high enough that some people will not distinguish a difference between upconversion and Blu-ray. The exception is with TVs that are larger than 50 inches; larger TVs deliver greater detail in each image, making the difference between Blu-ray and upconversion more noticeable. Also, upconverted standard-definition discs do not always have access to the same bonus content that is featured on their Blu-ray counterparts.
  
  

Considerations

• When purchasing a new movie, you often have a choice between a standard-definition DVD and Blu-ray disc. If the features on each are the same, you may want to save some money and purchase the standard DVD. If the Blu-ray has more desirable extras, you may wish to invest the extra money in the Blu-ray. The same factors come into play if you are considering updating titles in your current collection of standard-definition DVDs to Blu-ray.