Pioneer's BDP-LX80 Blu-ray player supports HD audio bitstream output

Pioneer just announced that Blu-ray Disc player with "HD audio bitstream output" they alluded to with the launch of their BDP-LX70. In what appears to be an industry first for BD players, the new BDP-LX80 supports bitstream output of both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD high resolution audio output over HDMI 1.3. Sorry, no DTS-HD Master Audio this time. Still, a worthy update from the LX70 assuming your home theater gear is properly matched to decode that signal. Something you'll want to check, and double-check, before dropping the tax inclusive roll of ¥210,000 or about $1,768. We could be wrong, but the move from the LX70 to LX80 appears to be a firmware change only so why all the fuss with a new model Pioneer? If true, then don't be surprised to find a hacked version of the firmware for the LX70 on the Internets soon enough. No word on a global launch -- Japan-only for now with a local release scheduled for October.

[Via Impress]

[Matthew @ Aug 2nd 2007 11:53AM]

Another nail in the HD-DVD coffin.

[miyagi @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:13PM]

A $1700 blu-ray player is? lol

[boe @ Aug 2nd 2007 1:45PM]

I thought the $2,000 Denon with no SA-CD, DVD-A, and hybrid HD DVD/BR playback was bad but I see they are not alone in the badness.

I might have expected such a limited BR player a year ago but frankly this is about a year behind technology and price.

[Dave @ Aug 2nd 2007 2:09PM]

I'm pretty sure PS3 does both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD formats in bitstream over HDMI 1.3

So this is the only STANDALONE player.

[Maxx @ Aug 2nd 2007 3:31PM]

........bitstream output of both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD high resolution lossless audio output over HDMI 1.3. Sorry, no DTS-HD Master Audio this time.


This is wrong. DTS-HD is NOT lossless. DTS-MA is though.

[jack yen @ Jul 17th 2008 4:51AM]

Hi,
For viewing BD source having HD audio, Is BDP-LX80 player O.K alone
to ffit my 4-year-old AV receiver, which has no HDMI terminal ? If so,
how to wire and what should I be aware of first ? I'm quite picky about
audio effects. Thanks for your prompt reply in advance.

Jack