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How-to guide breaks down 7.1-channel audio setup procedure
Blu-ray player? Check. An AV receiver? Check. Loads of cables? Check. Knowledge of how to hook everything up for maximum impact? Uh, not so much. BigPictureBigSound has hosted up a nice how-to guide for making the most of the multi-channel audio that's just waiting to ooze out of your Blu-ray player. The writeup covers both HDMI and analog approaches, and it breaks it down in five easy-to-digest steps so that you don't get all overwhelmed. Go 'head, give it a look -- it's not that difficult, we promise.
King Kong gets additional features for Blu-ray release January 20
One time Xbox 360 HD DVD player pack-in King Kong is finally making its Blu-ray debut, complete with U-Control interactive features and some additional bits we'd missed the first go round. Apparently Universal has seen fit to replace the previous edition's Dolby Digital+ 5.1 soundtrack with a 5.1 DTS-HD MA version, as well as the Extended Edition footage (on an already 3 hour+ movie?) that was missing from the HD DVD. Making the jump from HDi to BD-Live is online My Scenes sharing, just in case you still needed a reason to pay the $29.98 MSRP for this disc January 20.
High-def audio wiring guide removes the mystery
Granted, we've already shown you how to actually take advantage of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, but if you're looking for a quick and dirty breakdown of what each audio codec means, what it can / can't do and how to wire things up with your current setup, Missing Remote's latest guide is for you. For starters, it hones in on Blu-ray audio format support -- quite relevant given the state of the format war these days -- and it continues on by explaining how to wire things up for superior results with S/PDIF, HDMI, analog, etc. There's even a special section dedicated to HTPC playback, which ought to help you folks not using a pre-fab deck. If you've been spinning your wheels of late in the wide world of multi-channel audio, have a look at the read link and see if things don't clear up.
Universal lays out specs, box art for Wanted on Blu-ray
Universal already called its shot, with a "What The Matrix did for DVD, this could do for Blu-ray" proclamation before Wanted even hit theaters so we're not surprised by the long list of extras in store. The Blu-ray version gets four U-control exclusive features, with My Chat, My Scenes and commentary maker BD-Live extras to boot. Springing for the Collector's Edition? Expect some collectible postcards and a lenticular scene thrown in, with 1080p MPEG-4 encoded video and DTS-HD MA audio to make sure the viewing experience lives up to expectations. Even with a $135 million box office haul to its name we don't know if all the hype is deserved, but if Angelina Jolie and guns interest you, the package is due December 2, MSRP $39.98 standard, $69.98 CE.
Corel WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray Update Pack ready for download
Ooh, goodie! A full five months after Corel released its WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray application, the first major update pack has arrived. The unimaginatively named WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray Update Pack checks in at just under 50MB and size and promises to resolve the "Enable S/PDIF Out" / "HDMI output to speaker" issues while expanding the list of compatible commercial titles and enhancing compatibility for a slew of VGA chipsets within Windows Vista / XP. There's no direct mention of BD-Live support, but for those who purchased the original, why not give the update a go and report back?[Thanks, Tyler]
Firefly 3-disc Blu-ray set coming November 11
That sound you just heard was millions of Browncoats exhaling, because the Firefly Blu-ray boxed set hinted at back in April is finally nearing release. All those still reading and not already frantically preordering the $89.98 MSRP set or repaying their oxygen debt have quite a bit to look forward to. Due November 11, Fox is bringing Joss Whedon's series home complete with new-for-Blu-ray commentary and cast reunion featurette to go with the 1080p video (in correct 1.78 aspect ratio) and DTS-HD MA soundtrack. So now that it has a date, what do we do? Probably not talk quite so much.
Will Blu-ray audio discs take off, or flounder aimlessly la DVD-A / SACD?
For those burned by either DVD-Audio, SACD or HD DVD (or, heaven forbid, any combination of the three), you're probably taking a rather defensive approach to Blu-ray audio. Now that said format is the sole king of high-definition media (in the physical realm, anyway), it's just a matter of time before firms start pushing out full-fledged audio discs while trumpeting the incredulous sound quality. After all, with 50GB of space, you can fit an awful lot of high-resolution audio on there. We've already seen the first BD record released and we already know that Neil Young's entire archive will soon be loosed on the format, but are the puzzle pieces aligned for Blu-ray audio to take off? From our standpoint, we're still hesitant to say yes. With CD players still dominating dashboards and BD drives still a long ways from being commonplace in computers, BD audio is apt to remain a niche good for years to come. Even still, do you think it has what it takes to overcome?
Onkyo's TX-SA706X 7.1 receiver is beastly, Mr. T approved
It's too early to tell if gold-colored components really are making a comeback, but you better believe Onkyo's at the forefront of the gilded parade. Shortly after pumping out the TX-SA606X in Japan (and the TX-SA606 in America), the TX-SA706X has arrived to take things one step further. This 7.1-channel receiver delivers a potent 200-watts of juice to each channel and includes five HDMI 1.3 inputs (alongside one output), a frequency response of 5Hz to 100,000Hz, Audyssey Dynamic EQ processing and built-in decoding for Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio formats. Granted, such a monster of an AVR won't become your very own with putting a nice size dent in your wallet, but those in Japan can treat themselves on July 19th when it lands for ¥189,000 ($1,781).[Via HDTV Space] %Gallery-26352%
Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 HDMI sound card does bitstream output from your HTPC
Earlier this month, ASUS introduced the "world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio / video enhancement combo card." Who knew numero dos was so close behind? Auzentech has just announced its very own HDMI 1.3-native PCIe audio combo card, which is built around Creative's X-Fi processor and enables PC users to easily output 7.1-channel audio with no downsampling. Essentially, the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 "accepts video from either an internal or external connection, mixes it with digital audio, and outputs the combined video and lossless multichannel audio via a single HDMI 1.3 port." Yep, that means Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs are fully supported. The only digs? For one, pricing remains a mystery, but the real kicker is the September release -- talk about a long wait.
Corel's WinDVD 8 lands DTS-HD Master Audio certification
Sure, WinDVD 9 supported those fancy audio codecs right out of the shrink-wrap, but up until now, WinDVD 8 users have been shut out solid. Thankfully, Corel finally saw fit to pass down a little love to its loyal end users still rockin' the ocho, as said software picked up DTS-HD Master Audio certification over at Computex. As you very well know, this now enables the application to play back Blu-ray Discs with 7.1 discrete channels of lossless audio, which surely makes the audiophiles in attendance remarkably jovial.
First Blu-ray record, Divertimenti, released
Fans of high-def audio rejoice: The first Blu-ray recording has been released. Fans of anything other than Divertimento, hold your horses: The first release is from Thondheimsolistene, an orchestra from Norway. "Divertimeni", as it is called, will be released by the 2L label in full HD audio glory along with a SACD track for those not on the Blu-ray bandwagon just yet. Formats include 2.0 LPCM, 5.1 LPCM, 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio, 5.1 Dolby True HD, 5.1 Dolby Digital at 48KHz, and it has been confirmed to work just fine on the PS3.[Via MiC]
Universal's Blu-ray audio plans revealed, DTS-HD Master Audio included
Listen up, audiophiles -- we know you've already pored over Universal's Blu-ray plans, but for those thirsting for more details in the world of audio, you've found your oasis. Sitting down with The Man Room, Universal made clear that its first wave of BD releases on July 22nd (all films from The Mummy franchise) would actually include Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio tracks. Yep, that means you'll be getting more than just a lackadaisical port should you snap these up on Blu-ray. The studio also mentioned that it was looking forward to DTS-HD MA becoming "the Blu-ray standard" at its headquarters, so we're hoping to see (er, hear) a lot more lossless from these guys in the near future.
Samsung delays fourth gen BD-P1500 Blu-ray player, adds BD-Live
We can't really see the logic in releasing a Blu-ray player without BD-Live in 2008 -- and neither can Samsung, which just announced its fourth generation BD-P1500 will be BD-Live Ready. The bad news is the May release date announced earlier has slipped to June, and the formerly comfortable $399 MSRP is now a less promising TBA. We're not sure if that "ready" tag means it will be BD-Live enabled out of the gate, however DTS-HD "High resolution" is confirmed on the way in a future firmware update. A slight delay for a significant upgrade in features? We'll allow it.Update: Samsung let us know the press release was in error, the MSRP will remain at $399.
PS3 firmware v2.30 is out: new PS Store and DTS-HD MA now yours for the taking
It's April 15th which means one thing: taxes PS3 firmware 2.30 is due. Right on cue, Sony made good on the new PlayStation Store and DTS-HD Master Audio sound reproduction sure to make audiophile-types lean in for a listen. The Store is acting a bit sluggish at the moment, something that's likely to get sorted once the rolling update is completed. Nevertheless, users are claiming easier navigation and richer experience. So whatcha looking at -- get out of here kid, there's on-line updating to be done.[Thanks, Paul R., Nathan, and everyone who sent this in]
DTS-HD MA Suite toolset hits v1.6, brings Dynamic Automation for DTS Express
NAB Show 2008 is in full swing, and just in case you haven't heard, here's something worth taking a listen at. DTS has just revealed v1.6 of its DTS-HD Master Audio Suite toolset for Blu-ray Disc and DVD production, which includes "numerous highly anticipated file management features [along with] the public release of Dynamic Automation for DTS Express." The latter is an interactive secondary audio codec for BD, and according to Brian Towne, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Division, "the latest feature set empowers content creators with the freedom and flexibility to dynamically vary the primary audio volume, which is essential for picture-in-picture, alternate tracks, director commentaries and other interactive features for Blu-ray Disc." Best of all, DTS Express streams encoded for Blu-ray with MAS v1.6 are playable on Profile 2.0 and Profile 1.1 players, and it's available as a free upgrade (right now) for existing customers.
Audiophiles and shoppers will love firmware v2.30
SCEA has been kind enough to detail the full feature list of the upcoming firmware version 2.30, which is set to release on Tuesday the 15th of April. Yes, the new firmware will allow you to visit the swanky redesigned PSN Store, but it will also include improvements to the audio playback for Blu-Ray movies. We're not too up on audio-visual technology but we're sure it's very exciting to those who understand it. V2.30 will add "DTS-HD Master Audio™ and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, enabling consumers to enjoy Blu-ray movies with studio-quality, high-definition audio." Apparently these features include various high numbers of things, such as 7.1 channel sound and 96k sampling frequency with 24 bit depths. The point seems to be that "things will sound better." Which sounds good to us.
Interview with SCE engineers reveal BD-Live, firmware plans
People love firmware updates on the PS3. Why? They continue to add new functionality. While the most-requested feature, in-game XMB, still has not arrived, the latest update (2.20) included a number of new features, such as support for BD-Live, the latest Blu-ray disc profile. The interview notes that the PS3 is much more powerful than standalone Blu-ray players on the market, and that the "performance gap" won't get smaller any time soon. Because of this, Blu-ray discs can differentiate between players, and include "richer effects" on PS3 systems.Future firmware updates will include 1080 deinterlacing and DTS-HD MA, much to the joy of serious home theater buffs. Expect updates to happen quarterly -- although the revised PS Store will break from that planned cycle.While the most recent firmware is required to sign into the PSN and play the newest games, it seems as though firmware updates will be required for movie playback as well. In fact, the Resident Evil: Extinction BD includes an updater on the disc, for firmware 2.10. Expect this trend to continue into the future.[Via NeoGAF, Translation by one/B3D]
Batman: The Movie makes a Blu-ray first
We're still waiting for Warner to release its IME-enhanced Batman Begins on Blu-ray, but it will apparently be beaten to the punch by the 1966 flick Batman: The Movie starring Adam West and Burt Ward. Fox Home Entertainment is going all out, including a 360-degree tour of the Batmobile, HD featurettes, pop-up trivia game and, in a first for Blu-ray, an isolated 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio track for those who want to hear only the score in the highest quality possible. Available July 1 with a $39.98 MSRP, Batman fans can also grab one of a limited edition 5,000 unit run with a 1/18th scale Batmobile for $59.98. The only thing more we could ask for is BD-Live enhanced chat allowing viewers to tune in at the same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.
Pioneer BDP-95FD review
There are Blu-ray players, and then there are Blu-ray players, and when it comes to the best of the best, the Pioneer BDP-95FD is at the top. If you're the type that believes in love at first sight, then this might be the player for you, because one thing's for sure, you get a good looking player for $1k. But since looks aren't everything, we spent the past few weeks putting Pioneer's Elite player through the paces. As much as we love it, it's not all good, so read on for the good, the bad, and the ugly. %Gallery-18474%
WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray finally supports TrueHD and DTS-HD
The format that some say isn't done, just got one step closer for those with media PCs, as the latest version of WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray -- despite the new name, HD DVD is still supported -- finally includes support for the latest audio codecs Blu-ray has to offer. But improved audio support isn't all it has to offer, as BonusView is now supported, as well as support for the latest HD video camera codec, AVCHD. We had a chance to play around with it early, but unfortunately we weren't able to unlock TrueHD or DTS-HD -- still waiting to hear back from support. We also had a few HDCP errors despite the fact that PowerDVD plays just fine with our Radeon 2600HD video card. Either way, maybe you'll have better luck, and it'll only cost you $99 to find out -- or $69 if you are upgrading.**Update** Thanks to support we got TrueHD and DTS-HD working by messing with the sound card settings, but the HDCP issue is still bugging us.
