Can I play regular DVDs on a Blu-ray player?

[Unregistered]

I want to know if I can play all of my old DVDs on a Blu-ray player if I go out an buy one. If not, there's no way I'm going to buy one and keep my old one right next to it and switch between the two.

 

[salemtubes]

I play all of my regular DVDs on my Blu-ray player.

 

[Jason Fritz]

Same here, I think most all Blu-ray players have this capability built into them. Just to be sure that the Blu-ray drive can indeed play regular DVDs, you should be able to verify on the box if it is new (or website of the manufacture if you're buying used) before you purchase.

 

[n2rj]

It's not as straightforward as it seems though. Yes, all consumer BD players can play regular DVDs and most of them can play CDs. However, they deliberately have to build this capability in, including a separate laser pickup in some cases (the blue laser won't work properly for regular DVD). DVD compatibility is absolutely NOT required but manufacturers know that it is suicide if they don't include support for regular DVD.

One benefit of playing DVDs with BD and even HD-DVD players is that they will upconvert the DVDs to HD quality and output them over HDMI which gives you a cleaner signal. My HD DVD player now makes an excellent upconversion DVD player.

By the way I said "most" can play CDs. There were a few in 2006 or thereabouts that could not play CDs.

 

[scandiskwindows9x]

LOL already do not have an BD player but have 1 DVD player multizone, 1 DVD recorder and a Home theatre all in one hooked in my television.

 

[redsoxfan949]

Yes, all blu-ray players can play DVD's. I do like the fact that it also upconverted the picture on some of my DVD's.

 

[FWAmie]

I actually am glad that blu-ray can play regular dvds considering the prices. Most blu-ray's are more expensive compared to a regular DVD its self. Which I have yet to actually figure out why...

 

[Thomas123]

Our Blu Ray player plays regular DVD's. Our lap top on the other hand will not play blue ray discs, found that out the hard way on a car trip.....

 

[MMkaho]

I actually am glad that blu-ray can play regular dvds considering the prices. Most blu-ray's are more expensive compared to a regular DVD its self. Which I have yet to actually figure out why...

Higher quality or so they say and a little more interactive ina sense