FAQ

I’m watching Blu-ray films via my PS3 with HDMI connection on a Sony Bravia X Series HD TV. Is this as good as watching on a Sony Blu-ray DVD player, or do I lose picture quality as I’m watching via PS3?
Picture quality will vary from player to player, but the Playstation 3 is a very capable Blu-ray player and you are unlikely to notice any difference between watching on a PS3 and a standalone Blu-ray player.
Can I record onto Blu-ray Discs?
Yes for example many new VAIO notebook computers have recordable Blu-ray drives included.
Why are Sony HD TVs 16:9 format, whereas Blu-ray movies are 2.40:1? They don't seem to compare?
All HDTVs (except the new Philips SST at 21:9) are 16:9, the aspect ratio you refer to here is used in the cinema and therefore there will always be some image processing or black bars that may appear to enable this to fit within a domestic HDTV set. The only solution is to use a projector with an anamorphic lens adaptor. You'll need to invest wisely to ensure good quality.
Can I get the 3D looking effect on my Sony Bravia XBR3?
Unfortunately not. No standard for 3D has been agreed yet, and therefore it's too early to be able to comment on 3D effects.
When does Sony plan on releasing their range of Profile 1.1 players in the UK?
Sony’s current Profile 1.1 player, BDP-S350, was launched in the UK during Summer 2008, this model is now upgradeable to complete Profile 2.0 via Ethernet connection. The BDP-S550, which launched in the Autumn is Profile 2.0 out of the box.
I bought a Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray player and it has no ethernet port. Will either an internet option or further enhancements of BJ-Java for interactive content be available as an option or upgrade in 2008.
Unfortunately it is not possible to upgrade the hardware of the BDP-S300 Blu-ray Disc Player to make it Profile 1.1 and 2.0 compatible. This means the player will not be capable of full BD Live functionality. Sony has regularly been publishing upgrades for BD-Java compatibility on the support pages of the website to ensure you can enjoy as much of the enhanced content as possible without internet connection. These upgrades must be downloaded to CD and put in the disc drive of the Player. Please check this link for the latest available: http://support.sony-europe.com/hav/downloads/firmware/firmware.aspx?site=odw_en_GB&m=BDP-S300&f=BDPS300_v450
Will I automatically get 7.1 surround sound through my TV when I play a Blu-ray disc?
No, you will need to have the correct speaker system to make the most of this feature.
What do I need to get 7.1 surround sound?
To get the most out of 7.1 surround sound you should have 2x front speakers, a 2x surround speaker system, 2x rear speakers, 1x centre speaker and 1x subwoofer.
What types of high definition content are available?
High definition content currently available includes high definition TV channels (e.g. satellite and cable) or packaged high definition media (e.g. Blu-ray disc).
What sort of games will there be?
The games will allow you to interact with live content on screen, for example interactive quizzes and shooting games during the movie (this will not affect the course of the movie).
I've heard of 720p, 1080i and 1080p - what does this refer to?
These numbers refer to the number of lines of vertical resolution on an HD TV - so the higher the number, the better the resolution of your screen. The 'p' stands for progressive scanning and the 'i' stands for interlaced. Progressive frames draw every line, interlace draws every other line in one sweep, then the other lines. Progressive is generally considered to be superior.
What picture quality can Blu-ray support?
Blu-ray can support up to 1080p.
If I have an HD-ready TV. Does that mean that everything I watch on it will be in high definition?
No, this is a common misconception. Only high definition content such as a Blu-ray Disc will appear in high definition on your TV. You also need to have an HDMI cable connecting your player to your HD-ready TV to get a high definition picture.
If I play a DVD on an HD-ready TV, will the picture be in high definition?
No, the picture will be in standard definition. Only dedicated high definition content (such as a Blu-ray Disc) will give you a high definition picture.
Can I play Blu-ray Discs on my regular DVD player?
No, you need a dedicated Blu-ray player or a PlayStation 3 to play Blu-ray Discs.
Can I play regular DVDs on high definition disc players?
Yes, you can currently play regular DVDs and CDs on all Blu-ray players, including a PlayStation 3 or a BD-Rom drive in your PC. However they will not be displayed in high definition.
Are all digital television signals in high definition?
No, they aren't. Just because the signal is digital does not mean that the broadcast will be in high definition.
Do I need a subscription to high definition TV channels or a high definition set-top box to watch Blu-ray Discs?
No, high definition TV broadcasts and Blu-ray discs are two totally separate things.
What is high definition?
High definition is a technological leap forwards from standard definition i.e. the format in which people currently watch TV shows and films at home. It refers to the far superior picture quality that is achieved by increasing the amount of detail on the screen.
What does HD-ready mean?
The HD-ready label acts as a means of identifying display equipment such as Plasma and LCD TVs that are capable of processing and displaying high-definition signals.
How will I know if my TV is HD-ready?
If you're not sure if your TV is HD-ready or not, try checking the manual, the box the TV came in or the manufacturer's or retailer's website. In particular, look for the HD-ready logo.
What does encoding mean?
Encoding is the process of transforming information from one format into another.
Can I download new content from the Internet?
Absolutely, as more BD-J titles are released by the studios, this will become a standard feature.
What does 7.1 surround sound actually mean?
7.1 surround sound means that there are enough channels to plug in 7 speakers and 1 subwoofer.
What is uncompressed sound?
The audio on your standard DVD movie is compressed to fit as much content as possible on the disc. As there is more storage capacity on Blu-ray, movies now feature uncompressed sound to allow you to experience what the director originally intended.
Will PlayStation®3 games be in high definition?
Yes, they will.
Why is Blu-ray beneficial for the PS3?
With Blu-ray, game developers have a much larger canvas to work with. Developers can create amazing imagery and game engines, and for the first time bring high definition quality to gaming, all in one disc.
What do I need to get high definition gaming with the PS3?
High-definition (HD) gaming using the PS3 requires connection to your HD-ready TV using an HDMI cable, rather than the standard scart cable that would have been used with your old standard definition TV. However, if you haven’t yet upgraded your TV to a HD-ready model, PS3 still enables connection via scart and, although picture and sound quality will not be as impressive as with a HD Ready TV, the experience is still an exciting one.
What picture quality can the PS3 support?
The PS3 is able to output in HD resolutions ranging from 720p and 1080i right through to 1080p.
Can I play DVDs on my PS3?
Yes, you can.
Why does having a big capacity allow for better sound quality?
As with picture, sound needs to have space to be encoded, so bigger capacity allows you to transfer the sound without having to compress it - hence it is referred to as uncompressed or lossless sound.
What are the benefits of having a bigger capacity?
When a movie is transferred from the original master (what the Director sees) onto a disc such as a DVD or Blu-ray Disc it has to be encoded. The quality of the image will depend on the degree to which the information has to be compressed in order to fit onto the disc. The benefit of a large capacity is that the information can be encoded with very little compression, meaning the image is as close to the original master quality as is possible.
Why can't DVDs download new content from the internet?
Unfortunately current DVD players do not have the network connectivity or technical capabilities.
What interactive features are there on Blu-ray that you don't get on DVD?
New Blu-Wizard technology allows you to create your own user-selected menu of bonus content, and customise how you watch it. Combine this with Blu-ray Disc Java (BD-J), which can give you access to behind the scenes documentaries, live studio events and new movie trailers, and you have all of the elements for a revolution in the entertainment experience.
Will my Blu-ray Discs work properly if I don't have all 7 speakers?
Yes, you can still view your Blu-ray Discs in high definition, although you won't get the benefit of 7.1 surround sound without the correct speakers.