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PowerDVD 10 Ultra 3D Mark II update finally adds 3D Blu-ray support
If you're one of the 2 people who have lost sleep anticipating the Mark II update to Power DVD 10 after our previous post, it's time to relax. Support for 3D Blu-ray playback has officially been added and it's even certified by the Blu-ray Disc Association - a first for software players. To sweeten the pot, a new "Enhanced" version of TrueTheater 3D can now upconvert DVDs or just regular video files with basic 3D effects thanks to optimized GPU hardware acceleration or a high end CPU -- that is if you're willing to submit your eyes to watching it. Coinciding with this release, the company's free BD & 3D Advisor software has also been updated to help users assess what aspects of the Mark II's smorgasbord of video playback / upscaling updates their computer can handle. So if your machine has the hardware and you've been dying for more 3D content -- Blu-ray or otherwise -- consider your wish granted.
Sony's big little DAV-IS10 home theater system
Yeah, that satellite is freaky small and just a part of Sony's micro DAV-IS10 home theater system. Their 5.1 channel home-theater-in-a-box features 5 of the tiny speakers matched with a sub offering 450 watts of total system power (satellite speakers 50W x 5, plus 2-way subwoofer 100W x 2). The system features Sony's new BRAVIA Theater Sync technology for communicating with BRAVIA panels over HDMI and should be easy to setup with the help of Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) optimization tech. The systems' 720p/1080i upscaling DVD/CD player features touch-sensitive controls and a Digital Media Port for attaching accessories such as the TDM-NC1 WiFi audio streamer, TDM-BT1 for Bluetooth streaming, and TDM-IP1 iPod dock. A pretty swank little system when it hits in July for $800.%Gallery-3397%
Cary Audio Design intros DVD 8 upscaling universal player
If you're still a fence sitter in the HD DVD / Blu-ray war, and you just can't part with that sweet sounding 5.1 audio collection, home theater boutique Cary Audio Design has a new universal player that should fit the bill quite nicely while the high definition blows are being thrown. The DVD 8, debuting at CEDIA, plays nice with DVD, SACD, and DVD Audio, and sports the oh-so-touted 720p / 1080i upscaling thanks to its component / HDMI (with HDCP, no less) outputs. The device features an impressive 24-bit Cirrus Logic 4360 DAC, as well as digital and analog 5.1 outputs to meet multi-channel expectations, and apparently supports both NTSC and PAL playback. If you're looking to consolidate that home theater setup while waiting for the ever elusive HD DVD / Blu-ray combo unit, the DVD 8 will begin shipping later this month for a currently undisclosed (but presumably costly) amount.[Via Talk About: CEDIA]
