Upcoming Haier Blu-ray players are as intriguing as they are cheap
We spotted Haier's first U.S. entry into the Blu-ray player market luxuriating at Digital Experience following the company's recent trend of surprisingly complete feature sets for low prices. The Broadcom-powered BDP100 and BDP200W are no great surprise, comparing closely with Best Buy's recent Insignia players as Netflix streaming Blu-ray decks, the former without WiFi for $169 and the latter with wireless internet for $229. However they're distinguished slightly by the addition of Pandora's streaming music, plus plans to support apps/streaming from another provider or two around launch in the first quarter. What was promised but not shown this go round were some interesting features powered by the unit's Flash compatibility, we'll be sure to check them out on the CES floor today and report back on the experience as well as its other products, including a new LED edge lit LCD line and Blu-ray/LCD combo TV with Netflix. For now, the press release and a couple of more images after the break.
BDP200W:
BDP100:
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Haier Introduces Blu-ray Players
LAS VEGAS, NV (CES Booth Central 10427), Jan. 6, 2010 – Haier is expanding its line of home DVD products with the introduction of two new Blu-ray players that will enhance the movie watching experience. With full HD 1080p and streaming Internet video, the players support the high-definition content of Blu-ray discs and instantly stream thousands of movies and TV programs from Netflix or music from Pandora. BD Live 2.0 capable for access to added features on Blu-ray discs and compatible with video formats including BD-R/RE (BDMV and BDAV modes), AVCHD, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, CD, CD-R/RW (CD-DA format), and JPEG on BD/DVD/CD recordable media.
"Providing the content that consumers want is the key to customer satisfaction," said Stewart Katz, Vice President of Portable Media Electronics for Haier America. "Haier America has entered into a number of strategic content partnerships for Blu-ray players and will continue to pursue ways to give consumers the best entertainment experience possible."
Both units upconvert standard-definition signals of DVD's to near HD quality and can decode the newest advanced audio codecs including Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby® Digital Plus, and Dolby® Digital.
BDP200W - Wifi Blu-ray player with BD Live 2.0
BD Live 2.0, USB/Ethernet
Netflix and Pandora content
DVD upconversion to 1080p
HDMI Version 1.3 and component video output
Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby® Digital
MSRP is $229.99. Available Q2 2010
BDP100 - Blu-ray player with BD Live 2.0
BD Live 2.0, USB/Ethernet
Netflix and Pandora content
DVD upconversion to 1080p
HDMI Version 1.3 and component video output
Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby® Digital
MSRP is $169.99. Available Q1 2010
Haier LCD/Blu-ray Combo
-- 32" BD Combo HLB32XK2 --
LAS VEGAS, NV (CES Booth Central 10427), Jan. 6, 2010 – Haier unleashes first combo unit with full HDTV and a Blu-Ray player.
The K-Series 32" LCD TV with Blu-ray /DVD combo, HLB32XK2, is the ultimate in entertainment. The Blu-ray combo has the ability to play DVD or Blu-ray discs, and features a built-in wifi connection and Adobe® Flash® for the Digital Home to support streaming movies in HD or DVD quality directly from pr e-installed applications built with Adobe Flash technology like Netflix and Pandora, all powered by Broadcom's chipset.
"The 32" BD Combo is full HD 1080p with a built-in Blu-ray player enabling you to easily play 1080p Blu-ray movies," said Al Levene Vice President of Electronics for Haier America . "The player is also backwards compatible, enabling you to play DVD movies and built-in wifi and Netflix streaming capability adds to the movie experience."
Product Features:
Sleek modern design with hidden speakers
Full HD built-in BD player
Dynamic Contrast Ratio 100,000:1
Wifi connectivity, 3 HDMI
PC input, 2 component inputs
USB input for Video, Audio and Digital Pictures
MPEG2, JPEG, MP3
Pause live TV with USB Time Shift
SRS TruSurround XT Sound
Sound leveler with distortion control
AVL Auto Volume Leveler
2x10W Output
Available Q2 2010 for $799.99