14
Oct
2011
Newlaunches.com: Sony is taking the entertainment outside home with an impressive Blu-ray/DVD player called the BDP-SX1. It’s the company’s first such portable offering with LED backlighting and resolutions of up to 1,024×600 on the 10.1-inch display. (more…)
12
Jul
2011
What Hi-fi: Yamaha is the latest manufacturer to develop a smartphone control app for its 2011 range of home cinema receivers and Blu-ray players.
The free app will be available for Android devices from October. (more…)
07
Jul
2011
What Hi-fi: The latest addition to Onkyo‘s home cinema line-up is the BDP-SP809, a £500 Blu-ray player complete with 3D capability, network streaming and THX certification.
On sale next month, the new model has twin HDMI outputs, and uses Marvell’s Odeo processing technology to de-interlace and upscale non-HD to content to 1080p. It can also play DivX HD, MP3 and WMA content on CD and DVD, and also has a USB port to allow playback of audio and video files from a suitable device. (more…)
18
May
2011
What Hi-fi: Philips has announced the £200 BDP7600 Blu-ray player, complete with 3D, wi-fi and HD audio support.
The BDP7600 features full HD 3D playback, Net TV, DLNA, integrated wireless, DivX Plus HD compatibility and Philips’ latest CinemaPerfect HD processing engine. (more…)
14
Apr
2011
What Hi-fi: Onkyo is introducing a second Spotify-enabled AV receiver, the £800 TX-NR709, which joins the £500 TX-NR609 model launched last month.
The TX-NR709 is a 7.2-channel, THX Select2 Plus design with eight HDMI inputs, dual HDMI outputs, decoding of high-definition audio formats, support for 3D video, an audio return channel and video upscaling to 4K resolution.
There’s a front-mounted USB socket for direct digital connection of of iPod/iPhone and USB mass storage devices. A proprietary universal port enables users to connect Onkyo peripherals.
Being network capable, it can stream audio from a PC or the internet, including Spotify’s Premium service and internet radio stations
Additional features inlcude DSP modes for gaming, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume, 7.2 multichannel preamp outputs and TI Burr-Brown PCM1690 192kHz/24-bit DACs.
Also joining the Onkyo stable are two 3D-ready, 5.1 receiver/speaker packages as well as a 5.1 speaker-only set-up.
The HT-S9405THX 5.1 system (£1000) and HT-S6405 (above, £600) will be available in May, as will the SKS-HT648 5.1 speaker package with subwoofer (£300).
Finally, the Onkyo BD-SP309 3D-compatible Blu-ray player (below) is on sale this month for £200. It offers 1080p upscaling, AVCHD and DivX Plus HD (MKV) video support, an ethernet port for home networking connectivity and onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks.
05
Apr
2011
What Hi-fi:Sony‘s long-awaited BDP-S780 3D Blu-ray player makes its UK debut today, along with a pair of new 2.1 Blu-ray home cinema systems.
The BDP-S780 slots into the 2011 Sony range above the already-announced BDP-S380, BDP-S480 and BDP-S580.
The BDP-S380 delivers Full HD 3D images from Blu-ray discs, has bult-in wi-fi and Skype, includes 2D to 3D upconversion and has Advanced IP Content Noise Reduction Pro technology to improve picture quality on low-quality web content.
The player can be operated via a smartphone using the Media Remote application.
Also joining Sony’s 2011 range are the BDV-L600 (above) and BDV-EF200 (below) Blu-ray in a box systems.
Both are 3D compatible, and include Bravia Internet Video with YouTube, BBC iPlayer, Sky News and LoveFilm.
Virtual surround sound is delivered courtesy of Sony’s S-Force Pro 3D technology, and like the BDP-S780 standalone player the 2.1 systems incorporate IP picture noise reduction.
The Sony BDV-EF200 comes with a built-in iPod dock too. Prices on all three models to be confirmed.
04
Mar
2011
Engadget: Of course, it’s not all about new TVs, as Panasonic also took the opportunity today to bust out MSRPs for a slew of other home theater products. As it mentioned at CES, the connected features of its 2011 Blu-ray players are taking center stage, with Skype access through Viera Cast, while they also claim to feature the industry’s fastest playback, measuring at half the booting and loading time of the 2010 lineup. One other key feature is the ability to use an iPhone as a WiFi connected remote and load movies, music or pictures onto the phone then play them on the HDTV. The top of the line DMP-BDT310 should arrive in May while the rest are already making their way to store shelves.
21
Jan
2011
Gizmag: From keeping the kids amused to giving you something to do while stuck in a snow drift, in-car video entertainment systems are becoming an increasingly important component of the modern automobile. For videophiles who demand the very best in onscreen visuals, news that the Audiovox Corporation is set to release the industry’s first automotive Blu-ray Disc player will no doubt be very welcome indeed. The compact device can be connected to any in-vehicle monitor, comes with an infrared remote and also has wireless streaming capabilities.
As you might expect, in addition to allowing users to choose from the 1,600 or so Blu-ray titles currently available, the player can also read from DVD and CD disc format. The unit can be horizontally or vertically mounted under the seat or hidden away inside a storage compartment and connected to any in-vehicle monitor from the unit’s HDMI, composite or component output ports.
It’s powered from a 2-pin, 12-volt connector to the vehicle’s accessory power source and the disc slot is illuminated by a blue accent light. There’s an infrared remote control with an extension included, for when the device is hidden away. The player is also Wi-Fi capable to cater for wireless media streaming.
The AVDBR1 Blu-ray player carries a suggested retail price of US$349.99, with a Q2 availability window. Product details will appear on the company’s mobile product site nearer to release time.
07
Jan
2011
Engadget: One-upping yourself, eh Samsung? Just a year after the BD-P4600 claimed the title of world’s slimmest Blu-ray player, the outfit has introduced the BD-D7500 to take that crown and waltz all over Las Vegas. Introduces here at CES, the D7500 measures just 1.1-inches deep, and also includes 2D-to-3D conversion capabilities, 1080p upscaling, inbuilt WiFi, touch sensor control, DLNA streaming and support for Samsung Apps / Hub. (more…)
26
Nov
2010
Engadget: The possibilities teased in 2009 by Wi-Fi Direct have probably kept Bluetooth up at night, and we’re sure the commencement of device certification last month hasn’t helped, either. Now the LG BD960 has emerged as the first Blu-ray player on the Wi-Fi Direct certification list, hinting direct P2P communication in our home theaters among WiFi devices (without the need for a routing middleman) could soon go from fiction to fact. Unfortunately, mum’s still the word on shipping and pricing. The mere chance however that the player could stream content to any other WiFi-equipped device — Direct certified or not — is a big enough deal to give our dedicated media streamers Defarge-like glances already. Particularly, if the BD960 comes packed with features similar its suspected predecessor the LG-BD390, which can stream both Netflix, Vudu, and DLNA network content, as well as play DivX HD 1080p content. Until more details surface though, we’ll simply have to keep reminding our poor Galaxy S that it isn’t destined to be alone in this cold, cruel world forever.
03
Sep
2010
Gizmodo: Those crunched for space (and keen on looks) might consider Panasonic’s SC-BFT800, a wall-mountable, all-in-one Blu-ray affair. Packing speakers, 3D Blu-ray playback, WiFi connectivity, and iPod support into one bar, the unit also offers virtual 7.2 support with wireless subwoofer.
Panasonic recently announced the release of a slim and wall-mountable FULL HD 3D Blu-ray DiscTM Home Cinema System with a built-in FULL HD 3D Blu-ray DiscTM player to the market. The system is equipped with advanced image technologies, like the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus and Full HD Upsampling, that have proven hugely popular with Panasonic Blu-ray DiscTM players. These technologies reproduce the ultimate in 3D images, rendering them extremely faithful to the original movies. 3D movie featurs allow users to experience powerful, dynamic worlds that they have never before encountered, such as exciting leaping effects and enhanced depth, lustre and texture.
Advanced sound technologies complement the true-to-life 3D images of the FULL HD 3D Home Cinema System. The wireless Kelton Subwoofer’s powerful deep bass sounds further enhance 3D film enjoyment, while sounds are distinctively produced by a Clear-Mode Dialog that makes dialogue seem to come from the centre of the screen. In addition, the Virtual 7.1-channel Surround function reproduces dynamic surround sounds that further enhance the enjoyment of watching 3D films.
The SC-BFT800 also features great networking like VIERA CAST which brings a variety of streaming services including YouTubeTM Videos into the living room. Wireless LAN capability4 eliminates the need to connect a LAN cable, so the system can be installed without the need for any complicated wires. Users can watch 2D images (JPEG) and movies (AVCHD/MPEG2)5 from digital cameras and camcorders via the integrated SD card slot and USB port, as well as 3D video content recorded by the Panasonic camcorder HDC-SDT750. With these and other features, the SC-BFT800 provides exciting entertainment for family and friends.
The SC-BFT800 also features a sliding front door that lets the use set Blu-ray Discs/ DVDs/CDs into the main unit by opening it from the right, and an iPod/iPhone by opening it from the left. The sophisticated, stylish, slim body makes the design an ideal match for a VIERA TV, while enhancing any room interior. Panasonic also addresses important environmental issues in its production system. For example, a single chip LSI called UniPhier is used for image signal processing. Unification of this LSI helps to lower power consumption and achieve a more compact design while also decreasing the burden on the environment by using limited natural resources more efficiently.
This Panasonic Blu-ray DiscTM Home Cinema System has taken a large step ahead in image and sound quality, networking, easy operation, and environmental consideration, to provide even greater AV enjoyment.
15
Jul
2010
Gizmag: LG may have been beaten to the 3D TV punch by the likes of Samsung, Sony and Panasonic but the Korean manufacturer has still managed to claim a first with its new Infinia HDTVs – namely the world’s first Full LED 3D HDTV. This seems to splitting hairs a bit as both Samsung and Sony offer 3D TVs in edge LED backlit flavors, but LG’s new LX9500 series are the first with LED backlighting that supports localized dimming for improved contrast and blacker blacks. LG’s entry into the 3D market also sees the release of the edge backlit LX6500 series and the company’s first 3D-capable Network Blu-ray player.
LX9500
LG’s LX9500 series that was first unveiled in March comes in 47- and 55-inch screen sizes offering Full HD 1080p resolution to each eye through the now standard use of active shutter glasses and an emitter built directly into the TV. The TVs’ LED backlighting feature a 480Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, 2D THX Certification, DLNA Certification, a super-slim frame with a 0.92-inch bezel and boast up to 240 addressable LED segments (on the 55-inch model) for localized dimming and a contrast ratio of 10,000,000:1.
LX6500
The the LX9500 series, the LX6500 series also comes in 47- and 55-inch screen sizes and retains Full HD 1080p resolution and DLNA Certification, but loses the 2D THX Certification and drops the refresh rate down to 240Hz and ups the response time to 2ms. Instead of LED backlighting the LX6500 series 8,000,000:1 contrast ratio is courtesy of edge lighting with local dimming.
Commonalities
With the use of an optional adapter both the LX9500 and LX6500 series can access online content, including NetCast, Yahoo! TV Widgets, Netflix, Vudu, Picasa and YouTube, over a home Wi-Fi network. Both of LG’s 3D LED HDTV series also include energy saving features such as an Intelligent Sensor to automatically calibrate and optimize image brightness, contrast, white balance and color based on the ambient light in the room.
BX580 Network Blu-ray player
LG’s BX580 Network Blu-ray player adds 3D playback capabilities in additons to standard 2D Blu-ray discs and DVDs. Unlike the new HDTVs the player comes with Wi-Fi capability built-in for access to online content capabilities from NetCast, including Netflix, CinemaNow, VUDU, YouTube, MLB.TV, Pandora, Picasa and AccuWeather. The player is also DLNA Certified.
LG’s LX6500 series are priced at US$2,700 and $3,600 for the 47- and 55-inch models respectively, while the LX9500 series goes for $4,300 and $5,400 respectively. The BX580 Network Blu-ray player is priced at $350.