Blu-Ray vs HD Pay Per View

Which is better, Blu-Ray or HD PPV? We answer that question and much more inside.

HD in Blu

With Blu-Ray cornering the home movie market, companies like DirecTV and DISH are trying desperately to maintain their Pay-Per-View Services in the face of the juggernaut that is Blu-Ray. The great thing that Blu-Ray has done for the movie business is that it has forced everyone into a 1080p standard in record time. Xbox Live is now offering streaming 1080p over Xbox Live and Netflix, and the Pay-Per-View business is switching over to HD to maintain their customers. So, given a choice between a Blu-Ray Movie and a movie on PPV, which format should you choose?

The choice all comes down to the set-up that you have. So let me offer you three scenarios:

1. If you have an HDTV, but no surround sound…

PPV is your best option, simply because it’s the easiest solution. Blu-Ray will work the same, but the PPV is going to give you the same resolution and at a lower cost for a one-time viewing. Furthermore, without needing the sound provided by Blu-Ray, given an HDMI cable connected to your HDTV, you should get the same out of your investment. Of course, the main problem with PPV is that you don’t get to watch the movie at ANY time, you have to treat it like going to the movies.

2. If you have an HDTV (or projector) and full 5.1 (or 7.1) surround sound…

Without a doubt, under this scenario, Blu-Ray is the better option. Blu-Ray not only allows you to watch your movie at whatever time you want, it also allows you to hook up the player to a receiver and get full-HD, 5.1, loss-less surround sound. The sound is what really makes the difference. While PPV has great sound, it’s just not Blu-Ray quality. The image quality of Blu-Ray to me is still a bit sharper than on PPV, but the sound is one point that isn’t debatable.

3. If you have standard definition…

If you still have a standard definition TV today, I applaud you, you hold the last of a dying breed. The nation-wide DTV transition here in America has finally ended the almost 60-year reign of the standard definition, analog television. With a standard TV, either format will not make a huge difference for you. The Blu-Ray might still be better, but I don’t even know that you’ll be able to hook up an HDMi-only Blu-Ray player to a standard def TV. The PPV might be the best route to go in those circumstances.

If you haven’t jumped on the HDTV bandwagon yet, now’s the best time to get on it. With the recession in full swing, those with some extra cash can get amazing, once-in-a-lifetime deals on the flat-screens that are so coveted by everyone. Make sure when purchasing to get a 1080p compatible TV and do your homework beforehand.