DVD and Blu-ray players for watching discs on a TV or home cinema system, from basic DVD players to Blu-ray models. Shoppers with a film collection, or who prefer physical discs to streaming, will find these suit them. Brands in our range include Panasonic, Sony, Denver, Soundmaster and Lenco.
How to choose a DVD or Blu-ray player
Disc formats. A DVD player plays DVDs and usually audio CDs, while a Blu-ray player also plays Blu-ray discs and, in almost every case, DVDs as well. If your collection is mostly DVDs and you have a standard TV, a DVD player is enough. For high definition films, choose a Blu-ray player.
TV connection. Check which sockets your television has. HDMI carries picture and sound in one cable and is the usual choice for flat-screen TVs. Older models may rely on SCART or composite outputs, which limit picture quality.
Audio output. If you use an AV receiver or soundbar, look for an HDMI output or a digital optical or coaxial output. Players that only send stereo sound through analogue sockets work for a simple TV setup but not for surround sound.
File and USB playback. Some players read video, music and photo files from a USB drive, which is handy for home recordings and downloaded files. Supported file types differ between models, so check the format list if you have a specific type, such as MKV or MP3, that you want to play.
Region codes. Discs are often locked to a region. South Africa is DVD Region 2 and Blu-ray Region B. Imported discs from other regions may not play unless the player is region-free.
DVD and Blu-ray player brands we carry
- Panasonic: Japanese manufacturer that co-developed the Blu-ray format and is known for its Blu-ray players and TVs.
- Sony: also a lead developer of Blu-ray and known for disc players that sit alongside its TVs and audio equipment.
- Denver: Danish consumer electronics brand that sells simple players and other home audio-video products.
- Soundmaster: German audio brand best known for radios, CD players and compact music systems.
- Lenco: Dutch brand with a background in audio products such as turntables, radios and CD players.
Also in our range: Reflexion, Hyundai and Sencor.
DVD and Blu-ray player FAQ
Can a Blu-ray player play DVDs?
Yes, almost all Blu-ray players also play standard DVDs and most play audio CDs. A Blu-ray player can therefore replace an older DVD player. Check the specifications if you need support for a particular disc type, such as recordable discs.
Will a DVD player work with a modern TV?
It will if the player and the TV share a connection type. Many current DVD players have an HDMI output, which fits any modern TV. If a player only has SCART or composite sockets, you need a TV that still has those inputs or a suitable adapter.
Is a Blu-ray player worth it if I only own DVDs?
Often it is, because most Blu-ray players scale DVD pictures up to a higher resolution on an HD TV. The result looks cleaner than on an older player, though it will not match a true Blu-ray disc. If your TV is small or you rarely watch discs, a basic DVD player is enough.
Why does my disc say it cannot be played in this region?
The disc is coded for a different region from your player. South Africa falls under DVD Region 2 and Blu-ray Region B, so discs from other regions may not play. Buy discs for your region, or choose a region-free player if you want to play imports.
