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Sharp’s New Five Color LCD Display Faithfully Renders Real World Images

Tue Jul 07, 2009 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Sharp, Product Announcements, HD Gear, Hardware (all tags)

In the quest for the ultimate picture quality, it was only a matter of time before an LCD manufacturer added cyan and yellow into the mix.

According to a press release issued by the company, their five-primary-color LCD is able to accurately reproduce over 99% of colors. Formerly difficult to render colors such as the golden yellow of brass instruments, the emerald blue of the sea and crimson red of roses are now able to be created on the screen without issue.

At the moment the technology is focused on industrial uses such as digital archiving and remote medical care, but Sharp is hard at work making the display cost efficient enough for practical applications. We’ll certainly be waiting with baited breath for the day this technology is available to consumers.

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Sony's Blu-Ray Players Go Wireless

Thu Mar 05, 2009 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Sony, Industry Trends, Hardware (all tags)

Four new Blu-Ray players will soon be added to Sony’s product offering. Two stand-alone players, the BDP-S360 and BDP-S56, and two home theater systems, the BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W BD come equipped with full HD 1080/60p, BD Live capability, and the ability to decode the latest audio codecs.

The BDP-S360 (SRP $300) and BDP-S560 (SRP $350) both use upscaling technology to convert DVDs to near HD experiences. In addition to the robust audio and video compatibility, these devices each have a USB port, and use Precision Drive Technology to stabilize bent or scratched discs during playback. These players will be released during the summer.

The BDP-S560 is designed to cut down on wires, as it has Wi-Fi network capabilities that allow it to access online content through you home wireless network. It is Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA(R)) capable, allowing it to transfer digital photos to other (DLNA(R)) devices.

The two home theater systems are S-AIR ready, meaning that they can project audio to external speakers. The BDV-E500W (SRP $800) has S-AIR wireless compatibility with its rear speakers, while the BDV-E300 (SRP $800) can use S-AIR with the purchase of external modules.

These systems include a Digital Media Port, which comes equipped with an iPod cradle. They are also compatible with several other media connections, such as a Bluetooth adapter and a PC client device, sold separately. These units will ship this June.

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Amazon Offering Sony BDP-S300 for Under $200

Mon Sep 22, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Hardware, Blu-ray Players, Sony, High-Def Retailing, Amazon (all tags)

Amazon is offering the Sony BDP-S300 for just under $200 while supplies last.

We haven't been given any specifics on this deal or how long it will last (assuming the players don't all fly off the shelves in the next hour), but folks in the market for some early holiday bargains may want to check out the special pricing Amazon has just rolled out on the Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray player.

According to the Amazon page, tech specs on the player include the following: Full HD 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema Video Output, DVD Upscaling to 1080p via HDMI, BRAVIA Theatre Sync (HDMI-CEC), BD/DVD/CD playback(4) and AVC-HD with x.v.Color output, and Multi-channel Linear PCM & Dolby Digital Plus Decoding.

This one looks like a pretty good deal. What else is there to say? It's less than 200 bucks! Check it out here!

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Related links:
Sony BDP-S300 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player [Amazon.com]

Memorex Announces Blu-ray Player For Less than $300

Fri Sep 19, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: High-Def Retailing, Hardware (all tags)

Memorex has announced a new entry-level Blu-ray player at an affordable price.

In a press release yesterday, Memorex announced a new Blu-ray player which the company says offers a broad range of format features for the suggested price of $269. The player is expected to arrive in retail locations by November.

"Our customers want products that bring entertainment into their homes, but at a family-friendly price," Carla Pihowich, Memorex brand director said. "With this in mind, we have introduced a Blu-ray Disc player that offers consumers the full High-Definition viewing experience, but at a price that almost anyone can afford."

According to the press release, the new player will feature 1080p video resolution, 24p and 60p frame rates, and Bonus View 1.1. Audio features include Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio decoding and bit stream output, and Master Audio bit stream output. Outputs include 7.1 HDMI digital audio output and 5.1 analog audio output. Compatible video formats include BD-ROM, DVD+ROM, DVD-R/DVD-RW, DVD+R/DVD+RW, CD-ROM, CD-R/CD-RW and JPEG on DVD/CD recordable media.

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Related links:
Memorex Introduces Full-Featured Blu-ray Disc Player For Under $270 [Memorex.com]

Panasonic Details DMP-BD50 Pricing and Features

Tue May 06, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Panasonic, Hardware (all tags)

Panasonic has announced the spring debut of its much-touted DMP-BD50 player, which boasts BD-Live among other expanded capabilities.

As reported in January and further detailed via press release today, The BD50 adds BD-Live functionality, which lets viewers access online content such as images and subtitles to further enhance the viewing experience.

The BD50 also offers next generation sound capabilities using integrated decoders for lossless Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

"Panasonic was the first to bring a Blu-ray player with Bonus View (Final Standard Profile 1.1) to market and now with the DMP-BD50 we are again leading the industry with the inclusion of BD-Live," said Paul Sabo, Panasonic, National Marketing Manager Entertainment Group.

The Panasonic DMP-BD50 will be available this spring and has a suggested retail price of $699.95.

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PS3 BD-Live Update Now Available

Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:19 AM ET
Tags: PlayStation 3, Firmware Upgrades, Sony, Hardware (all tags)

Sony launched Firmware Update v2.20 for the Playstation 3 Monday night, officially upgrading the game console to a BD-Live (aka Profile 2.0) Blu-ray player.

As we've previously reported, this latest PS3 update was announced by Sony last week, and earns the PS3 the distinction of being the first Blu-ray player in North America to include BD-Live, enabling users to experience interactive features via specially-encoded Blu-ray discs, including downloadable video content, ringtones, live "interactive movie-based" multi-player online gaming and more.

The full list of Firmware Update 2.20's announced features are as follows:

  • BD-Live (Profile v2.0) Upgrade
  • "Resume play" will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed (BD-J format not supported)
  • "Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3
  • PS3 system's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's view speed will be improved
  • DivX and WMV format videos larger than 2GB will be playable
  • "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback (BDMV format not supported)

Sony's press release for the PlayStation 3 Firmware Upgrade Version 2.20 can be read in full here.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
PlayStation 3 to Support BD-Live [Press Release]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
PS3 BD-Live Firmware and Blu-ray Discs Due This Month (Mar 20, 2008)
High-Def FAQ: Blu-ray Profiles Explained (Nov 23, 2007)

PS3 BD-Live Firmware and Blu-ray Discs Due This Month

Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Firmware Upgrades, Hardware, PlayStation 3, Sony (all tags)

Sony Computer Entertainment today announced a late-March launch for the latest firmware upgrade for the PlayStation 3, which will bring BD-Live and a host of additional interactive capabilities to the console.

Dubbed Firmware Upgrade Version 2.20, it will bring BD-Live (aka Profile 2.0) to the PS3, enabling users to experience interactive features such as downloadable video content, ringtones, live "interactive movie-based" multi-player online gaming and more.

Though Sony has not set an exact availability date for v2.20, it is due in "late March," which will make the PS3 the first Blu-ray player in North America to include BD-Live. (Panasonic previewed a stand-alone BD-Live Blu-ray player, the DMP-BD50, earlier this year at CES, with the unit expected to hit stores this May.)

"With Blu-ray established as the high-definition optical disc standard, more consumers are ready to jump in and take advantage of everything the format offers," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA, via press release.

"Whether you want to download movie extras, send ringtones to your phone, or play interactive games, BD-LIVE will offer exciting new ways to enjoy a Blu-ray movie. With these regular firmware updates and future-proofed technology, SCEA is making the 10-year lifecycle of PS3 possible."

To inaugurate the release of the PS3's BD-Live upgrade, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has also announced the addition of exclusive BD-Live content to the upcoming Blu-ray releases of 'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story' and 'The 6th Day.' Exact details on the additional BD-Live features have not yet been specified, but we'll keep you posted. (Note that these two titles are not the first BD-Live-enabled Blu-rays to be released, however, with Lionsgate's 'War' and 'Saw IV' having hit stores earlier this year with BD-Live features already on the discs.)

The full list of Firmware Update 2.20's announced features are as follows:

  • BD-Live (Profile v2.0) Upgrade
  • "Resume play" will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed (BD-J format not supported)
  • "Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3
  • PS3 system's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's view speed will be improved
  • DivX and WMV format videos larger than 2GB will be playable
  • "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback (BDMV format not supported)

Sony's press release for the PlayStation 3 Firmware Upgrade Version 2.20 can be read in full here.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
PlayStation 3 to Support BD-Live (Press Release) [High-Def Digest]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (Blu-ray)
The 6th Day (Blu-ray)
Saw IV (Blu-ray)
War (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
CES: Panasonic Intros First BD-Live Blu-ray Player (Jan 06, 2008)

Sony Unveils First BD-Live Players

Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Sony, Hardware, Industry Trends (all tags)

Primary Blu-ray backer Sony Electronics announced today that it will release its first web-enabled Blu-ray players later this year.

Priced at around $400, Sony's BDP-S350 Blu-ray player is due this July, while its BDP-S550 player (priced at around $500) is expected to ship this fall.

Both players will be Bonus View (aka Profile 1.1) and BD-Live capable, although according to Sony's press release, the BDP-S350 will require a firmware upgrade to enable the player's BD Live functionality. (For more information about Bonus View and BD-Live, see Josh Zyber's column, "High-Def FAQ: Blu-ray Profiles Explained.)

Each of the two models are also set to include an external port for local storage, allowing users to add USB flash-based memory. The higher-priced BDP-S550 will ship with a 1GB storage device.

Both players will support 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus decoding and bit-stream output, as well as dts-HD High Resolution Audio and Master Audio bit-stream output. The BDP-S550 adds dts-HD High Resolution Audio and dts-HD Master Audio decoding as well as 7.1 channel analog audio output.

"Sony’s next-generation Blu-ray Disc models bring exciting interactive features to life and offer consumers a ground-breaking experience," said Chris Fawcett, vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics’ Home Product Division. "These new devices bring home movie experience beyond the cinema and into a whole new realm of entertainment."

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Sony Adds New Blu-ray Players With Advanced Interactivity [Press Release]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
High-Def FAQ: Blu-ray Profiles Explained (Nov 23, 2007)

Samsung: Dual-Format Blu-ray/HD DVD Player Now Shipping

Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Samsung, Hardware, Dual-Format Players (all tags)

Despite reports to the contrary, Samsung says its BD-UP5000 dual-format high-def disc player is shipping "as we speak," and will hit stores at a price lower than previously announced.

Rumors of a delay for the manufacturer's first dual-format player surfaced earlier this week after a listing at Amazon bumped the player's release to January 15, but a Samsung spokesman told Dealerscope on Wednesday that the player is currently shipping to stores, and that it should be on shelves by "mid-to-late December."

The spokesman added that due to "recent activities in the marketplace," the player's suggested retail price has been dropped to $799 (it was originally announced with a $1,049 price tag, but that price was reduced to $999 in early September).

As we've previously reported, Samsung will be the second manufacturer to market an dual player capable of playing HD DVD and Blu-ray discs, following the introduction of LG's BH100 in January of this year.

Samsung says its BDP-UP5000 will support both BD-Java and HDi, as well as web-enabled supplements on both formats, via an Ethernet connection. In late October, the manufacturer noted that the player will require an upcoming firmware update to actually play back Profile 1.1 discs.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Samsung Says Dual Player Still on Track For December, at Reduced Price [Dealerscope]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Samsung Confirms Profile 1.1 For BD-UP5000 Dual-Format Player (Oct 24, 2007)
Samsung Lowers Price on Upcoming Dual-Format HD DVD, Blu-ray Player (Sep 07, 2007)
Samsung Plans Dual-Format Blu-ray, HD DVD Player (Apr 16, 2007)

Venturer HD DVD Player Surfaces at Wal-Mart

Thu Nov 29, 2007 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Venturer, Wal-Mart, Hardware (all tags)

The long-anticipated budget HD DVD player from Venturer has finally arrived, and is being sold by Wal-Mart for $199.

Back when it was first announced in late August, Venturer's SHD7000 player had been expected to break low-price records this holiday season, but with Toshiba's entry-level HD DVD players being sold for as little as $99 earlier this month (also at Wal-Mart), Venturer's HD DVD launch has lost a bit of its thunder.

Still, with Wal-Mart carrying the player, there's no telling how many Christmas shoppers may be wooed by its low price. (At press time, the retail giant was offering the player at select stores and online for $199.)

According to early reports, the player is functionally identical to Toshiba's HA-A3 HD DVD player, offering 1080i video output via HDMI and Dolby TrueHD support.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Venturer SHD7000 HD DVD Player [Wal-Mart.com]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Venturer to Release Budget HD DVD Player for the Holidays (Aug 28, 2007)
Venturer HD DVD Player: $199? (Aug 29, 2007)
HD DVD Takes Centerstage at Wal-Mart (Oct 31, 2007)


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