CES 2008
CES 2008: Panasonic Press Conference - DMP-BD50
Posted January 6, 2008 by Ben
This just in from CES: Panasonic has just unveiled the new DMP-BD50 Blu-ray player with full BD Live (profile 2.0) implementation. The player will internally decode Dolby TrueHD as well as DTS HD Master Audio and will have the same SD card functionality as the current DMP-BD30.
BLU-RAY DISC PLAYER DMP-BD50 FACT SHEET
BD-Live
The DMP-BD50's Ethernet terminal is a gateway for Internet connection, which paves the way to an entirely new form of movie-plus-Internet entertainment. In the future, BD-Live users will be able to participate in quizzes and challenge each other to interactive games that are linked to bonus movie content on BD discs. BD-Live also supports other interactive functions, such as Picture-in-Picture and Audio Mixing.
Interactive Functions
Picture-In-Picture
With Picture-in-Picture, a small sub-window is displayed over the main image. There are four examples of Picture-in-Picture modes, each offering distinct functions. They include Enhanced Commentary, Backstage Pass Function, Peek Behind The Animation and Audio Mixing.
Enhanced Commentary*
BD media goes considerably beyond the kind of audio commentary provided in many DVD movies, such as a director discussing the film. Enhanced Commentary makes it possible, for example, for the director or actors to appear in the sub-window (as if they are standing in front of the screen) and point to actors or equipment as they make their comments.
Backstage Pass Function*
This lets you access additional information provided about people, places or things in a BD movie. Use the remote control to select an element highlighted on the screen, and a sub-window opens with the information. For example, there could be notes about the clothing or accessories an actor is wearing or the restaurant in which a scene is set.
Peek Behind The Animation*
While playing back a movie with dubbed-in voices – for example, a feature-length animation – this feature lets you watch in a sub-window as the actors read their parts. You can see the actors' gestures and expressions as they speak, giving you an inside look at a whole facet of moviemaking you've never seen before.
Audio Mixing*
The Audio Mixing function lets you choose which soundtrack to listen to: the one from the content playing in the main window, the one from the sub-window, or both at the same time. The sub-window soundtrack can also be reproduced in 5.1-channel surround sound.
*Depending upon program contents.
Other BD-Live Possibilities
The future is expected to bring a host of imaginative new features. For example, the DMP-BD50 will be able to connect directly to the Internet and download additional content from Websites to an SD Memory Card for more viewing and playing enjoyment.
HIGH-DEFINITION PICTURE AND SOUND QUALITY
UniPhier®
Combining a PHL Reference Chroma Processor with advanced P4HD imaging technology, Uniphier, the Precise Digital Video processor reproduces crisp, natural colors that are extremely faithful to the original movie. The beautiful images are complemented by an exceptionally pure, accurate sound achieved through Audio Re-master and other leading-edge audio technologies. Uniphier reflects the advanced encoding and authoring technologies developed by Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory (PHL) in collaboration with film industry professionals. With Uniphier at its heart, the DMP-BD50 provides a level of image and sound quality that meets Hollywood's stringent demands – so you experience movies just the way they were meant to be experienced.
Precise Digital Video
PHL Reference Chroma Processor
The PHL Reference Chroma Processor up-samples (4:2:0 to 4:2:2) the color information in decoded video signals. Using proprietary Panasonic technology, this innovative circuit faithfully reproduces the fine details and nuances of Blu-ray video streams that have been recorded with high quality image compression system. It generates images with all the clarity and depth that BD-Video movies have to offer.
P4HD (Pixel Precision Progressive Processing for HD)
To get the best HD images from a BD-Video disc, you need a player that renders high-quality progressive images, expresses motion smoothly, and draws sharp diagonal lines. The DMP-BD50's P4HD processes more than 15 billion pixels per second and applies the optimum processing to every pixel in the video data on the disc. The result is images with exceptional resolution.
Deep Color*
The DMP-BD50's HDMI output is Deep Color compatible. While the earlier HDMI V.1.2 offers 8-bit, 256-step gradation on 4:4:4, HDMI V.1.3 enables video signals to be sent on 12-bit, 4,096-step gradation at any format. This helps the DMP-BD50 reproduce natural looking colors with smooth gradation and minimal color banding.
*An HDMI™ V.1.3 compatible TV is required.
1080/24p Playback The DMP-BD50 provides 1080/24p output (via HDMI) for Blu-ray titles and DVD titles. It reproduces movie images from a Blu-ray Disc in their original 24p form, with no need for conversion.
HD Audio Format Decoding and Output The DMP-BD50 is equipped with decoders for the high-quality, lossless Dolby® TrueHD and DDTS-HD Master Audio™ audio formats. These formats theoretically contain the information to reproduce original sound sources in their entirety. Connection to an AV amplifier with 7.1-channel input capability enables sound quality on the level of a studio master system.
Audio Re-master for All Media
The DMP-BD50's Audio Re-master function compensates for data lost in the compression process used in BD and DVD recording. This helps create a fuller, richer sound that is extremely faithful to the original. It also brings re-mastering to the Blu-ray Disc for the first time ever.
HD Networking with SD Memory Card
The DMP-BD50 comes equipped with a slot for SD Memory Cards. Just take the SD Memory Card from your HD camcorder or digital still camera, and you're ready to view high resolution photos and motion images on your TV.
Linking with an HD Camcorder
The DMP-BD50 can play back AVCHD-format images shot with an HD camcorder, such as the Panasonic HDC-SD9. Images recorded onto the camcorder's SD Memory Card are output directly from the DMP-BD50's HDMI terminal in their original, high-quality 1920 x 1080 resolution. The DMP-BD50 also provides an AVCHD Direct Navigator function that makes it easy to search for particular scenes.
Linking with a Digital Camera The DMP-BD50 can play back JPEG still images on an SD Memory Card, such as those recorded with a Lumix FZ3 digital camera. The DMP-BD50 can output the images to 1920 x 1080 resolution – ideal for a full-HD TV – and output them via the HDMI terminal*. Using the Slideshow playback feature, you can play a music CD at the same time you're showing the photos, so viewers enjoy both beautiful images and their favorite music.
VIERA LinkTM
Seamless GUI
You Can Control Your Blu-ray Disc™ Player with the TV Remote Control* When the TV is on, the VIERA Link function lets you switch to home theater mode using just the Panasonic VIERA TV's remote control unit. Simply press the VIERA Link button on the TV's remote control and select "BD Player" on the VIERA Link Menu screen. The BD player's menu will display on the TV screen, and you can begin playback of a Blu-ray Disc or select from the Blu-ray disc
Source: Blu-ray.com |
Permalink
CES 2008: Sony to Offer Sub-$200 PC Drive
Posted January 6, 2008 by Josh
Live from the Sony Pre-CES Press Conference, Sony has unveiled plans to offer a sub-$200 PC Drive. No specs were announced, but we should hear something tomorrow when the show officially begins.
Source:
Blu-ray.com |
Permalink
CES 2008: Sony Showcases 2 BD-Live Players
Posted January 6, 2008 by Josh
At the Sony booth, they are showcasing two new prototype BD-Live players. The Sapphire 3 and 4 will both be Profile 2.0.
Sony also has indicated that the PS3 will get a BD-Live upgrade sometime in the future.
(τα bold δικα μου)
CES 2008: Funai Advance Press Release - New Bonus View Player
Posted January 7, 2008 by Ben
Funai Press Release:
Funai Corporation, Inc., the North American sales and marketing subsidiary of Funai Electric Co., Ltd., today announced the introduction of its first Blu-ray Disc player (NB500 series) for the North American market.
The Company will begin production in the first quarter of 2008, and plans to begin selling the player at retail stores in North America during the second quarter. The retail price is projected to be under $300. Demand for players that supports High Definition contents is increasing swiftly in the U.S. market thanks to the rapid spread of Full HD flat-panel televisions in addition to FCC mandate to switch from analog to digital formats. In the consumer products market in particular, movie and music contents are becoming more common in the Blu-ray Disc format, and shipments of specialized disc players and game machines compatible with Blu-ray Disc products are increasing. Within the healthy competitive environment in this next-generation DVD market, the Blu-ray Disc format is steadily enhancing its market position. The player supports Profile 1.1 (Final Standard Profile), the latest Blu-ray Disc format standard, and will allow consumers to fully enjoy the Blu-ray Disc HD experience. The product is expected to further stimulate the Blu-ray Disc market, and enable customers to appreciate movies and music with even higher resolutions and higher quality sound.
More to come...
και δηλωσεις του CEO της
σονυ...
CES 2008: Sir Howard Stringer is Feeling the Blu(e)s
Posted January 7, 2008 by PeterTHX
But that's a good thing. In his address to the press today at CES, the CEO of Sony Corporation was smiling when he spoke about his company's commitment to Blu-ray Disc. Sony's presentation was limited to existing models such as the BDP-S300, BDP-S500 and the BDP-S2000ES. Sr. VP Randy Waynick showed how Blu-ray disc is a major part of Sony's HDNA push with products spanning several groups: home video (BD players), Computers (VAIO with BD drives), and Multimedia (PlayStation 3). Additionally, he discussed a future BRAVIA LCD television with modular components, such as a plug-in BD/DVD drive or additional HDMI inputs.
Sony displayed a stylish Media Center VAIO PC with Blu-ray, and the current HES-V1000, which integrates a 200 disc BD/DVD/CD changer, BD writer, and 500GB HDD ($3499). Waynick also highlighted the new BD-ROM/writer BWU-200S, which at under $200 "has the ability to put Blu-ray in any PC". The drive appears to be 4x as well.
New Blu-ray products were limited to the prototype "Sapphire 3" and "Sapphire 4" which look to be BD-Live enabled successors to the BDP-S300/500 players. Also confirmed was the ability for the PS3 to be updated to full Profile 2.0 BD-Live capability, though no date was given. Finally, Sony highlighted the recent announcement of Warner Home Video's commitment to exclusively release in the Blu-ray Disc format. WHV's exclusivity gives Blu-ray a decisive content advantage when it comes to the competition.
)
