Pioneer's new Blu-ray player, the BDP-LX70
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted May 9th 2007 11:45AM
posted May 9th 2007 11:45AM
It has almost been a year since the first generation Blu-ray players hit the market, and we're already starting to see second generation players; well the Pioneer BDP-LX70 is most certainly a new model, but we're not sure if it's second gen or not. The BDP-LX70 is currently only listed on Pioneer's Eurpean site and although HD DVD originally annouced their second generation players in Europe, they looked completly different from the first gen. Not only does the LX70 looks alot like the HD1, but the features are also very similar; in fact other than having a Dolby TrueHD decoder built in, it doesn't seem to have any other new features. The latest must have feature -- HDMI 1.3 -- isn't specifically mentioned, but what is mentioned, is the fact that an "HD audio bitstream output player" is already set to replace this model. Second gen or not, Blu-ray fans in Europe are about to get a new option in June when this new player hits the street, but no word on a price.
Looks great!
Go Blu-ray!
engadgetHD writers, please read this thread repeatedly until it sinks in. thank you.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=789994
Why would you buy a player that will be obsolete this fall when the BD spec is (finally) finalized?
Obsolete is your comment! BD players will play Blu-ray movies always. Its only some minor "spec" being updated like PIP and other extras which will be added in later players.
because you're betting that pioneer will update the player's firmware to support the forthcoming features, i guess . . . lack of HDMI 1.3 isn't a big deal, but the question of whether a BD player released now will ever support the interactive content coming later this year is relevant.
"because you're betting that pioneer will update the player's firmware to support the forthcoming features, i guess"
Yeah, but it's already been confirmed that the problems aren't software, but instead are hardware - current BD players being released don't have the hardware to do PIP and other things that the final spec will require. Maybe this player does, nobody knows, but I wouldn't bank on it.
also, i 2nd elvisizer's comment. the engadgetHD writers clearly still have not internalized the idea that HDMI 1.3 is NOT a big deal unless you're hot for Deep Color support. (and if you are, well, have fun waiting for that to happen! it'll be cool when it comes, but that's a few years down the road at least.) that AVS link explains why. I was confused about this until I read that thread a few days ago. I had no idea about the 'Advanced Content' issue with the discs . . . .
Minor as in Persistant storage and internet connectivity? Something HD DVD has had since day one.
Looks good. I'm hoping the street price is sub 1k
i seriously could give two $hiets about a blu ray player being able to play interactive content, or being able to do PIP...never once have i ever wanted to do anything w/ a movie other than watch it, and possible watch the special features/behind the scenes stuff. its honestly just more fluff to futher distinguish themselves from the hd-dvd camp
simbadog, HD-DVD already has these features, so including them in blu ray just brings them back to parity. that's why the Matrix box set is coming out later this month on hddvd only. blu ray can't do the in movie experience the same way that hddvd can, so the blu ray version of the box set is being held until blu ray supports that, too.