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Yamaha, the innovator in home theater and digital audio and video reproduction, today introduced the DVD-S1800 universal DVD player and the DVD-C961 Super Audio CD/DVD-Audio Changer. Both feature a host of advanced features and capabilities designed to maximize the performance of high-end home theater installations. Ideal for those who demand the ultimate in video and audio realism, the DVD-S1800 and DVD-C961 not only offer 1080p video output via HDMI, but also support DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD playback. Both units will be on exhibit at Yamaha's CEDIA 2007 booth (#450).The DVD-S1800 and DVD-C961 will be available in August for a suggested retail price of $449.95 each. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
The DVD-S1800 DVD player and DVD-C961 changer both utilize industry-leading video processing technologies to deliver remarkable performance. In addition to upconverting video to 1080p, the units can also output 480p, 576p, 720p and 1080i signals, all over a pure digital HDMI connection. To ensure the highest possible video quality even through their analog outputs, the models also feature a 216MHz/12-bit high-performance video DAC. Noise Shaped Video(TM) technology from Analog Devices uses oversampling and sophisticated techniques such as multi-bit sigma-delta processing and bit-shuffling to relocate converter noise to a part of the spectrum where it can be removed by an analog filter. This improves signal accuracy, allowing signals to be displayed at much higher resolutions.
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At Ultimate Electronics and Abt Electronics, Toshiba’s second-generation players are still the best-selling individual models, but collectively, Blu-ray players have been outselling HD DVD Toshiba models in recent weeks.The article also points out that set-top Blu-ray player sales could be even higher, but manufacturers are having a hard time meeting demand. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
At Ultimate, the shift began in June when Sony rolled out Blu-ray’s cheapest set-top player to date, the $499 BDP-S300. Ultimate also carries second-generation Samsung and Pioneer Blu-ray models.
“It’s a slight lead, not a huge margin, but we expected this to happen as [Ultimate] is selling three HD DVD players, versus five Blu-ray players. There is a depth point of view now,” said Matt Duda, Ultimate director of merchandising for video. “But there is no single Blu-ray player overtaking Toshiba’s models.”
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ONKYO USA has announced the launch of its first HD-DVD player, the DV-HD805. This player has been introduced to realize the potential of high-definition HD DVD content. It is also one of the first HD DVD players to take advantage of high-bit-rate audio streaming via HDMI version 1.3a. The DV-HD805 will be available in the fall of 2007.According to Onkyo's press release, the DV-HD805 will be priced at $899. This is pretty expensive, considering its reportedly based on the Toshiba HD-XA2 which is priced at only $499. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
The DV-HD805 is designed to partner with Onkyo’s 2007 A/V receiver line-up. Both the HD DVD player and the A/V receivers feature HDMI version 1.3a connections, making the combination of these components the perfect platform for high-definition 1080p video images. It also nicely complements Onkyo’s A/V receivers by streaming of the new lossless surround sound formats, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as two “lossy” formats, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio.
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Today Warner Home Video (WHV) announced that it has the fastest and highest-selling high definition title in the market with the epic action-adventure, “300.” Since July 31, 2007, “300” has sold more than 250,000 copies to consumers on HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc.While a notable achievement, this is still a drop in the bucket compared to standard DVD sales. If you'd like to read more, Warner's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
“300” provides another high definition milestone for Warner Home Video which was the first studio to break the 100K sold mark with “The Departed.” Overall WHV has six of the top 10 selling high definition titles with “300,” “The Departed,” “Superman Returns,” “Planet Earth - The Complete Collection,” “Batman Begins,” and “Happy Feet.” Warner also has the highest grossing high definition title with the dual-format release of “Planet Earth.”
“‘300’ is an amazing film, and the high definition sales we are seeing underscores the positive business benefits of supporting both HD DVD and Blu-ray,” said Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video. “This phenomenal response to ‘300’ is the latest proof that our approach makes the most sense in today’s market and has enabled Warner Home Video to continue to lead the market in high definition sales.”
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Toshiba's third generation family starts with the entry level HD-A3player featuring 1080i output capability. The other two new models,Toshiba's HD-A30 and HD-A35, will output 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080p),the highest HD signal currently available. Both models are capable ofoutputing signals at 1080p/24 frames per second so consumers can enjoymovies in their native frame rate. The HD-A30 and HD-A35 models alsofeature "CE-Link" (HDMI-CEC), allowing two- way control between the HD DVDplayer and a TV through an HDMI connection.Toshiba currently plays to ship the HD-A30 in September for about $399.99. The HD-A3 and HD-A35 will hit store shelves a month later and are priced at $299.99 and $499.99 respectively. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
The top-of-the-line HD-A35 also adds support for Deep Color via HDMIallowing compatible display devices to deliver outstanding video quality -displaying millions of possible colors to billions of possible colors.
Additionally, the HD-A35 offers 5.1 channel analog output and High BitRate Audio (up to 7.1 channel) via HDMI. With content encoded in 7.1ch,this advanced surround sound is achieved through the HDMI connectionbypassing the player's internal audio processor and sending the signal to a7.1 capable A/V receiver. High Bit Rate Audio will allow the consumer tointegrate the HD-A35 with the latest multi-channel A/V receivers and enjoya whole new dimension of high definition home entertainment.
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Sony Europe today opens the MMG Venue (Music, Movies and Games), a new site providing access to the latest content released on the Blu-ray Disc format.More information about Sony's new website can be found here. Add a comment
Set in a virtual city laneway, the MMG Venue is home to a jazz café which boasts live full-length music videos of Blu-ray Disc artists including Bruce Springsteen, Destiny's Child and Incubus.
A red, suped-up sports car links to the MMG Venue gaming section, highlighting the cream of exclusive Blu-ray Disc PS3 games hitting the market. Recent games currently on show include Motorstorm, Lairmaster and Uncharted, all in full HD.
A billboard poster lit-up in the virtual laneway takes you straight to a selection of high definition previews of the latest blockbuster movies released in Blu-ray Disc format. Spiderman III, Casino Royale, All the King's Men and Talladega Nights are currently playing, with new trailers set to be added close to film release dates.
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Hitachi has not announced a price. However, AV Watch expects the DZ-BD7H and DZ-BD70 to cost about 190,000 Yen ($1597US) and 160,000 Yen ($1345US) repectively. Full details can be found here.
Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT / TSE:6501) announced the world's first Blu-ray Disc (BD) Camcorder, -which records one hour of 1920x1080 Full High-Definition video onto a BD (single side, single layer.) The new camcorders will start selling in Japan on August 30, 2007, and overseas market sequentially starting from October.
The new DZ-BD7H is a Hybrid Cam with a BD drive and a 30 gigabyte (GB) built-in hard disc drive (HDD) which can record approximately four hours of 1920x1080 full high-definition video, or up to eight hours of 1440x1080 high-definition video. It can also copy the contents from HDD to 8cm BD within the camcorder so that users do not need to use any external devices.
The new DZ-BD70 is a BD single drive camcorder which can record approximately one hour of 1920x1080 full high-definition video (two hours of 1440x1080 high definition video) on a 8cm BD.
Update - Hitachi America has followed up with their own press release, stating that the DZ-BD7H and DZ-BD70 will be priced at $1,499 and $1,299 respectively. Expect to see them on store shelves some time in October. Add a comment
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The BDP-LX80 will ship in October for a suggested retail price of 210,000 Yen ($1768US). If you'd like to read more, Pioneer's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
The Pioneer BDP-LX80 supports bitstream output of the next-generation audio formats - Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, as well as linear PCM 7.1-channel output of the same formats. Users can enjoy a surround sound ambience never before possible as well as stunning piture quality.
The new BD player is designed for seamless home theater integration via HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) technology. This feature realizes syncronized operations with HDMI-control enabled home theater products including Pioneer plasma display PDP-5010HD and A/V amplifier VSA-LX70. Users can be freed from troublesome procedures such as switching remotes even when enjoying their favorite BD contents on the complicated home theaters.
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Until now, only a handful of companies operated the stampers needed to copy thousands of Blu-ray Disc movies at a time. But the Japanese company handling most of the early Blu-ray Disc adult film releases in Japan says it has partnered with a Taiwanese company able to secure the necessary equipment from Sony.The Japanese adult film industry has already put out ten movies on Blu-ray and more are on the way. In comparison, only one adult film has been released on HD DVD in Japan. If you'd like to read more, then entire article can be found here. Add a comment
"In Japan, there are some problems. Companies cannot press Blu-ray discs because they cannot touch adult-related contracts," said Kiyotaka Konno, director of administration at Assist Corp., a Japanese company that authors and replicates DVDs for the adult industry in Japan. "So we asked some makers in Taiwan to do the work, and then we import the discs back to Japan. The Taiwanese company was able to obtain a pressing machine from Sony and will start mass production in August."
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It's going to be interesting to see how HD DVD backers respond to this report. If you'd like to read more, Parks Associates' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
As consumers continue to embrace more high-definition products and services, next-generation DVD players are poised to experience significant growth over the next five years, according to a new report from Parks Associates titled Next Generation DVD Players: Will History Repeat? The new report estimates that, with set-top box models and game consoles combined, more than 32 million Blu-ray and HD DVD players will be sold in United States by 2011, an 85% increase from the 4.9 million units estimated to be sold in 2007.
“Purchasing or renting DVDs will continue to be a dominant way for consumers to view content,” stated Chris Roden, Research Analyst at Parks Associates. “What has yet to be determined is which format will become the standard, HD DVD or Blu-ray?” According to the report, consumer confusion is still prevalent with less than 10% of U.S. consumers stating that they are familiar with the HD DVD or Blu-ray formats.
“However, we are starting to see the pendulum swing slowly in one direction,” said Roden. “Recent retail developments, support from major Hollywood studios, and inclusion of the format in the PlayStation 3 puts the Blu-ray format in the lead.”
