The JVC XV-BP11 is a new entry-level Blu-ray player available immediately for a price of $199.95. Features of the XV-BP11 include:

• BD Profile 1.1
• Playable Discs: BD-Rom, BD-R/RE, DVD-Video, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, Audio CD, CD-R/RW
• Playable Formats: AVCHD, WMV, JPEG, MP3, WMA, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital plus, Dolby True HD, DTS, DTS HD Master Audio/Essential
• Connections:
  • Video: HDMI V1.3, composite
  • Audio: Analog L/R, coaxial, HDMI V1.3
  • USB Host (front panel)
• Convenience Features: Quick loading, cinema zoom (x16), parental lock, slim design
• 1080/24p Playback
• HDMI with x.v.Color(TM)/Deep Color

Yeah.. no Profile 2.0 support but then again this is an entry level player.

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Technorati Tags: JVC XV-BP11 Blu-ray player

• Reads Blu-ray discs and reads/writes CD/DVDs
• Reads BD-R and BD-ROM discs at up to 8x speeds
• Reads CDs at up to 40x and DVDs at up to 16x
• Average access speed of 350ms
• Comes with two lenses for more stable reading and writing – one lens for BD read and one lens for CD/DVD read/writes
• Spherical Aberration Compensation Technology (SACT) improves reading quality on a BD drive whose protective layer does not have a uniform thickness
• Precision Step Control Technology (PSCT)
• Four point skew adjustment
• Optical lens cooling system reduces heat buildup
• Eco-friendly drive with low power consumption and aerodynamic frame design to lower acoustic noise by preventing pressure concentration in several areas of the bezel and the door
• Bundled Cyberlink Powerproducer software
• Front bezel includes chic mirror front door design and blue LED

The Samsung SH-B083 will be available in November – no word on pricing as of yet.

Technorati Tags: Samsung SH-B083

Pictured above is Denon’s latest Blu-ray player – the DBP-4010UDCI Universal Blu-ray Disc Player – which features many of the latest technologies and enhancements found in their DVD-A1UDCI player yet at a lower price point (though at $1999, the DBP-4010UDCI is still not for the faint of heart).

The DBP-4010UDCI features:

• Profile 2.0 support
• BD Live and “Bonus View” support
• Plays back DVD-Audio and SACD discs with native digital audio output via DENON LINK or PCM conversion with full bass management
• Ethernet port for Internet connectivity, firmware updates, BD Live interactivity, IP control for third party controllers, CI remote access, and web browser support
• Support for AVCHD and DivXHD playback
• Built-in SD card reader
• Anchor Bay Technologies (ABT) VRS processing for “highest resolution video available via HDMI connection” – supports upconversion and IP scaling to 1080p and HD audio decoding
• New HDMI Clock Control feature – when using HDMI for A/V output, the DENON LINK allows for connected AVR or AV processor to take over the Master Clock Control signals – avoiding digital jitter via HDMI
• Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit-HD technology (DDSC-HD) with decoding of all the latest HD formats from Dolby and dts.
• Bit-Stream Bypass to HDMI for Dolby Digita+
• Support for TrueHD 7.1 and dts-HR, dts-HD Master Audio 7.1 digital transmission to an AVR/AVP for decoding
• 12 bit 297MHz Analog Devices Video DACs
• Burr-Brown 24/192 PCM1796 DACs
• Multi-channel analog outputs with separate dedicated stereo analog outputs
• All aluminum construction

The Denon DBP-4010UDCI will be available in October and will have a suggested price of $1999.

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Technorati Tags: Denon DBP-4010UDCI Universal Blu-ray Disc Player

[Check it out via PC World]

Technorati Tags: Toshiba, Blu-ray player

If you’re looking for a dirt cheap Blu-ray player, you might want to drop by your local Wal-Mart retail store. According to Crave.com (via several other blog sites), Wal-Mart is now offering the low-end Magavox NB530MGX for a mere $98 dollars. It’s not a profile 2.0 player so forget about BD-Live support – but then again how many of you actually use BD-Live? Seems like a good bargain for those on a tight budget.

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Technorati Tags: Magnavox, NB530MGX, Blu-ray player, Wal-mart

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment announced the launch of MovieIQ – a new Blu-ray feature powered by Gracenote which allows Blu-ray users to access real-time movie information via Internet-connected Blu-ray players. According to their press release, MovieIQ enabled Blu-ray discs will enable immediate access to “continuously-updated information on cast and crew and explore relevant trivia such as production facts, music and soundtrack information all tied to scenes within the movie”

Sony Pictures will launch MovieIQ enabled discs starting in September with titles such as Angels & Demons, Easy Rider, Punch Drunk Love, The Quick and the Dead, Silverado and sex, lies, and videotape.

Movie buffs will probably appreciate this feature but it’s a bit of a yawner for me.

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Technorati Tags: Sony, Blu-ray, MovieIQ

The BDP-V6000 Professional Blu-ray Disc Player features the following:

• Supports Blu-ray and standard DVD media playback in both NTSC and PAL formats
• Serial RS-232C support allows integrators to control the player through multiple external devices
• Enhanced Search Option – Users can navigate through a disc’s file, chapter, and time code menus quickly and easily
• Plays 30, 25, and 24 frames per second
• Professional Graphical User Interface – newly designed GUI
• 1GB of on-board memory
• BD-Live capable
• USB 2.0 port supports external devices
• Rack Mount Kit included

Meanwhile, the new HD-V9000 Professional HD Video System allows playback of high quality video files through the use of swappable SD/SDHC memory cards. Features of the HD-V9000 include:

• Four advanced control options including stand-alone operation, RS-232C support, IP addressable embedded web server, and the HD-Pilot PC software program. The HD-Pilot PC provides network access to integrators for remote content update, playlist revisions, etc
• Maximum of 80 Mbps of MPEG2 and up to 50Mbps of H.264 video file playback
• IP addressable and can be accessed through Pioneer’s HD Pilot PC software or through embedded web serbver
• Text crawl and image overlay support – user specified messages, RSS text fieldds, and BMP graphics can be displayed over video content
• SD/SDHC memory card support
• RS-232C control

You can expect the BDP-V6000 Professional Blu-ray Disc player to begin shipping in September while the HD-V9000 HD Professional HD Video player is not expected until Q1 of next year. No word on pricing as of yet.

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Technorati Tags: Pioneer BDP-V6000 Professional Blu-ray Disc Player, HD-V9000 Professional HD Video System

Harman Kardon will soon release their very first standalone Blu-ray player in the form of the BDP10 (and it’s about time folks!). Key features of the BDP10 include:

• Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and PCM outputs – up to 7.1 channel
• Outputs include one HDMI (v.1.3a with x.v.Color), one wide-bandwidth component output, one front-panel USB port for flash drives and external USB hard dives (FAT32 support), Ethernet port, two digital outputs (coaxial and optical), two-channel analog output, one composite video output
• Full-color and multilanguage user interface
• 1080/24p playback support
• BonusView support
• BD-Live (BD-Video Profile 2.0) support
• DVD playback with 1080p upscaling via HDMI output
• Plays back audio and video files on USB connected drives
• Supports MP3, WMA v.8/9 audio playback
• Supports HD JPEG playback along with slideshow playback of JPEGs and audio from same source
• Supports DivX video playback
• Backlit remote control
• Removable power cord
• Seven speed smooth scan and three speed slow motion playback
• Program playlist
• Parental control system with user-programmable password
• Dimmable dot matrix front panel display
• Color coded connections

According to Electronista, the Harman Kardon BDP10 will be coming out in May for the European market at a price of around $940 U.S. dollars (ouch). Expect the unit to eventually make it to the US.

[Check it out via Electronista]

Technorati Tags: Harman Kardon BDP10, Blu-ray player

The front and center channel speakers for both systems are made with a bamboo diaphragm, while the subs feature a Kelton system with a dual diameter structure.

Content wise, both systems support Panasonic’s VIERA Cast functionality which provides access to Internet content such as Amazon VOD, YouTube, Google Picasa etc.

Specific features of the SC-BT200 include:

• 7.1 channel system with 1000 watts of power
• Smart Setup Guide for easy home theater settings
• BD/DVD/CD player
• 1080p DVD upconversion
• Wireless ready for rear speakers
• iPod dock for audio and video playback
• VIERA Cast support
• SD card slot for AVCHD video and JPEG playback
• Six matching speakers

Specific features of the SC-BT300 include:

• 7.1 channel system with 1250 watts of power
• Smart Setup Guide for easy home theater settings
• BD/DVD/CD player
• 1080p DVD upconversion
• Wireless ready for rear speakers
• iPod dock for audio and video playback
• VIERA Cast support
• SD card slot for AVCHD video and JPEG playback
• Two front tower speakers and four matching surround speakers

The SC-BT200 will have a suggested retail price of $599.95 while the SC-BT300 will have a suggested retail price of $699.95. Both models will be coming out next month.

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Technorati Tags: Panasonic SC-BT200, Panasonic SC-BT300, Blu-ray Home Theater Systems

First up, we have the Sharp AQUOS BD-HP50U Blu-ray Disc Player. This is a fairly standard player with features such as full HD 1080p playback, support for BD-ROM Profile 1.1, HDMI 1.3 output, and support for the latest advanced lossless surround-sound formats.

Here’s a quick rundown of specs for the BD-HP50U:

• Built-in RS-232C port allows external control systems to manage the player
• IR input allows the unit to be controlled wirelessly through a remote sensor – allows the player to be hidden away
• Supports BD-ROM Profile 1.1
• HDMI 1.3 output including support for x.v.Color
• Lip Sync – automatically adjusts audio and video signal processing times to eliminate lip sync errors
• Support for Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD, Dolby Digital Plus
• Quick Start loads a movie in less than 10 seconds
• JPEG viewing
• Supports 1080p/24p output
• Compatible with BD-ROM/RE/R, DVD Video, DVD-RW/R, DVD+RW/R and audio CDs

The AQUOS BD-HP50U is available now for $449.99.

Next up, Sharp introduces two new third generation Blu-ray players. First, there’s the AQUOS BD-HP22U. Features of this full HD 1080p player include:

• Supports BD-ROM Profile 2.0 (BD-Live)
• Ethernet jack
• Advanced audio decoding including support for Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus
• AQUOS Pure Mode
• Lower power consumption in both Power On Mode and in standard mode (19 watts power consumption)
• HDMI 1.3  with x.v.Color
• 1080p/24p playback
• Sharp Quick Start feature
• Includes 2GB of memory
• JPEG viewer
• Available in May for $299.99

Finally, we have the AQUOS BD-HP16U which features:

• Advanced audio decoding including support for Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus
• AQUOS Pure Mode
• Lower power consumption in both Power On Mode and in standard mode (19 watts power consumption)
• HDMI 1.3  with x.v.Color
• 1080p/24p playback
• Sharp Quick Start feature
• JPEG viewer
• Available in March for $279.99

Technorati Tags: Sharp, AQUOS BD-HP16U, AQUOS BD-HP22U, AQUOS BD-HP50U, Blu-ray player, CES 2009

Move over LCD/DVD combos – JVC has upped the ante with the new LT-42B300 LCD TV/Blu-ray player combo. Yup that’s right – the above system is a complete 42 inch full HD panel with a built-in Blu-ray player. Specs to the LT-42B300 include:

• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• Built-in ATSC-QAM tuner
• JVC picture improvement technology
• Digital noise reduction
• Dynamic backlight control
• 10W x 2 audio power output
• 5 band equalizer
• Smart volume
• 3 HDMI inputs with CEC
• 1 component input
• 1 SPDIF input
• 1 analog video output

The LT-42B300 will be available in June – no word on price as of yet. Of course, as with all combo systems – it would stink if the drive died…

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Technorati Tags: JVC LT-42B300 LCD TV Blu-ray player combo, CES 2009

Above is the new Samsung HT-BD8200 Blu-ray Home Theater Sound Bar – the first ever sound bar to come equipped with a Blu-ray player and wireless subwoofer. Features of the HT-BD8200 include:

• Full HD playback
• Virtual 5.1 channel surround sound
• Only 2.6 inches deep
• Touch of Color design
• Wireless subwoofer
• Samsung “Smart Volume” technology for volume level adjustments on-the-fly without needing to pick up the remote
• Supports playback of videos, photos, or music from digital devices such as media players, mobile phones, and digital cameras using either Bluetooth or USB port
• Included iPod dock
• 802.11 b/g/n
• Optional USB dongle
• Compatible with BD-Live (Profile 2.0) interactive features
• Supports Netflix and Pandora streaming
• Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA decoding
• Available in 1st half of this year.

Technorati Tags: Samsung HT-BD8200 Blu-ray Home Theater Sound Bar, CES 2009

The BD-P4600 features the following:

• Piano black finish with ruby highlights. Finished with clear, prism like edging
• Slim 1.5 inch wall-mountable Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player
• BD-Live (Profile 2.0) and Bonus View (Profile 1.1) support
• Full HD playback with DVD upscaling
• Standard CD playback with support for JPEG and DivX videos
• Netflix video and Pandora support
• Included 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi dongle
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• Ethernet port
• 1GB internal memory
• Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD HR/MA decoding and bitstream output
• Available in the first of 2009

Now onto the Samsung BD-P3600 player..

Features include the following:

• Just over two inches tall
• Encased in deep black with charcoal gray highlights curving along the outer edges
• BD-Live (Profile 2.0) and Bonus View (Profile 1.1) support
• Full HD playback with DVD upscaling
• Standard CD playback with support for JPEG and DivX videos
• Netflix video and Pandora support
• Included 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi dongle
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• Ethernet port
• 1GB internal memory
• Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD HR/MA decoding
• Output audio as a bitstream through 7.1 channel analog audio outputs or as uncompressed PCM signal
• Available in 1st half of 2009

Technorati Tags: Samsung BD-P4600, Samsung BD-P3600, Blu-ray players, CES 2009

Pioneer has been showing off a new standalone Blu-ray player design called the BDP-LX80. The player supports standard HD related features such as 1080p support, 24p playback for cinema-like feel, and Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD. What really makes the BDP-LX80 particularly interesting is it’s support for the DLNA standard which means the player will be able to connect to other DLNA compliant appliances. As an example, you’ll be able to stream digital content from a PC to the BDP-LX80 thanks to DLNA. Now there’s some added-value for ya!

Other specs include:

• Supports BD-ROM, DVD-R/DL
• Supports MPEG1, MPEG2, WMV9, 9HD,
• Supports MP3, WAV music formats
• Supports JPG, PNG, and GIF image formats

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Technorati Tags: Pioneer, BDP-LX80

Curious about the difference between HD DVD and Blu-ray? Well News.com published a comparison chart between the two formats a few days back with background information, and of course some early sales related statistics. The numbers are interesting and somewhat misleading especially since Blu-ray is integrated into the Sony PS3. HD DVD has the slight edge when it comes to standalone players sold but Blu-ray has the edge in content availability of course and in backing.

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Technorati Tags: Blu-ray, HD DVD, Comparison Chart

[Check it out via KrunkerHD]

Technorati Tags: Target, Blu-ray

In the world of graphics cards, it’s often incredibly hard to differentiate one vendor from another because nearly everyone has a card that’s built off of the same reference design. So what do you do? You can either build in lots of extra features or you can offer overclocking options.. OR you can have a snazzy product name. Case in point – Albatron. They’ve introduced a new product called the “Blue Ray Decoder Card” (The reason they chose to call it “Blue” was to emphasize the fact that this card is designed for high definition discs like Blu-ray and HD DVD that utilize blue laser technology.) which makes it sound like a standalone Blu-ray decoder expansion card when it fact, it’s just a regular NVIDIA GeForce 8500GT based graphics card with NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology.

The key to the Albatron “Blue Ray Decoder Card” is the use of NVIDIA’s GeForce 8500GT GPU which employs NVIDIA’s PureVideo HD Technology. PureVideo HD offloads video decoding to the graphics cards’ GPU as opposed to using your computer’s CPU thereby freeing up your PC to do other tasks. According to Albatron, systems utilizing Intel Core 2 Duo processors and PureVideo HD technology have shown CPU utilizations under 20 percent while decoding high definition video. The card supports H.264, VC-1, and MPEG-2 video codecs which also means both Blu-ray and HD DVD are easily supported here.

Specs to the Albatron “Blue Ray Decoder Card” are as follows:

• Low profile VGA card
• 450MHz Core Clock Speed
• NVIDIA GeForce 8500GT GPU
• 256MB of DDRIII memory
• 128 bit memory interface
• 800MHz memory bus speeds
• PCI Express bus
• Dual-link DVI support for up to 2560 x 1600
• DVI and HDTV output
• HDCP support

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[Check out their press release]

Technorati Tags: Albatron, Blue Ray Decoder Card, HDTV, Blu-ray, HD DVD, NVIDIA GeForce 8500GT GPU

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