When buying a Blu-ray disc Player you will see a new
feature that may be unfamiliar to you. It is called
the Blu-ray Profile. It is an important feature you
need to know because it is one of the main differences
between Blu-ray players and DVD players.
With DVD players there was a single hardware requirement
but this is not the case for Blu-ray players. It may be
confusing at first but it is easy but once you know
what each profile means. And even though Blu-ray
technology is rather recent, you will find it is
moving forward at a rapid pace so the format is
constantly changing and evolving. If you're not careful
you may end up with an "older" Blu-ray player.
So, what exactly is a Blu-ray Profile? Well, they
are used to catalogue Blu-ray players and it determines
the standard features and specifications of audio and
video codec abilities found in Blu-ray Players. What
a certain Profile a DVD player has tells you what set of
features it supports. Blu-ray Profile 1.0 was
the first set of features and functions labeled for
discs and players. Then came Profile 1.1 and the latest
is Profile 2.0 (BD-Live).
Now, any type of Blu-ray Profiles will play a Blu-ray disc
but with the different Profiles you get different extra
features available to you.
Bly-ray Profile 1.0
The first Profile was 1.0, it has no extra features.
You may also hear it referred to as "Initial Standard
Profile" or "Grace Period Profile". Being the first
generation of Blu-ray players it meets the very basic
standards and minimum requirements. It has 64 KB of
built-in persistent memory. Local storage capability,
Secondary video decoder, Secondary audio decoder and
Virtual file system are all optional. But it would be
rare to find any Profile 1.0 Blu-ray player with any
of these features.
After Nov 27, 2007 all of Blu-ray players manufactured
were required to support Profile 1.1. But you still can
find Profile 1.0 Blu-ray players being sold. The Sharp
BD-HP20U or the Pioneer elite BDP-95FD, for example,
are still available. If you are someone who does not
care for extra features and only interested in the movie,
these Profile 1.0 Blu-ray players maybe the right one
for you.
Bly-ray Profile 1.1
Since Profile 1.1 is now the basic mandatory requirement
of all Blu-ray players, these types are the most common.
The profile 1.1 Blu-ray Players have 64 KB built-in persistent
memory, 256 MB of local storage and a Virtual file system.
But the main difference with Profile 1.1 Blu-ray players
is the addition of picture-in-picture function, also known
as Bonus View. This is mainly use to show a smaller picture
in the corner of the movie. Usually having a director or
actor providing comments about the movie or a particular
scene being displayed in the larger picture. A secondary
video and audio decoders are required for the smaller picture.
Most movie studios now apply this feature to all their standard
releases.
Bly-ray Profile 2.0
Although Profile 2.0, also known as BD-Live, is not mandatory
for new Blu-ray players, more and more manufacturers are beginning
to producing these Profile types. The major different feature
in Profile 2.0 is the ability of an internet connection, usually
through an Ethernet port, and it is capable of interactive features
when playing a Blu-ray disc. Features such as movie-related games,
blogs and other content. While movie studios are excited about
this features and see it as the next "big thing" in home entertainment,
so far interactive content has been not been all that spectacular
or riveting. However, the possibilities to use this technology are
vast and will surely improve.
The other technical details of Profile 2.0 are similar to
Profiles 1.0 and 1.1. It has built-in persistent memory,
Secondary video and audio decoders(for picture-in-picture),
a Virtual file system and 1 GB of local storage. This large
increase in storage from 256 MB that is in Profile 1.1 is to
accommodate downloaded material from the internet. One thing
you should be aware of is that some Profile 1.0 and 1.1 Blu-ray
players have Ethernet ports. This is not for download extra
content but for firmware updates.
When looking to purchase a Blu-ray players, you are most likely
to come across all three Profile Types. So the question is,
which one should I buy? Since the prices of Blu-ray Players
are rapidly coming down, your best option would be the Profile 2.0
because it's the latest and the most future proof of all the Blu-ray
Players. But if you're not interested in special features or interactive
capabilities, than considering a Profile 1.0 or Profile 1.1 Blu-ray
Player is a very reasonable choice and will save you some money.
Besides, you still be able to enjoy all and future Blu-ray disc
movies; you just won't be able to download extra content.
...
For a more information on Blu-ray and Blu-ray Players
try this handy comparison guide:
Blu-ray DVD Players
Or try checking out the latest deals on Blu-ray Players here:
Best Blu-ray Deals.
Copyright © 2008. This article may be freely distributed if this
resource box stays attached.