blue ray is 1080p
DVD players that convert standerd def dvd's to hd work alright, but it really depends on the movie
There are also hd dvd players which are what the name implies
I think there is a blue ray dvd player out there that can also play regular dvd's
My honest opinion is that blue ray, well any dvd's, are a waste of money. You can just rent the movie. But if you must have it on hard copy, I say just stick with hd dvd's