Advantages
—Better picture quality
—Better sound quality
—Interactive features (BD Live, Bonus View)
—Can play your existing collection of DVDs and CDs with better picture & sound
—Blu ray disks can hold 5 times as much data as DVD disks
—Some blu ray players can play videos off the internet (Netflix, Panorama, etc)

Neither here nor there
—Physical appearance is quite similar to a DVD or CD player
—Display menu is quite similar to a DVD player
—Blu ray disks look similar to DVD disks
—Playing a blu ray disk is like playing a DVD, just insert and watch

Disadvantages
—A whole new set of jargon
—Need a high definition TV to see improved picture quality
—Need to be careful to get a match on connections between your player & TV
—Blu ray disks cost $5-10 more each than DVDs
—Slow load times
—Getting player updates can be a drag

Before you buy a Sylvania Blu Ray player…

1.  Can I play my existing collection of DVDs and CDs on a Blu ray player?

DVDs – yes.  Sylvania blu ray players can play standard DVDs.  Most can even “upscale” your video DVD playback so it looks a lot better than when viewed using a DVD player.

CDs – probably.  Most Sylvania blu ray players can play standard CDs, including CD-Rs and CD-RWs, but you should check the specifications or features of the Blu ray player you are considering to make sure.

If you have “non-standard” DVDs or CDs, you should take them with you to try out in the player before you buy it.

2.  Can I use my existing TV?

You can connect your Sylvania blu ray player to any TV that has composite video inputs (what your current DVD player is probably using, will be labeled something like AV IN) or an HDMI connection, but if you want to “see the difference” you need an HD-compatible TV.  You must check the connections on your TV and make sure the Blu Ray player you are considering has compatible connections.

3.  Can I use my existing sound system?

The reviews seem to indicate that the answer to this is frequently “no”. Your Sylvania blu Ray player and sound system must have compatible connections.  If they don’t, you won’t be able to use them together.

4.  Can I play video games on my Sylvania blu Ray player?

If you want to play video games on your Blu Ray player, buy a Sony Playstation.

5.  Can I play music and/or videos from the Internet?

Maybe.  Check the list of features for your Sylvania blu Ray player.  Some will have an Ethernet connection, but it’s just for updates.  The list of features will say Netflix or Pandora, or perhaps Amazon on Demand.

6.  Is it easy to set up?

If you were able to set up your DVD player, you should be able to set up a Sylvania blu Ray player.  The outputs on a Blu Ray player are clearly marked.  Some Blu Ray players only have an HDMI connection, so you need to make sure you have a TV and a Blu Ray player with compatible connections.