I recently attended a press event held by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Sony Electronics about new features in both Blu-ray players and discs. I was amazed at some of the new features that both the players and discs contained. I used to think that the only reason to switch to Blu-ray was for the picture quality. I know see that I was very wrong.

These are some of the many features that you can get from newer Blu-ray players (Internet connection is needed for most of these features):

1. Internet Video Streaming - If you want to watch more on your Blu-ray player than just your Blu-ray discs, the Sony Network Blu-ray disc player allows you to instantly stream movies, videos and music from many leading online content providers, such as Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube and more.

2. Store, organize and play your Blu-ray, DVD and CDs all in one place. With the Sony 400 Disc Megachanger you will never have to look for a disc again. Store all of your discs in this changer and it will organize them for you. You can then search for them on your TV screen by title, director, cast and more.

3. Built in wireless, photo streaming, digital photo playback are some of the many other features that can be found in Blu-ray players. Watch out for 3D in 2010.

New features built into Blu-ray discs:

1. BD-Live - A new Blu-ray features that allows you to access content via your internet connect Blu-ray player. This only works on the newest players and requires an Internet connection. It includes downloadable features, quizzes, movie trailers and more onto your TV screen. Sony has created a feature called movieIQ, which is part of BD-Live. The movies that have this feature will enable you to access real-time updatable information about the movie's cast, crew, production, etc while watching the Blu-ray disc. Some of the new Blu-ray discs that have this feature are Angels & Demons, The Ugly Truth, Godzilla and The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3.

2. The Blu-ray disc for Julie and Julia allows you to click a link at any point in the movie in which a recipe is featured and you can get the recipe emailed to you or your friends and family.

3. The Cutting Room enables you to make your own creations. Currently both Snatch and Year One have this feature.

4. Digital Copy - Allows you to download a Blu-ray movie onto your mobile devices such as an iPod or smart phone. Currently this is only available on select movies.

If you are still looking for holiday gifts that the entire family can enjoy together, a Blu-ray player should be at the top of the list. All of these amazing new features make the entire movie watching experience so much more than what we have been used to. And don't forget that the Sony PlayStation 3 plays Blu-ray discs also.

See also:  
5 Reasons I Love Verizon FiOS
3D and Vision: Harmful? Hear from the Experts
Why Dyson is Making Fans with Blades Obsolete

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