Whilst most of the talk is about Blu-ray these days, DVD is still the much more popular format in the UK, and with discs being so cheap and plentiful it’s not hard to see why.
What is somewhat surprising though, is that the big manufacturers such as Sony, Panasonic and Samsung have released so few DVD home cinema systems in recent years, choosing instead to concentrate on the new high definition format, Blu-ray instead.
This does make some sense, as a Blu-ray system can play DVDs as well, whereas a DVD system cannot play Blu-ray discs. However, the additional cost makes them out of reach for many people, and indeed alot of film fans are quite happy with DVD and have absolutely no desire to upgrade. Luckily there are still some very good DVD home cinema systems available with many of the features you get on high definition systems.
What to consider before you buy a DVD Home Cinema System
Buying a DVD based home cinema system means buying older technology. If you have a high definition television then despite the systems having upscaling abilities, you are not going to get the same quality as a Blu-ray system. Also, if Blu-ray takes off to the extent that means DVDs start to go the same way as VHS (unlikely, but you never know!) and new releases dry up, then your enjoyment of the system could be restricted to older films.
Why you should buy a DVD Home Cinema System
At under half the price, a DVD home cinema system is much less expensive option than an equivalent Blu-ray system. They might not be cutting edge now, but they are ideal for the bedroom, to enhance your gaming experiences, or simply to start enjoying the surround sound experience. If you have a mass of DVDs and want good quality and low cost surround sound then a DVD home cinema system is still a great choice.