Is It Worth Buying A Blu-ray Player With Included Media Streaming?

When shopping around for Blu-ray players you'll quickly notice that they can do a lot more than just play Blu-ray discs. One of the most common features is access to media streaming apps: services that'll let you rent digital downloads, streamed directly from the internet to your TV. But are these services really worth it?

The Drawbacks Of Media Streaming On A Blu-Ray Player

The most obvious drawback to buying a Blu-ray player with included media streaming is the increased cost. The truth is, however, that Blu-ray players are now more affordable than ever, and you can now pick up a player with media streaming for under $100 if you want to. If you want a real bargain, however, you could purchase the most basic Blu-ray player you can find, alongside a $70 Roku 2 media streaming player. For most people, however, it's easier to buy an all-in-one device.

The next drawback is the range of services typically available on any Blu-ray player. You'll find that every Blu-ray player offers a slightly different range of services, though most include Netflix as standard. Beyond this you'll need to choose between Hulu Plus, Amazon Video On Demand and other services on offer. Since media streaming is still relatively new, it can be difficult to know which of these services will really take off in future. Although a certain service may seem better right now, you might wish you'd bought a different player when another service starts to take off in future.

You'll also need to bear in mind that streaming movies and TV shows from the internet is going to use up a lot of bandwidth. If you have limited bandwidth, or a slow connection, then you may find them difficult to use. Bear in mind, also, that even HD quality streaming doesn't match the quality of a physical Blu-ray disc.

The Benefits Of Media Streaming On A Blu-Ray Player

Despite the drawbacks above, there are still many benefits of buying a Blu-ray player with media streaming built right in. You'll have access to a huge library of movies and TV shows at your fingertips, without needing to buy a separate device, and you can choose a movie and start watching almost instantly. As mentioned above, the price is now affordable enough to make it worthwhile if you're planning on buying a Blu-ray player anyway.

In short, it's up to you to decide how you most like to watch your movies and TV shows. If, like most people, you enjoy the flexibility of watching high quality Blu-ray discs, and renting shows from time to time, then a Blu-ray player with online media streaming could make a winning combination. If, however, you prefer one format over the other, you'll save money by opting for a standalone device.