Is Your Xbox Series X Worth Using As A Blu-Ray Player?

The Xbox Series X isn’t just a gaming console, it’s technically an entertainment console. That’s because you can access all sorts of content beyond games, including now even PlayStation 5 games, using it as a conduit.

Yes, this means you can insert Blu-ray discs into the same tray you’d insert a game to play movies and TV shows. But how does it compare to an actual, dedicated Blu-ray player? That’s another story.

Most users find that the Xbox Series X functions as a pretty solid Blu-ray player. Playing a movie is simple, and you can enjoy high-def playback on a compatible TV. So, it’s more than capable as a Blu-ray player. But there are advantages you get with a dedicated Blu-ray player that’s designed only for that function and nothing else, including better overall picture quality. The answer is more nuanced than you might think.

Xbox Series X vs. Blu-ray player

Xbox Series X should play any Blu-ray disc, but some have run into issues with 100GB triple-layered discs. These Ultra HD Blu-ray discs hold the large files required for premium 4K content. It’s not officially stated, but the Xbox Series X may not support some of these BDXL discs, with films having been released in this format like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Matrix, and Oppenheimer.

Even when using a standard Blu-ray disc, you may notice that a movie looks better when played from a Blu-ray player versus an Xbox Series X. This will only matter if you have a premium TV that supports higher-end visuals. For example, Xbox Series X doesn’t support Dolby Vision for anything beyond games and streaming apps, nor does it support HDR10+.

So, even if the disc and your TV do support these formats, you won’t be able to enjoy the enhanced picture if you play through the console. You’ll still get HDR10, but you won’t get the best possible viewing experience. For audio, meanwhile, you get Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, but setting it up requires using the respective apps and selecting Pass Audio To Receiver if you’re using an AV receiver or soundbar to improve your Xbox Series X’s sound quality. If your TV doesn’t have DTS decoding, the console may also fail to play DTS soundtracks, downgrading the sound without you even realizing it.

It won’t matter for most

To pop a movie in for the kids or watch a favorite old sitcom, using the Xbox Series X as a Blu-ray player is perfectly fine. But you won’t get the full cinematic experience when watching on a premium TV with a high-end audio system.

In this case, a Blu-ray player will yield better dynamics, richer and more natural colors, and an overall improved picture, as well as more immersive sound. The Xbox Series X’s drive and cooling fans tend to run louder when playing a Blu-ray than a dedicated player as well, so take that into consideration if you’re especially sensitive to background noise and/or will be watching quieter content. All that said, you’ll get a “good enough” experience with Blu-rays from an Xbox Series X. It’s similar to how you can technically play music from your phone, but it doesn’t sound as good as when playing it from a speaker. 

What about the PlayStation 5? Though it doesn’t rival a dedicated Blu-ray player either, the rival console is generally known to offer better picture clarity and upscaling for lower-quality content. So, as a gaming console for both gaming and movies, you might want to consider a PS5 instead. But for the best possible experience if you plan to watch a lot of Blu-ray discs, while you don’t necessarily need a high-end Blu-ray player, consider investing in at least a mid-range model for improved quality over either console.