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Profile1.1 posts

Pioneer intros BDP-120 / BDP-320 / Elite BDP-23FD Blu-ray players

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 9:00AM

Pioneer has put a few new BD-related products of late in other regions of the world, but America has been longing for a fresh line of Blu-ray decks from the outfit for months. At long last, we're being treated to a shiny new Profile 2.0 trio: the BDP-120, BDP-320 and the RS-232C-packin' Elite BDP-23FD (pictured above). From the top, the 120 features HDMI 1.3a, Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD bitstreaming, 1080p24 output, BD-Live with no internal memory (1GB flash drive is included), TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and an Ethernet jack. The 320 steps it up with 48-bit Deep Color support, three noise reduction circuits, KURO Link, 7.1-channel analog audio outs, 1GB of internal memory and a "jitter free audio transmission for CD playback." The Elite deck adds an aluminum front panel, RS-232C control port and little else. The trifecta is expected to hit in April for undetermined prices, though you can find the ultraslim DV-420 upscaling DVD player in June for just $90. The finer details are just past the break.

Continue reading Pioneer intros BDP-120 / BDP-320 / Elite BDP-23FD Blu-ray players

ezGear gets in the Blu-ray game with the BluCobra Blu-ray Disc Player

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jan 2nd 2009 at 6:20PM

If you were hoping that another no-name company would release a $400 Blu-ray player, then today is your lucky day as ezGear is very proud to share the details of its BluCobra Blu-ray Disc Player. The BluCobra -- love the name btw -- features 7.1 analog outputs, SACD, TrueHD, DTS-HD HR&MA and the cutting edge profile 1.1, otherwise known as Bonus View. Luckily Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic can rest easy until at least March when this beast is scheduled hits the streets. Oh, and just a little prediction, no way the BluCobra will sell for its MSRP.

Memorex MVBD-2510 Blu-ray player hits $139.99 (but not for long)

by Darren Murph posted Nov 17th 2008 at 1:24AM

Okay, so maybe Memorex's Profile 1.1 MVBD-2510 was only $269 from the get-go, but busting through the unofficial $150 price barrier is a pretty big deal for Blu-ray. Granted, we're totally expecting a few more to join the fold come Black Friday, but who's not all about buying from the comfort of one's home versus braving frigid temperatures only to catch eight airborne diseases and shave 2.85 years from your life due to statistically significant levels of stress on a day off? Bottom line: $139.99 for a BD deck is pretty darn cheap (even for Woot's standards), and even if there's no BD-Live support baked in, it'll still handle the 1080p basics. Order now, debate later.

[Thanks, Jamil]

Memorex intros $269 MVBD-2510 Blu-ray player

by Darren Murph posted Sep 18th 2008 at 8:42AM

Right, so we're pretty stoked about having one more option in the sub-$300 Blu-ray deck club, but the lack of Profile 2.0 (which is only the latest, most up-to-date Profile, you know) is a real bummer. That aside, the BonusView-enabled MVBD-2510 doesn't seem like a half bad attempt from Memorex. It features audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD High Resolution along with Master Audio bitstream output. You'll also find 5.1 analog audio outputs, a white LED display and a few brushed metal accents to jazz it up externally. Look for it this November beside a whole host of new Memorex cleaning supplies.

Sharp's AQUOS BD-HP50U / BD-HP21U Blu-ray players eyes-on

by Darren Murph posted Sep 5th 2008 at 3:01AM

The whole Profile 1.0 thing kind of put a damper on Sharp's latest Blu-ray players, but since they were showcased at the company's CEDIA booth, we figured it prudent to take a few snapshots and pass 'em along. Design wise, the two are exceptionally similar, and we can't say with good faith that the HP50U is really worth the extra coin. Hit the gallery over at Engadget HD and see if you can pick the two apart... and, go!

Sharp rolls out AQUOS BD-HP21U Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player

by Darren Murph posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 6:00PM

If you've seen the BD-HP21H Blu-ray player, you've seen the BD-HP21U. Sharp is presumably getting official with the US version of said player here at CEDIA, and while the price tag is comparatively nice, the specifications are so last year. We're talking Profile 1.1, AQUOS LINK, a Quick Start feature to get flicks rolling in under ten seconds and an HDMI 1.3 output. Granted, the glossy black player is mighty thin, but it's still overpriced at $349.99 in our opinion. Full release after the jump.

Continue reading Sharp rolls out AQUOS BD-HP21U Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player

Philips trumpets 5000 / 7000 / Eco series HDTVs

by Darren Murph posted Jun 17th 2008 at 2:42PM

It's right around the midway point between last CES and the one to come, and for Philips, that means it's time to dump a few new HDTVs onto the unsuspecting public. Announced today from atop a New York City hotel, the outfit got official with its 5000, 7000 and Eco series of LCD HDTVs. The 5000 FlatTV lineup includes 32- ($799), 42- ($1,799), 47- ($2,099) and 52-inch ($2,899) flavors, all of which are bathed in glossy black and feature HDMI 1.3a inputs. The Eco sets tout "several power-saving features such as a proprietary dimming technology" and arrive in 42-, 47- and 52-inch sizes ($1,099 to $2,299). Lastly, the 7000 Series ($1,699 to $2,699) -- or Ultimate TVs, as Philips likes to say -- offers up 120Hz ClearLCD / Perfect Pixel HD technology, an "invisible" speaker system and four HDMI-CEC connectors. For what it's worth, Philips is also re-introducing its Profile 1.1-compliant BDP7200 Blu-ray player, which has already been reviewed and brushed aside in anticipation of fresher Profile 2.0 decks.

Post-format war, which Blu-ray player will you snag?

by Darren Murph posted Feb 20th 2008 at 11:00AM

After what seems like ages, the deadlock between HD DVD and Blu-ray has finally been broken, and as you undoubtedly know, high-definition film lovers everywhere are now scrambling to figure out which BD player would suit them best. 'Course, the easy answer is Sony's Profile 2.0-capable PlayStation 3, but if you've got a higher-end home theater, things aren't necessarily that simple -- there are some pretty big audio codec issues to keep in mind. Either way, now that it's safe to commit to one format, why not check out what everybody else is doing and toss in your own vote at Engadget HD's poll?

[Image courtesy of AV Revolution]

Live from the Blu-ray interactivity demo

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jan 7th 2008 at 2:20PM

Here we are back at the Sony booth for more coverage, but this time it's Blu-ray's latest interactive features on display. Known by a few names, BD Live hopes to match HD DVD HDi feature for feature, and then some. At this point we're still waiting to get in, but it shouldn't be long now.

11:28am - We're finally in, but waiting for the show to start, seems to be a lot of buzz.

Continue reading Live from the Blu-ray interactivity demo

Philips launches BDP7200 BonusView-enabled Blu-ray player

by Erik Hanson posted Jan 6th 2008 at 5:39PM

Philips has announced the second generation in its line of Blu-ray players with the BDP7200, sporting 1080p/24 and Deep Color support, and BonusView (aka Profile 1.1) picture-in-picture capability. The player can also upscale DVDs to 1080p, and control connected devices using the EasyLink HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) protocols. Philips will release the BDP7200 in April for a $349 price, putting it towards the low end on the Blu-ray player price list, but the one thing we wish Philips had let us know was the level of audio codec support, with no mention at all of DTS or Dolby's high-end audio formats.

[Update: Also see our hands-on with the BDP7200.]

Click on for a couple more photos

Continue reading Philips launches BDP7200 BonusView-enabled Blu-ray player

Samsung intros BD-P1500 Blu-ray player, BD-UP5500 combo player

by Darren Murph posted Jan 6th 2008 at 5:01PM

Hard to believe that CES 2007 was the venue at which Samsung launched its second-generation Blu-ray player, as just 12 months later we're staring the fourth-gen unit right in the face. Coming this May, the BD-P1500 will support 1080p playback (not to mention 720p / 1080i / 1080p DVD upconversion), 7.1 PCM, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD HR and MA, Bitstream audio output via HDMI, HDMI 1.3 with CEC and the obligatory Profile 1.1. Meanwhile, the firm is also announcing its forthcoming combo player, and for those out there who have yet to successfully hunt one down or are just too frightened by the reports of lackluster audio performance, you may want to hit the pause button 'til May. The BD-UP5500 (pictured after the break) handles Blu-ray / HD DVD discs and supports 1080p24, but otherwise remains functionality identical to the P1500. The pain? $399 for the BD-P1500, $599 for the BD-UP5500.

Continue reading Samsung intros BD-P1500 Blu-ray player, BD-UP5500 combo player

Sharp's BD-HP50U Blu-ray Disc player with profile 1.1 support

by Thomas Ricker posted Jan 6th 2008 at 4:53PM

Sharp already outed the BD-HP50U Blu-ray Disc player during the Sharp press event. Now the details. BD-ROM profile 1.1 support for all that crazy (and often useless) PIP you can stomach, HDMI 1.3 digital output at 24fps, x.c.Color, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD 7.1 channel audio with Lip Sync tech to automatically adjust audio and video processing times. Yours in May for $700. Really Sharp, $700?

PSP 3.80 and PS3 2.10 firmware updates now available

by Thomas Ricker posted Dec 18th 2007 at 12:57AM

You knew they were coming, now PSP 3.80 and PS3 2.10 are out and ready to dance on your Sony console. That's DivX and WMV video support with Blu-ray profile 1.1 now ready for your PS3 in addition to Internet radio and a few other goodies for your PSP. Now get to it Sony boy, you might want to call in sick to do it up right.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

First Blu-ray Disc with PiP profile 1.1 announced -- players please?

by Thomas Ricker posted Dec 7th 2007 at 7:20AM

That's it, you're looking at a screenshot from the world's first Blu-ray profile 1.1 disc. The title is Neues vom Wixxer, available in Germany on December 10th. Ok, not exactly a global blockbuster but a first's a first. As such, it supports the "Bonus View" profile which adds decoders for secondary PiP video and audio. This disc in particular, takes advantage of the profile by integrating video commentary from the film's makers and actors. Unfortunately for our dear German readers, Michael Becker, CEO of Imagion AG authoring studio laments that, "no Profile 1.1 players will be available on the [German] market" when it's released. Conversely, the US has a profile 1.1 player (and whispers of another) and no 1.1 media. Sigh. That tittering you hear is the sound of HD DVD fanboys who've had this functionality since day one.

[Thanks Tim W. and Michael B.]

Sony rumored to give PS3 owners Blu-ray Profile 1.1 for Christmas

by Erik Hanson posted Dec 7th 2007 at 1:04AM

Sony is said to have yet another PlayStation 3 firmware update ready for download before Christmas, with the gift for movie-loving gamers being Profile 1.1 compatibility for Blu-ray Discs. Competing format HD DVD has had support for Profile 1.1 features such as picture-in-picture, secondary audio, and local storage since its inception, while in the Blu-ray spec they were optional. There aren't any Profile 1.1 Blu-ray titles on the market yet, and only a single 1.1-compatible player for sale from Panasonic, so this is really about having one more bullet point on a box for fanboys to argue about. The only major HD DVD feature that becomes required in Profile 2.0 is Internet connectivity, so downloadable content will still be optional for some 1.1-compatible BD players -- but not the PS3 with its built-in Ethernet jack. Considering the PS3 is still one of the cheapest and most widely-owned Blu-ray players, and Sony continues to improve its capabilities via firmware updates, PS3 fans and Blu-ray Disc aficionados have that much more ammo to use in the never-ending format war.

[Thanks, ag23]