blu-rayplayer
Latest
Samsung's BD-P1500 gets firmware update, Netflix streaming not included
Man, we're beginning to sound like a broken record when referring to BD-P1500 firmware updates. Back in June, we were miffed when a Profile 2.0-less update hit; if you'll recall, it was months later before BD-Live capabilities were added. Today, we've seen the deck's more flamboyant siblings receive updates that bring along the highly anticipated HD Netflix stream, yet the corresponding v2.1 BD-P1500 upgrade offers only "improved playback compatibility of some movie titles." 'Course, we never heard specifically that said feature was destined for this player, but wouldn't it be nice? Yes, yes it would.
Firmware update brings HD Netflix streaming to Samsung BD-P2500 / BD-P2550 Blu-ray players
The day before Thanksgiving seems so far away now, doesn't it? For those that can think back pre-feast, Samsung promised that a firmware update was on the way in order to bring HD Netflix streaming to its BD-P2500 / BD-P2550 Blu-ray players. Exactly one week later, it's here. Officially, the firmware v2.1 adds support for "Netflix VC1-AP HD Streaming" and "improves playback compatibility of some movie titles." We needn't tell you how urgent it is you download this and give it a try -- but be on the lookout for less-than-stellar image quality. Best of luck, brave ones.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Sharp's 249 BD-HP21H Blu-ray player ships to UK
It's a few days past October and all, but Sharp has still managed to get its BonusView-enabled BD-HP21H Blu-ray player out in the UK. Reportedly selling for around £249 ($383), the Profile 1.1 deck is probably a touch overpriced given the current state of BD across the globe, but then again, we've also heard reports that finding low-cost players across the pond isn't proving simple. At any rate, the unit does tout 1080p24 and a pretty slick design, and it's guaranteed to put a smile on the face of anyone who unwraps it. That's worth, what, at least a few quid?[Via Register Hardware]
NAD's BD-Live-enabled T587 Blu-ray deck heads to Canada for $1,600
NAD's T587 is making the rounds, and while it has already been priced for the UK and America, the sticker is no less insane in Canada. The Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player, which is obviously aimed at those with more dollars than sense, will go for $1,599 next month in the Great North. Good luck moving more than a couple, NAD.
NAD's Profile 2.0 T587 Blu-ray player coming to UK for 850
Oh sure, an equal amount of UKers are apt to buy NAD's absurdly overpriced T587 Blu-ray player as Americans (2.5 persons, for those wanting specifics), but what's up with the pricing discrepancy? The BD-Live-enabled deck -- which includes internal decoding of the latest lossless codecs from Dolby and DTS, an HDMI 1.3 port, Ethernet jack, component / composite video outputs, coaxial / optical digital audio sockets, external IR input and a front-panel USB port -- is scheduled to hit shelves sometime in December for around £850. We know the greenback has been gaining ground and all, but we Americans are still getting dinged for an extra two bills here. Ah well, what's $200 to the man / woman who's throwing down for a $1k+ Blu-ray player, right?
CNET UK hosts Blu-ray player load time shootout, PS3 wins
Long load times on Blu-ray players have always been a pet peeve of ours, and obviously we aren't alone. The gurus over at CNET UK rounded up four of their favorite decks and popped in a test disc (Vantage Point) in order to find which was the quickest at getting down to business. Trailing the pack was Pioneer's BDP-LX71, which took a staggering 1:54 to load and play the film. Panasonic's DMP-BD35 nabbed the bronze in unceremonious fashion (1:16), while Samsung's BD-P1500 slipped in second with a 1:09 load / play time. As we gave away in the headline there, Sony's PlayStation 3 easily took first with a test time of just 42 seconds. We'd love to know if any other untested decks could outperform that -- anyone care to time their unit and chime in below?
Pioneer's pricey BDP-LX71 Blu-ray deck reviewed: great, mate
Don't freak out, Americans -- you haven't seen Pioneer's BDP-LX71 hanging around at your favorite A/V store for one simple reason: it caters to the European / Australian crowd. And with an MSRP of AU$1,299, it obviously caters to the affluent, too. The Aussies over at CNET's AU branch were able to get ahold of the spectacularly shiny deck, and while they admired the lovely picture and sound quality, styling and selection of ports, they couldn't easily overlook the elephantine price tag, lack of Profile 2.0 and omission of internal DTS-HD decoding. Additionally, the slow loading speed put more of a damper on things, but all of those knocks still didn't sway critics from recommending it for those with the cash. For everyone else, we'd probably definitely look elsewhere.
Onkyo's DV-BD606 Blu-ray player goes to Europe, drops to amateur status
Onkyo has turned the DV-BD606P "professional" Blu-ray player loose on the European shores, but with a subtle difference. Our friends overseas will get the DV-BD606, sans "P" (professional) and rack-mount ears. Sounds like an athlete who just didn't quite pan out, doesn't it? Other than that, your £400 ($615) nets you the same uninspiring Profile 1.1, DTS-HD MA, Dolby TrueHD, HDMI 1.3a, DVD upconverting player we got over here in the US. That's right -- pay a little more, get a little less. Somehow, we think that even this is going to be a tough sell no matter where it shows up, and the SD card slot up front and me-too DivX support won't change that.
LG's BD300 next in line for HD Netflix streaming
Remember when we heard that Microsoft's Xbox 360 was just one of many boxes that would support HD Netflix streaming over the next few months? Yeah, well we get the impression that the first week in December will be the go-live date for a smattering of new units. Just hours after hearing that Samsung's BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 Blu-ray decks would be receiving a free update to enable high-def Netflix support, along comes a strikingly similar release from LG tipping us off on a strikingly similar update for its BD300. Said BD player, which has supported Watch Instantly from day one, will also support HD streaming after a gratis firmware upgrade in "early December." Mmm, we definitely like where this is headed.
HD Netflix streaming coming to Samsung's BD-P2500 / BD-P2550 Blu-ray players
Around this time last month, we learned that Netflix streaming would be making its way onto Samsung's BD-P2500 / BD-P2550 Blu-ray players. Today, Sammy has dropped another related bombshell: HD Netflix streaming is just around the bend. Beginning the first week of December (which isn't vague at all), owners of the aforementioned decks will be able to suck down a simple firmware update to enable high-def Netflix streaming. Enjoy the exclusivity, Xbox 360 -- it all comes to an end soon.
Sherwood delivers its BDP-5003 Blu-ray deck
Who knew that the trials and tribulations of Sherwood's BDP-5003 Blu-ray player could mirror the drama of the movies it plays? First shown off at CEDIA, then delayed and most recently threatened with the axe, but now Sherwood has brought its $300, Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player to the market, just in time for the holidays. Sure, it's probably a competent enough player, but we just don't see the value proposition of this next to entry-level models from other brands. Perhaps last-minute shoppers looking to jump on the Blu-ray wagon this holiday will grab one when Netflix-enabled (a little more money), Profile 2.0 (a few more features), or better-known brands (a tad more comfy) disappear from retailer shelves; but if that's the plan, maybe giving this model the axe would have been a better approach.
Sony's PlayStation 3 tops another "Best Blu-ray player" list
For the longest time, the answer to the inevitable "What's the best Blu-ray player?" question was simple: "Sony's PlayStation 3, of course." Now, however, prices of less extravagant decks have plummeted, making the PS3 one of the pricier BD players on the market. True though that may be, Sony's BD-infused console still managed to top CNNMoney's list of "Best of the Blu-ray players." Critics pointed out that its Profile 2.0 support, quick load times and obvious extra benefits (gaming) made it a surefire winner, with the BDP-S350 and Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD notching silver and bronze, respectively. Panasonic's Profile 2.0 DMP-BD50 and Samsung's tried and true BD-P1500 finished out the top five, though it's fairly evident that reviewers didn't bother taking cash into account. We'll keep an eye out for the "Best Of" list for bargain hunters, but you're probably better off just grabbing the cheapest deck you can find this Friday and pondering the decision at a later date.[Thanks, Anthony]
Kogan intros AU$349 Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player for Australia
Well, would you have a look at this. Out of seemingly nowhere, Aussies have been shown a remarkably affordable option for diving into the deep, crystal clear world of Blu-ray. Kogan Technologies is just 24 hours away from releasing its apparently unnamed Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player in the aforesaid continent / country, and with it will come 1080p output, an HDMI 1.3 port, DVD upconversion and Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD decoding. The online-only e-tailer is taking orders for the unit as we speak, and for just AU$349 (that's $218 in greenbacks), we can definitely see it moving quite a few units.[Via ITWire]
Magnavox Blu-ray player to be $128 at Walmart on Black Friday
We casually mentioned this here deal a few days back upon spying Walmart's leaked Black Friday list, but just in case you missed it, there will be at least one Blu-ray player out there for well under $150. The Magnavox NB500MG9 (which is really a Funai NB500 underneath the logo) will be offered for just a buck twenty-eight on the day after Thanksgiving here in the US, and while it's far from the most highly acclaimed BD deck in existence, there's no denying that the price is right. Our hopes and dreams? That five other players undercut it.[Via DVICE]
Funai sees operating income jump on sales of BD decks, DTV converter boxes
So, apparently sales of Blu-ray players and DTV converter boxes are on the up and up now that the format war is over and the DTV transition is quickly approaching in the USA -- who would've thunk it? According to reports, Funai's latest quarter saw an operating income increase of 108.8%, and it didn't hesitate to thank sales of Blu-ray players and DTV converters for such a surge. The outfit also proclaimed that sales of CRT TVs and DVD decks were down, and even though the boost from converter boxes will be short lived, it's hoping a deeper adoption of BD and sales of Philips-branded LCD TVs will compensate in 2009. Godspeed, we say.[Via VideoBusiness]
Memorex MVBD-2510 Blu-ray player hits $139.99 (but not for long)
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]
Denon ships DVD-1800BD Blu-ray player to the UK
It obviously proved impossible for a brand like Sherwood to pull off a $299 Profile 1.1 player in today's competitive market place, but for someone like Denon, high prices are simply expected. The "budget" DVD-1800BD BonusView Blu-ray deck has finally shipped to the United Kingdom, complete with a bloated £600 price tag. Call us crazy, but we still expect the firm to move quite a few of these, worldwide recession be darned.
Oppo teases BDP-83 Blu-ray player, offers no vital information
It's not that Oppo's BDP-83 is completely unexpected or anything, but this marks the first time the company is publicly admitting that the device is more than a show floor spectacle. Oppo has created a placeholder for the BD deck in order to give prospective buyers a chance to be notified of the unit's release. Unfortunately, all that we're given to chew on now is a pair of high-res images, so feel free to jump past the break and peek the other if the one above just isn't doing it for you. C'mon Oppo -- drop this puppy for under $150 and make yourself some new friends.[Thanks, mostly a lurker]
Onkyo finally launches $599 DV-BD606P "pro" Blu-ray player
Onkyo's had a long journey from HD DVD to Blu-ray, first giving an indication that it would produce a BD deck of its own this past February. This summer, we'd heard that the player would set buyers back a few bills, but that was back when players were all selling for a few bills. Now, the DV-BD606P has been introduced as a "professional" player, which essentially means that it's rack-mountable and needlessly expensive. It boasts all the usual suspects -- 1080p output, Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, DVD upconversion, Profile 1.1 support and an HDMI 1.3a port -- but we don't see anything in particular that justifies the $599 MSRP. Good luck marketing this one, Onkyo.[Via EMediaLive]
JVC's HTIB NX-BD3 gets reviewed, passes muster
Even after the street adjustment to £500 ($782), JVC's recently-announced NX-BD3 may not be the cheapest Blu-ray HTIB, but the crew at TrustedReviews found a lot to like with the package. The 2.1-channel starter system -- there are taps for four speakers even though you only get a L/R pair in the box -- has good aesthetics, solid video performance that holds its own next to the Pioneer BDP-LX71, and audio that keeps up with the visuals. Pity that Dolby True HD and DTS-HD MA didn't make the cut, though. Ah well, hopefully this deck's claim as the first dedicated Blu-ray deck with DLNA 1.5 support will ease the sting as you pull content from across your abode through the deck's ethernet jack. All in all, it's a better use of that port than BD-Live features, we say.
