Sony shows off Blu-ray Vaio at Tokyo Anime Fair

If you've never seen a Blu-ray or HD DVD demo, there's not really a lot to it. It's a high def picture playing off a disc instead of your HD cable (or satellite) box -- pretty simple. But we haven't yet seen a Blu-ray demo running off a PC, and we didn't expect Sony's Blu-ray Vaios for a little a little while longer yet, though they've been showing 'em off to the otaku at Tokyo Anime Fair this year. Good for them -- too bad we're getting a little restless about seeing this stuff demoed already. Care to start getting these things on the market? HD DVD content is sputtering right now, remember?

[James Scott @ Mar 27th 2006 9:51AM]

Anybody notice that these Blue-ray drives look an awful lot like first generation CD drives? They are really quite huge.

I really hope we get to see caddies again. Those were awesome! CD cases you insert into a drive! AWESOME.

[EdZ @ Mar 27th 2006 10:35AM]

Anyone notice that they appear to be playing Stand Alone Complex (episode 3 of 2nd GiG if I'm not mistiken, which is quite possible)? Which means either they managed to get their hands on a 1080 copy of it, or they're only showing off 810i (the resolution it was broadcast in in Japan).

[Merkidemis @ Mar 27th 2006 11:22AM]

That's it, EdZ gets the NERD!!!! award for today.

[phenostar @ Mar 27th 2006 11:27AM]

lmao, i was hoping somebody would identify the anime.

[Benson Leung @ Mar 27th 2006 11:48AM]

The shot of the helicoptor is definitely from Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex 2nd gig... the battle with the Wasp.

As for the other anime, it looks like they've got one shot from Steamboy.

[Tipa @ Mar 27th 2006 12:04PM]

Good guess on Steamboy, considering it says "Steamboy" right on the picture in kana :P

Gosh, I'm really excited to see "Hitch" in all its widescreen glory. HDTV is going to add sooo much to that film.

Oh wait. It won't. How is this better than just getting the DVD?

[James @ Mar 27th 2006 1:00PM]

Can't wait to get me some "Hitch" and "Stealth" on Blu-Ray.

[Will @ Mar 27th 2006 1:46PM]

I don't understand how this works. I thought playback of BD was only possible with Windows Vista - which is far from finish atm? So is Sony using a beta version of Vista or a customized Windows XP?

[MacroEQ @ Mar 27th 2006 2:05PM]

I'd be willing to sit cross-legged a little more whilst the 'Blu-Ray bus' rumbles on if it were only to conclude with a Blu-Ray disk the size of a mini-disc and not a pizza in a pizza box as we are about to witness in the near future.

[Sonic @ Mar 27th 2006 4:54PM]

Anyone want to take a gander as to which Sony monitor that is? Sure looks alot like the SDM-P234/B. I guess the requirement to have an HDCP monitor is really being canned? If so, thank goodness.. i won't have to throw away my dell 2405 LCD.

[Your Mom @ Mar 27th 2006 5:00PM]

Ah, sweet sweet 1080p anime... I suddenly have a desire to own a Blu-ray player.

[Mike @ Mar 27th 2006 9:16PM]

This story is a little late. There was an Ace Computers LHD Series MCE box with a Blu-Ray (old CD looking) drive in it at the ATI booth at CES playing one of only a couple of Blu-Ray demo disks.

So, this is not the first time Blu-Ray has been seen in a computer.

By the way, the Ace box won CES 2006 Innovation of the year award.

Mike DiMichele
Website Wednesday Night
WGN Radio - Chicago

[Marc @ Mar 28th 2006 5:21AM]

So... Will all Blu-Ray movies be screened in sepia?

Wow. What an advancement!

[Talkstr8t @ Mar 28th 2006 10:21PM]

Vista isn't required, just a secure video path. If this can be implemented by third parties on XP (or Win98!) then Blu-ray on XP is good to go!

[WGIII @ Mar 29th 2006 5:27PM]

I don't see what the big hopla is over.
I still see black bars on the top and bottom.
1080i is so yesterday.