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Avatar smashes Blu-ray sales records, has some owners ready to smash incompatible players
Well, well. Our friend Jimmy C.'s (who cancelled on our planned interview last week, but it's cool) little indie project has taken the all-time Blu-ray sales crown for North America in just four days. That's how long it took for Avatar to move 2.7 million Blu-ray discs, ahead of The Dark Knight's 2.5 million number, showering viewers with that incredibly high bitrate audio and video (other than some pleading for more low end thump, we haven't heard any complaints.) The downside for a few, including one Crunchgear editor, is that the movie shipped with a new version of BD+ encryption and has had trouble playing on certain Blu-ray players, including the BD-UP5000, BD-C5500, as well as several Pioneer units (fixed after a firmware update.) Some owners have found a way around the issues for the BD-C5500, but there's no word when an update to take care of things completely may be incoming. If you're wondering how much time the extra DRM bought Fox & co. before the BDRips started floating around, DVDFab claimed to break it the same day the movie launched, while Slysoft's AnyDVD HD has offered compatibility with some, if not all, region releases the day after. So much for that ten year prediction.
Samsung BD-C6500 & BD-C5500 Blu-ray players now shipping
Can't wait to get your hands on some of Samsung's 2010 lineup of Blu-ray players? The BD-C5500 and BD-C6500 are both currently available and shipping on Amazon for $199 and $299, respectively. Both share a slim 39mm profile, although only the BD-C6500 has a promised 15-second boot time and access to the updated version Internet@TV including Samsung Apps. Our wait for the sunroof sporting BD-C6900 3D capable model continues. Update: We checked with Samsung and confirmed all models in the 2010 lineup feature Internet@TV and Samsung Apps access, though if you're impatient and hate waiting you'll have to get in the BD-C6500 (above) and not the BD-C5500 (pictured after the break.)
Samsung's 3D Blu-ray player available for preorder on Amazon: $399 - Update: Not anymore
It feels like we just left our shutter glasses behind at CES, but already a few of Samsung's new 2010 Blu-ray players (all featuring Internet@TV and Samsung Apps features) have popped up for preorders on Amazon, including the 3D playing BD-C6900. The company just announced 240HZ 3D LCDs have begun mass production and isn't waiting for the competition before diving in, issuing the first price we've seen for one of the new players at a penny shy of $400. Moving down the line the super slim and woodgrain textured, but 2D only, BD-C7500 is also $399.99, while the speedy BD-C6500 and its promised 15 second bootup time is set for $299. The entry level and eco-focused BD-C5500 is still unpriced but instead of asking whether you can afford the price of a 3D Blu-ray player, ask yourself if you can afford not to own a Blu-ray player with a hole in the top. The answer should be obvious. Update: Whoops, and now they're gone, disappearing from Amazon as quickly as they came. Will that pricing information stick? We'll wait for an official announcement, but they all seem probable from here. %Gallery-82060%
Samsung's 2010 Blu-ray players bring 3D, transparency & thinness
Samsung has unveiled its latest family of Blu-ray players for 2010 topped by the BD-C6900 (above), compatible with both the 3D Blu-ray standard and the company's existing 3D displays. If your guests aren't thrilled by Full HD 3D and funky glasses they can always peek through the transparent cover and watch the disc spin. Also coming this year are the BD-C6500 with a promised 15-second boot time and disc load time, a new slim blu-ray champ with the BD-C7500 (after the break) and the low end BD-C5500. No word on prices or dates, but we're sure these should be appearing on shelves around the time the weather warms up.
