Blu-ray and DVD Movies and TV Series

Match the disc to your player and your screen

DVD is standard definition and plays in DVD players, Blu-ray players, many game consoles and most computer drives. Blu-ray holds high definition, up to 1080p, and needs a Blu-ray player or drive. A Blu-ray and DVD combo pack carries both, so it works on older and newer equipment. 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray requires a UHD-capable player, and a 4K display to show its full resolution. A computer with a Blu-ray drive also needs playback software. Region codes can lock discs, so check the region before choosing.

Editions, formats and what the listing really is

The title and edition tell you what is in the box: running time, special features, subtitles, multi-disc television seasons, or a bundle with a digital copy. Compare aspect ratio and audio formats if sound matters to you. Because this aisle sits among software, an occasional game appears in the titles, so read the format line to make sure it names a disc movie or series rather than a console game. Anime and television releases often come as complete series sets.

Questions about Blu-ray and DVD Movies and TV Series

Will a Blu-ray disc play in a DVD player?

No. DVD players cannot read Blu-ray discs. Blu-ray players, though, play DVDs, and combo packs include both discs so that you can use either type of player.

What are region codes on discs?

Discs can be locked to a region: DVD uses numbered regions and Blu-ray uses A, B and C. A player set to another region may refuse the disc unless it is region-free, so match the disc to your player.

Can my computer play Blu-ray discs?

Only with a Blu-ray drive and licensed playback software, because the disc's copy protection needs a decoder. A DVD-only drive cannot read Blu-ray discs at all, though it plays ordinary DVDs.